Halls of Residence

Student support service

Supporting you

At Halls of residence we know that living in a close community for the first time and sharing a flat for a year with people that you have never met before can be difficult. Hopefully you won't experience any difficulties while you're in Halls but if you do, there are plenty of ways you can get support.

Student Support Team

The Student Support Team is made up of the following staff:

Other concerns

Everyone can feel 'socially anxious' in varying degrees. It might be a one-off circumstance that is particularly overwhelming or something that happens in lots of situations.

Some of the more obvious are home sickness, loneliness, bullying,  arguments with your flat mates or other students, struggling with your academic work, money concerns, worry about friends, drink and drug troubles, accommodation issues, and other personal problems where you need emergency support.

Be assured even though it is often unseen - it is very common.  Whatever the issue, take some action and get advice from the Student Support Team, who will discuss the issues with you confidentially. If the Student Support Team cannot help you, they will know someone who can in the University. 

Other sources of help and support

You can also speak to any of the other University support services and download the following guides produced by the NHS: 

  • Stress and Anxiety: A Self Help Guide
  • Shyness and Social Anxiety: A Self Help Guide

Student Support Managers

Student Support Managers (SSMs) are responsible for the day-to-day management of welfare and pastoral concerns of residents within all Halls of Residence.

SSMs provide welfare cover 24 hours a day, seven days a week for every week of your stay. 

How can I talk to a Student Support Manager?

  • Drop in for a chat in the evening (times available at your reception).
  • Appointment-only session  (book at your reception) where the SSM will aim to fit in with your availability.

All conversations are completely confidential; the SSMs will not act upon a matter unless you want them to.
Do not forget that SSMs offer a mediation service between flat mates, for example helping to resolve a shared cleaning dispute and so on.

If the SSMs cannot help you with a specific issue, they will know someone within the University who will be able to help. You can also approach other University support services.

Who are they?

Guildhall Halls

Guildhall Halls Senior Student Support Manager Sara McGinn Senior Student Support Manager:
Sara McGinn
T: 02392 84 3989
E: sara.mcginn@port.ac.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Guidhall Halls Student Support Manager Louise Nash

Student Support Manager:
Louise Nash
T: 02392 84 3783
E: louise.nash@port.ac.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rees Hall and Burrell House

Rees Hall & Burrell House Student Support manager Rebecca Richards Student Support Manager:
Rebecca Richards
T: 02392 84 3924
E: rebecca.Richards@port.ac.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Langstone Student Village

Student Support Manager:
Katherine Taylor
T: 02392 84 4578
E: katherine.taylor@port.ac.uk

Residential Assistants

You can also speak to a Residential Assistant (RA).  Residential Assistants are students who have experienced their first-year in Halls so they have the knowledge and experience to help.

Residential  Assistants have been trained to assist with all types of issues and they will be happy to help you. RAs are not members of staff but fellow students who can always be relied upon to be a friendly port of call. Please ask your Hall reception  how to contact your RA.

Halls Executive Council (HEC)

The Halls Executive Council (HEC) is made up of a group of elected students each year who provide a link between all Halls students and the Student Council working with the Halls management team. HEC also represent Halls residents on focus groups, raising issues of concern on their behalf.

The Halls Executive Council also work together to organise and promote social and sport events and look to purchase equipment that would benefit current and future Halls residents.

Interested in joining this team?

Talk to your Residential Assistants (RAs) or Student Support Manager (SSM) to find out more.

Keep an eye out for election information on Facebook, the Students' Union Halls webpage and in your Hall during the first few weeks of the year.

University Security team

University Security Team In addition to Halls of Residence staff, the University employs a team of qualified security guards to help preserve a productive study environment and protect the University buildings and equipment. You will recognise the University Security team as they wear a uniform and carry ID.
The University Security team are responsible for:

  • Patrolling Halls to help ensure safety and security of residents, buildings and their contents.
  • Assisting in the maintenance of the study environment, including monitoring noise levels
  • Assisting residents with problems out of working hours.
  • Putting residents in contact with any support service they may need.
  • Reacting to and dealing with emergency situations such as fire alarms.

Please help the University Security team by following their requests and instructions. This helps them do their job and make your Hall a safer and more comfortable place to stay.

Contact the University Security team

For general assistance, please contact:
T: 023 92 84 3418 (calling from your mobile phone)
T: 84 3418 (using the landline phone from your room).

For emergencies, please contact:
T: 023 92 84 3333 (calling from your mobile phone)
T: 84 3333 (using the landline phone from your room).

Check identification

Halls of Residence staff and authorised contractors are issued with a University ID, similar to a campus card, but it may not have a photo.

Halls staff will not enter your room without your permission, unless in an emergency. However, if you have reported a defect/maintenance issue or repair in your study room/flat, this includes automatic permission for access. Halls staff keep a record where such access is made.

If you are in doubt and need support, please call your Hall reception between 8.00am and 9.00pm. Outside of these hours, please contact the University Security Lodge:

T: 023 92 84 3418 (calling from your mobile phone)
T: 84 3418 (using the landline phone from your room).