Grapevine
Weekly News and Information - WC 15th December 2014
We have named December – ‘Helping Others’ Month
Christmas has always been a time for helping others. SRC has decided to make this official. This December we want to encourage everyone to help each other. Doing the smallest thing for someone else can make a big difference.
Many people aren’t as lucky as we are, not everybody's family can afford to buy them presents or cook a Christmas dinner. Please take a moment this month to consider how you can help someone else to have a happy Christmas! This month please think about the little things you can do to help someone else (but don’t forget to check it out with a parent or tutor – keep yourself safe at all times!).
The Enterprise Christmas Fair returns to Stockton Riverside College on Wednesday 17th December.
Students have been encouraged to cultivate their enterprising nature and will be holding several stalls in SRC1 along the street from 11am.
Film Club - Bad Santa
Student Services will be holding a Film Club on Wednesday 17th 2014. There will be two showings of 'Bad Santa' at 1pm and 3.30pm. If you would like to attend either of these showings please inform your tutor or pop along to Student Services desk at the atrium. Tickets will be required to attend - limited numbers available.
Safety At Christmas
Remember to always book taxis through a legitimate company, do not flag one down in the street. Guthrie’s Taxi Firm have again agreed to give you priority, just ring them on 01642 555777 and used the codeword SRC student. When going out keep your phone charged so that you can ring someone in an emergency.
Drinking Alcohol
Drink plenty of water, it’s important to stay hydrated (especially after drinking). When you are out over the holidays, don’t leave your drink unattended. Know your own limits. If you are a driver – think before you drive. Are you safe the drive the day after a night out? Police are now targeting drivers the morning after.
Sure shots: 3 ways to make sure alcohol does not get you involved in risky situations
1. Keep track of how many units you’re drinking. The government's daily unit guidelines say that women should not regularly exceed 2-3 units (equivalent to a 175ml glass of wine) and that men should not regularly exceed 3-4 units (equivalent to a pint and a half of 4% beer).
2. If you decide to leave your friends during a night out, let them know where you are going. It is alsoimportant to plan your route home or book a taxi in advance and make sure you have credit on your phone.
3. Carrying a condom along with your keys and mobile phone can make sex far less risky whether you plan to drink or not. Take a couple of spares to help out your friends too.
Further tips for a pain free morning after:
- Try not to drink on an empty stomach; eat something – preferably carbohydrates - before you start drinking. The food will help slow the body’s absorption of the alcohol.
- Avoid getting into rounds because it makes it harder to control how much you drink.
- Stick to clear drinks (that don’t contain congeners that can worsen the hangover).
- Drink plenty of water or soft drinks in between alcoholic drinks.
- Your body takes about one hour to process each unit of alcohol. Consider stopping drinking well before the end of the evening, so the process can begin.
- Drink a glass or two of water or a soft drink before going to sleep, and again at intervals during the night if you wake up.
Information we hope you don’t need……..
Alcohol poisoning Being aware of the signs of alcohol poisoning is crucial, because if a person you care about is suffering from acute alcohol poisoning, they will be in no state to help themselves.
Look out for: confusion, loss of coordination, vomiting, seizures, irregular or slow breathing (less than eight breaths a minute), blue-tinged or pale skin, low body temperature (hypothermia), stupor – when someone’s conscious but unresponsive, unconsciousness – passing out.
Don’t wait for all the symptoms to show before getting help. Better safe than sorry is the rule for alcohol poisoning. If you think someone might be experiencing it, even if you have doubts, call 999 for an ambulance. Every weekend, hundreds of people are taken into hospital with acute alcohol poisoning. Medical staff will monitor people who have less severe alcohol poisoning closely, until it’s safe for them to go home.
Ambulance alert If you're really worried about a friend who has drunk too much then call an ambulance immediately. It might save a life and you won't get into trouble.
The recovery position If someone has collapsed, and they're still breathing:
- Turn them onto their side, with their head sideways nearest to you;
- Bend their upper arm and their leg on the side nearest to you;
- Straighten the other arm and leg;
- Stay with them, keep an eye on their breathing and tell someone to call an ambulance;
- Don't put someone in the recovery position if you think they've got a head or neck injury.
Helping if someone has taken drugs….. http://www.thesite.org/drinkanddrugs/drugsafety/usingdrugs/firstaid
If someone's taken a bad turn and you're worried about his or her condition, then call an ambulance immediately. When the crew arrive, list the symptoms, and tell them if you know what drugs have been taken. Hand over anything they may have taken if you've got something from the same batch.
Ambulance and hospital staff aren't the police. They aren't bothered what you friend has taken or done; they simply want to make sure they stay alive and get better. The quicker and more detailed information you give them, the greater the chance of a full recovery. If you need to call an ambulance, be honest and give them the best chance of being able to help.
Other sources of advice and help
Advice on your phone- thesite.org offer advice and guidance on a range of staying safe topics, and can help you to find local help when you need it about a range of subjects (sex, drugs, alcohol, careers, money, family problems). Either navigate to www.thesite.org on a pc or tablet or use your smartphone to go to their mobile site http://m.thesite.org/
Self harm advice and support http://www.thesite.org/healthandwellbeing/mentalhealth/selfharm or contact your GP, or if you are really concerned, go along to A&E.
Stockton & District Advice and Information Service (CAB) Advice and information on a range of issues, including benefits and welfare rights, community care, consumer issues, employment and housing rights, legal issues, money and debt, immigration. Specialist help in community care, debt, employment, welfare benefits and housing. Youth advice service - phone 01642 649723. Email: cabstockton@btconnect.com
Stockton on Tees Borough Council - Looked After Children's Service: Range of leaving care and after care services for young people aged 14-21. Needs assessment service for young people covering issues such as accommodation, family relationships, substance use. Range of services on a multi-agency basis for care leavers and other vulnerable young people, Monday-Friday 10am-12 noon, 2pm-5pm. Telephone: 01642 527860
ChildLine: Helpline for children and young people in danger or distress. Telephone counselling for any child (including teen) with any problem. Provides support and advice and refers children in danger to appropriate helping agencies. Telephone: 0800 1111 Freephone
NSPCC National 24 hour helpline for anyone concerned about a child /young person at risk of abuse, including children themselves. Counseling, information and advice from qualified professionals. Can make referrals to social services, the police or local NSPCC teams. Advice and information available via email and website. NSPCC also runs Welsh and five Asian language Child Protection Helplines. Telephone: 0808 800 5000 Freephone Email: help@nspcc.org.uk website: www.nspcc.org.uk. NHS advice http://www.nhs.uk/LiveWell/TeenGirls/Pages/teengirlshome.aspx http://www.nhs.uk/LiveWell/TeenBoys/Pages/Teenboyshome.aspx If you don’t feel well – and don’t think it’s a job for A&E – check your symptoms online http://www.nhs.uk/nhsdirect/pages/symptoms.aspx and you will get some advice on where to go next – whether to go to a walk in centre, call an ambulance or go to a pharmacist .
Helen Briton house: Sexual assault referral centres offer medical, practical and emotional support to anyone who has been sexually assaulted or raped. They have specially trained doctors and counsellors to care for you. If you're considering reporting the assault to the police, they can arrange for you to have an informal talk with a specially trained police officer who can explain what’s involved. Tel: 01642 516888 http://www.helenbrittonhouse.co.uk/
Stockton Borough Council Support:
Homeless??? Contact Housing Options Telephone: (01642)528389 Email:housing.options@stockton.gov.uk Opening hours: Monday to Thursday - 8.30am to 5pm Friday - 8.30am to 4:30pm For out of hours emergency accommodation contact: Emergency Duty Team 0870 240 2994 Police (01642) 326326
First Contact team (serious welfare issue) Telephone: (01642) 527764
Emergency Social Work Services - Out of hours service Telephone: 08702 402994
Last day of term: Thursday 18th December 2014
First day of the January term: Monday 5th January 2015
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
DecemBeard
Adult Learner - Nominations
We want to hear about:
Individuals who have made a significant difference to their lives through learning, and who would inspire others to do the same.
Tutors who are passionate and dedicated to learning, and make invaluable contributions to the lives of adult learners from all walks of life.
that have made a positive difference to learners' development and helped people change their lives for the better.
Employers that invest in outstanding staff training, and use learning to develop the skills of their workforce to improve productivity, raise morale and enhance their business performance.
Don't miss out! The deadline for nominations is 5pm on Wednesday 17 December 2014.
Set Fire to the Stars
Don’t miss your chance to see former Stockton Riverside College student A J Riach’s film, Set Fire to the Stars, as it comes to the ARC cinema this weekend.
The independent film, starring Elijah Wood, has so far been met with much acclaim, not least seeing producer A J, named as one of BAFTA’s 2014 Breakthrough Brits!
The film is currently being screened in a select number of cinemas across the UK.
It will be shown at Arc from this Friday (12th December) to Wednesday (17th December), £6 full price and £5 concessions.
What’s more A J will be taking part in post-show Q & As on Friday and on Saturday when he will be joined by the film’s actress Maimie McCoy.
Please remember that SRC are proud to have a fully stocked machine in the Art corridor. If you wish to find out more, please go to the Youth Work office and enquire.
Breakfast Club
Breakfast is a very important meal. A good breakfast fuels you up and gets you ready for the day.
In general, teens who eat breakfast have more energy, do better in education, and eat healthier throughout the day. Without breakfast, people can get irritable, restless, and tired. So make time for SRC Breakfast Club!
- Tea and toast will be served to students each morning, commencing from Monday 10th November from 8.30am till 9am in Oasis cafe.
- This will be free for the first 25 learners, then 50p for all other learners.
- It is important to remember your student ID, you will be asked to show this in order to benefit from the Beakfast Club offer.
Student I.D.s
We ask all staff and learners to wear their ID in college at all times. This is to ensure college is a safe place, and that we can identify anyone who should not be in student only areas. If you have any concerns about wearing your ID, please speak to your tutor. Staff will ask to see your ID if you aren't wearing it visibly. If you want more information on staying safe in college, text Safe to 81025.
Student Services
The Student Services Team would like to be more accessible to all learners. Therefore members of the team will be in the atrium each day.
You will be able to get information from the Youth workers,Careers and Finance.
A member of staff from Finance will be available from Monday to Friday, 11.30am - 1pm.
Please visit the team if you have any queries.