Support over the minimum service days
Posted on behalf of: The Student Wellbeing Team
Last updated: Monday, 8 December 2025
The University will be operating under minimum service from Saturday 20th December until it returns to usual service on the 5th January. This means that the majority of staff will not be available, but will respond to you when we return. Over this period, security will still be available 24/7 for anyone to call in an emergency on 01273 873333,
Events over the minimum service days:
Res Life Games Club
20th December 2-4pm in Woodland 5 (Student Centre)
Drop in to the games club where you can hang out with friends, meet new people and enjoy your evening in a relaxed social space.
Visit to Arundel with the Chaplain
Saturday 20 December, departing from the Meeting House
Free train ticket provided.
Res Life Lounge
22nd December 7-9pm in Woodland 2 (Student Centre)
Drop in to the Res Life Lounge where you can hang out with friends, meet new people and enjoy your evening in a relaxed social space.
Cinema Trip: Home Alone
Tuesday 24 December, 3pm, Brighton Komedia Picturehouse
Free ticket, including a drink and festive pies.
24th December (Christmas Eve)
A Christmas Carol Comes to Life
5-7pm, Meeting House Quiet Room
Join Sussex's Lead Chaplain for music, festive refreshments, and readings from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol to celebrate the Christmas season.
Res Life Lounge
24th December 7-9pm in Woodland 2 (Student Centre)
Drop in to the Res Life Lounge where you can hang out with friends, meet new people and enjoy your evening in a relaxed social space.
Music and Mulled Wine on Christmas Day
25th December (Christmas Day)
12-3pm, Meeting House Quiet Room
Sussex's Chaplain for international students will host this relaxed gathering on Christmas day. Enjoy music and mulled wine as you play festive games and activities.
Undercliff Walk with Residential Life
27th December time TBC
Res Life Lounge
29th December 7-9pm in Woodland 2 (Student Centre)
Drop in to the Res Life Lounge where you can hang out with friends, meet new people and enjoy your evening in a relaxed social space.
Movie Night - Studio Ghibli
3rd January 6:30-9:30pm in Woodland 2 (Student Centre)
Come and see Studio Ghibli with Res Life Connectors for chat, connection and a nice time!
The Sports Centre opening times
The Sports Centre will be open for gym and badminton use during the winter break at the following times:
- Monday 22 Dec 9am-4pm
- Tuesday 23 Dec 9am-4pm
- Wednesday 24 Dec - Saturday 27 Dec closed
- Sunday 28 Dec 10am-4pm
- Monday 29 Dec 10am-4pm
- Tuesday 30 Dec 10am-4pm
- Wednesday 31 Dec - Friday 2 Jan closed
- Saturday 3 Jan onwards normal hours.
Falmer Sports Complex will be closed on the following dates:
- Sunday 21 December – Friday 2 January, inclusive
- Normal opening times will be in place outside of these dates.
If you’re in crisis
If you have reached crisis point and feel at risk of self-harm or of harm to others, call 999, visit A&E or call the Mental Health Rapid Response service (MHRRS) on 03003 040078.
You can also contact the Sussex Mental Healthline on 111, Staying well in Brighton or the Brighton and Hove Wellbeing Service (NHS) if you’re experiencing mental heath challenges or emotional difficulties.
Other sources of support include:
- Brighton, Hove and District Samaritans at Dubarry House, Newtown Road, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 6AE or call 01273 772277 (local phone rates) or freephone 11612324
- MindOut – a local mental health service run by and for LGBTQ+ people with experience of mental health issues
- Samaritans offers a safe place for you to talk about whatever’s getting to you
- SANE is a UK mental health charity who run a national, out-of-hours mental health helpline offering specialist emotional support and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including family, friends and carers
- Shout 85258 is a free, confidential, anonymous text support service. You can text from wherever you are in the UK
- Hopeline UK is a confidential support and advice service for under-35s who are experiencing thoughts of suicide or anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide
- Mind provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem
- mental wellbeing Foundation is the UK’s charity for everyone’s mental health
- Qwell - free digital mental wellbeing support for adults across the UK.
Togetherall – a virtual community
Togetherall uses the positive effects of healthy social networks in its community where people share with, and support one another anonymously.
It provides a proven way to get better together through peer to peer, anonymous conversation.
The service is moderated 24/7 by trained practitioners who keep members safe, and facilitate the process of people helping people in clinically managed online spaces.
The self-guided group and individual courses cover mental wellbeing and lifestyle topics. Togetherall also has a library of useful articles and resources, including helpful tests and features to track progress.

