28 August 2008

As thousands of young people prepare to leave home to start university, or college this autumn, we look at some of the support available to them from the Church and Christian groups, as well as one mum's experiences of saying goodbye.

DESPITE the popularity of gap years after A Levels now, University or college is still, for many, the first real taste of life away from home, which can be exciting and daunting in equal measure. It's important for them to remember, then, that they are not alone...

Among the hundreds of clubs and organisations teenagers will come across in those first few weeks are representatives of the Church and other Christian groups offering fellowship and support in a variety of ways.

In our own diocese, students starting at Reading University can enjoy a Freshers'Barbecue, free lunches, film and games nights, and walks to the local pub, run by the chaplaincy department.

Chaplain Mark Laynesmith, says: 'When folk arrive, most of them will be in halls, which will be plastered with posters and notices of events and clubs or organisations to join - our advice is sign up - you can hone down to what you really enjoy later on. If you have a faith, going along to a faith-based group means you immediately have something in common to break the ice.

'Lots of unis have welcome services and information on local churches with descriptions and maps. On the first Sunday of term at Reading, we have 'walking buses'with second and third year students walking freshers to their own churches to try them out.'

Becky Lawson is the 'female student worker'at St Ebbes'Church in central Oxford, which provides strong support for students throughout their time at university or college, including weekly lunches after the Sunday family service, Focus meetings involving a meal, a talk and time to study the Bible together, and a host of social activities, as well as the opportunity to just talk through any problems one-to-one.

Having someone to talk to confidentially can also be reassuring for students if they feel homesick or have a problem. The Revd Carrie Franklin at Bucks New University says: 'As well as  free pizza and drinks during Freshers'Week, which gives people a chance to get to know us and each other, we give them a chaplaincy mug with sweets and basics like tea and sugar, as well as contact numbers to call if they need help or advice. We also run a daily drop-in during term time.

'Again we encourage students with a faith to get involved in their local churches. We have an 'adopt a student'scheme which  teams up young people with families within a church congregation for support.'

More than 20,000 students are members of the Christian Union, UCCF whose student-led mission teams operate in the heart of universities and colleges thoughout the UK. Evangelistic in its mission, the CU offers support, fellowship and a wide range of social activities.

Fusion Christian Network is also active on many campuses. Check out its websitewww.fusion.uk.com for a wealth of information on special 'ready for anything'university preparation days, as well as an A-Z for new students, 'words of wisdom from the coalface'from current students, and how to get involved.

The Mothers'Union also supports students in Manchester, by offering a bag of basic foodstuffs and toiletries for some of the 10,000 students starting their university life.

Finally, a word of advice from Becky Lawson who says: 'Students have so much coming at them the first term and can get quite anxious. We always tell them, relax and give it time. Enjoy yourself.'

Top Tips for New Students

Freshers'Fair: can be overwhelming but a good way to find out what's on offer. 
Personal Tutor: will help you get in touch with university based  support - study skills, careers advices, counsellors, healthcare, or  disabilities.

Students'Union: have lots of supportive roles as well as the social  aspect - may have mentoring schemes, counselling phone lines etc. 

Societies: find them through the students'union. There will be a  range; commuters, mature students, religious denominations, Christian Union  (often not a students'union society). 
Chaplaincy: can be ecumenical or denominational. May provide prayer space, services, teaching, discussion, advice and information on local churches.

Justine Stearman, BSc Chemistry, University of Reading

Letting Go

Alison Jestico is an old hand at 'letting go'and the last of her four children is preparing to leave home this autumn. 18-year-old George is planning a gap year before starting university in a year's time.

She says: 'The new beginning for George also feels like a new beginning for us, and the end of a much loved chapter of  bringing up four children. The last parents'evening, the last orchestra rehearsal, the last A level exam have all made me feel emotional and scared because now I no longer have anyone at school and, therefore, I am getting older.

I've got emotions of no longer being needed, of not knowing so much about what's going on in my children's lives, and of no more young people descending on the house creating chaos, noise and empty pizza boxes.

There are also positives - less housework, fewer sleepless nights wondering where they are, no large teenager sprawled on the sofa, more space in my head. And my husband and I are looking forward to having more time to ourselves at weekends.

For George, as for the others, I'll produce 'A really useful box'in which I put some of the
little bits they would have had access to at home - such as sellotape, scissors, stamps, address book, mending kit, and instructions on how to sort their washing!

When it actually comes to leaving them, rather than just dumping stuff in the new accommodation we help with some of the unpacking and talk through what they're going to do next when we leave.  Then, back home we try to keep in touch regularly - but keep it flexible, so that we're not expecting a duty call every Sunday morning.'