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Debt Awareness Week

Did you know this week is Debt Awareness Week?

The cost-of-living crisis has impacted us all, and more people than ever are struggling with problem debts.

We know asking for help can be a difficult step, so we want to spread the word about the free support available to help you take control of your finances.

StepChange are a charity that have a range of tools and resources to help you understand your debt, they offer advice and support on how to tackle it. Your Money’s handy resources can also help with Money Management and the new Cost of Living Fund is open to all eligible students.

Debt also can have an impact on your wellbeing. If you’re struggling and need someone to talk to, our Wellbeing and Mental Health team are here to help. Email wellbeing@chester.ac.uk to find out more.

All UoC students also have access to our dedicated Student Assistance Programme (SAP). You can call 0800 028 3766 for in-the-moment support or talk to an Adviser about debt management and budgeting.

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HMRC warning: fraud and money muling

HMRC are warning all students to be extra cautious when it comes to their bank accounts and fraud.

Recently there has been a rise in cases of fraud at universities and colleges and many students have been affected. The most common enabler of fraud for students is money muling – this is when you allow someone else to use your bank account to send/receive money.

By using money mules, criminals try to ensure that the consequences hit the mule instead of them.

Money mules usually get recruited because they get a cut of the stolen money. This means they are involved in money laundering. This is a serious criminal offence, with a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.

How can I protect myself?

Be suspicious of job adverts that offer the chance to earn quick and easy money. Stick to reputable job sites and remember that if something looks too good to be true, then it probably is. Don’t forget you can find a range of jobs on our CareerHub.

Don’t sign up for any opportunity without undertaking some proper research. Google any prospective employer. Do they look legitimate? Is their site secure? Do they have an online presence? Are the contact details legitimate? Is it based overseas?

Don’t engage with any online posts offering large sums of money.

Don’t accept message requests from people you don’t know, and if you receive a message with a link to click from a friend, speak to them in person before you respond.

Don’t share bank and personal details with anyone that you don’t know or trust – even among friends or family. If someone asks to ‘borrow’ your bank account, say no.

Always remember that if you aren’t sure about the source of the money, it could have come from criminal activity, and you could unwittingly be laundering money and end up with a criminal conviction.

What should I do?

If you or someone you know has been approached, break off all contact, don’t receive or move any money, and ask for advice from someone you trust. Criminals operate in silence – by talking about it, you are protecting others.

Report it by calling local Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.

Contact the HMRC Fraud Hotline quoting ref: IFMM23. You do not have to give your name or contact details unless you want to.

Contact the independent charity CrimeStoppers 100% anonymously online or by calling 0800 555 111. Please quote ref: IFMM23.

If you see it online, click the button to report it to the social media companies to get it taken down.

If you think someone you know is already involved, go to the NCA website for advice.

If criminals have already got your personal information report it to Action Fraud National Fraud & Cyber Crime Reporting Centre on 0300 123 2040

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International Student Drop-in

Key Event Information

Start Date: 29 March 2023 1:00 pm

Start End: 29 March 2023 4:00 pm

Location: Churchill Artium, Queen's Park

Do you have any questions about living in the UK? Want to know more about how to access support from the University, or just fancy a chat?

Come to our weekly drop-in sessions to ask the Student Experience Team!

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International Student Drop-in

Key Event Information

Start Date: 22 March 2023 1:00 pm

Start End: 22 March 2023 4:00 pm

Location: Churchill Artium, Queen's Park

Do you have any questions about living in the UK? Want to know more about how to access support from the University, or just fancy a chat?

Come to our weekly drop-in sessions to ask the Student Experience Team!

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International Student Drop-in

Key Event Information

Start Date: 27 March 2023 9:30 am

Start End: 27 March 2023 1:30 pm

Location: Churchill Artium, Queen's Park

Do you have any questions about living in the UK? Want to know more about how to access support from the University, or just fancy a chat?

Come to our weekly drop-in sessions to ask the Student Experience Team!

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International Student Drop-in

Key Event Information

Start Date: 30 March 2023 11:00 am

Start End: 30 March 2023 1:00 pm

Location: Community Hub, Exton Park

Do you have any questions about living in the UK? Want to know more about how to access support from the University, or just fancy a chat?

Come to our weekly drop-in sessions to ask the Student Experience Team!

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International Student Drop-in

Key Event Information

Start Date: 23 March 2023 11:00 am

Start End: 23 March 2023 1:00 pm

Location: Community Hub, Exton Park

Do you have any questions about living in the UK? Want to know more about how to access support from the University, or just fancy a chat?

Come to our weekly drop-in sessions to ask the Student Experience Team!

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Ramadan

The Islamic holy month of Ramadan begins on Wednesday 22 or Thursday 23 March (depending on the sighting of the Moon). During this period, Muslims take part in fasting from dawn until sunset, and during these hours, no food or drink is consumed.   

The Chaplaincy team send their greetings to our Muslim students; Ramadan Mubarak to all of you starting Ramadan next week. Our Muslim Chaplain, Imam Aziz Patel, is available for anyone who has any queries regarding Ramadan and Eid and anything else. 

Please do get in touch with Chaplaincy via chaplaincy@chester.ac.uk if we can support you in any way.  

Imam Aziz has suggested students take a look at this booklet from The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) which beautifully explains Ramadan and Eid and also provides some great tips on fasting. 

The University has Prayer Rooms across its sites and you can find these on the Chaplaincy Portal page. Currently Queen’s Park and Bache Hall are being upgraded and will be ready for Ramadan with washing facilities onsite. 

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University wins award to celebrate student safety initiative 

We’re pleased to announce that yesterday the University was presented with an award from the High Sheriff of Cheshire to recognise the work we’ve done to enhance student safety and wellbeing.  

Teams from across the University were presented with the award by the High Sheriff Jeanie France-Hayhurt to acknowledge their part in a range of initiatives to highlight and tackle all forms of harassment and enhance student safety.  

The award was presented to members of our Safer Streets Team and wider Unacceptable Behaviours Group (UBG). Set up in 2016, the Group includes students, University leaders, and staff from areas including Student Services. It aims to raise awareness of, prevent and support students affected by unacceptable behaviours, which include harassment and abuse. 

With funding received through the national Safer Streets initiative in autumn 2021, and following a survey of students, a number of new initiatives were put in place to build on existing support to help students feel and be as safe as possible, including: 

  • A powerful awareness-raising Reflect and Respect campaign focusing on the prevention of sexual violence by sharing the proactive message that violence against women and girls will not be tolerated, identifying harmful behaviours and encouraging cultural change. 
  • A pilot of a free personal safety app which enables students to set off an alert, set a meeting timer and a start and end point for journeys.  
  • New lighting and CCTV installed across Chester sites.  
  • Partnering with organisations in Chester, Warrington and Northwich (for students at Reaseheath College and University Centre Reaseheath), to provide students with Safe Spaces should they ever feel they are in danger.   
  • A new Sexual Violence Liaison Officer (SVLO) Service supporting students who have experienced sexual violence or harassment. More than 20 staff members are receiving accredited SVLO training, delivered by LimeCulture, the UK’s leading sexual violence specialist support and safeguarding training organisation.   
  • A new reporting tool for students to report an incident.  
  • Consent and healthy relationship workshops, with 10 staff members now trained to deliver these by LimeCulture.  
  • First Responder training to key staff on how to handle a disclosure.  
  • A Safer Taxi scheme, partnering with local taxi firms so students can get home if they feel unsafe.    
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Employer in the Foyer: Money Penny

Key Event Information

Start Date: 22 March 2023 10:00 am

Start End: 22 March 2023 2:00 pm

Location: Binks Foyer, Exton Park

Pop along and discuss summer vacancies and other roles with Moneypenny.

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