At BIMM, each College has a Student Services Team designed to help you with all aspects of student life both inside and outside of the classroom. The teams are here for you if you need some advice and guidance on health and wellbeing, housing and finance, support for your learning or just want to ask a question which you’re too afraid to ask in the classroom. We’re here to support you, whatever the circumstances.
The size of the teams vary depending on the size of the College, but offer every student a named contact within each team; someone who’s there to support you, and who understands the individual demands required by your specific course.
The Student Services Team also have a range of literature to help you manage your life whilst studying with us. This includes our comprehensive Mental Health First Aid Kit, that you can view here.
Look out in your College for Masterclasses, workshops and advice related to helping you with all aspects of music, performance and the creative process. Things such as performance anxiety, procrastination and perfectionism are all common difficulties in music and the creative arts. Music offers a set of unique challenges for students, often requiring individual services for our students. Ask us what resources are available to help you.
It’s quite normal for students to experience difficulties in their academic and personal lives. Quite often these challenges are handled better when you talk to someone. Each College has access to talking therapies which offer a confidential and supportive short-term counselling service. Should you also require something more long-term, we’ll support you in finding a service that’s right for you. For students with long-term mental health difficulties, come and talk to the team. We have a lot of experience in the field, as well as a number of different resources which may be able to help.
At your assessment or application stage, if you declare to us that you have a disability or learning difficulty that may require adjustments to help you learn, the Student Services Team will try to make contact before you arrive in order to put together an Individual Support Plan, created specifically for you. If you’re able to provide us with a diagnosis or consultant’s letter, we can communicate with your tutors and put together reasonable adjustments ready for when you commence studies. You can also speak to us about adjustments at any time during your studies and we’ll do our best to help.
Our Student Services Teams have access to training and resources which gives us the ability to offer advice and guidance on life outside the college. Two of the most common problems are housing and funding. If you have questions about your tenancy agreement, for example, or want to make sure you’re receiving the maximum funding available to you, make an appointment to come and see us. If you hit a crisis, ask us about the BIMM Hardship Fund, which is funding available to students who require short-term financial help in an emergency.
At BIMM, we want to include the student voice at all levels of decision making across the organisation. Student Services can help you find out how to get involved, either as a Rep or by participating in regular forums and consultation events. Creating a sense of community is important to us. Your Student Services Team can help you to realise any ideas you have for clubs, societies and social events. We’ll ensure that you’re kept regularly updated with everything that’s going on around the College.
Not happy, got a complaint or want to talk to someone?
Above all else, we want your studies with us to be a safe, enjoyable experience. Should you feel unsafe, unhappy or have a concern for someone you know, the Student Support Team members are trained listeners and can offer you a safe space to discuss your concerns and, where appropriate, advise on next steps.
