Welfare & Advice

Life in Cambridge can be busy and stressful, and can easily become too much if you don’t deal with it in the appropriate way. Both within the college and the University there are plenty of opportunities to get help for whatever’s troubling you, so don’t be afraid to ask for it!

There are a number of ports-of-call within Christ’s, and you can chose to go to whoever you feel most comfortable with.

Welfare Officer (James Harper)

As your welfare officer, your overall safety and happiness is my number one priority. I am around college for you to talk to about any problems you might have, work or health related, or if you just want to someone to chat to generally.

You can contact me by email on jfh43 or pigeonhole me if you want to arrange a chat. I’ll always be happy to hear from you.

Tutors and DOS

Your personal tutor and director of studies are available to talk and can provide support and advice on a range of issues, from work-related problems, to financial issues, to personal problems.

Each tutor has some time each week set aside for students to drop in and chat if they wish. Please check your tutors notice board outside their room for these times.

Please note that although you are encouraged to see your own personal tutor, if for whatever reason you would prefer to see another tutor that is perfectly fine too.

College Nurse

The college nurse (Sister Mary) can meet anyone needing to speak to her (no appointment necessary) in the surgery on the ground floor of Q staircase on weekdays between 10.30 and 12.30 during full term and one week either side of Full Term.

Chaplain

Reverend Christopher Woods http://www.christs.cam.ac.uk/current-students/chapel-choir/

The Chaplain is also here for students to talk to about any issues, regardless of your faith. You can contact him by email at cmw66 or by telephone on 334922.

Mental health

The University Counselling Service based on Lensfield Road offers confidential counselling to students of the University. They are able to offer a great deal of support on a whole variety of issues, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and relationship problems.
Visit www.counselling.cam.ac.uk if you think you might be interested in making an appointment, or alternatively give them a call on 01223 332865.

The Samaritans offer a confidential listening service, available 24 hours a day throughout the UK. It is run by volunteers to offer non-judgemental emotional support.
www.samaritans.org
08457 90 90 90

Linkline is a listening support and information service, run by students for students. It is available available from 7pm-7am every night of full term. You can also drop in to their office for a chat during these hours.
www.linkline.org.uk
01223 744 444
17 St. Edwards Passage, Cambridge

For more information on mental health issues that can affect us, visit any of the following links:
www.bbc.co.uk/health/mental
http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinformation.aspx
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/HealthAndSupport/MentalHealth/index.htm

Sexual health

Beeline is a CUSU service offering information on issues such as sexual health, contraception, pregnancy, abortion, adoption and childcare. There’s a lot of useful information on their website beeline@cusu.cam.ac.uk, but if you can’t find the information you need there just email them at beeline@cusu.cam.ac.uk and you’ll get a response within 24 hours from hours by the beeline coordinator or the CUSU welfare officer.
01223 333 179, Saturday and Sunday 3 – 5 pm

NHS Direct is a medical information and advice service that can provide you with details ad guidance on a number of sexual health matters.
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/questions/category/index.aspx?categoryId=118
0845 46 47

The Family Planning Association is the UK's leading sexual health charity. They aim to provide the information and guidance necessary to enable you to make informed choices about sex and to enjoy sexual health. Visit their website at www.fpa.org.uk.

Sexual health direct is a helpline run by the FPA that provides confidential information and advice on contraception and sexual health and details of family planning and sexual health clinics.
0845 310 1334 (Monday to Friday 9am-6pm)

For more information on sexual health matters:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HealthAndWellBeing/HealthyLiving/DG_4002934

You can also visit your local GP, nurse or GUM clinic for more information, advice and STI testing:
Addenbrooke's Hospital,
Hills Rd, Cambridge CB2 0QQ
The GUM clinic is located in clinic 1A on Level 4 of outpatients. Follow the signs from the Outpatient Centre, down the Oncology corridor and up the stairs/lift.
Opening times Monday 9:00 - 17:30, Tues - Fri  9:00 - 13:00 and 14:00 - 16:30
Telephone 01223 217 774 for an appointment.
http://www.addenbrookes.org.uk/serv/clin/med/gum1.html

Trumpington Street Medical Practice
56 Trumpington Street Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB2 1RG
Telephone 01223 361611 to make an appointment with either your GP, or the nurse practitioner, either can carry out testing. You can ask to book an appointment to have “swabs” done if you feel at all embarrassed asking for STI tests – the receptionist will understand.

Safety

To report a crime in the Cambridge area:
Parkside Police Station
Parkside
Cambridge CB3 1JG
01223 358966
Your call will be directed to either Control Room (if a police presence is required) or to the Crime Management Unit.
You can report a crime in person at the station between 7am and 2am.

Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre provides confidential support for women who have experienced sexual assault. Volunteers can also accompany people when reporting a crime.
12 Mill Road, Cambridge
01223 245888
Weds 7-10pm, Sat 11-12
www.rapecrisis.org.uk

Cambridge Victim Support
The Bath House
Gwydir Street, Cambridge
01223 329000

Drugs & alcohol

Cambridge Drug and Alcohol Service is a counselling and treatment service for people suffering from drug and alcohol dependency. They offer an appointment system only so call 01223 723020 to book.
Monday - Thursday 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-4pm
The Mill House, Brookfields Hospital,
351 Mill Road
Cambridge CB1 3DF
.
Alcoholics Anonymous can provide support if you or someone you know has a drink problem.
www.aa-gb.com
0845 769 7555 (24hrs)

The Bridge Project  is a drug advice centre offering confidential information and counselling for illegal drug users and their families. They provide drop-in sessions each weekday afternoon. Needle exchange Monday-Friday, 2-4pm.
01223 214614 (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm)
152-4 Mill Road,
Cambridge CB1 3LP

Talk To Frank offers advice and information about drugs.
www.talktofrank.com
0800 77 66 00 (24hrs)

For more information and links for any of these issues, visit the CUSU Welfare website www.cusu.cam.ac.uk/welfare.