Bereavement information, guidance and support
Below you can find guidance and resources if you have been bereaved or want to support another member of the University community who has been bereaved.
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If you have been bereaved, or wish to provide support and guidance to a student who has been bereaved, this can be provided through the University’s Advice and Support Centre. You can contact the Centre through email or phone:
- Email: theasc@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 2020
You can contact Student Services as a matter of urgency on evenings and weekends, via the Security and Response Team (+44 (0)1334 46 8999). You can use this contact number on your own behalf or on behalf of a student.
In the current circumstances, where students may not be able to attend funerals or may face more than one bereavement, the University recognises that they may wish to request support both at the time of bereavement and at a later date.
Chaplaincy
Chaplains are available to support members of staff, regardless of faith or philosophy of life. You can contact either the Chaplain or the Assistant Chaplain if you would like support:
- Revd Dr Donald MacEwan, Chaplain
Email: dgm21@st-andrews.ac.uk
Phone: 07713 32 2036 - Revd Samantha Ferguson, Assistant Chaplain
Email: sjf6@st-andrews.ac.uk
Phone: 07546 52 6280
The Chaplaincy has also set up a grief group, a supportive and listening space for students who have suffered loss and are experiencing grief.
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Special leave
The University makes provision for taking ‘special leave’, including bereavement leave. If you have been bereaved, and want to take leave, ask for work adjustments, or just want to have your bereavement noted, please notify your line manager or HR Business Partner in the first instance.
In the current circumstances, where staff may not be able to attend funerals or may face more than one bereavement, the University recognises that they may wish to request special leave both at the time of bereavement and at a later date.
University support
If you would like to talk to someone directly about bereavement, please consider contacting the following people and units:
Chaplaincy
Chaplains are available to support members of staff, regardless of faith or philosophy of life. You can contact either the Chaplain or the Assistant Chaplain if you would like support:
- Revd Dr Donald MacEwan, Chaplain
Email: dgm21@st-andrews.ac.uk
Phone: 07713 32 2036 - Revd Samantha Ferguson, Assistant Chaplain
Email: sjf6@st-andrews.ac.uk
Phone: 07546 52 6280
Occupational Health
Occupational Health is an advisory service and provides a wide range of services to protect the health and wellbeing of staff at work. Email: occhealth@st-andrews.ac.uk.
- Revd Dr Donald MacEwan, Chaplain
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If someone has been bereaved, here are some things you might do to support them. It could be someone you manage, a fellow student, another member of the University community. Most of us are frightened we won’t know what to say, but in fact there’s no special form of words to follow. Just showing we care is often very comforting. You could get in touch with them to say how sorry you are, and that you’re thinking of them. You could ask how you could help. You could send an email, or a text, or a sympathy card (if you know their address). You could phone and speak to them. It’s possible they won’t be able to speak to you, but they will probably appreciate a message. And you could do this more than once, to let them know you’re still thinking about them.
Revd Dr Donald MacEwan
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