The Student Affairs offers advice and support service for all students at the School, and offers a wide range of services to meet the health, wellbeing and academic support needs for all current students.
Students can access a valuable range of services (including counselling) designed to meet their academic and welfare needs in order to support their professional and personal development.
Hours: 9.30am – 5pm Monday to Friday
For general enquiries email Student Affairs.
If you require immediate support outside of these hours please refer to the contacts listed on the Out of hours Support page.
- Counselling
- Health and Welfare Advice
- Sexual Health Clinic
- Physiotherapy
- Disability and Learning Support
- Hardship Advice & Support
- Accommodation Advice
- International Student Advice
- Sundial Court Support
- Out of Hours Support
- Working – During your Studies
Physical health is of paramount importance when practising, playing and performing. Our physiotherapist is on site to diagnose and treat performance related musculo-skeletal problems.
Posture, with and without instruments, practise techniques, warm ups and stretching are all covered within therapeutic sessions.
All students will be able to access physiotherapy remotely, this will include initial and follow up clinical assessments, advice and symptom management and home self care remedies either by telephone or TEAMS video. Please do contact Dru if you have a musculo-skeletal problem relating to your performing art to schedule in a consultation.
Drusilla Redman, Physiotherapt
Monday – Friday 9.30 – 5pm
Drusilla.Redman@gsmd.ac.uk
The Counselling service is a free and confidential service available to all students at the School. It is staffed by experienced and qualified counsellors and abides by the British Association for Counselling Code of Ethics. The service offers an opportunity to explore a wide range of emotional and psychological issues. Its experienced counsellors offer appointments Monday through to Friday, including early mornings and late evenings to suit busy schedules.
To help support and promote a sustainable future as a performer, our Senior Health & Welfare Advisor, who is a registered nurse, is here to offer any support, advice or information you may need regarding your mental, emotional and physical health.
Working alongside The British Association of Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) and being a member of The Healthy Conservatoires network, our health and welfare advisor delivers evidence based knowledge to students as well as providing training to staff on health related topics affecting students.
Students can receive free and confidential assessments, advice and referrals regarding mental, emotional and physical health as well as support accessing the most appropriate external healthcare services.
The Health and Welfare Advisor offers individual appointments either by telephone, TEAMS video or call and a weekly drop in session via TEAMS Wednesdays 12-2pm.
For any enquiries about the student support services available at Guildhall contact student.affairs@gsmd.ac.uk.
Sue Cowan
Head of Student Affairs
sue.cowan@gsmd.ac.uk
Hannah Goodwin
Senior Health and Welfare Advisor
hannah.goodwin@gsmd.ac.uk
Nicola Sherrington
Learning Support & Disability Coordinator
nicola.sherrington@gsmd.ac.uk
Julia Oliver
Student Life Officer
julia.oliver@gsmd.ac.uk
Drusilla Redman
Physiotherapist
drusilla.redman@gsmd.ac.uk
Catherine Cranston
Study Skills Tutor
catherine.cranston@gsmd.ac.uk
Counselling
counselling@gsmd.ac.uk
Out of Hours Mental and Physical Support
If you or someone you know needs help for a mental health crisis, or breakdown, you should get immediate expert advice and assessment. In an emergency, call 999.
It’s important to know that support is available, even if services seem busy at the moment. NHS urgent mental health helplines are for people of all ages. You can call for:
- 24-hour advice and support – for you, your child, your parent/carer, friend or someone you care for
- help to speak to a mental health professional
- an assessment to help decide on the best course of care
University College Hospital – Tel: 020 3456 7890/ Address: University College Hospital, 235 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BU/ Website: http://www.uclh.nhs.uk
The Royal London Hospital – Tel: 020 7377 7000/ Address: Whitechapel Road, Whitechapel, London, E1 1FR/ Website: http://www.bartshealth.nhs.uk// Email: RLHpals@bartshealth.nhs.uk
St Thomas’ Hospital – Tel: 020 7188 7188/ Address: Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7EH/ Website: https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/ Email: pals@gstt.nhs.uk
Homerton University Hospital – Tel: 020 8510 5555 Fax: 020 8510 7608/ Address: Homerton Row, London, Greater London, E9 6SR/Website: http://www.homerton.nhs.uk/ /Email: huh-tr.Enquiries@nhs.net
NHS Mental Health Crisis Numbers
- Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust/ 0800 151 0023
- Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust/ 0800 917 3333
- (City of London and Hackney) East London NHS Foundation Trust/ 0800 073 0006
- Tower Hamlets/ 0800 0730003
- (Lambeth, Lewisham, Croydon, Southwark) South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust/ 0800 731 2864
- (Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich) Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust/ 0800 330 8590
- North East London NHS Foundation Trust/ 0300 555 1000
Find another local NHS urgent mental health helpline (England only).
Samaritans/ Phone: 116 123/ Website: org/ Email: jo@samaritans.org
The Samaritans offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like about whatever’s getting to you. They can help you explore your options, understand your problems better, or they can just be there to listen. You can call the Samaritans 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You don’t have to be suicidal to call.
You can also visit the Samaritans in branch to talk to a volunteer face to face if you find it easier.
Music Minds Matter (via Help Musicians UK)/ Phone: 0808 802 8008/ Website: https://www.musicmindsmatter.org.uk/ Email: mmm@helpmusicians.uk
For anyone in the performing arts – if you are struggling to cope, or know someone who is, talk to us. It doesn’t have to be a crisis, or about music. Our Music Minds Matter Counsellors are here to listen, support and help at any time.
Theatre Line
Theatre Helpline is a free 24-hour phone and email service supporting theatre professionals and trainees with any issue affecting their health and wellbeing.
The confidential resource offers support and advice on a range of personal and professional topics, including bullying, physical and mental health, finance, careers and retirement issues. It is open to anyone working in theatre and the performing arts in the UK. Callers will be given a safe space to share worries and concerns, and be provided with the resources they need to seek professional help if necessary.
Theatre Helpline: 0800 915 4617 (calls are free)/ Email: advice@theatrehelpline.org
NHS 111 can help if you have an urgent medical problem and you’re not sure what to do.
NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you’re Deaf and want to use the phone service, you can use the NHS 111 British Sign Language service available in your country:
- England – NHS 111 (BSL) interpreter service
- Scotland – NHS 24 111
- Wales – NHS 111 Wales
- Northern Ireland – NHS 111 Northern Ireland
You can also call 18001 111 on a textphone.
How NHS 111 works
You answer questions about your symptoms on the website, or by speaking to a fully trained adviser on the phone.
You can ask for a translator if you need one.
Depending on the situation you will:
- find out what local service can help you
- be connected to a nurse, emergency dentist, pharmacist or GP
- get a face-to-face appointment if you need one
- be given an arrival time if you need to go to A&E – this might mean you spend less time in A&E
- be told how to get any medicine you need
- get self-care advice
Hopeline UK
If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, phone Hopeline UK on 0800 068 41 41, or text them on 07786 209 687.
The helpline operates from 9am – midnight every day of the year.
You can also email pat@papyrus-uk.org
Let’s Talk Loneliness
Visit the Lets Talk Loneliness website for advice on how to help others or yourself if you are feeling lonely.
Beat
Phone Beat’s studentline on 0808 801 0811 or go to the Beat website to access their one to one chat forum.
If you are worried about an eating disorder, please contact your GP, visit 111.nhs.uk or call 111
Talk to Frank
For confidential drug and alcohol support phone 03001236600 for confidential support from Talk to Frank.
The Havens
A network of specialist referral centres across London, open 27/7 and available to anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted in the last 12 months. The Havens offers both immediate help, advice and support as well as long term counselling and other support.
London Rape Crisis
Support and services for women and girls, and information about support agencies for men.
Visit their website for more information or call the helpline: 0808 802 9999
Survivors UK
Information, support and counselling for men and boys who have been raped or sexually abused.
Visit their website for more information.
Women and Girls’ Network
Counselling and support to help women and girls recover from violence.
Visit their website for more information or call the sexual violence helpline: 0808 801 0770
National Domestic Violence helpline
Women experiencing domestic violence – as well as their family, friends, colleagues and others calling on their behalf – can contact this nationwide helpline 24/7 for help and advice.
Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (24 hours)
More information is available on their website.
Men’s Advice Line
Advice and support for men experiencing domestic violence and abuse.
Tel: 0808 801 0327
More information is available on their website.
Women and Girls’ Network
Counselling and support to help women and girls recover from violence.
Visit their website for more information or call the sexual violence helpline: 0808 801 0770
Student Space
Student Space is here for students through coronavirus. However you’re feeling, help and guidance is available. Explore a range of trusted information, services and tools to help you with the challenges of student life.
Every Mind Matters
Every Mind Matters is a website with advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing, including creating a personalised “Mind Plan” full of self-care tips.
The advice and guidance available on the Every Mind Matters website is being delivered in partnership with leading children and young people’s mental health charities, including Young Minds, The Mix and The Anna Freud Centre.
Togetherall
Togetherall is available for students at eligible universities and colleges who are feeling stressed, anxious, low or not coping. It provides an anonymous online community who share troubles and support each other. It is a safe space as it is moderated by trained professionals who are available 24/7.
Students Against Depression
Students Against Depression is a a website offering advice, information, guidance and resources to those affected by low mood, depression and suicidal thinking.