Staying safe whilst studying in Manchester.

Starting a degree course is exciting, but it can also bring new challenges. At Spirit your wellbeing and safety matter to us. We want you to feel supported, know where to find help, and feel confident settling into life in Manchester.

Here’s some useful information to help you get started.

Student Support

Support is available from your first day at Spirit. Whether you would like help with finances, specific learning needs, your health or your wellbeing, our team is here to listen and help you access the right support. 

You will have access to the Student Welfare Hub, which includes resources and guidance you can use in your own time.

You can also book a private and confidential one-to-one appointment with our Welfare Manager by emailing studentwelfare@spiritstudios.ac.uk.

Health and Wellbeing

If you’re moving to Manchester for your course, then we recommend registering with a local GP as soon as you know your new address. Your GP can support you with non-emergency health concerns and help you access other services if needed.

You can find out more about getting healthcare as a student and find a list of local GP practices on the NHS website.

Getting around Manchester

Spirit is close to Manchester city centre, with plenty of options for travelling to and from the building.

• Train and Tram: We’re around an eight-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly station, which is connected to all national rail and local tram routes. 
• Bus: Piccadilly Gardens is a short walk away and is a main hub for bus servies across Greater Manchester. Several buses also stop close to Spirit. The Stagecoach/Magic Bus app, can help you plan your journeys.
• Cycling: Manchester has an expanding network of cycle routes, and secure bike storage is available for students in the Green Room.
• Walking: Walking is often the simplest way to travel around the city centre. Give yourself a little extra time while you get familiar with your new routes.

Staying safe while travelling

There are a couple of free tools which may be useful when travelling around Manchester. 

WalkSafe+ is a free personal safety app that helps you plan safer routes, share your journeys with trusted contacts, find nearby safe spaces, and send an SOS alert if you feel unsafe.

TravelSafe LiveChat lets you discreetly report incidents, antisocial behaviour our concerns while travelling on the BeeNetwork. It connects you to a Greater Manchester Police call handler through your phone, which can be useful if you do not feel comfortable making a call.

Remember…

You should never manage these things alone. If something is affecting your wellbeing, or you are unsure where to go for support, get in touch with studentwelfare@spiritstudios.ac.uk