Good Afternoon my fellow students,

Well, we are indeed living in exciting times, I have never known a situation as it stands today, but in adversity, we find out "who" we are, I have seen many acts of kindness. These make the entire situation worthwhile, where we all come together as one nation and one community for the betterment of all (. . . wipes a tear away! )

Just to re-iterate NHS advice as of today:

Stay at home to stop coronavirus spreading

Everyone must stay at home to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

You should only leave the house for 1 of 4 reasons:

• shopping for basic necessities, for example, food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible
• one form of exercise a day, for example, a run, walk, or cycle – alone or with members of your household
• any medical need, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person
• travelling to and from work, but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home

Even when doing the above try and stay AT LEAST 2 meters apart.

Although we can't visit people, a call a day keeps the doctor away. People in isolation need that contact . . . so pick up that phone and call a friend, have a chat, ask them how they are just having that moral support is incredible.

That brings me to University life, again we are experiencing a unique, fast-changing fluid situation where things are changing on a daily basis. I would encourage you all to carry on studying, engage with the academic staff, and still do your best.

Did you know you can still book SAMS appointments if you are struggling to understand something?

Also, the final hands in's have been given a 2-week extension.

All your SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES are still here, actively engaging with staff and raising your concerns about online learning, HOWEVER, we can only do this if you TELL us what your concerns are so please, let me know of ANY difficulties you are having and we can see about resolving them

Some of the items I have already raised are:

• Students with impairments not having the normal university support available at home
• Information slow to emerge (on this I would say that these are exceptional times and as these are complicated issues it can take some time to disseminate this information)
• Lack of access to IT Hardware (PC or Laptop to do online courses)
• Clarity around exams

Finally, it brings me onto the point of the University advice, please see the following link as this changes as the hours pass by:

https://www.wlv.ac.uk/news-and-events/coronavirus/

Be strong! reach out to those who may be feeling isolated (by phone or online only please!!) and TOGETHER we will make it through the other side

Wishing you all the best and remember I am still HERE for YOU!!

As always please reach out and contact me at jeffrey.thompson@wlv.ac.uk