We hope that everyone who celebrates Christmas has a wonderful time and that everyone has a safe, happy and relaxing holiday; we have all earned it after another challenging year! We know that more and more students are on campus over the winter holiday or around Teesside for a range of reasons, so we thought we would offer you some top tips on how to fill your time and make the most of the break. Whether you fancy helping others out, want to spend time with others or fancy some time chilling out alone, we have suggestions on the links to the right; please email us here if you have any more you want us to consider adding.
What to do if you need urgent support
During the winter break, the Library is open 24/7.
Our Safety and Security team are on also on campus 24/7. You can contact them anytime on 01642 342086 or go to the security hatch in the Library.
We have a number of activities going ahead during the winter break. You can find out more information about these by accessing the 2024-25 Winter Vacation Guide.
You can contact studentlife@tees.ac.uk if you have a query. This will be answered as soon as we are able.
If you are a student in need of any support:
- There is a range of information about all of our services on our Student Life webpages.
- You can contact our support helpline if you would like to talk to someone about how you are feeling. This includes in areas such as mental health, student related concerns, financial wellbeing, housing, bereavement, family or childcare concerns, relationships, alcohol or drugs, anxiety and stress (0800 028 3766)
- If you need 121 support with whatever challenge you are facing, whether it’s your mental health, your studies, money, housing or relationships, you can find information about support on Student Space. You can phone the service from 3pm to midnight every day (call FREE on 0808 189 5260) or you can text them 24/7 (to start a conversation text ‘STUDENT’ to 85258).
- If you need help urgently or need to speak with someone quickly, you can check out the Urgent help and support information on our website, call the student support helpline on 0800 028 3766 or the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 0800 587 0800.
If there is an emergency where you are unable to keep yourself safe, contact emergency services: 999
Also please remember to download the Safezone App. Available from www.safezoneapp.com , Google Play or the App Store, Safezone is a quick and easy way to get help from our Security Team as well as receive notifications from us so you know what to do in an emergency
Return to top Things to do alone or with others
- There will be loads of classic and current TV/ Movies plus video games to enjoy across various services. Why not have a marathon of your choice (Christmas-themed is obviously optional) with friends or alone? Split the cost of electricity by a different group member playing host each time?
- Save some cash and have fun with friends/ family by organising a Secret Santa for the group.
- Head out to watch local sports! If the Middlesbrough FC match is beyond your budget, why not look around the football leagues? Thornaby, Stockton, Billingham, Darlington, and Hartlepool clubs should all be in action over the holidays. Footie, not your thing? Why not check out online what’s happening with rugby, basketball, netball and more around Teesside?
- Get outdoors! Depending on the weather, there are plenty of good places for a nice winter run, walk or, bike ride with friends or flying solo. Have a look online for suggestions.
- We know the Cinema isn’t cheap, but why not treat yourself at least once over the holidays to a blockbuster or classic? You should find you can nab a student discount on your admission fee, too!
- Why not give local theatre a go? There will be fun-packed pantos in Middlesbrough, Billingham and Darlington and other live events to enjoy at The Globe in Stockton, Middlesbrough Town Hall and other smaller venues around Teesside, including music and comedy.
- Have you checked out local museums or The Middlesbrough Insitute Of Modern Art (MIMA)? Why not take the time over the holidays? Plenty to help broaden your cultural horizons for free or at a very low entry fee!
- Cooking and baking are great ways to fill some time and save money. Why not make some sweet festive treats or boost your culinary skills by cooking a dish for you and, if you wish, others that you have never tried before?
- Are you staying close to campus over the holidays and know of friends/ coursemates doing the same? Why not take turns hosting a get-together over the holidays? Split the cost of food and drink and, of course, keep fuel costs down.
- There never seems to be enough hours in the day for all the podcasts, music and books you planned to listen to/read. Why not catch up over the holidays? Why not make it a low-cost group activity with listening parties?
- Need cash? There will be seasonal jobs available from plenty of employers in Middlesbrough and the wider area.
- Even if you cannot be with family and friends over the festive period, there are plenty of ways to catch up online or just over the phone! Why not schedule in a couple of chats a day with different loved ones? Especially those you haven’t spoken to for a while and who you know might particularly appreciate a call or message.
- Done a Secret Santa with friends or family? Why not hold off opening gifts until the 25th? You could do it together or “virtually”? Good chance to check in if you know others are on their own for most of the day.
- Not with family or close friends? Why not give them a call or message even if you don’t celebrate Christmas? Perfect day to catch up and spread some mutual cheer.
- How about a Christmas Day walk or bike ride alone or with others? Perfect for the morning or to walk off a large lunch!
- Why not share the cost of Christmas Dinner “with all the trimmings” with other friends/ coursemates who are not with family? Maybe you have never hosted Christmas Day or cooked the dinner before; the perfect chance to give it a go! There will be loads of suggestions online for a tasty, low-cost Christmas dinner.
- Don’t fancy the traditional roast dinner followed by pudding? Again, why not split the cost with others but cook something really special for everyone to enjoy? Again, loads of cheap, tasty ideas are available online.
- How about keeping things traditional in terms of TV and movie viewing, too? The King’s Christmas Speech just after 3 pm, then Christmas specials on BBC and ITV, or a classic Christmas movie for the rest of the day?
- Or if you fancy something different but still want company, why not enjoy a watch or listen party featuring TV/ movies/ music everyone in the group can enjoy?
Return to top What you can do for others
It is always important to remember that Christmas can be a particularly tough time for many different types of people, including those who are homeless or struggling with depression and loneliness. There are a number of ways you could help during this period and also fill up some of your own time during the holidays.
- Reach out to friends or family, especially if you know that they are struggling with loneliness or other mental health problems. We are sure they will appreciate hearing from you and knowing that you are thinking of them. If they are close to where you are living, then why not make an effort to visit or invite them out somewhere for a few hours?
- Look into volunteering with The Samaritans or Middlesbrough and Stockton Mind, to name just two organisations. Sadly, Christmas can be an unhappy time for some and having someone to talk to/ listen to them can be vital.
- Volunteering to be part of a befriending service such as ones run by Age UK and MHA, to name just two organisations. A call or visit from you to someone who is alone or lonely over the holidays could make all the difference.
- Speak to The Salvation Army or other charities who work with homeless people about helping to serve food or provide other support on Christmas Day.
- Look into giving up even a few hours to volunteer in one of the many charity shops across Teesside. They are always looking for help to keep their retail units running. You could search for the charity website or simply pop into the shop where you are thinking of helping out and speak to staff in there.
