Wellbeing courses, workshops and events

Our in-person bereavement support group is for students who have experienced the loss of a loved one whether recent or past. We understand that everyone has their own unique experience of grief, and we also know that sharing our stories and getting support from others who have also been bereaved can be really helpful.

We hope by facilitating this group, you can get together in a confidential and safe space to share stories, thoughts and feelings and be in a supportive space where people just 'get it'.

When

The Bereavement support group runs every other Tuesday (term-time only).

• Tuesday 3 October 11.00am – 12.00pm
• Tuesday 17 October   11.00am – 12.00pm
• Tuesday 31 October   11.00am – 12.00pm
• Tuesday 14 November 11.00am – 12.00pm
• Tuesday 28 November 11.00am – 12.00pm
• Tuesday 12 December 11.00am – 12.00pm (TBC)

Where

Chaplaincy Lounge (2nd Floor)
Chaplaincy Centre & Prayer Rooms
St Pauls Road
Portsmouth
PO5 4AQ

Sign up here. If you would like more information or to have an informal chat about this group, email wellbeing-admin@port.ac.uk and our admin team will connect you with the practitioner running this group.

TransMission is a supportive and relaxed space for transgender, non-binary, gender questioning and gender variant students to socialise together, make new friends and network. This group runs in-person.

When

Second Wednesday of the month (term-time only):

• Wednesday 4 October, 12.00pm to 1.30pm
• Wednesday 18 October, 12.00pm to 1.30pm
• Wednesday 1 November, 12.00pm to 1.30pm
• Wednesday 15 November, 12.00pm to 1.30pm
• Wednesday 29 November, 12.00pm to 1.30pm
• Wednesday 13 December, 12.00pm to 1.30pm

Book

Please register your interest here and we will email you with dates, times, and the venue. If you would like more information or to have an informal chat about this group, email wellbeing-admin@port.ac.uk and our admin team will connect you with the practitioner running this group.

The surprising way that our minds work and how we can work with them, not against.

Use our online Moodle resource and work through at a time that suits you. This includes an introduction to the concepts of the Compassionate Mind model. Armed with this understanding you will be able to benefit in many areas of your life like building positive relationships (with others as well as yourself), increasing emotional resilience, and feeling more optimistic.

You'll learn

• The 3-Systems Compassionate Mind model and how it can help make sense of your inner life
• How developing compassion for yourself and others will improve relationships
• Breathing exercises and visualisation techniques to help you manage your mind and be your best you
• To develop your own compassionate mind toolkit
• The benefits of taking part in the online compassionate mind training sessions

Dates haven't been set yet for this group - please contact us below to find to out more.

This is a weekly in-person group.

How to book

Email wellbeing-admin@port.ac.uk or ring 023 9284 3466. You will need to register with the Wellbeing Service so you can meet with a practitioner one-to-one and learn more about the group before joining. We look forward to hearing from you!

Frequently Asked Questions

What will happen in this group?

The session content is student-led enabling the group to respond to different needs throughout the year. We know you're busy, so you don't have to come every week but are welcome to. You can choose whether you would like to just sit and listen or join in with the conversation. We will only ask general questions, unless we are clarifying something and there is no expectation for you to answer.

The group is about being able to be yourself and doing what is comfortable for you. 

What sort of things does the group cover?

The group is student-led and topics and their order are decided by the group. Topics can vary but can include skills for:

• Regulating emotions (including anxiety, low mood and anger)
• Learning to balance your sensory experiences
• Building healthy relationships and managing difficult situations
• Planning and organisation at University
• Motivation and procrastination
• Regulating energy levels

How are the sessions structured?

The weekly session structure follows this pattern:

• Welcome to the session and an outline of the topic that will be covered
• Feedback about trying out the skills learned in the previous session
• Introduction to the topic and the new skills
• A summary of the new skills to be practiced during the week, which you are welcome to try. 

What if I would like to attend the sessions but I find groups difficult?

Many autistic students find it challenging to work in groups and it is something that you can talk about with the wellbeing practitioner. Students attending this group have told us that connecting with other students who understand their experiences has helped them to feel supported and has helped build their confidence.

If you would like more information or to have an informal chat about this group, email wellbeing-admin@port.ac.uk and our admin team will connect you with the practitioner running this group.

Dates haven't been set yet for this workshop - please contact us below to find to out more.

Worried about coping with your exams? Beginning to feel stressed at the thought of exam preparation? Wanting to have strategies to help you to plan and not panic? Then this virtual workshop is for you.

Exam stress can block our effectiveness in working towards exams and lower our performance once inside the exam hall. This workshop will help you to understand your anxiety about exams and to build your confidence so you feel less stressed on the day. Introducing approaches such as CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) and mindfulness, this session will demonstrate effective techniques for managing the
anxiety that exams create and help you find a more productive approach to exams.

In this workshop, you will learn how to:

• Improve motivation and focus
• Challenge critical thoughts and worrying
• Prioritise and time manage
• Self-care whilst stressed

This virtual workshop will be run twice this semester and will be facilitated on zoom. You only need to sign up to one.

Where

This virtual workshop is being offered twice on zoom.

**Please note that students need to be registered with a Portsmouth GP to access these two workshops**

If you would like more information or to have an informal chat about this group, email wellbeing-admin@port.ac.uk and our admin team will connect you with the practitioner running this group.

Dates haven't been set yet for these sessions - please contact us below to find to out more.

Mindfulness is an integrative, mind and body based approach that helps us change the way we think and feel about our experiences. Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment, paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, and sensations without judgment. It has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, improve focus and concentration, and promote a sense of calm and well-being.

These in-person sessions will offer an experiential space for students to explore movement, formal mindfulness practices, and psychoeducation principles from ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy). The focus will be on opening up, doing what matters, and being present.

Our hope is that students will be active participants in developing these skills and also support each other with their experiences. You don't need any prior experience with mindfulness to join, and all students are welcome.

Spaces are limited. Sign up here. If you would like more information or to have an informal chat about this group, email wellbeing-admin@port.ac.uk and our admin team will connect you with the practitioner running this group.

Dates haven't been set yet for this workshop - please contact us below to find to out more.

A space to move, to shake out unwanted thoughts and feelings, and restore balance.

"The fastest way to still the mind is to move the body" Gabrielle Roth. 

These in-person weekly workshops are a fun way for you to move to a wave of music, to let go of stress, anxiety and unhelpful thoughts. There are no dance steps to learn, just let your body naturally move in response to an energetic wave of great music which starts quietly, then builds in energy and volume before slowly coming into stillness. The music will guide you through the phases of sensing, grounding, expressing, releasing, connecting, and completing. 

Come and enjoy the relaxed and friendly environment. No expectations and no judgement. To ensure this remains a safe space, we ask that you do not use your phone during the session. 

What if I don't like the music?

No problem, you can move in a way that expresses your dislike! 

What if I'm tired?

Then come and rest, many people begin by lying down and some stay there!

What if I can't dance?

This isn't about being able to dance, it's about moving authentically. And not all movements can be seen - some are tiny. 

Do I need to bring anything?

Bring water, and make sure you're wearing something you can move in. Shoes are optional (the floor is carpeted). Bring your friends (UoP students only)!

"Dancing has healed many places for me that words couldn't reach" - These workshops are facilitated by Janine Kane (Counsellor and Movement Facilitator).

You can drop in or sign up here. For more information or to have an informal chat about this group, email wellbeing-admin@port.ac.uk and our practitioner will contact you.