University Mental Health Day

We’re taking part in Student Minds University Mental Health Day to raise awareness of the difficulties that students can face while being at the conservatoire and the support, both internal and external, that students can use while at RCS.

“Academic pressure, money worries, loneliness. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed at university. Identity crises, discrimination, and global concerns can make student life even tougher to navigate for the 2.3 million students currently studying in UK universities”-Student Minds. We’ve included the support by RCS not just for Counselling but also for Additional Academic, Financial. and Physical Health Support below

  • In-Person Drop-In chat with counsellor- Manisha: 11:00-12:00 09/03/23 SU Office

  • Frequently asked Questions: See Below

  • RCS Support Services Guide: See Below

  • Alumni Blog: Gavin Johnson - My journey with mental health

    Recent Alumnai, Gavin Johnson, shares his own experience and journey with Mental Health. You can read his blog here:

  • Alumni Blog: Jalayne Mitchell - Classical Wellness
    Recent Alumnai and founder of Classical Wellness, Jalayne Mitchell, discusses the importance of wellbeing in the arts and shares some of her favourite posts from the Classical Wellness Instagram page. You can read her blog here:

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes, at RCS, students can access counselling services for free. Our in-house counsellors are Dr Jane Balmforth and Manisha Gosar. There are also five additional counsellors who work externally from RCS. If you are wondering if it would help to speak to someone why not have a chat with Jane or Manisha about what is available? The general email is counselling@rcs.ac.uk

  • The RCS Counselling Team has seven counsellors, offering a combination of in-person and online counselling at Renfrew Street and Wallace Studios: Dr Jane Balmforth (counsellor) is available Monday-Wednesday 9-5 and Manisha Gosar (CBT therapist) works Wednesday-Friday 9-5.

    The other members of the team are: Mairi Gillies, a CBT therapist; Ross Peterson (counsellor) is available weekday evenings and Stephanie McDermid is the BSL (British Sign Language) counsellor. Anthony Davis (online only) is an integrative therapist specialising in working with the LGBT+ community. Delores McPherson (online only) is also an integrative therapist.

    For further details of the RCS Counselling Team look on the Student Portal under Student Support and Wellbeing and then click on Counselling and Mental Health:

    » Counselling & Mental Health (rcs.ac.uk)

  • RCS provides togetherall as a safe on-line therapeutic support. You can log on to togetherall platform https://togetherall.com/en-gb/ with your RCS email any time 24/7.

  • Contact our Disability Adviser, Derek Powell at disabilityservice@rcs.ac.uk to discuss adjustments for a disability, additional support need or medical condition.

  • The Disability Adviser (Derek Powell at disabilityservice@rcs.ac.uk) can discuss this with you and if you are eligible, help you make your application to SAAS.

  • Yes, RCS provides an Effective Learning Service, and the tutors (Ursula and Josh) are available three times a week to provide support with written assignments, organisation and prioritising, referencing, reflection and much more. Contact els@rcs.ac.uk

    If you would like English Language support, please contact Judah Collins, the English language tutor, on J.Collins@rcs.ac.ukiption

  • Come in to the AAS office and ask to speak to one of the International and Student Experience team or email welfare@rcs.ac.uk

    Depending on your circumstances, we may be able to provide financial assistance through one or more of the funds administered in the AAS office; the HE Discretionary Fund (for UK students in financial hardship), the Non-UK Discretionary Fund (for students from outside the UK who are in short-term hardship), the John Mather Trust (for students from the west of Scotland) or the Roddan Trust.

    These can all be accessed at: https://portal.rcs.ac.uk/funding-finance/

  • Yes. It’s strongly advised that all students register with a Glasgow GP as soon as possible after arrival at the Conservatoire.

    All students of the Conservatoire are entitled to access the medical services provided by the National Health Service (NHS). If you live in Base Glasgow or the postcode areas of G1, G2, G3, G4, G12 or G20 you can register with Dr Leslie and Partners at Woodside Health and Care Centre (891 Garscube Road, Glasgow, G20 7ER – Tel: 0141 201 5560).

    You should register online at https://www.drleslieandpartners.com/clinics-andservices/student-services/

    If you live elsewhere in Glasgow or further afield, please see Services Directory on the NHS Inform website: https://www.nhsinform.scot/scotlandsservice-directory/gp-practices

RCS Services

Check out the Support Services that RCS has to offer. To get more information on each service, click the link under the heading to find out more.

  • The Students Union is the representative Body for you as a student at RCS but we’re also just friendly faces happy to have a chat about anything!

    Ken, The SU President works on campus: Mon,Tue,Thurs,Fri at Renfrew Street and Wednesday at Wallace Studios. He can offer Confidential Support and Guidance on a range of matters and can be accessed either in person or online at SUPresident@rcs.ac.uk

    Additionally the SU has a wide range of Students in representative roles within the SU Executive team and SU Council. Check out the full list Here or at https://www.rcsunion.scot/team

  • RCS offers a wide range of counsellors and types of counselling.

    You can access an in-depth look at the RCS Counselling Services Here or at https://portal.rcs.ac.uk/counselling/

  • This is for students wanting information on how to fund their studies. It contains information on grants, loans and bursaries as well as tips for those who need help with managing their money. It provides information on support available both inside and outside the Conservatoire as well as information on what to do if you’re in financial hardship.

    You can access the services Here or at https://portal.rcs.ac.uk/funding-finance/

  • This service aims to provide all students and staff with information about disabilities. There are resources to find out more about specific disabilities as well as how to access support, and information about Learning Agreements.

    You can access the services Here or at https://portal.rcs.ac.uk/disability-support/

  • This section provides information about what health services you are entitled to as a student in UK and how to access them. You can find further information on speciallist services such as physiotherapy in this section.

    You can access the services Here or at https://portal.rcs.ac.uk/health-services/

  • Above is just a small selection of the services offered by RCS. You can find the full range of services Here or at https://portal.rcs.ac.uk/student-support/