If you are staying on campus or in Cornwall over Christmas, this information offers a brief guide to opening hours for facilities and services in the University.
Christmas & New Year in Cornwall
Christmas in Cornwall
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Christmas in Cornwall 2023
Staying on campus or in Cornwall over the winter break and Christmas? If so, check out the pages below to find out what facilities, services and events are available within the University.
Most facilities and services will be available as normal until Friday 22 December, and will re-open for normal business on Tuesday 2 January 2024. Between these times there may be limited opening hours and we advise you to check details on this page.
Digital Hub Christmas Message
A message from the Digital Hub ahead of the festive season; if you are lucky enough to get a new phone over the holidays don’t forget to update your security settings. Find out more
Monday 18 – Thursday 21 December 2023
Phone Lines, SID online enquiries and Info Point Desk open 09:00 - 17:00.
Friday 22 December 2023 – Monday 1 January 2024
All Info Point and Hub services including Mitigation application processing closed.
Tuesday 2 - Friday 5 January 2024
Phone Lines, SID online enquiries and Info Point Desk open 09:00 - 17:00.
Monday 8 January 2024 onwards
Resumption of normal services from 08:45
Phone Lines, SID online enquiries and Info Point Desk open 08:45 - 17:00. The Penryn Info Point phone number is 01326 371800.
Penryn Campus Library
On Friday 22 December staff will finish at 16:00 and the library will close at 20:00.
- Open Saturday 23 December from 10:00-18:00, no staff available.
- Closed Sunday 24 December - Tuesday 26 December
- Open Wednesday 27 December - Friday 29 December from 09:00-20:00, no staff available.
- Open Satuday 30 December 10:00-18:00, no staff available
- Closed Sunday 31 December - Monday 1 January 2024
Penryn Compass Helpdesk
Closed from Saturday 23 December up to and including Monday 1 January 2024
From Tuesday 2 January - term-time opening hours (09:00-19:00 Monday - Friday)
Falmouth Campus Library
The last staffed weekend of the term will be Saturday 9 -10 December 2023.
Closed Saturday 16 December - Sunday 17 December
Open Monday 18 December - Thursday 21 December 09:00-17:00
Open Friday 22 December 09:00-16:00
Closed Saturday 23 December 2023 - Monday 1 January 2024
From Tuesday 2 January 2024 open term-time hours 09:00-18:00. First open weekend 6-7 January 2024.
For immediate welfare concerns over the holidays contact
- Halls Team
From Friday 22 December - Tuesday 2 January please contact Glasney Lodge on 01326 253503 if you are living on campus and have any immediate welfare concerns. This number is available 24/7. - Safety and Support Team
Safety and Support team will also be available on campus 24/7, their emergency number is 01326 254444
Student Support Team
Until 5pm on Friday 22 December 2023 student services will follow normal opening hours.* Normal services will resume on Tuesday 2 January 2024.
In term-time they are usually open 09:00-17:00 Monday to Friday.
Wellbeing
Support via Spectrum Life
Spectrum Life provide 24/7 access to a helpline, an online portal, and specific treatments like counselling. You can download the Spectrum Life app by searching for it in your app store – use code FXPlus when asked for your ‘organisation’.
If you want to talk to the helpline or access talking therapies you can call/text:
Phone UK based: 0800 0318227
International number: 00353 1 518 0277
Whatsapp: Text “Hi” to 07418360780
There is also an online self-help portal which you can access using the code FXPlus when asked for your ‘organisation’
Togetherall online support
All students have access to Togetherall which is an online support community, offering peer and professional support and is available 24/7, 365 days of the year. They also have a blog about coping with complicated feelings over the holidays.
Silvercloud
You could also try the online mental health programme Silvercloud which is free for Uni students or take a look at our free Wellbeing Apps.
Further advice can be found on the FX Plus Need Help Now page and the SU's welfare page.
Education Welfare Team
Penryn Education Welfare Team will be unavailable during the University holiday closure period. Monday 25 December up to and including Monday 1 January 2024.
You can find out more about the Cornwall Education Welfare Team and Support here.
* Please note. There are no Accessibility and Inclusive Learning drop-in sessions out of term-time.
International Student Support is available in the usual ways until 15:00 on Friday 22 December and the team is back at 09:00 on Tuesday 2 January 2024.
If your question can’t wait, why not browse through our most popular links to help answer your questions:
I’m starting a new programme in January 2024, when will I receive my CAS?
How do I apply for a Student visa?
Career Zone opening times
Up to Friday 15 December the Career Zone will be available as normal.
Live Chat: Speak with one of our team via Live Chat on our website, available 09:00 – 17:00, Monday to Friday. Email: careers@exeter.ac.uk Call: +44 (0)1392 724493
We’ll also be in the Career Zone, Ground Floor, Exchange, every weekday 12:00 to 16:00 up to Friday 15 December 2023 and look forward to welcoming you to talk about part time jobs, Handshake set up, CVs, finding placements and study and work abroad.
During the holiday period they will be available as follows:
- Monday 18 December to Friday 22 December we’re here online from 10:00 to 15:00.
- Monday 25 December to Monday 1 January 2024 – University closure days and Bank Holidays
- Tuesday 2 January 2024 to Friday 6 January 2024 we’re back online from 10:00 to 15:00.
- Monday 8 January 2024 back to term time hours.
The SU
The Falmouth and Exeter Student's Union (The SU) has a page with their opening times and information on support services available over the holidays.
Multifaith Chaplaincy
The Multifaith Chaplaincy (Tremough Barton Cottage 8) will be open Monday - Friday 09:00-17:00 throughout the festive break. However, no chaplains or staff will be present during this time apart from on 25 and 26 December.
Christmas Day and Boxing Day in the Chaplaincy
On Christmas Day (25 December) and Boxing Day (26 December) Gemma Tracey, Interim Coordinating Chaplain will be hosting in the Multifaith Chaplaincy. Open from 09:00-17:00 serving snacks, soup and sandwiches for lunch, followed by board games and a festive movie. You are welcome to drop in any time, the event is free but please register in advance.
Food and Drink on Campus
To find the opening times for the food and drink outlets on campus visit the FX Plus Winter on Campus page.
Normal opening times and any disruptions to service are listed on the service status page.
Events have been organised for those staying over the festive break. Check out the full range of events taking place throughout December and January on both the FX Plus website and Falmouth and Exeter Students’ Union (The SU) website.
Christmas Day Hamper Meals from Penryn Campus Shop
Traditional, Vegetarian and Vegan Christmas Day Hamper Meals are available to order online from the Penryn Campus Shop up until Sunday 17 December. They cost £15 and include a frozen roast chicken meal or meat free roast, with roast potatoes and vegetables, Christmas pudding and clotted cream, croissants, jam and fruit juice, a selection box, mince pies and biscuits.
More information is available online.
Place your order by emailing Lorraine.Vincent@fxplus.ac.uk. You will need to collect your hamper from the Penryn Campus Shop on Friday 22 December by 2pm.
The team caters to different dietary and allergen needs. Please let us know your requirements when ordering.
Our virtual desktop service is available throughout the year. It allows you to remotely access a huge range of learning resources that you may need for your course.
With an internet connection and suitable device (including Windows, Mac and Chromebook) you can access:
- A software directory with download links for you to install software on your own devices.
- Windows Virtual Desktop, providing secure access to a suite of applications to support your study.
*The software available remotely will depend on the department in which you are studying.
To find out more visit the virtual desktops webpage. If you need more detailed guidance, the Digital Hub can help.
We recommend using OneDrive for Business to store your work, you can find more information on the files and storage page.
If you encounter issues, please contact SID. You can also book time with an expert for an introduction to virtual desktops.
Digital Hub
Digital Hub face to face appointments will close at 16:00 on 15 December and reopen at 09:00 on Monday 8 January 2024.
There will be online appointments available from 18-22 December and 2-5 January 2024.
The Digital Hub will reopen as usual on Monday 8 January.
FX Plus IT Support
The FX Plus IT helpdesk will be open as usual until 17:15 on Friday 22 December and then reopen again at 08:45 on Tuesday 2 January 2024.
The Campus Safety and Support team provides security services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For more information visit the FX Plus website.
Campus security: 01326 255875
24/7 Emergency Line: 01326 254444 (4444 internal phone)
24/7 Emergency Line (Glasney Lodge Residences) 01326 253503
Email: safetyandsupport@fxplus.ac.uk
You can also use Safezone to contact safety and support on Campus
SafeZone is a quick and easy way of connecting you to the safety and support team when you are on campus. You don’t have to remember any numbers and it allows you to send additional details like your exact location and photos.
If you’re studying alone, or outside of regular hours you can also “check in” with the security team through the app. You can ask the app to do this automatically if you want. This will make security aware of your presence and can be used to share your location in an emergency.
On Cornwall Campuses once you have downloaded the App from the Apple or Google store you will need to select FX Plus as an organisation after you’ve logged in using your Exeter credentials.
Find out more about Safezone here.
The Sports Centre
The Sports Centre opening times are as follows:
- Open Saturday 23 December: 08:30 – 18:00
- Closed Sunday 24 December (Christmas Eve) and Monday 25 December (Christmas Day)
- Open Tuesday 26 December (Boxing Day) - Sunday 31 December (New Year’s Eve) 08:30 – 18:00
- Closed Monday 1 January 2023 (New Year’s Day)
Normal opening times resume from Tuesday 2 January 2024
Little Wonders Nursery
The nursery will close at 17:30 on Friday 22 December 2023 and reopen at 08.30 on Tuesday 2 January 2024
Local Events in Cornwall
There's lots going on in our local area. Check out the Falmouth town website for more details or the visit Truro events page.
Travel around Cornwall
If you plan to travel in Cornwall using public transport, be aware that some bus and train companies will be offering reduced services or certain services may not be running.
Check timetables and social media updates for the latest information: First Kernow and Go Cornwall for buses and Great Western Railway for trains in Cornwall.
Rail Strikes
Rail strikes are planned in December and more may be announced for January. Some strikes will affect Cornwall, others may impact your journey outside Cornwall.
Currently there is action short of a strike planned by the Aslef Union between Friday 1 December and Saturday 9 December and strike action on Thursday 7 December.
Check with your railway operator for the latest information. Occasionally strike dates change so keep looking at their websites for the latest information including Great Western Railway (GWR).
Think ahead
Now the dark nights are fully upon us, think about your visibility to other road users when walking and cycling in the dark, especially when crossing roads. Your eyes have adjusted to the dark however you may not be as visible to other road users.
If you’re going for a night out, make sure that you have a plan for how to get home, especially if you end up on your own. Try to stay with your friends, and keep a taxi number on you, or better still book your taxi in advance.
If your battery dies, ask to use your friend's phone or, if you get separated, ask in a shop or pub.
You can find more guidance on keeping safe on the stay safe web pages or view the Devon & Cornwall Police advice site for some tips to ensure your night is safe.