LGBTQ+ History Month

LGBTQ+ History quiz. All welcome 12:00 - 13:00 in Chancellor's Building CBA 1.076 on Tuesday 13th February. 

Please join us for a fun quiz hosted by the Keele LGBTQI+ Staff Network. If you are are unable to join us in person but would like to join remotely or would like to receive the quiz questions after the event then please see details on our Intranet pages. . 

Coffee Social for staff LGBTQI+ network and allies - Tues 25 Feb, 12:30 - 13:30 

Please contact EDI@Keele.ac.uk for details.

Film Screening: please see details on our Intranet pages. 

If you need any advice or guidance throughout your time at Keele there is lots of support available:

Student Support

The Student Support Team can offer advice and guidance on a range of different issues that you may face at University, including personal, financial and academic difficulties. If you would like to speak to an adviser you can contact them by phone, email or live chat. For more information email student.services@keele.ac.uk or call 01782 734481.

Counselling and mental health

University is often a great experience, but it can also bring with it stress and challenge. The Counselling and Mental Health service can offer you one-to-one support and appointments as well as workshops and group work.

Disability and Dyslexia support

If you have a disability, including specific learning difficulties or mental health and wellbeing issues, the Disability and Dyslexia Support Team can advise on a wide range of support to meet your individual needs. It is a good idea to contact the team before you start your course at Keele University to discuss any support you may need and ensure any necessary adjustments can be put in place.

Keele Health Centre

Keele has its own GP surgery on campus which serves the whole of the Keele University campus, Keele village and certain areas in Newcastle. For more information or to register as a patient please visit their website.

Support on your course

All students at Keele are allocated an academic tutor who is a single point of contact on your course. Your academic tutor can provide advice, support and general guidance on academic and non-academic issues. With your permission, the dedicated LGBT contact in Student Support can liaise with your academic tutor to ensure we provide the right support for you.

Careers advice and support

The Careers and Employability service is available to all students. As a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender student, you can also access targeted resources and opportunities that might be valuable for your career planning and progression.

Students' Union

The Students’ Union Elected Officers are elected to serve the student population and can be accessed for advice and support. 

The Students' Union's ASK service also offers free, confidential, non-judgemental and impartial advice and support. 

The LGBTQ+ society is a vibrant and very active part of the Students’ Union and Keele campus. The main aim of Keele LGBTQ+ society aims to create a confidential, safe and secure space for members of the LGBTQ+ community, and allies who may not define at LGBTQ+. You can find out more about the LGBTQ+ society on their KeeleSU webpage.

You can also follow the LGBT society on Twitter and Facebook.

The Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) network seeks to provide a safe, confidential, and supportive environment for all staff who identify as LGBTI and others who identify under the LGBTI umbrella. We are welcoming of all people, regardless of gender identity, background or role within the university. We understand that for some people it may be hard for them to attend network meetings and we are happy to talk to individuals, either through the HR Co-ordinator or an identified role model should support be required.

Discover more here

Haven is a group supported by the chaplaincy for anyone wanting to explore issues around being both LGBT+ and a person of faith. Aiming to create a safe space in which to share the journey. Meetups are normally held via Microsoft Teams 1-2 pm on Tuesdays every three weeks.

For more information please contact Anglican Chaplain, Stephanie (s.couvela@keele.ac.uk)

If you are transgender and are a current student at Keele, or are thinking of studying at Keele, then be reassured that the University offers a sensitive and confidential support service where you can discuss how you feel about your identity and how you could make any changes whilst at the University.

Based on our comprehensive Transgender Policy, our ethos is to be led by your feelings and needs, and to assist you in managing your identity through your transition. We have a dedicated contact in the Student Support Team who you can talk to as and when it suits you.

If you contact us, we recognise you may only wish to discuss your initial thoughts, or you may already be living in your acquired identity  - whatever your situation we will work with you to manage your University identity and records and make changes when needed as well as supporting you through the challenges you may face.

If you would like to speak to Student Support, please get in touch.

Student Services offers sensitive support where you can discuss how you feel about your identity. Based on our comprehensive Transgender Policy, our ethos is to be led by you, and assist you in managing your identity through your transition and how you could make any changes.

We can support you in completing an action plan to consider steps to be taken during the transition. It may address:

· Any time off you may need for medical appointments or procedures, and/or possible side-effects of any medication;

· Any support arrangements and adjustments during the transition;

· When and how to inform the academic department and/or students on the programme if appropriate;

· Any emotional support to be put in place such as counselling or referrals to other relevant agencies.

We can also help if you need to update any of your personal details such as name, title or photo:

· Preferred name - we can update your 'known as' name without you going through any official processes. This will be the name that is used in your day-to-day university life and on IT systems such as emails and Microsoft Teams. · Legal name - to update your legal name you will need to complete a deed poll, which can be enrolled or unenrolled. This will then be the name that is used on official records including your degree certificate.

This information can be updated on your Keele ID and reprinted for you free of charge.

If you would like to speak to a Student Experience and Support, please get in touch. We can also refer you into internal services such as our Counselling and Mental Health team, Disability Support and Inclusion team and Residence Life team where needed.

If living on campus, students are advised to register with our Keele campus GP surgery and transfer any existing support over to this service. For more information or to register as a patient please visit their website.

The Student Experience and Support Team, based within Student Services are marking LGBTQI+ History Month by delivering specific drop-ins. During these times, students can talk with a Support Officer, no appointment necessary to discuss welfare support, receive practical guidance on how to change their pronouns or discuss anything which is impacting their studies. Communication will also be sent out by the university with a step-by-step guide on how to change your details and how to become an ally.