Lifestyle Choices

We have created a booklet that will help you with your general day to day life. It will related to many different elements that will relate to your life. Below is a brief overview of what the document will cover.

Alcohol - Can be a pleasurable experience in moderation, but if we drink too much it can cause problems both for our health and relationships. It can effect your mood, the way the body works and our behaviour. In our booklet you will find out more information with regard to law and your lifestyle as it will cover the following points:

  • The Law
  • Understanding your own limits
  • The effects of Alcohol
  • Services available to help you.

Debt - If you find yourself in debt and cannot pay the bills then you will need to try and get independent advice to help you learn how to cope, and to find out what options you have. It is very easy to get into debt today, whether due to Student Loans, using credit cards, having an overdraft that you can never get out of, or gambling. within this section of the booklet we will provide you with advice and guidance on who can help you, and strategies you can use to help with budget, paying off your debts etc.

Disabled Students, and extra financial support - Here you will find information that will help you to identify the financial support that is out there to support you as a student.

Bullying and Domestic Violence - Unfortunately we still live in a world where bullying, domestic violence and abuse occur daily. The news seems to be filled with details of people that have been hurt and even killed due to these unwelcome characteristics of society. Within our booklet you will find information on:

  • Bullying - what it involves, how to identify bullying and how to stop it.
  • Domestic Violence - being hit only once could lead to being hit again. our booklet will help you identify where to get help, and provides details of services that will assist you in this area.

Drugs - drugs can refer to anything that causes a chemical change to the mind and body, this means medicines, tobacco, alcohol, solvents and illegal substances. Within this booklet you will find information on the law relating to drugs, the effects it has and where you can get help.

Healthy Eating and Keep Fit - It is important to have a healthy diet as it effects the way your body and even your brain works. It is important to have a healthy diet. This alongside keeping fit will help you work to the best of your ability. In our booklet we have provided advice on having a healthy diet. Within this section we will also provide information on:

  • Anorexia
  • Bulimia
  • Other eating disorders

16-19 Bursary Fund - Here you will find the following information to help you:

  • Introduction to the 16-19 bursary fund
  • Vulnerable bursaries - to include everything from the payments, and how they effect/ work with benefits and the Bursary Food
  • Discretionary Bursaries
  • Eligibility
  • Types of study
  • Further Information
  • Rules regarding payment
  • Fraud
  • Complaints and questions

Housing and Homelessness - Thinking of the future you need to ensure that youre plans include the ability to keep a roof over your head, there are options available for you. While studying you stay at home with parents or you can find somewhere else to live. Whatever you decide to do the following sections of our booklet will help you:

  • Living at home
  • Finding somewhere else to live
  • What to look for when finding somewhere to live
  • Homelessness

Legal Rights and Discrimination - Within this section of the booklet you will be given information on:

  • Do you know your rights?
  • Racial Discrimination
  • Sex Discrimination
  • Disability Discrimination
  • Where to find out further information

Money Management - Whether going to work, or continuing with your studies, there is information you need to be aware of. This section will help with:

  • Budgeting
  • Types of account
  • Understanding how credit works
  • Paying bills
  • Income Tax
  • Savings and Pensions

Online Safety - with more an more information being passed and processed online, it is very important to ensure you are aware of the possible threats and dangers that are out there. Within this section of the booklet we will discuss:

  • Safety, Privacy and Security - basic rules
  • Where to find out more information to help you
  • Chatting safely and gaming online

Personal Safety - When you are traveling, whether from home to work or out on a night with your friends, it is very important to be aware of your personal safety. That said, we don’t want you to be afraid of leaving the house, we just want to make you aware of the ways to prevent yourself from becoming a victim. In this section you will be given information on:

  • Your rights
  • Knowing your limit
  • Being aware of your drink
  • Having your friends back
  • What to do if you lose your friends
  • Be prepared to get home after a night out
  • What to do when your taxi arrives
  • Sites to get further information

Health - Looking after yourself is very important, this means having a healthy lifestyle to help prevent you from becoming unwell unnecessarily. Within this section we will look at:

  • What to do if you are unwell
  • Details of Walk-In Centres
  • NHS Choices
  • Useful websites to give you more information

Relationships - This section of the booklet will deal with relationships between yourself and your parents/carers, friends, someone you live with etc.

Sexual Health - Within this section of the booklet you will find information on:

  • Things you should think about
  • Contraception
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STI’s)
  • Pregnancy

Sleep - Sleep is one of the most important ways our bodies recover, renew and develop. It has been proven that being deprived of sleep will effect your ability to pay attention, your memory recall and even ability to learn. Within this section we will look a little closer at:

  • The importance of sleep
  • What to do when having trouble with sleep
  • Websites to get further information

Smoking - It is scientifically proven that smokers are at a greater risk from illness and even early death than non smokers, the younger you are when you start smoking the harder it will be to stop and the more health problems you are likely to face as you get older. Within this section you will find out information on giving up, and where to go to get help with this.

Stress - Stress has become a big part of our lives, it is the bodies natural response to pressure, change and difficult situations and if not too much will actually help us. However, too much stress can lead to ill health, tiredness, lack of motivation or energy, lack of concentration, anxiety and even depression. Within this section of the booklet we will provide information on:

  • Coping with stress
  • Things that don’t help
  • Exams
  • Great websites to provide further help and advice.

Work Issues - Within this section you will find out information that is not necessarily included elsewhere in the book, within this section you will find out information on:

  • National Minimum Wage
  • Time off for study or training