Cost of Living Support
With the rapid rise in cost-of-living we are doing everything we can to help support our students through this time. Please check with your local Student Support team and Centre Managers on what's available right now for you in your local college centre.
Board Games and Well-being Activities
Board Games and Well-being Activities
Board Games
A selection of board games are available to sign out from the Learning Resource Centre in Fort William, Thurso and Stornoway, along with some adult colouring books and jigsaws. Contact library.nwh@uhi.ac.uk to arrange or pop in.
Financial Support
Financial Support
Direct support:
- UHI Discretionary Fund may be able to help if you are stuggling with rent/mortgage costs
- UHI Digital Support funding provides support to students who have no or limited access to the internet in order to undertake your studies
- Travel Award (*under 22's tavel free by bus in Scotland)
Other useful resources:
- Citizens Advice Scotland
- Money Matters
- Money Saving Expert
- Mind.org offer advice on looking after your mental health when you’re worried about money
- Scottish Government advice and support
- Energy prices: How much will you pay from January?
- Warm Home Discount Scheme: Overview
- Home-Start Caithness - Practical and emotional support for those with young children
Food & Groceries
Food & Groceries
College Support
Student Cubby’s & help yourself shelves containing dried foods, clothing, books, sanitary products, toiletries, and lots more available across several of our centres. Drop in or contact your local learning centre to find out more.
Further resources
Scottish Government advice and support
Ask for Henry
Customers who ask for 'Henry' at any Morrisons café will be given a free jacket potato with beans and salad.
Recipes
Waste Not Want Not & Foodbanks
Waste Not Want Not & Foodbanks
Broadford & Strath Community Company Fridge
Kilmallie Community Fridge & Cupboard
Kyle and Lochalsh Community Fridge and Food Share
HTSI - see food activity and community food provisions across the Highlands
Hubbub Community Fridges - see their virtual map for your nearest fridge
Ullapool Community Trust, New Broom and Community Pantry - food, general household stock, furniture, small electrical items and more
Community Fridge Isle of Lewis
Caithness Foodbank - Referrals required to access this service from external organisation eg Citizen’s advice
Thurso Community Cafe - Pay what you can policy, community food larder, clothing by donation. Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 10am -3pm.
The Pulteney Centre - Foodshare at the front door 9am-5pm every weekday.
Dingwall Foodbank, Free church, High Street - Tues 10-12, Fri 1-3pm 07782 551854 info@dingwall.foodbank.org.uk
Sharing Shed – Thurso Community Development Trust (Beside Thurso Youth club) is open daily 10am-5pm to share food and reduce food waste.
St Peter’s Thurso and St Andrews, Princes Street, KW14 7AA - Warm welcome – safe space and free lunch. Wed & Thu 12-2pm.
Gairloch & Aultbea Foodbanks & Christmas Hampers - contact 07557733539 to arrange one for you or someone in your local community.
Mental Health Support
Mental Health Support
UHI offer free student counselling and access to Mental Health Support. Visit UHI Essential Student Skills via Brightspace to learn more about the support available to you.
All students have free access to 24/7 mental health support with Spectrum.Life. With a range of ways to interact from phoning, texting, Whats App, all calls are answered by clinically trained counsellors. You can talk to them about anything, including stress, anxiety, low mood, financial worries, loss and grief, relationship difficulties and substance abuse issues.
Counselling
Sometimes we just need to talk to someone in confidence. We are committed to listening to you and to working with you to develop constructive ways forward. Talk to someone, don't try to go it alone! Find out more about our student counselling service.
Local Resources
Ewen's Room offer support and advice on mental health issues to anyone living in the west highlands of Scotland, with weekly ‘Open Doors’ sessions in local villages, with tea, coffee and home baking to enjoy. These friendly get-togethers are open to anyone who is feeling anxious, lonely, depressed or just needs a chat.
Lochaber Hope provide a service that supports people in Lochaber to cope with a wide range of sensitive and personal issues including counselling, mentoring, training and employability.
Here for Caithness - Mental Health Support Group
Skye and Lochalsh Mental Health Association
Change Mental Health Highlands - Centres in Goslpie, Inverness, and online resources.
Mikeysline - Outreach Hive by appointment Wednesdays 5-7.30pm, Morven Building UHI Thurso campus.
Stepping Stones, The Haven and Listening Ear: mental health support, low-cost refreshments and hot meals. Thurso 01847 892177 or Wick 01955 605264.
Useful Links
- Mind.org offer advice on looking after your mental health when you’re worried about money.
- Mikeysline
- Stand Alone - supporting estranged adults in everyday life
- Barnardos
- Connecting Carers
- RASASH | Rape & Sexual Abuse Service Highland
- Penumbra Stornoway
- Catch 23 Stornoway
- Western Isles Rape Crisis Centre
- Camerados Stornoway
- Advocacy Western Isles
Apps
- Too Good To Go is an anti-food waste app that lets you buy unsold food from businesses at a discounted price
- UNiDAYS offers students free discounts on food, fashion, fitness, technology and much more
- Student Beans - Student Discounts
