**Message from the Vice-Chancellor **
Dear Colleagues,
I know the current situation in Ukraine is the cause of deep concern and anxiety for many in our staff and student community.
Our community demonstrated great care and respect for one another throughout the most difficult stages of the pandemic, and that spirit of community will remain vital as we support one another during this new and evolving situation.
Our immediate focus has been on the practical and pastoral support we can provide to our students and staff, particularly those from Ukraine and from Russia. We have been in touch with these students to offer our support and we are providing answers to the questions they have been asking.
In light of these events, UEB this week has decided to suspend until further notice both of our two formal partnerships with two Russian institutions, as outlined in this week’s UEB Blog. We will continue closely to monitor this fast-moving situation, and the needs of our community.
If you need to talk to someone at this difficult time, our overview of support for staff and students sets out the services available to you through the university – these are confidential and free, and are in place to help you if you need it. Your line manager or academic tutor is also there for you if you are struggling. If a member of staff feels that someone in their household needs additional support, our EAP service is also available to immediate family members.
Ours is a generous community, and we know many colleagues and students are wanting to show their support through various local, national and international initiatives. There is information below about some of the ways you may wish to do this.
Best wishes,
Mark
Professor Mark E. Smith
Vice-Chancellor
How to show support
In Southampton, the Polish Social Club at 507 Portswood Road are taking donations such as nappies, warm blankets and sanitary products which will be sent to Medyka on the Polish-Ukrainian border. Please check the Council website for the latest information.
For those wishing to make financial donations, you may want to consider well-established organisations such as UNICEF, the UN Refugee Agency, or The British Red Cross.
We are aware there are fraudsters who will try and take advantage of a crisis situation in the form of scams, so as always please remain alert to possible scams and fraud.
SUSU are holding a demonstration this Friday (4 March) from 16:00-17:30, at the Jubilee Plaza (the outdoor area between building 85 and the Hartley Library, Highfield Campus).
FURTHER INFORMATION
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office website provides the latest travel advice.
The Home Office website details support available for family members of British nationals in Ukraine, and Ukrainian nationals in Ukraine and the UK.
The NHS website – Every Mind Matters has expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing. There is also internal information and resources on the university’s Health and Wellbeing site.
There is an enormous amount of information circulating at this time. Consider using FULLFACT, an independent fact checker, or the government’s : RESIST 2 Counter Disinformation toolkit.
