Computing students working side by side in a PC lab

People Like Us

Addressing racial and cultural barriers to accessing wellbeing support

We all need to look after our wellbeing to thrive, but some groups of students face more barriers to accessing support than others.

That’s why we have teamed up with current students and members of the community with lived experiences to create specific support groups for Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority students.

We will explore how racial and cultural stressors influence our mental health and wellbeing and learn ways to manage these challenges. 

You can sign up online or face-to-face. Please contact peoplelikeus@uwl.ac.uk for more information.

A group of students in a lecture room working.

You can sign up for one of the 8 support groups running: 

  • Asian Indian
  • Black, Asian, & Ethnic Minority (for anyone who is coming from a Black, Asian, and ethnic minority community and does not identify with any specific group)
  • Eastern European
  • Female Muslim
  • Male Muslim
  • LGBTQ+
  • Black Female
  • Black Male
Five different peoples' hands on the table from different ethnic backgrounds.

Sign up online to get access to innovative mental health and wellbeing support that is designed by students, for students and in collaboration with wellbeing experts from our community.

There is no commitment – simply sign up for email updates or join our online communities that you can dip in and out of in a way that suits you. You can also attend in-person sessions!

Our team and partners

Frequently asked questions

  • What support is available?

    This new and exciting project offers several support activities to meet the needs of our Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority community at UWL.

    The following activities are available:

    • Face-to-face sessions.
    • Virtual learning and peer support environment.
    • Social media (Live Q&A’s, podcasts, online peer support networks).

  • What sorts of issues can I talk about?

    Each session has been co-designed and tailored for each community group in mind. The sessions will explore some of the challenges that Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority community groups face and how this may impact mental health and wellbeing.

    Some examples of the topics that will be discussed within the sessions:

    • Cultural expectations
    • Microaggression
    • Racism
    • Religion
    • Gender norms
    • Cultural identity

    Each session will have a protected space for individuals to freely discuss any issues.

  • What will I learn?

    The sessions will cover the following topics:

    • People like us
    • Understanding me
    • Thinking about our thinking
    • Developing skills to manage stress
    • Coping with difficult emotions
    • Healthy me, healthy life

  • How long will the sessions last?

    There will be 6 face-to-face sessions lasting up to 3 hours for each session.

  • Are the sessions recorded?

    No. None of the sessions will be recorded, all the information shared within the face-to-face session will remain confidential amongst those within the group.

  • Can I just do online resources?

    Yes. You are free to sign up for one, two or all three of the support activities available.

  • What will you do with our personal information?

    All information shared will be stored in accordance with GDPR guidelines. We will not share or disclose any personal information to any third party without your consent. The only time personal information may be shared without your consent is if there are any safeguarding concerns.

  • What support is there for current students?

    If you do not wish to take part in this project but you would like to engage in other support from student services, please visit the support for current students webpage.

    You can register and book appointments online through The Student Hub.

    • The Student Hub is the one-stop place where you can access all our Student Services support online, 24/7, via laptop or mobile device.
      • Visit studenthub.uwl.ac.uk to take control and get the support you deserve.

    Self-help information and resources:

    • Student Space information, services, and tools to help you with student life. o Visit the Student Space website for further information of the support services available.
    • Samaritan a free 24/7 emotional support service. o Visit the Samaritans website for further information.
    • Togetherall a safe, online community where people support each other anonymously to improve mental health and wellbeing.
      • Visit the Togetherall website to sign up to Togetherall for free using your UWL email address and get 24/7 anonymous online support.

Wellbeing Chats

Stay in Intune with your mental health and wellbeing

The People Like Us project hosted a series of wellbeing and mental health chats with our partners from West London NHS Trust. Here you will be able to access the series of short live Q&As hosted with our NHS partners discussing topics that can impact your mental health and wellbeing.

  • Stress and anxiety - discussing how stress and anxiety can impact your behaviour and exploring different tools and coping strategies
     
  • Microaggressions - discussing how microaggressions can impact our mental health and wellbeing and learning new coping strategies
     
  • Neurodiversity and culture - discussing neurodiversity and how cultural influences can impact help-seeking behaviour and diagnoses
     
  • Developing self-compassion - discussing self-compassion and steps to develop it through talking

Contact us

Contact us on green background

If you have any questions or need support, please contact us on peoplelikeus@uwl.ac.uk.

Find out more