Welfare 

Promoting student welfare is central to the work of AVS. This page outlines just some of the support that is available to Veterinary students during their time at university.

If you need help Vetlife offer an independent, confidential and free help - they can be reached on: 0303 040 2551 or you can send an anonymous email by registering here. 

Peer Support Report

Hot off the Press! Since 2009, the University of Liverpool have implemented a Peer Support system where a few students have been trained by professional counsellors to provide guidance and support to their peers.  

A report on their progress is available here

Welfare Day

In November 2016, AVS held its first Welfare Day at the University of Nottingham. To find out more about the day please click here. 

Comments from the day included: 

“Brilliant day - so many skills learnt- really good knowledge and understanding, invaluable for anyone- feel privileged to get this information”
"Fantastic teaching, I wish that more veterinary students, especially first year students and qualified vets, received this useful teaching”. 

Student Welfare Grants

Organising an event or initiative at your university with the aim of improving student welfare?

One of AVS' aims is to promote high standards of student welfare for all vet students and we would like to encourage more events and initiatives that promote positive well being in all vet schools.

We are able to provide small grants (of up to £200) to contribute to the costs of events/initiatives organised by any group of students that are struggling to find funding from other sources at their university.

What Is Covered By The Grant?

The grant will provide a sum of up to £200 to contribute towards hosting an event/initiative which improves welfare for students in veterinary related courses. Possible activities which may be supported can include (though are not limited to):

• guest speakers

• symposiums, workshops or short conferences

• activities to promote stress relief e.g. mindfulness, yoga, meditation, puppy handling.

• careers advice

The money may be used in a variety of ways to ensure the success of these events, whether for room hire, providing speakers fees, advertising the event or providing props or refreshments (must be non alcoholic).

Application Process

There is one welfare grant available for each university, each academic year. There are no submission deadlines, however, the application should be at least 6 weeks in advance of when the grant will be needed. Applicants will be sent an email to confirm receipt of the application and will be notified within 4 weeks of this confirmation email whether they have been successful or not. It will then take up to 2 weeks for the grant to be awarded. All applications should be sent to the Welfare Officer - welfarerep@gmail.com

Application Form

Application Form Example

The possibilities for the AVS Welfare Grant are endless. Glasgow Vet Students used it to run a wellbeing month in  2017. They produced an article about the amazing work that they did which can be read here.  

Mental Heath First Aid Courses

In the joint AVS/BVA Survey it was found that over 60% of vet students suffered from stress whilst at university, so in association with NHS Mental Health First Aid Scotland, courses were run at eight vet schools to combat stress and mental illness. The courses were a massive success with students learning how to recognise and approach sufferers and being introduced to the resources available to help. A massive thank you to all sponsors and to NHS Scotland Mental Health First Aid for delivering the courses. 

Comments from the day included: 

"Invaluable skills and knowledge gained that will help me help others and myself for the rest of my life’
‘An excellent, informative and enjoyable weekend which was thoroughly worthwhile. The importance of teaching in this subject cannot be underestimated’

Keep Calm and Conquer Vet School

In association with the Liverpool Peer Support service, the AVS welfare team have put together a useful document on how to manage the stress that can often be felt around exam time. It discusses how to recognise stress and contains some quick stress busting and exam time tips, as well as useful advice on how to prepare yourself come exam day. We hope you find it useful, and wish you the best of luck in any forthcoming exams you may have.

You can access the document here.

Staying Alcohol Aware

Freshers' week is known for its crazy nights out, meeting new people, discovering new places, and having an amazing time. Going out in a new, unfamiliar city however can be daunting for many people.
Not everyone needs alcohol to have a good time, but for those who do enjoy the odd drink, or are starting drinking for the first time, the AVS welfare team have produced a top tips guide for staying safe and alcohol aware during freshers' week (and the 4 years after).

Check out the guide here.

Take Your Time

It’s easy, with exams often approaching for many students, to spend all of the holidays revising or working. While studying is a significant part of student life, it is important that it doesn’t take over your life. Hannah Clifford, Former Cambridge Senior Rep, talks about the importance of knowing when to take a break.

Have a read of the article here.

Resources

Depression at University

Depression is one of the biggest welfare concerns regarding students at university, especially on demanding courses such as veterinary medicine. Vetlife have a great page full of resources and information regarding depression which you can find here. The World Health Organisation also recently released a useful video which helps illustrate what it is like to live with this condition.