Relationships

Coming to University provides a unique opportunity to meet lots of new people and potentially form intimate partner relationships, some of which may be short-lived, and some long-lasting.  For some students, these relationships and experiences may be amongst their first as independent adults living away from home.

At the University of Worcester, we are keen to promote students having happy, safe and fulfilling relationships that will enrich their time here.

  • Open communication: you and your partner feel comfortable expressing feelings and thoughts.        
      
  • Independence: both individuals maintain their own identities and friendships. 
     
  • Mutual respect: you value each other's opinions, boundaries, and  individuality.  
     
  • Trust: you both have a sense of security and don't constantly worry about cheating or betrayal.         
     
  • Support: you encourage each other's goals and celebrate successes.       
             
  • Conflict resolution: disagreements are handled constructively without resorting to hurtful behaviour.     
        
  • Equality: decision-making and responsibilities are shared between you both.
     
  • Poor communication: one or both partners struggle to express themselves or resort to yelling/silent treatment.
     
  • Dependence: one or both partners rely excessively on the other for their sense of worth.
     
  • Disrespect: one partner frequently criticises, belittles, or dismisses the other.
     
  • Lack of trust: there's constant suspicion, jealousy, or monitoring of the other's activities.
     
  • Lack of support: you are unsupportive or dismissive of each other's goals and achievements.
     
  • Manipulation: guilt, threats, or emotional blackmail are used to influence behaviour.
     
  • Control: one partner tries to dictate the other's choices, friends, or activities. 

Intimate Relationships and Consent 
If you are considering having an intimate relationship with someone, it's helpful to have a think beforehand about what you would like from the relationship, and if you are both 'on the same page' with this.  Whilst you are having a think, how about taking a look at the video below?  It's about sex and tea.  Intrigued?  

Wellbeing Your wellbeing in intimate relationships
Many people in intimate partner relationships may from time to time experience some periods of conflict, however if this conflict is sustained and you are often feeling negative or worrying emotions about it, that might be the time to consider whether that relationship is a healthy one for you to be in.

What can I do about it?
If you are worried about your situation, we would encourage you to talk to someone you trust about it - whether a friend, family member or a professional.

If you would like to speak in confidence to a member of staff, the Student Support Advisers will take your concerns seriously and are able to support you by talking to you further about any difficulties and possible solutions.  We see students in person, in a confidential space in firstpoint, or online via Teams.  To get in touch, please email to studentlife@worc.ac.uk or speak with firstpoint. Email Contact
Website Links Another option you can consider is to access the Counselling and Mental Health Team, which is based in the Woodbury building on St Johns Campus.  You can book a STAR (support, triage, advice and refer) appointment via the online calendar. 

Alternatively, if you have on-going concerns about your wellbeing within an intimate relationship, you can also have a look at the 'useful links' section on this page.

If you are a victim of crime, our University Police Community Support Officer (PCSOs) is here to help. He is based at the University and can be accessed either via email pcso@worc.ac.uk or by telephoning 01905 542629. 

Useful Links

Contact us

To book an appointment, please contact firstpoint.  Alternatively, you can contact a member of the Student Support and Wellbeing Team directly via email on studentlife@worc.ac.uk.