If you or someone you know has experienced discrimination, there is a variety of support options available to both students and staff.
For students and staff
Campus Safety: our Campus Safety team can talk through how to make a report and what support is available.
Chaplaincy: our chaplains are from many different faiths and beliefs. We also have non-faith or spiritual chaplains.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team: the team provides advice, support and guidance on equality, diversity and inclusion related issues to students and staff.
LGBTQI Equality Group: the group exists to further equality for LGBT staff, students and the wider LGBT community. It acts as a lead on the University’s initiatives within the framework of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme and helps to formulate and advise University initiatives to encourage greater representation of the LGBT community in all areas of University life.
Rainbow Allies: a group of staff and students who show their commitment to the LGBTQI Community here at Surrey by agreeing to a number of pledges and demonstrating their support via door/computer stickers, mugs and badges.
Faith and Belief Forum: the Faith and Belief Forum serves as a place of common ground for different faith and belief communities to contribute to the diversity of the University community and be valued for that.
For students
Centre for Wellbeing: the University’s team of professional counsellors, and mental health workers offer confidential support free of charge.
University of Surrey Students Union (USSU) is a free confidential, impartial service where students can get advice and information on academic and personal issues, including advice on procedures and representation at meetings.
Personal tutors are there to support your academic, personal and professional development throughout your time here. They will refer you to appropriate academic, welfare and support services when necessary. Tutors follow a Code of practice for personal tutoring to ensure they are delivering the best possible help to you.
Disability and Neuroinclusion Service. The University’s dedicated disability advisers can provide advice, guidance, and support to students about a range of practical adjustments to your studies.
Extenuating circumstances. If you feel your studies have been affected by what has happened you can consider applying for extenuating circumstances (ECs).
For staff
Human Resources. If you are a member of staff or manager your HR contact will be able to identify the support that’s available for you.
Trade unions: there are three recognised trade unions that represent staff at the University: Unison, Unite and UCU.
Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) provides free and impartial information and advice to employers and employees on all aspects of workplace relations and employment law.
Occupational Health provide a range of occupational health services including, absence management. health surveillance, health screening, work station assessments, policy design, on site assistance/clinics, disability at work, and health promotion.
The Employee Assistance Programme, BHSF RISE, gives staff access to free personalised, on-demand advice and support from a team of mental health, financial and legal experts, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Other sources of support
Citizens Advice provides some useful information on the different types of discrimination people may experience including disability hate crime, racist and religious hate crime, sexual harassment, and sexual orientation and transgender identity hate crime.
Stop Hate UK: a leading national organisation working to challenge all forms of hate crime and discrimination.
Tell MAMA supports victims of anti-Muslim hate and is a public service which also measures and monitors anti-Muslim incidents.
Galop. A national charity providing advice and support to members of the LGBT community.
Surrey Police's LGBT+ Liaison Officers: a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT+) Liaison Officer has specialist training in, and a specific understanding of LGBT+ issues.
Crimestoppers: a national charity with a free helpline for reporting crime anonymously.
Community Security Trust helps those who are victims of anti-Semitic hatred, harassment or bias.
Victim Support: when you report a crime to the police, they should automatically ask you if you would like help from an organisation like Victim Support. But anyone affected by crime can contact them directly – you don’t need to talk to the police to get Victim Support help.
Sinophobia: the first document is in English and helps staff and students understand what Sinophobia is, how to prevent it and what to do to support others who are at risk of it. The second document is in Chinese, aimed at Chinese-speaking students from across the Chinese diaspora community to give them support if and when they need it. It will also help them understand the different forms of Sinophobia, what to do if they experience it and how they can use Report + Support to report incidents.
The Cyber Helpline provides free, expert help for victims of cybercrime and online harm.
Relevant training available for staff
LGBT Awareness: designed to build the knowledge and confidence of delegates to feel more knowledgeable around the LGBTQI+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex plus) community, and confident in supporting LGBTQI+ individuals.
Building Disability Confidence: designed to build the knowledge and confidence of the delegates to feel more knowledgeable about the subject of disability, and confident to support and manage disabled individuals.
Unconscious Bias: enables you to explore how we may all be biased and the impact this may have.
Mental Health Awareness for Managers Masterclass: provides an opportunity for managers to explore the key role they play in spotting the signs of poor mental health, engaging with the issue and supporting their team.
For more information about available training, please visit our Learning and Development website.