Health and Welfare
Welfare
We are committed to making Worcester a place where every member can thrive, whether they are a first-year navigating Michaelmas Term or a graduate student worried about tomorrow’s viva exam. We have a number of avenues of in-College support for students with any kind of problem, and we can also help students make contact with further sources of support in the wider University, if appropriate.
We encourage any student experiencing difficulties to seek confidential help, as soon as possible, from any of the people listed below (in no particular order) or from anyone in College they have a good rapport with.
We understand that University life presents particular, stressful challenges for students from backgrounds not usually represented at Worcester and Oxford. The College acknowledges that in our mostly white institution, the burdens of racism can be especially difficult to bear, and we encourage students struggling with those challenges to contact the Head of Welfare/Welfare Team. In addition, we have listed below a number of other categories along with supportive resources related to each.
Internal sources of support
College Advisors
Students are encouraged to speak to their assigned College Advisor (who has responsibility for their advisees' academic progress and welfare) in the first instance, particularly about any academic-related matters.
College Doctor
The College Doctor’s practice is situated at 27 @Northgate (Northgate Health Centre,15 Market Street OX1 3EF) and the College Doctors, Dr David McCartney and Dr Simon Clough, are available all year round. They can be contacted via telephone on 01865 311 500.
College Nurse
The College Nurse, Joanna Bowd, is based on site in staircase 15.2, Pump Quad during term time. To book an appointment with Jo, you can email her at pml.worcesternurse@nhs.net or via the booking system: https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/pmlnurseworcestercollege@nhs.... Jo is available during the following hours in term time:
Monday: 2pm-6pm
Tuesday: 10am-2pm
Wednesday: 8am-12pm
Thursday: 2:15pm-6:15pm
Friday: 8am-12pm
The Welfare Team
The Dean, Dr Paul Azzopardi, is responsible for the general welfare of all students, and is supported by the Assistant Dean, Dr Neva Kandzija, and Junior Deans, all of whom are graduate students and are Wardens of residential buildings. Students can contact any member of the Dean Team for help with any kind of issue or problem. Support can be provided in person or remotely via email, telephone, and Microsoft Teams.
Head of Student Welfare
The Head of Student Welfare, Georgina Heywood, works alongside other welfare provision in the College and can offer support, advice, and guidance related to wellbeing, disability and welfare issues. Georgie is also the Disability Lead and Disability Coordinator for the College and can advise on all aspects of disability support, including accommodation arrangements, library services, IT, and study support. Support can be provided in person or remotely via email, telephone, and Microsoft Teams.
The MCR Welfare reps and Peer Supporters
The MCR has two elected Welfare Reps and also Peer Supporters who organise events and support for students and are on hand to advise anyone needing their help.
The Chaplain
The Chaplain, Rev Marcus Green, is available for all members of the College to talk to, irrespective of religion.
Senior Tutor
The Senior Tutor, Prof Daniel Neyland, oversees the academic progress and general welfare of all students within the College.
Academic Administrator
The Academic Administrator, Ms Phillipa Tarver, and her team are based in the Academic Office and are a good port of call for students with any academic issues.
Learning Support
We know welfare can sometimes be related to academic pressure, so if you need help with things like academic writing, reading and notetaking and time management, do contact the Learning Development Officer, Rea Duxbury. Further information can be found here: https://www.worc.ox.ac.uk/equalities/learning-development-officer
Other sources of support
Counselling support
The University’s Student Counselling Service is situated across the road from Worcester. The College Counsellor can offer appointments on site and can be contacted at counselling@worc.ox.ac.uk
Further information on the University's student welfare support services can be found here.
Disability Support
The University’s Disability Advisory Service is situated across the road from Worcester, offering a wealth of support and guidance for disabled students, including guidance on the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). There is a University Common Framework for Supporting Disabled Students, which can be found here, and an Access Guide, available here.
The College's Disability Lead and Coordinator, Georgie Heywood, can advise on all aspects of disability support, including accommodation arrangements, library services, IT, and study support.
LGBTQ+ student support
The College and wider University are inclusive environments, and support is available for LGBTQ+ students. More information can be found here and here, and by contacting the MCR Equal Opportunities rep.
- Oxford University LGBTQ+ Society
- Peer Support Programme and Rainbow Peers
Oxford Student Union
The Oxford Student Union Student Advice Service is the only independent advice, information and advocacy service exclusively available to Oxford University students. The service is free and confidential, and they have a team of friendly advisers to help find solutions to any problems you might face, including: academic concerns, accommodation, health, disability, relationships, visas, and mental health.
The Service is open Monday-Friday 8-6 term time and they can be emailed on advice@ousu.ox.ac.uk. There are also drop in sessions three times a week (Monday 10-12; Wednesday 12-2; Friday 2-4).
For further information click on www.oxfordsu.org/wellbeing/student-advice/
Togetherall
All students and staff can access the Togetherall platform 24/7 at no cost, for mental health and wellbeing support. Togetherall is an anonymous and confidential space providing tools, courses and a supportive community to help everyone to look after themselves, along with plenty of resources to explore. All you need is a university email address to enter.
Oxford University Coffee Ambassadors
OU Coffee Ambassadors are an initiative by students, for students and junior researchers. They are officially trained peer supporters and they offer free coffee chats and welfare support with fellow students in local Oxford café's - so you can get a break from the library by grabbing company, coffee (or tea, or hot chocolate) and confidential conversation. More information & booking is available here: https://www.oucoffeeambassadors.com
Nightline
Nightline is a confidential listening, support and information service run by and for students.
Further information on University provision can be found here: https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/welfare
Racism
Worcester College and the wider University are committed to working towards an institution that is representative, inclusive, fair and welcoming to all of our students. More information, support and resources can be found here:
Anti-Racism: Towards a more Inclusive Worcester
University Counselling Service and BME Counsellors
The Oxford Anti-Racism Platform
Peer Support Programme and Peers of Colour
A reading list of Black Lives Matter and anti-racist online resources
Sexual Violence
Oxford First Response is an app designed to guide anyone helping someone who has experienced sexual violence; you can find details here and a distilled version of the app and associated training is available on the menu on the right.
The University has a page dedicated to sexual violence response and prevention https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/welfare/sexual-violence and has dedicated support services to support survivors who have been affected by sexual harassment or violence:
- Sexual Harassment and Violence Support Service
- Oxford against sexual violence
Harassment
Information, support and advice for students who feel they have been harassed or bullied can be found here:
- Harassment advice
- Harassment and conflict advice for students
- Responsible bystander information
First Generation
Support and advice for students who are the first in their family to go to university can be found here:
- Class Act Oxford SU
- Oxford first-generation students
Religion and Belief
Information about provision for students of different religious backgrounds can be found here:
- University of Oxford Equality and Diversity Unit