The invasion of Ukraine has affected our staff and students in many ways, and in recent weeks, the University has been seeking to assist members of our community, and will continue to do so.

We are all part of a diverse, global and supportive community at Bath and ask that everyone continues to treat each other with dignity and respect. We are grateful to all of those members of our community who have already been supporting staff and students who are facing difficulties.

A summary of help and advice available to both staff and students is below.

Support for students who are concerned about loved ones in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus or the region

Wellbeing Support is available every day of the year by phone on 01225 383838, video or by email. You can also get confidential support via Be Well, Talk Now, a confidential service available 24/7 from anywhere in the world. Help is also available from The SU’s Advice and Support Centre. Chaplaincy staff are happy to talk with anyone who has been affected, in total confidence. Please email chaplaincy@bath.ac.uk or contact Nigel Rawlinson.

Students can also talk to their personal tutor for help and advice.

In response to the crisis, Therapeutic Services are running a series of workshops over the next few weeks, open to all students to support them during difficult and challenging times. These workshops will:

normalise emotions experienced when life events seem out of our control
teach participants simple but effective strategies for self-regulation
offer tried and tested techniques for self-care
offer psychoeducation around stress
look at ways of increasing tolerance.

Students are welcome to attend as many workshops as they like, as each will have a slightly different perspective given the modality of the practitioner. All workshops will be held online via Microsoft Teams.

Tips for Tolerating and Managing Uncertainty with Sapna Walton, Tuesday 22 March, 9.15am
Dealing with Difficult Times; Protecting Against Vicarious Trauma with Nic Peacock, Tuesday 29 March, 10.00am
Dealing with Difficult Times; Building Resilience with Effie Lunn, Wednesday 6 April, 10.00am

Support for students unable to travel or return home

Student safety is our priority. Currently the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advises against all travel to Ukraine, Belarus and Russia.

Further information including alerts about travel to any nation is available to all University of Bath students through the RiskMonitor Traveller service. Sign up using your University email address at: https://www.drum-cussac.net/login

For Ukrainian students on UK study visas, the Home Office has advised that visas can be temporarily extended, or they will be allowed to switch to different visa routes.

If you are considering travelling abroad, contact the Student Immigration Service who can advise on potential consequences for visas.

For those with concerns about finances, please contact the Student Money Advice team.

For students feeling anxious about the uncertainty over the months to come, the University will have accommodation and support available in case any student needs to remain in Bath over the summer period if they are unable to travel elsewhere for safety reasons. Please contact internationalstudentservices@bath.ac.uk to discuss your accommodation and support needs.

Disruption to your studies because of the war

Please contact your Director of Studies if your studies are disrupted or are likely to be disrupted, if you need to change your study location or to request a break in your studies.

Support for students on placements in the UK or elsewhere

Any student on placement experiencing difficulties because of the invasion of Ukraine or who requires support should contact Student Services.

Financial support for students affected by the war

Advice and support regarding finances is available to all students who may be facing money worries as a consequence of the conflict, wherever they are located. Please let us know if your accounts are frozen, if you are having difficulties accessing funds or are unable to transfer money into your UK accounts. We will advise and support you.

Please contact the Student Money Advice team who can help.

Treating each other with dignity and respect

We know that the war in Ukraine has affected many of our University community. We have a diverse, global and supportive community at Bath and we ask that everyone continues to treat each other with dignity and respect, in accordance with our Dignity and Respect Policy.

We are most grateful for those members of our community who are already supporting others who are facing difficulties, and want our campus to be a safe and welcoming environment for all our community.

If any member of our University community experiences incidents including assault, harassment and bullying, then the University Support Services are available for emotional and practical support, in confidence. If you prefer you could also use the Report and Support tool, in confidence and anonymously.

If you need urgent or emergency support please call the emergency services on 999 or University Security on 01225 383 999 if you’re on campus.

Bereavement support

Bereavement support for students

For any student experiencing a bereavement, a range of support is available including individual, peer and faith-based support. See the bereavement support pages for more information and to access the right option for you.

Bereavement support for staff

The University has policies to support staff experiencing bereavement, including compassionate leave. To find the most appropriate support please speak with your HR Advisor.

The University Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is also available, providing free, confidential counselling services through the Royal United Hospital.

Support for staff concerned about loved ones in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus or the region

We know that this is a particularly difficult time for those with family and friends in the region and those who have professional relationships with colleagues there.

In the first instance staff can speak to their line manager about other support or flexibility needed, or their relevant HR Advisor.

The University Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is also available to all staff, providing free, confidential counselling services through the Royal United Hospital. The Education Support Partnership, which operates a 24/7 service, is also available.

Chaplaincy staff are happy to talk with anyone who has been affected, in total confidence. Please email chaplaincy@bath.ac.uk or contact Nigel Rawlinson.

Advice for managers regarding staff who are called up or volunteer for military service

If you are contacted by a member of staff regarding military service, please seek advice from your HR Advisor.

If you are a member of academic staff and are asked about this by students, please contact the Student Services staff advice line on ext4321 who can advise.

Staff travel to Ukraine, Russia, Belarus and the region

Currently the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advises against all travel to Ukraine, Belarus and Russia.

Approval for travel to these countries should be sought from the International Travel Group, care of the Director of Policy, Planning and Compliance.

Further information including alerts about travel to any nation is available to all University of Bath staff through the RiskMonitor Traveller service. Sign up using your University email address at https://www.drum-cussac.net/login.

Sanctions and research and collaboration in the affected countries

The UK Government has introduced financial, trade, transport and other sanctions against Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine.

If you believe that any aspects of your research or collaborations may be affected by these sanctions or the conflict, please get in touch with Finance and Procurement.

Financial support for staff because of the impact of the war

If you are experiencing or expect to experience financial hardship because of the conflict in Ukraine, please speak with your line manager or your HR Advisor in the first instance .

Support for Ukraine and refugees

We know that many in our community would like to contribute to efforts to provide support for Ukrainians and refugees. There are many charitable organisations working to do so, and two options include the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal and UNICEF’s Ukraine Appeal.

Within Bath and the surrounding area a number of appeals for essential items to send to refugees are underway.

Further support

At difficult times like those we are experiencing now, it is normal and valid for people to feel a range of emotions including anxiety and distress. We encourage any member of our community to reach out for support should they wish.

Further support for students