Dear 

A warm welcome (despite the cold looking picture) to our first newsletter of 2021. We thought you'd like an update on what we are doing to support our students with their learning and teaching, health and wellbeing, finance and welfare in the current climate.

We've put into place a Safety Net Policy for academic results, extended student support hours seven days a week, safe social activities, a 100% rent credit in the third lockdown period for resident students unable to move back to campus halls due to government restrictions, and phone check-ins. More recently we've seen the launch of a Leeds Trinity COVID Hardship Fund — a government-backed fund which is separate to our existing Hardship Fund. This contribution has been matched by the University to enable us to support more students. 

We wish all of our alumni community the very best for 2021 and we look forward to supporting you and hearing from you again this year.

Rachael Campey (Counselling Psychology, 2019), who is currently studying an MSc in Health and Wellbeing, recently spoke to BBC Radio Leeds about the importance of looking after your mental health, especially during lockdown.

In the interview, Rachael discussed growing up as young carer, becoming a parent and transitioning from school to higher education. She is is an ambassador for mental health service MindMate and the founder of Thoughtful Minds UK, an online platform which promotes mental health and wellbeing through poetry and written word.

1968 Students' Union President Pete Lawson (Human Movement, 1969) will be speaking to a journalism student and current SU President Chelsey Grooby to compare how student life has changed over the years.

I'm sure student life will be very different in many ways but the strong community spirit at Leeds Trinity University will no doubt be the same. 

Pete is pictured above with 2019/20 President Zoha Shah, when he attended All Saints' Day in 2019. We look forward to sharing their findings with you. 

It's great to have many of the Class of 2020 as members of our alumni community. A large number of them have also shared their alumni stories with us to celebrate their successes and inspire future generations of students. 

We're always looking for new stories to share. If you'd like to find out more, please email the Alumni Office. 

Niall graduated from Forensic Psychology in 2013. He is one of many former students who now work at Leeds Trinity. He returned to undertake the role of Graduate Recruitment Officer in October 2016 and thrives on helping our students:

"I get the greatest satisfaction from being able to help a student that first turns up upset or confused and transforming this into a positive scenario where they leave with 10 new options. Seeing someone get a job after you’ve supported them not only leaves them in a better place but also gives me an incredible lift."

Niall is one of the dedicated myFuture team that gives absolutely brilliant support to our students. Read Niall's alumni profile.