The GSA is launching our new ‘Keep Home and Carry On’ initiative where we want to encourage staying at home to protect your friends, colleagues and the wider community. Over the coming weeks ‘Keep Home and Carry On’ will be a community space to help you #SmashIsolation and concentrate on the good things in life. We will be delivering our best tips and tricks to squash loneliness and provide a series of online events for our Postgrad Community. Even though we might not be able to dance on the same dancefloor, we aren’t going to let that come between us.

As many of you will know, in light of the Coronavirus, the University of York has confirmed it is moving teaching online from the Summer Term. Likewise, the government is asking all of us to limit our movements to only what is essential and not to visit our usual social communities and workplaces.

With expected numbers self-isolating due to increase, even those of us who are currently healthy are facing a reduction in our social time.  We know that not all of you will be able to easily self-isolate. Many students have part time jobs, primarily in the service sector. Some of you may have caring responsibilities or conditions that make it difficult to self-isolate. This is a tough time for all students. You may be struggling with anxiety, loneliness and isolation, but you don’t have to be alone.

Starting on Wednesday the 18th of March our new online activities calendar will keep you up to date with wellbeing tips, fitness schedules, music playlists, family activities, online coffee meet-ups, book recommendations and even online karaoke. Staying at home need not be a drag! We are calling for civic responsibility and the promotion of self-isolation as a way to protect one another. We want to make it easier to care of yourself and others around you.

You’re not alone. We’re all in this together.

Join our #QuarantineCommunity HERE

We want to hear from you. Do you have any recommendations for what events you would like to see? Message our Facebook page or drop us an email at communications@yorkgsa.org

Keep in touch. We will be releasing our online calendar tomorrow. You can find out more information on the GSA website or by following us on social media. We’ll also be briefing you in our weekly newsletter so you don’t miss out.

For more information on the University of York’s guidance to Covid-19, please consult the university’s official webpage.