Looking after our students
Studying at Cambridge can be an incredible experience, but may also entail challenges, both personal and academic. At Christ's there are a number of people and resources available to graduate students, to help you have the healthiest time possible—socially, mentally, and physically.
The Welfare Officer, Betty Wang (welfare@christsmcr.co.uk) is on hand as an impartial support and source of information on issues relating to mental, physical, and social health. Please don't hesitate to contact Betty should you have any questions about what resources the College and University can offer. Similarly, if you have a suggestion for an event or initiative, or would just like a chat, give Betty an email, or say hi at MCR events or at Grad Hall! Please also let Betty know if there's something missing from the sexual health supplies box in the MCR.
The College Nurse and Wellbeing Advisor, Ana Rodrigues (nurse@christs.cam.ac.uk), is located on Q staircase. She has 4 different types of appointments that students can book:
Wellbeing Drop-in: 30 min duration, a chat about wellbeing and how to keep well or about small issues that students may be facing and that need help problem solving (the approach is keeping students well in preventative way, and not let small issues become big ones, by tackling each small hurdle early)
Physical Health Appointments: 20 min duration, for all non-urgent physical health issues and queries or review of ongoing conditions.
Mental Health Appointments: 45 min duration, for students who are experiencing mental health issues that are impacting on their day-to-day life and academics.
Freshers Introduction appointment (Active only for Michaelmas term): An opportunity to have a get to know a student that may have a physical, mental health or disability/accessibility need, to ensure that adequate support is in place and that they are linked in with the right support (NHS and/or non-NHS).
Please also see the flyer below for more information on support resources at Christ's (please use your Cambridge email to access the support document linked in the QR code).
EMERGENCY RESOURCES
NHS 999. For genuine life-threatening emergencies. If you or anyone you know are in immediate life-threatening danger to themselves or others, please ring NHS 999.
Addenbrooke's Hospital Emergency Department. For genuine life-threatening emergencies. Will take walk-ins.
Addenbrooke's A&E (Hills Rd, Cambridge CB2 0QQ)
NHS 111 (Option 2). 24-hour first response service. If you or anyone you know are in immediate danger to themselves or others, please ring NHS 111. They can:
Help you/others talk through things and understand what’s going on
Help you/others access appropriate help
Refer you/others to a mental health crisis team (who can visit you/others at home)
Refer you/others to a crisis house
Refer you/others for inpatient treatment assessment
Porters & Duty Tutor. Porters’ lodges are staffed 24 hours a day—and they are trained in crisis first aid. There is also always a duty tutor on call in case of emergency.
Christ’s porter lodge (+44 (0)1223 334900)
Christ’s Support
Postgraduate Tutors. Your postgraduate tutor is responsible for your well being in college, and should be able to signpost you toward the support you need. They can also refer you to Christ’s counselling services. You can talk to any postgraduate tutor—just email them to schedule an appointment.
College Nurse and Wellbeing Advisor. Christ’s nurse can help direct you to appropriate services, and is available to chat about all things health-related, be they physical or mental.
Ana Rodrigues (nurse@christs.cam.ac.uk) – Mon-Fri 8:30-16:30 pm
Harriet (Harry) Oliver – Mon-Fri 9:00-13:00 pm TODO verify currency
To book your appointment follow the link (https://christ- college.uk2.cliniko.com/bookings)
Chaplain. The chaplain is a part of the welfare system and, as such, is a great person to chat to, regardless of your religious beliefs.
University Reporting Options
Office of Student Conduct, Complaints and Appeals (OSCCA). You can report inappropriate behaviour of other students and staff either anonymously (https://www.studentcomplaints.admin.cam.ac.uk/anonymous-reporting-students-and-staff) here or with your contact details using Report+Support (https://reportandsupport.cam.ac.uk/). If you report with contact details, a member of OSCCA will be in contact with you in 5 working days to discuss the next steps. An explanation of the reporting process and a summary of the resulting processes are available in a Student Flow Chart (https://www.studentcomplaints.admin.cam.ac.uk/files/rs-flow_chart_students.pdf). If you have a question about reporting you can email OSCCA@admin.cam.ac.uk.
University Support
Postgrad Wellbeing Support. Can offer support with challenges which may be impacting on your life, studies or research. Can help with managing low mood, stress and anxiety, overcoming perfectionism or procrastination. You can self-refer using the link here.
University Counselling Service (UCS). Available to all postgraduate students on the register. Free of charge. Offers individual counselling, groups/workshops, and mental health advice. Provides individual and group counselling for students on a range of matters. Access here.
Student Support: Workshops and Therapeutic Groups. Self-compassion, Procrastination, Perfectionism, Imposter Syndrome, Managing Stress and Anxiety… and more! Link here.
Nightline. A listening service run by students for students. Every night of term, trained student volunteers answer calls, emails and instant messages from their fellow university students about anything that’s troubling them. TERM-TIME ONLY.
Nightline phone: 01223 744444
Nightline email: email@cambridge.nightline.ac.uk
Nightline chat: https://cambridge.nightline.ac.uk/getsupportnow.html
Cambridge SU Student Advice Service. Free, confidential, and impartial advice and support to all Cambridge University students provided by Cambridge Students’ Union. Student Advice Service (https://www.cambridgesu.co.uk/advice/student-advice-service/)
Accessibility and Disability Resource Centre (ADRC). Services that ADRC can provide to students include: appointments with an ADRC adviser/assistant adviser, neurodiversity screening service (Autism, Specific Learning Difficulties, ADHD), signposting for diagnostic assessment, or to other specialist services, support with accessing disability-related funds (DSAs/RAF/IDSF), coordination of human support, such as specialist mentoring or specialist study skills, reviewing/assessing medical or diagnostic evidence, producing Student Support Documents (SSDs) – recommendations/access requirements, and individual assistive technology and software support. (https://www.disability.admin.cam.ac.uk/)
Mental Health Advice Service (MHAS). Student access to the Mental Health Advice Service is by staff-referral only. The Mental Health Advice Service directly supports students with mental health issues who experience a significant impact on their ability to participate in their everyday lives or academic work. (mhas@studentsupport.cam.ac.uk)
Postgraduate Wellbeing Service. Supports taught and research postgraduates. The service offers online and in-person appointments and is available through the academic year, including the summer months. Email wellbeing@studentsupport.cam.ac.uk
Student Minds Cambridge. A mental health charity operating across the UK, empowering students and all members of university communities to develop the knowledge, confidence and skills to look after their own mental health, to support others, and to create positive changes within their institutions. Runs campaigns and events throughout term-time. Link here.
Harassment and Violence Support Service (HVSS). Provides emotional and practical support to anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted, or sexually harassed, recently or in the past. Link here.
LGBTQ+
Cambridge Pride: Follow their Facebook page or Instagram (@cambridgepride) for information on LGBTQ+ events happening around Cambridge open to the public.
Wom*n’s and Non-Binary Resources
Cambridge Women’s Resources Centre (CWRC) CWRC is an accessible women’s community space located in the heart of the Mill Road area of Cambridge. Visit their website for more information; http://www.cwrc.org.uk/about.php
Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre (CRCC)
CRCC offers support to women and girls who have experienced or are experiencing rape, childhood sexual abuse or any form of sexual violence. Visit their website at https://cambridgerapecrisis.org.uk or call the helpline on 01223 245888.
Cambridge Women’s Aid (CWA)
CWA offers information, advice and ongoing practical and emotional support to women experiencing domestic abuse in strictest confidence. Their website is https://cambridgewa.org.uk.