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Health and Welfare

Welcome to the Welfare Hub for Peterhouse students. Whatever support you need during your time at Peterhouse, your dedicated welfare team is here to help.

 

What is 'welfare'?

Peterhouse is committed to offering caring, thoughtful, and effective support to all of our students. Welfare is about the whole person so it encompasses physical, emotional, and mental health. One-on-one counselling & support is central to what we do, whether discussing everyday stress and problems or physical or mental health concerns, but we also organise events in College. Together with student welfare representatives, we put on mental health workshops and welfare activities to promote individual and communal wellbeing, from outdoor dog walks to art sessions, coffee breaks and more. Please do not hesitate to be in touch with us if you need support. WE ARE HERE FOR YOU. 

What kind of information can I find here in the welfare hub?

The tabs here will take you to other pages on the welfare hub where you will find:

  • Sources of help and support in the wider University and beyond
  • Self-help and self-care resources that you can access any time 

Links are not exhaustive, and the websites featured include links to many other charities and agencies. Please note that while we have checked all links at the time of posting, the College is not responsible for the content of external websites.

 

Who are the members of the Peterhouse Welfare Team?

 

<-- See the individual tabs to the left for more about us and about how to reach us. You can also download A Guide to Health and Welfare at Peterhouse down below. It provides a summary of the most important information about who is who and other resources in the university.

 

Whom do I talk to if I don't know where to start?

You can speak to any of us about welfare or mental health issues and we are happy either to help or signpost you to the right person, so please reach out to any of us!

For accommodation or financial questions, please contact your tutor in the first instance.

For academic problems, please speak with your director of studies or supervisor or your tutor (for grads and undergrads) but you can also reach out to anyone else.

For general welfare-related concerns (stress, family and relationship issues, mental health problems, sexual or racial harassment, bullying, questions about sexuality or gender, difficulties with your studies or other issues, other concerns or ideas for welfare in College), you can contact the Welfare Officer in the first instance who can either help you directly or signpost you to the right place in the College or university.

For physical health, please contact the College Nurse (in term) or your GP (out of term). 

For LGBTQ+ or BME students with special concerns, please speak to any of us or if you prefer to access peer support, you can also reach out to the College's LGBTQ+ liberation representative or BME student representative (for the JCR) or your JCR/MCR welfare representatives.

For specific mental health concerns and support, you can contact the College Nurse, Mental Health Advisor or the College Counsellor or have a chat with the Welfare Officer to begin with.  

Where are you located?

The welfare officer and mental health advisor are normally in the College Flat in Little Saint Mary's Lane. Leanne is back in the office and Jennifer is only 2 minutes away. Both can speak on the phone or via Zoom or you can ask for a welfare walk nearby. During term only, the nurse is in the Health Centre in Fen Court in College during term - please see her tab for information about her hours when she is in College. The College Counsellor is based in the University Counselling Centre and is available in term and currently online. The college also has a Welfare and Prayer Room, which can be booked through the Tutorial Office.

 

What do I do in a mental health emergency (for me or a friend)?

In an emergency: Call 999 & the Porters

In an emergency, if you or someone else is in danger of significant harm, don't hesitate to dial 999 (or ask the porters if you are in College but have only an international mobile to call for you).  

*Please also call the porters (01223 338300) to inform them that you have called 999 so they can direct the emergency services to you.* They will also call the mental health advisor or welfare officer (mental health first aid-trained) to support you.

 

Advice and help in a crisis

  • In and out of hours you can contact the porters who will call the Mental Health Advisor or Welfare Officer on their mobiles.
  • University Mental Health Advisers: If our Mental Health Advisor is away, the University has other mental health advisers who are available during office hours. Please contact the Welfare Officer, College Nurse or your tutor for an urgent referral to the UCS.
  • GP: During office hours, you can also make an emergency appointment with your GP, who can offer support and make a referral.
  • If you're not sure whether your situation is an emergency, you can call (in Cambridgeshire) NHS 111 option 2 for urgent mental health advice and assessment, 24/7. If you only have an international mobile number and cannot receive a call back from the NHS, please ask the porters who can help.

  • For more information about other 24/7 helplines you can call for support and help in a crisis, please see under the Mental Health Resources tab to the left.  
Welfare guide