Support

De Montfort University (DMU) has dedicated student and staff support in place, which can help you before, during and after your time at DMU.

Students

No Space for Hate

DMU is a diverse institution, and we want to continue to create an inclusive and respectful environment for all students and staff. Working together, DMU and De Montfort Students’ Union (DSU) have developed No Space for Hate, a new approach towards dealing with incidents of hate and harassment. This comprises of a new policy, website, anonymous reporting tool, a specialised service which outlines support and reporting options, specialist staff within Security and new mandatory training for staff involved in the disciplinary process. 

No Space for Hate is part of our commitment to challenge inappropriate behaviours and provide practical support to students who are victims or witnesses of hate or harassment.  

If you have been a victim or a witness to an incident and require urgent support now please call 999.  

To speak to a member of the No Space for Hate team you can call on 0116 207 8309 and then press option 3 or email them nsfh@dmu.ac.uk. The team offer advice around wellbeing, reporting, academic support and much more. These will be monitored Monday-Friday, 9.30am-5pm. Outside of this time you can contact the Security Team: 0116 257 7642. They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

We understand not everyone will want to formally report their experiences which is why we have developed this anonymous form. The university will not be able to investigate any reports received via this form, however you telling us about what has happened helps us monitor the prevalence and type of issues DMU students are experiencing in order that we can make better use of resources available and ensure that our training programmes and initiatives are being targeted to the appropriate areas. 

We have a relationship with Victim First, which also has support options you can access Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm. Their caseworkers offer free, confidential and independent advice and tailored support to meet your needs. You can contact them via webchat, phone 0800 953 9595 or email support@victimfirst.pnn.giv.uk.   

Student Space have recently announced several new national support options for students from diverse backgrounds including Black students, Muslim students, Punjabi students, Trans students and working class students which DMU students can access. Support is available via text, phone, email or webchat for issues including money, mental health, study, housing, relationships and more. Click on the links below or visit the Student Space website for more information.

The Mandala Project

The Mandala Project can signpost DMU Students towards practical support if you have experienced;  

• Sexual violence, including rape and sexual assault 
• Domestic abuse including so called 'honour crime', forced marriage and coercive control 
• Sexual harassment including stalking, unwanted contact, abusive language and behaviours on campus which create an intimidating environment 

Contact: By phone on 0116 207 8309 or themandalaproject@dmu.ac.uk to arrange your appointment. We aim to respond to your query as soon as possible and are available on temporarily reduced hours from 9.30am -5pm on weekdays when DMU is open. Outside of these times please call DMU Security on 0116 2577642.

The Mental Health Team

We want to try and ensure that all students have a positive experience at DMU. It is important that you ask for advice and support as early as possible to reduce any impact on your mental health. The Mental Health team offer support around practical, day to day solutions to various issues.

• The Mental Health Team support students with existing mental health conditions in addition to offering advice/support on the following: Assessment of whether practical adjustments could be made to teaching, coursework hand-in times or exams, to try and reduce the impact that a mental health condition has on your studies at university.
• Support when discussing needs to teaching staff should this be required.
• Practical goal setting and suggestions of how to address certain issues you may be experiencing.
• Support accessing local statutory services such as the NHS.
• Signposting to agencies who are able to support students with alcohol and substance use issues.
• Signposting to counselling services

View more information.

Disability advice and support:

DMU is committed to providing leading support to enable our prospective and current students to achieve their full potential.  Support and guidance is available to students with a wide range of impairments. This can include, but is not limited to:

• Visual or hearing impairment
• Autism, including Asperger's
• Physical impairments or mobility difficulties
• Long-term or progressive medical conditions e.g. diabetes, sickle cell anaemia, epilepsy, cancer, HIV, arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome
• Specific learning difference e.g. dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia

What do we offer?

• Assistance with applying for the Disabled Students’ Allowances funding
• Referral for an assessment with an Educational Psychologist
• Referral for Autistic Spectrum Disorder assessment
• Identification of individual reasonable adjustments
• Arrangements for study needs assessments
• Liaison with academic and other University departments
• Exam support – please see the exams webpages for information on deadlines and how to access support.

View more information on disability advice and support.

Disabled students' allowance

Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs) are Government support packages – available to UK students who meet the criteria – designed to pay for the extra costs a student may incur as a result of a disability, medical condition, Specific Learning Difference (SpLD) or mental health condition which impacts on their studies.

DSAs funding is allocated to individual students and not the university and it’s the student’s responsibility to fully engage in the process of applying. Funding can help pay for study related support, including specialist equipment and human support, but it will not pay for:

• Costs a student would have whether or not they were at university
• Non-disability related costs incurred by all students on a particular course 

View more information.

Staff

The Employee Assistance Programme is available for all staff, which provides 24-hour telephone counselling, and financial information services. Please follow the link to visit: EAP portal.

Staff can access all relevant policies on the staff intranet. Staff can also contact their HR Partner for advice. 

The Equality and Diversity Team

If you would like to contact the team, please e-mail equality@dmu.ac.uk