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Welfare Support

Sickness Leave

Ensuring the welfare of our postgraduate researchers is at the heart of everything we do at the NWCDTP. We will do everything we can to support students who require a break from their PhD studies due to sickness. Each institution has a different sickness leave policy in place for their postgraduate research students. In the first instance, students should contact their relevant postgraduate office for advice and help with next steps:

  • University of Manchester – key contact: hums.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk
  • Manchester Metropolitan University – key contact: pgrfunding@mmu.ac.uk
  • Royal Northern College of Music – key contact: pgr@rncm.ac.uk
  • University of Salford – key contact: pgr-supportsam@salford.ac.uk
  • University of Liverpool – key contact: uolnwc@liverpool.ac.uk
  • Lancaster University – key contact: pgadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk
  • Keele University – key contact: humss.pgr@keele.ac.uk

In an emergency situation, you should ring ‘999’ and request an ambulance, or you can visit your nearest Accident and Emergency department. If you are feeling unwell and have a less urgent health problem, you can ring the National Health Service (NHS) Advice Line on ‘111’ for free (twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week), or you can use their 111 online service.

Your emotional wellbeing is just as important as your physical wellbeing, and it is essential that you take the time to look after yourself during your PhD studies. Below, you can find links to each of our seven institutions’ counselling, mental health, and student support services:

Below are some further details of charities and organisations that offer free and flexible out-of-hours support beyond the academic institution:

  • Beat – supports those affected by eating disorders
  • Frank – provides facts, support, and advice on the use of alcohol and drugs
  • Greater Manchester Mental Health 24/7 Helpline – a free mental health crisis helpline for people of all ages
  • Mind – provides advice and support to anybody experiencing a mental health condition
  • NHS Emergency Prescriptions – a service to request a limited emergency supply of a medicine you have run out of
  • NHS Student Guide – offers advice for students about registering with a GP, finding a dentist, and locating sexual health services
  • Papyrus – promotes positive mental wellbeing and supports the prevention of suicide
  • Samaritans – provides support for those in emotional distress
  • SANEline – offers emotional support, guidance, and information to anyone affected by a mental health condition
  • Shout – a free text messaging mental health support service
  • Student Minds – the UK’s student mental health charity
  • Students Against Depression – offers advice, information, and guidance to those affected by low mood, depression, and suicidal thoughts

If you would like further support from us, please do not hesitate to get in touch (nwcdtp@manchester.ac.uk). If you would like additional support or advice regarding Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) issues within the NWCDTP, you are welcome to email our EDI Advocate, Dr Hannah Helm (h.j.helm@edu.salford.ac.uk), who is more than happy to have a chat over email or Teams.

North West Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership