Students with Families Community Guide

1 Welcome!

Studying for a degree will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. You will gain knowledge, friendships and eventually, a new career. As a student with a family you will be warmly welcomed into the community.

This guide is here to offer you lots of useful and practical information about living in York. It provides advice on healthcare and finance, things to do in York with your children, choosing accommodation and helpful tips about everyday life. We want to make sure you enjoy your time in York to the full and this guide will help you do just that. Happy reading!

More information for students with families can be found at: higheryork.org/ study/students- with-families

2 Moving In When you first move in

Check the inventory – your landlord should provide you with one. If not make your own and send it to your landlord. Make notes and take photos of any existing damage, and keep a dated copy.

Ask your landlord about the deposit. Under Tenancy Deposit Protection Schemes, your landlord has to provide you with details of the insurance scheme your deposit has been placed in, within two weeks of receiving it, in case of disputes.

Take the meter readings.

Call the electricity, gas and water suppliers to set up a new account, and shop around for the best deal available using comparison websites.

Arrange contents insurance.

Get familiar with your rubbish and recycling collection schedule.

Apply for a parking permit if you live on a road that requires it. You can apply at the Council offices on Station Rise.

Remember, first impressions count, be friendly and introduce yourself to your neighbours. You may want to share telephone numbers with them in case there are any problems which arise whilst you are out or away.

The council and you:

If all adults living in your house are full-time students you will not have to pay council tax. If one or more adults are not students, or if a member of the household has special needs arising from a disability, you may still be eligible for a discount on your council tax. You will need to contact the City of York Council to inform them you have moved into the area and to ask about any exemptions or benefits. For more information call the Council on 01904 551 558 or visit www.york.gov.uk/advice/council_tax/.

3 Childcare

York Family Information Service Childcare at University/College Whether you are looking for The Campus child-minders, nurseries or schools, Nursery offers childcare from age York Family Information Service can 3 months to 5 years, charged at full provide a personalised list of all the day or session rates. childcare options available. Visit their website The www.yor-ok.org.uk/families or childcare centre, open Monday to contact them on 01904 554 444. Friday, offers childcare from age 3 months to 5 years. Schools in York The best way to find information You can search for local nurseries about local schools is through the and request a brochure on: local council website: www.daynurseries.co.uk. www.york.gov.uk/education/ Schools_and_colleges/. It is important to book childcare as early as possible as nurseries often Additional Needs have long waiting lists. For children with additional needs the York Family Information Service can provide a lot of help and suggestions.

Useful sites also include YorCandi: www.yorcandi.org.uk, the public forum for parents of children with additional needs in York to share their experiences and advice.

Image credit: National Railway Museum

4 Healthcare

York Student Health You will find lots of useful health-related information at www.yorkstudenthealth.org, including key medical contacts, information for international students, specific health advice e.g. dental, or advice concerning registration and doctor appointments.

General Practitioners (GPs) and Dentists On arriving in York, you will need to Unlike your GP, they work only with register at a local doctor’s surgery young children and families. They will and dentist. To find your closest GP advise on your wellbeing as well as or dentist, visit the NHS website: your child’s. Health visitors remain www.nhs.uk and click on the on hand to offer advice until your ‘services near you’ section. child is about 5 years old.

York St John University and the If you haven’t yet been assigned a University of York have medical health visitor, speak to the doctor’s centres on campus for their surgery where you are registered. students to use: Accident and Emergency : The local Accident and Emergency yorkstudentmedicalcentre.co.uk Department is at York Hospital. 01904 724 775 Address: York Hospital, Wigginton Road, York, YO31 8HE University of York: Telephone: 01904 726 042 unityhealth.info/student-health 01904 433 290 There is also a walk-in centre located in the emergency department at Health Visitors York Hospital if you need to see a Every family with children under 5 doctor and cannot get to your GP. has a named health visitor. Health It is open seven days a week from visitors are qualified nurses with 8am to 6pm and you do not need specialist knowledge of child health. an appointment.

5 Finance Planning Your Finances couple working at least 24 hours per week. The amount of credit you When planning your expenses, the can get depends on your income most important things to consider, amongst other things. If you have a apart from financing your degree, partner, their earnings will also be are rent, food, childcare, utility bills, considered when your allowance mobile phone expenses, transport is calculated. If you are eligible for and costs for social activities. Working Tax Credit you may also be You may find it easier to plan your eligible for help with childcare costs expenses weekly. For advice and up to £122.50 (1 child) or £210 support about managing your (2 or more children) a week. finances visit your institution’s student services website or make Housing Benefit an appointment with a student If you are a student with finance adviser. dependent children, live in rented accommodation and are on a low Benefits and Tax Credits income, you may be eligible for Below are listed different benefits for Housing Benefit. Find out more which you might be eligible. You can information at www.york.gov.uk. find out more about each of them and whether you could be eligible on Income Support the government website: If you are a single parent with a child www.gov.uk. under the age of 5, you are most likely to be eligible for this benefit. Please note that not all international If you have a partner who is eligible students will be eligible to claim all for Income Support, you may be benefits. Check the government able to continue to make a joint website for details. claim.

Child Benefit Jobseekers’ Allowance If you are a home student earning You may be eligible for Jobseekers’ less than £50,000 a year who has Allowance during the summer a dependent child you are usually vacation if you are a lone parent with eligible for Child Benefit. a child over the age of 5 and are available for work. Working Tax Credit You may be eligible for Working Tax Credit if you work more than All financial information was correct at 16 hours per week or are part of a the time of going to print in June 2014.

6 Other Funding and Support Working Part-Time Available If you decide to work part-time to There are loans and grants available improve your finances, visit the to help you with tuition fee costs careers service at your university and other costs associated with or college where they will advertise student life. These include: opportunities suitable for students; or check www.york.gov.uk to find Tuition Fee Loans; Maintenance out about offers advertised by York Grants; Maintenance Loans; Council. If you are looking for a job Parents’ Learning Allowance; in a café or store, it’s best to apply Childcare Grant (only applicable for through their websites. Ofsted approved childcare); Adult Dependants’ Grant if you live with a Making the Most of your Money partner or other adult who depends As a student there are lots of on you financially. ways you can get discounts and save money: It’s best to apply for student finance as soon as possible •• You can often receive discounts after you have made your course on purchases and activities with a application. valid NUS card. •• Save money on travel – a Young Disabled Students’ Allowances Person’s Railcard is available to (DSA) full-time students over 25. DSAs are available to students with a •• York residents can buy a York disability, long term health condition Card for £2 from the library or specific learning difficulty such as which gives the card holder free/ dyslexia. A DSA can help to finance cheaper entry to many of York’s any additional equipment or support attractions such as the Minster you may need to access your and Castle Museum. course. Find out more by contacting •• Shopping in value supermarkets your university/college. such as Aldi or Lidl can greatly reduce the cost of the family University Hardship Fund food shop. If you find yourself in unexpected •• The Community Furniture Store financial hardship at any point in the www.communityfurniturestore academic year you can consider .co.uk stocks a wide range of applying for a University Hardship used furniture and white goods at Fund via the Student Funding Advice very reasonable prices. Team (at York St John University) or •• Shopping in second-hand shops Student Financial Support Unit (at the or charity shops can be a good University of York). If your application place to save money on things like is unsuccessful the university will try clothes, books and toys. to suggest alternative solutions. 7 Accommodation The University of York has a However, they can provide a limited number of one, two and three list of proven letting agencies bedroom furnished and unfurnished and/or recommended landlords properties. There is no guaranteed as well as useful advice. Askham accommodation for all new families. Bryan College serves mostly single The accommodation is offered for students, but don’t worry, in a one year only. The University of York student-oriented city like York you also has nomination rights on a should have no difficulty finding number of York Housing Association private accommodation. properties close to the campus (this means the university can put Private Accommodation a student forward for a property if Rents in the private sector are they meet certain criteria) – check generally more expensive than with the accommodation office university-owned properties. for details or visit york.ac.uk/ accommodation. You will probably need to provide a deposit of at least one month’s York St John University, York rent on signing the tenancy contract. College and Askham Bryan If you are from overseas, you College unfortunately do not at the might also be asked to provide a moment offer any accommodation UK-based guarantor. Some letting suitable for families with children. agencies and private landlords can ask for 6 months’ rent in advance if you do not have any evidence of income.

For a two to three bedroomed house in York you can expect to pay at least £700 per calendar month not including bills.

Council Accommodation For details on how to apply for housing through the council and information on how council property is allocated visit www.northyorkshirehomechoice .org.uk.

8 ON CAMPUS SUPPORT

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES The national charity Nightline The Student Support Services provides confidential listening at each of the institutions in York support to students at the University can provide you with advice about of York and York St John University: particular areas of concern such www.yorknightline.org.uk. as finance, health and personal support. Go to the Student Support ACADEMIC CONCERNS Services pages on your university or Your supervisor or personal tutor college website for information. is your first point of contact for all issues related to your higher STUDENTS’ UNION education experience. They can Your Students’ Union is a great way give you pastoral support and of getting advice and support and of advice on all academic issues raising issues. such as timetabling and appeals. Try to build a good relationship You can find different Students’ with your supervisor or personal Union contacts and Student Support tutor as a personal connection contacts on the back page of can be the key to furthering your this guide. academic success.

COUNSELLING Counselling offers an opportunity for you to talk through any difficulties you may be facing. Universities and colleges offer confidential counselling for students and give professional advice and support.

The Open Door Team at the University of York and the Wellbeing Team at York St John University offer psychological and mental health support and are available to any registered student experiencing psychological or mental health difficulties.

9 Things to do

Activities and Fun Children’s Centres offer information, Living in York you are spoilt for advice and activities for parents and choice for things to do; however with children under five. There are budgets often tight as a student, 9 Children’s Centres in York; you never mind a student-parent, it can find out your nearest at is important to find cheap or free www.yor-ok.org.uk where you can activities for you and your family. also find a searchable database of playgroups, summer schemes, We have put together some useful play centres etc. links to help you find stimulating and fun groups to keep your children For details of local activities, occupied; visit including theatre, concerts, art www.higheryork.org/study/ performances and art exhibitions, living-in-york/family-activities/. visit York Press www.yorkpress.co.uk/leisure/.

Find out what festivals and performances are going on in the city of York at www.yorkfestivals.com.

Image credit: National Railway Museum

10 Get Involved

Whether you are looking for go to: www.york.gov.uk and opportunities to help others search for: wards. or to develop your interests, your college/university community as well The GSA Family Network at the as the city of York has a lot to offer. University of York runs a variety of There are many ways you can use events where students and their your talent and experience to make a family members (including children, difference while meeting new people. partners and spouses) can meet each other, share their experiences Campus Societies and support one another. Visit Societies are organisations founded www.yorkgsa.org/site/welfare/ and run by students to practise a university-of-york-student- hobby and promote professional family-network for details. It development. In most universities, currently meets every other Monday popular societies include: debating at St Lawrence’s Children’s centre society, international students’ and organises trips and events on an society, dance society, various ad hoc basis. sports societies, theatre society, etc. Colleges often organise different Places of Worship events for students, for which a Whatever your faith, there will be calendar can be found on their opportunities in York to participate websites. Get involved and enjoy! in religious celebration. Go to www. churchestogetherinyork.org.uk Societies and groups are organised to get locations of churches and find through your Students’ Union. If you out more about Christian religion are thinking of joining a club which in York. The Multi-Faith section of doesn’t yet exist why don’t you think the website will provide you with about creating one! information on different faiths and direct you to their York page. You Other Groups can also consider joining one of Make a difference in your community the faith societies at your university/ by taking part in residents’ groups, college, such as the Christian Union associations and activities. For at York St John University or the information on what’s happening in Jewish Society at the University your local area, and for dates and of York. times of your local ward meetings,

11 Keeping Tidy •• You are responsible for putting your rubbish out for the council to collect each week. •• Your landlord should tell you whether your rubbish is taken in bags or a bin, what week to put out recycling and rubbish (these are collected alternate weeks), what day, and where you should leave it for collection. If they don’t, you could always ask your neighbour or use the postcode checker at www.york.gov.uk/students. •• If you do not have the correct waste bins or recycling bins, please contact the council, via www.york.gov.uk/students. •• Your rubbish should be presented no later than 7am on the day of collection and no earlier than 7pm the day before.

Security at Home Household security is very important. To reduce your chance of being burgled, there are a number of steps you can take: •• Always lock your doors and windows, even if someone’s in downstairs. Your contents insurance will likely be void if you don’t do this. •• Make sure any valuable items – laptops, MP3 Players, cash etc. are hidden from view. •• Always lock up your bike, even if it’s in your back garden. Discounted cycle locks may be available from your Students’ Union, just ask. •• Secure your property for free with Immobilise. Find out more on www.immobilise.com. •• Be part of your community by joining a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme, keeping you and your property safe. Find out more by visiting their website: www.yorkwatch.org.uk. If you do need to report a burglary, phone the police on 101.

12 Moving Out

Bills and utilities • You are responsible for paying utility bills for up to the last day of your tenancy. It’s your responsibility to inform your service provider that you are moving out and need the final bill. • Remember to cancel any subscriptions you may have such as broadband, cable television or newspaper deliveries.

Handing over the keys • Clean the house properly – or you may risk losing your deposit. • Contact your landlord before you move out to agree when to hand over the keys of the house.

Waste and recycling • If you have lots of rubbish to dispose of, the council will collect it for a fee or you can take it to a local household waste recycling centre. For details please visit www.york.gov.uk. • You can offer your unwanted things through Freecycle at York St John University or the Big Green Clean at the University of York. • The City of York Council sometimes offers extra collections in May/ June time – check with your Students’ Union for more information.

Rights of your deposit • Landlords can take money from your deposit to pay for the cost of removing rubbish or for cleaning at the end of your tenancy. You must claim to get your deposit returned. If you have any issues, please contact your Students’ Union (see the key contacts page at the back). • Double check your tenancy agreement and see if anything else is expected of you before you leave the property.

13 Meter Readings

Gas:

On moving in day:

On moving out day:

Electricity:

On moving in day:

On moving out day:

Water (if you have a water meter):

On moving in day:

On moving out day

14 fill this in as Key contacts soon as possible and keep

Landlord:

Gas company:

Electricity company:

Yorkshire Water: 0845 124 24 24

TV company:

Internet provider:

Council general enquiries: 01904 551551

Non-emergency police : 101

Details for your Students’ Union and other useful contacts are on the back

15 Support from your Students’ Union Student Service Departments Don’t forget, we are here for you. If you Student Services can offer you advice on need any further information on any finance, careers, housing and lots more. of the topics covered in this guide, or need support if something goes wrong, University of York Student please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Support Hub 01904 324 140 [email protected] University of York Students’ Union www.york.ac.uk/sshub 01904 323 724 [email protected] York St John Student Services www.yusu.org 01904 876 477 facebook.com/yorkunisu [email protected] @yorkunisu www.yorksj.ac.uk/student-services/ student-services.aspx York St John University Students’ Union Askham Bryan College 01904 629 816 Student Services [email protected] 01904 772 277 www.ysjsu.com www.askham-bryan.ac.uk/ facebook.com/ysjsu higher-education/student-services @ysjsu InfoZone Askham Bryan College 01904 770 400 Students’ Union [email protected] 01904 772 277 www.yorkcollege.ac.uk/student-life/ www.askham-bryan.ac.uk/ student-services.php student-life/student-union GSA Family Network York College Students’ Union [email protected] 01904 770 473 yorkgsa.org/site/welfare/university-of- [email protected] york-student-family-network www.ycsu.org.uk facebook.com/YorkCollegeSU @YorkCollegeSU

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