Get Connected

How, When, & Why To Ask For Help

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Asking for help can be hard at the best of times. But when you find yourself in a new country and don’t know the rules? It can feel impossible to know how, when, and why to ask for help. Just remember that asking for help is not a sign of weakness but of self-awareness. If you’re confident enough to ask for help it says a lot about how emotionally strong you are! What’s more, there are many people whose entire job is to provide help for those that need it.

Medical and Dental Help 

  • If in doubt go to 111.nhs.uk

  • Medical (Emergency) - If someone is in a life threatening medical emergency then call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

    • If you are not sure if it is a life threatening situation then go to 111.nhs.uk to check

  • Medical (Urgent, Non-Emergency) - call 111

  • Medical (Non-Emergency) - It’s worth registering as soon as you arrive with a GP (Doctor’s practise) so that if you need medical help they are ready. You can register with them and use their in person, online or phone services to receive treatment within the next working day.

  • Medical (Non-Emergency) - Pharmacists are a great place to go to ask for help without an appointment, they are medically trained and can give advice on minor illnesses and some over the counter prescriptions. They will advise you to see a doctor if needed.

  • NHS Mental Health Helpline - NHS urgent mental health helplines are for people of all ages. You may need urgent help for many reasons. The important thing to know is you will not be wasting anyone's time.

University Specific Support and Help

  • Leeds University - Key contact details for Academic Support, Finances, Opportunities, Study Abroad, Support and Well being, international Students, and Living in Leeds.

  • Leeds Beckett - Key information and contact for International Student Advice, Academic skills and advice, Accommodation, Careers, Jobs and Opportunities, Equality and Inclusion, Health and Wellbeing, Library and IT Support, Money, Fees and Bursaries, Rights and Responsibilities, Safely and Security, Starting and Finishing at University and more.

  • Leeds Arts University - Key information on Student Welfare and  Academic Support

  • Leeds Conservatoire - Key information and contact details for Wellbeing for International Students, Study Skills, Fees and Funding, Performers Wellbeing and more.

  • Leeds University of Law - Key information and contact details for Welfare, Accommodation, Study Skills, Counselling, Inclusion and more.

Further Support Services/ Talk it out

  • Universities Chaplaincy in Leeds - Work hours 0113 343 5071. Out of hours 07780 613 862

  • Questions about Faith - Feel free to contact someone at one of our Partner Churches.

  • Professional Counsellors - your University should be able to advise you if you would like access these confidential, free services.

To get in touch please email laura.palmer@transformationsleeds.org.uk

Talk Like A Local

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Before I lived in the UK, I wasn’t sure what to believe about idioms and how British people used them. I know we’ve all passed some language exams like IELTS before we came here to study, but you might still feel confused when you have conversations with native speakers as you can't always rely on a word's definition to tell you what a phrase means. So today I’d like to share some idioms and coded language that I have learned from my British friends.

  • Rings a bell

    • Something that sounds familiar. Makes someone remember something indistinctly. To awaken a vague or indistinct memory. So you can say “The place he was talking about rang a bell but I couldn't remember where I had read about it.”

  • A Blessing in disguise

    • A good thing that seems bad at first.

  • An arm and a leg

    • A phrase used to massively over exaggerate when something might be expensive. For example: “This pint cost me an arm and a leg!!!” When, in reality, they're just paying an extortionate amount compared to what they're used to.

  • Worship the golden calf

    • An unworthy or inappropriate object of worship, typically wealth. For example: “Let’s devote ourselves to something more meaningful than worshiping the golden calf.”

  • Off the top of your head

    • Without careful thought or investigation. Like, "Off the top of my head, I think Lucy loses the key every week."

  • A penny for your thoughts

    • A way of asking someone to share their thoughts with you. For example: “I'll give you a penny if you tell me your thoughts”

  • To sit tight

    • If you sit tight, you remain in the same place or situation and do not take any action, usually because you are waiting for something to happen. “Sit tight. I'll be right back.”

  • Beat around the bush

    • A typical British saying meaning you're purposely avoiding the topic; not speaking directly about the issue.

  • Bee’s knees

    • You should know that “the bee’s knees” is actually a lovely term used to describe someone or something you think the world of. So if someone says “Go-karting yesterday was the bee’s knees” they’re actually telling you that “Go-karting yesterday was totally awesome!”

  • Steal someone’s thunder

    • To take credit for someone else’s work or to take attention from them during their special moment .

  • Speak of the devil

    • Used when the person in question arrives right on cue - as if they knew you were talking about them. 

Apart from idioms, British people also like using coded language to avoid embarrassment:

  • Interesting…

    • Especially when followed by a long pause, this often means the opposite.

  • That's not bad!

    • Even though “bad” is in this sentence, it means “that's good”.

  • I almost agree.

    • This sounds like they’re close to agreeing. But, it actually means they do not agree at all.

  • With the greatest respect…

    • What you did or said was totally wrong.

  • Bit wet out there

    • Actually it’s pouring, welcome to the UK.

I hope this is helpful for your life in the UK! Please let us know if you have more idioms/coded languages to share.

To get in touch please email chris.cambell@transformationsleeds.org.uk

Making New Friends

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Welcome to Leeds! There are loads of places to go to make new friends here. This quick list of our top recommendations should serve you really well as you get started!

Here’s hoping this list helps you find your feet and make friends fast!

To get in touch please email laura.palmer@transformationsleeds.org.uk

 
 
 
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