
Vacation information
Find out about support, services, activities and opening hours over the Christmas break.
The Christmas break
The Christmas break lasts from the end of Michaelmas term (Friday 11th December 2020) until the start of Lent term (Monday 11th January 2021). While many students return home for the break, others arrange to remain on campus. University staff typically continue to work except for the following University closure days: Monday 21st December to Sunday 3rd January (inclusive).
What's on
Looking for something to do? Online and in-person events are being planned including wellbeing walks, virtual fitness classes and even a sizzling sausage giveaway.
New event listings and activity suggestions for Christmas will be added to the Campus and Community Life page.
Campus and Community LifeOpening hours
We're continuing to gather information about opening and operation hours for a wide range of services and facilities.
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More services and outlets
Accordion
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Travel
For the latest updates on travel, please visit the Covid-19 travel information page.
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Health and emergencies
Campus Medical Practice and Pharmacy
Lancaster Medical Practice will be open throughout the Christmas period from 8am–6.30pm Monday to Friday excluding Bank Holidays. Patients wishing to contact the University Medical Centre should telephone on 01524 842200. Patients who need medical attention outside our working hours, and during Bank Holidays, should follow the advice below under 'General non-emergency advice' or 'In case of an emergency'.
Patients should not attend the University Medical Centre during the current Covid-19 pandemic unless they have a pre-booked appointment. This is to ensure the safety of patients and staff. The centre can assist with almost everything by telephone, and where patients do need to be seen, the receptionist or clinician will then advise you as to which Lancaster Medical Practice sites to attend.
Covid-19 advice
Student and staff information about Covid-19 including precautions and travel, are contained on the dedicated information page.
General non-emergency advice
111 is the NHS non-emergency service. It’s easy and free. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.
In case of an emergency
If you are on campus and using a mobile phone, call 999, then immediately contact Security Reception on 01524 594541. You may also dial 999 from any internal telephone line. This will connect you to the security reception, which is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They will call emergency services on your behalf and direct the responder to the correct location.
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The Base
The Base is now open 9am-5pm. You can contact the team during this time via phone on 01524 592525, via email at thebase@lancaster.ac.uk and via online chat. For in person support, please visit the Nine Colleges Office in Fylde College, which is available to all students and will be open 9am-5pm from Mon-Fri. Student ID cards can also be collected from here. The Student Information Hub in Health Innovation One is available for Medical students seeking in-person support from 10am-4pm from Mon-Fri.
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Mail
For the latest instructions on mail collection, please visit the mail collection points webpage.
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Portering and Security
There will be a reduced portering service in the undergraduate colleges during the vacation period, though porters will remain on duty at Graduate throughout. If you have any problems during the vacation you will need to contact the Security Reception by dialling 01524 594541 (internal 94541). Security staff work shifts to provide a service to campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
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Sports Centre
Following the Government’s announcement that Lancashire is entering Tier 4 from midnight 30 December, the Sports Centre will remain closed until further notice.
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Cleaning
During the closure period (Monday 21st December to Sunday 3rd January, inclusive) cleaning operations will be limited but arranged around the opening hours of University buildings. There will be no cleaning on the public bank holidays.
Cleaning packs will be delivered to those who have confirmed they will be staying in their accommodation over the closure period.
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Colleges
Drop-in centre
Staff volunteers will be available to students at the Nine College Drop In Centre over the Christmas period. It is open 9am-5pm from Mon-Fri in Fylde College.
It is available to all students, from any college, who might like to have some ‘in person’ company and a mince pie, or have a question or a problem they need help with. It is also the place to pick your student ID card. Staff may not have all the answers, but they will be able point you in the right direction and will have access to colleagues working remotely.
Pool table and board games
Also in Fylde College, the pool table has been moved from the bar into the common room and will be available for students to use, and board games are available to borrow. Precautions are being taken to ensure use of the table and games is COVID-safe.
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Student Information Hubs
The Student Information Hub at Health Innovation One is open for medical students (10-4, Mon-Fri), however the other Student Information Hubs on main campus are currently closed. Students on main campus can access support as follows:
- In person: Nine Colleges Office will be open 9am-5pm, Mon-Fri in Fylde College; student ID cards can be collected from here
- Telephone: call the Base on 01524 592525 or coronavirus queries on 01524 510105
- Email: thebase@lancaster.ac.uk for general queries or email your department direct
- Online chat: access via The Base webpage
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Counselling and Mental Health
Online mental health support is available 24/7 via Silvercloud or Student Space.
The Counselling and Mental Health Service is not offering scheduled appointments and drop-ins through the Christmas vacation, but can be contacted by email (counselling@lancaster.ac.uk) or telephone (01524 592690) from Monday 21 December to Thursday 24 December, and from Monday 28 December to Thursday 31 December 2020. The service will fully reopen on Monday 4 January 2021.
If you need help in an emergency, please find details of who to contact.
Other services:
- Lancashire Care Wellbeing and Mental Health. The helpline is a listening, information and emotional support service for those concerned about their own mental health, or that of someone they know. Call the free helpline on 0800 915 4640 Monday-Friday 7pm-11pm, Saturday-Sunday 12pm-Midnight.
- Papyrus. HOPELineUK, run by Papyrus, is a confidential helpline, staffed by trained professionals who give support and advice to young people under the age of 35 feeling suicidal or anyone concerned about a young person. Call them on 0800 0684141 (Monday to Friday 10am-10pm, Saturday to Sunday 2pm-5pm).
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IT support
The ISS Service Desk opening times for IT support (weekdays only) are:
- Monday 14 December - Friday 18 December: Normal weekday opening hours for support via online Help Centre and Chat.
- Monday 21 December - Friday 1 January: Closed. During the closure period, you can still get online help 24/7 in Answers and can access digital skills training online.
- Monday 4 January - Friday 8 January: Normal weekday opening hours resume for support via online Help Centre and Chat.
For access to the above support options, visit the IT help and support page.
Please note that the Support Desk in the Learning Zone remains closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.