Services available

Campus Security are on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Find them in the Security and Transport Centre (Canterbury) or Medway Building (Medway). 

Or you can always get in touch with them by calling 01227 82 3300 (non-emergency) or 01227 82 3333 (emergency) or via the SafeZone app.

Safety/emergency contacts off campus

• Kent Fire Service
• Kent Police
• NHS 111
• Police non-emergencies: 101
• Police emergencies: 999

The Student Support and Wellbeing (SSW) reception will close after 16:45 on Friday 19 December and it will re-open Thursday 2 January 2026.

During this closure, there are lots of contacts available to support you wherever you are during vacation:

Partner organisations – free services for Kent students

• Phone and text support from Spectrum Life: If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, need emergency wellbeing help or just need someone to talk to, our external partners Spectrum Life can offer you online, text, and telephone support from qualified counsellors and therapists. Spectrum Life is available 24/7:

o   Telephone 0800 0318227 and press option 1, or Text/WhatApp 'Hi' to +44 (0)7418 360780

o   Search for the Spectrum Life app from your app store and follow the log in instructions (organisation code: ud3Z2brH).

On campus services

• If you are on campus and need support please call Security on 01227 82 3300.
• University Nursing Services will be closed from 16:30 on Friday 12 December and will reopen on 8:30 on Monday 12 January.
  
  

External organisations – free services available to all

• For expert information tailored to students from Student Minds, check out the Student Space website which provides advice, as well as telephone, email, webchat and text support.
• If you're having a difficult time and want to talk to someone, you can call the Samaritans free on 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org. 
• If you would prefer to receive support via text message, Shout is a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope, simply text 85258.

Check the catering webpages to find out which outlets are open on campus over the winter break. 

Follow @kent_uni_food on Instagram for stay updated.

For Woody's and Library Cafe opening times, please see the Kent Students' Union website.

Check out the Kent Students' Union website for the opening times of the Co-op campus shops (Plaza and Park Wood).

The Campus Pantry is offering Winter Food Parcels for students who will be remaining on campus over the winter break and may be in need of supplemental food and assistance, please fill out the form to request a parcel before Sunday 7 December 2025. 

Nexus, your campus help point located in Templeman Library, and the Sibson Atrium will be opening on the following dates and times: 

• 9:00-17:00, 16-19 December (closed at weekends). Engagement Support will be available for drop-in appointments 10:00-16:00.  

• Closed between 20 December and 1 January. 

• 9:00-17:00, 2 January to 10 January (closed at weekends) Engagement Support will be available for drop-in appointments 10:00-16:00. 

• Normal opening hours from Monday 13 January. 

Financial Hardship will close after 16:45 on Friday 19 December and will re-open Thursday 2 January 2026.

All financial hardship applications will not be processed from 15 December and no payments will be made until the new year.

If you need support with food, please contact Canterbury Food Bank or make use of the Campus Pantry food parcels (see above).

See opening hours and support for Templeman Library and Drill Hall Library over the winter break. See Library Cafe opening times.

You don’t need to renew or return any books, including document deliveries, from Saturday 20 December to Thursday 1 January inclusive. Please be aware it is possible that books/items may be recalled to the library from Friday 2 January onwards.    

Gym and sports facilities

All Kent Sport facilities will be open on slightly reduced hours from Monday 15 December to Sunday 21 December. All facilities will close on Monday 22 December for the Christmas break and will reopen on Friday 2 January 2026. See Kent Sport opening hours. 

You can also follow Kent Sport on social media @UniKentSports for the latest updates.  

Kent Sports Clinic

Kent Sports Clinic services within the Sports Centre, including physiotherapy and massage, will be available until Friday 19 December. The clinic will be closed on Monday 22 December and will reopen on Friday 2 January 2026.   

If you're staying on campus over the winter break, check out the Accommodation Office winter break service update for key information such how to get access if you are locked out, and how to report any defects. 

The Accommodation Office will be closed between 19 December 2025 and 2 January 2026. For urgent assistance outside of these times, please contact Campus Security.

See reception opening hours.

Ordering from Amazon? We have three Amazon lockers on campus that you can order to and access day or night. They are located by Keynes College T block, Darwin Houses and Woody's in Park Wood.  

Medway Building

The Medway Building will not be open over the winter break from 22 December and reopning on Friday 2 January 2026.

The Student Hub/The Deep End

The Hub reception is closed from 17:00 on Friday 19 December, and reopens on Monday 5 January 2026. The Deep End bar and restaurant will also be closed over the festive period too. Stay up to date by following The Hub on Instagram.

The Hub will be open from Wednesday 24 December to Friday 2 January, 10:00-18:00 . On Christmas and New Years day, it will be extended until 20:00. This is led by the University of Greenwich who will be running som events that are also open to Kent students.