What is it?

A railcard that offers you up to a third off train fares throughout Great Britain. It’s even valid on all Standard and First-Class Advance fares too. As the name implies it’s only available to those aged between 16 and 25 but you can use it after the age of 25 if you purchase a three-year ticket up until the day before your 24th birthday.

How much does it cost?

It costs just £30 per year, if you have an NUS card then you could get 12% of this price. Alternatively, you can buy a 3 year railcard for £70.

How to apply for one?

You can purchase this railcard from any staffed station ticket office, National Rail-licensed Travel Agent or online by clicking here

Who are they?

The NUS are a confederation of 600 students’ unions, amounting to more than 95 per cent of all higher and further education unions in the UK. Through our member students’ unions, we represent the interests of more than seven million students.

TOTUM Card

TOTUM, the new name for the NUS extra card, brings you over 200 UK student discounts and comes with 1-year FREE ISIC unlocking over 42,000 international discounts.

Choose from a 1-year card for just £12, a 2-year card for £22 or a 3-year card for only £32. Many discounts are online only so you can’t get them without your TOTUM card.

TOTUM has the best student discounts around that you can use online and in store. Top brands include:

  • 10% off at the Co-op
  • 10% off ASOS
  • 25% off Odeon student priced tickets
  • Up to 40% off at Las Iguanas
  • 42,000 International Discounts

How to get your card

To apply for your NUS card, you will need to log into your EMS account, select Library > Public Library, and then choose the Learner Resources > Totum folder. From here, you will need to click on Totum, which will link you directly to the Totum registrations page.

For more information about the TOTUM card, please click here

Child Benefit

Whilst on the LFE CT Study programme, Child Benefit continues to be paid to your parents/carers until you reach the age of 19, or in some cases 20. All applications should be made through your HM Revenue and Customs Child Benefit Office, details of which can be found in the local telephone directory, or online. You may be asked to provide evidence that you are in Full Time education. If so, please contact the Lead Tutor at your club who will arrange for this to be provided.

Bursary

Some learners joining the CT Study Programme, may be entitled to a bursary payment to support their time on programme.

The following bursaries may be available:

  • Discretionary Bursary: for learners aged 16-18, on August 31st of the year they apply for a bursary, who live with a family whose income is less than £21,000 p/a. This bursary is intended to contribute towards essential course costs and the cost of travel to and from the Club.
  • Meal Support: this is a contribution of £2.50 per day towards meal costs.
  • Vulnerable Bursary: for learners aged 16-18, on August 31st of the year they apply for a bursary, who are in care / care leavers or on Income Support / Universal Credit Payment in their own name or receiving Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance / Personal Independence Payment – LFE will pay £30 per week.

The Bursary application period usually opens early October, more information will be provided to learners from their club tutor at the appropriate time. All bursaries will be back paid to when the learner starts their course.

All bursaries are dependent on attendance, good behaviour and work being submitted on time learner. Failure to meet these requirements will result in a loss of payment.

All payments will be made to the Community Trust the learner is studying with, one month in arrears, it is the Trusts responsibility to distribute this money to individual learners via their preferred payment method.

What is Addiction?

Addiction is defined as not having control over doing, taking or using something to the point where it could be harmful to you. According to recent statistics (Action on Addiction Charity), 1 in 3 people are addicted to something.

Addiction is most commonly associated with gambling, drugs, alcohol or smoking. However, it is possible to be addicted to just about anything, other addictions could include: working, the internet, the smell of solvents or shopping.

There are lots of reasons why addictions begin. In the case of drugs, alcohol and nicotine, these substances affect the way you feel, both physically and mentally. These feelings can be enjoyable and create a powerful urge to use the substances again.

Where can I find help?

Addiction is a treatable condition. Whatever the addiction, there are lots of ways you can seek help. You could see your GP for advice or contact an organisation like Addaction (see below).

Addaction

Addaction is a charity that provides treatment, help and advice about drugs and alcohol for young people and adults. They have many services all over the UK, including several, especially for young people helping them to move into recovery from misusing alcohol and drugs encouraging a healthier lifestyle.

Website – https://www.addiction.org.uk

The National Health Service can provide you with support and guidance about all matters relating to your health, for more information please visit their website

This website can help you with the following:

  • Eat well – do you know what a healthy balanced diet is?
  • Healthy weights – do you know what your weight should be?
  • Exercise – how much exercise should you do per week?
  • Sleep and tiredness – why do you feel tired? How can you overcome this?
  • Sexual health – do you understand what safe sex is? And where to go if you need additional advice.
  • Alcohol support – why and how you should reduce your alcohol intake.
  • Quitting smoking – do you know the benefits of quitting smoking? and the strategies/ agencies to support you quit?
  • Healthy body – tips on how to live a healthy lifestyle.
  • Moodzone – do you know how to feel better both emotionally and mentally?