When you need a place of safety...
I love it when people come into the Haven on Bay Campus and see the Quiet Room for the first time. You can visibly see them relax and they want to stay and experience the tranquillity it exudes. Having quiet spaces anywhere are essential to our wellbeing but perhaps, particularly in a fast moving, hectic university campus, it is even more important. So here are some thoughts on why you might find yourself seeking this space and what you might use it for.
Time out from academic study or work – it's great having quiet study spaces in the library and other places but sometimes you need to get away from a desk and just switch off completely. Or maybe you’re a member of staff working in a busy, crowded office and you just need 10 minutes to yourself. It can make all the difference. In Swansea we are fortunate to work and study in an amazing environment with beautiful parks and beaches on the doorstep, but on those wet and windy days having a cosy, safe space to escape to is vital. When I first started my job at the university over 4 years ago, I heard of staff spending their lunchtimes in their cars as that was the only quiet space they could find. Coming back onto campus, after two years of Covid restrictions, it is more important than ever for us to have somewhere safe and quiet to retreat to at times.
A place to pray or meditate: On both campuses you will find spaces that are dedicated to prayer and meditation. On Singleton campus there is the mosque for our Muslim brothers and sisters and the Lighthouse, is our small faith space where there is also a quiet room. We run guided meditation from there on Thursdays, as well as on Zoom on a Tuesday at 8.30am. The Haven, on Bay Campus, has a large quiet room as well as Muslim prayer rooms. So, something for everyone.
Come and experience our events: The Faith team @CampusLife run a number of social events aimed at those who prefer quieter, smaller social opportunities. These run under the banners of Meet & Mingle and Breathing Space. So, if you’re not a party animal or have run out of party energy and would like to spend a couple of hours at a movie night or quiz then check out our social events. It is a sure way to make new friends and re-charge your batteries.
The Lighthouse and Haven are also homes to the Listening Service which is open to staff and students. It is a confidential space where you can book an appointment to speak to one of our trained staff. No matter what the issues, we are here to listen to you in an accepting and inclusive way. If you’re a student who has recently suffered a bereavement, then we have a a bereavement support group you can join.
Spiritual advice and guidance - The Faith@CampusLife Team are here to help you. If you are a person of faith and need spiritual direction or information on where you can attend a place of worship, then please get in touch with us at faith.campuslife@swansea.ac.uk to seek advice and guidance. We are also committed to close interfaith work across Swansea and are members of Swansea Interfaith Forum. Each year we hold a week of activities during Interfaith Week in November so why not check it out. You don’t have to be person of faith to participate.
I am so privileged to work with such an amazing team at Faith@CampusLife. There is truly something for everyone. At the end of the day, we are human – it's what binds us to one another and sadly it’s what divides us sometimes too. I have come to realise that people respond more positively to you if you are prepared to show some vulnerability. To show our cracks and scars. One of my favourite metaphors for vulnerability is the Japanese art of Kintsugi. The art of putting broken pottery pieces back together with gold — built on the idea that in embracing flaws and imperfections, you can create an even stronger, more beautiful piece of art. Every break is unique and instead of repairing an item like new, the 400-year-old technique actually highlights the "scars" as a part of the design. Using this as a metaphor for healing ourselves teaches us an important lesson: Sometimes in the process of repairing things that have broken, we actually create something more unique, beautiful and resilient.
My vision for the Haven and the Lighthouse is that they are places where everyone can feel safe enough to show their vulnerability and that we, as a team, can offer you some unique and beautiful. and welcomed.
If you’ve not already come to say hello, then please do. We’d love to see you.
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