Welfare

At Durham, and particularly in Johns, we have a great array of Welfare provision – below are just a few of the people and organisations who can give you help and advise during your time here.

Who to see in College…

St John’s Senior Tutor – Mark Ogden

Dr Ogden is always available for urgent matters and looming pastoral crises. For routine business, do check his office hours and make an appointment with his secretary.

The Senior tutor is also the first point of contact for missed academic commitments, changing course and other related academic needs. It is good to keep him informed if you are going to miss assessed work or tutorials so that he doesn’t find out via a stern letter from your department. If there is a valid reason he can negotiate extensions and help find a suitable course of action. His email address is mark.ogden@durham.ac.uk and his office is at the top of Haughton Staircase just up from the college reception.

St. John's Student Support Officer – Sue Trees

Like Dr Ogden, Sue works closely between students and staff in the Senior Tutor's office. She heads up the college system of tutors to make sure that all student's are looked after in the college welfare system. Sue is on the same level as Mark as the first point of contact for students with regards to their pastoral care. Her email address is s.j.trees@durham.ac.uk and if she is not in the Senior Tutor's office, she can be found in the Alumni office.

St John’s College Chaplain – Kate Bruce

Kate’s the John’s Chaplain. Her office is on the main corridor downstairs in Haughton, just next to Housekeeping. She’s here as a welfare contact, has many wise words and, best of all, Asher the dog (available for walks)! To contact Kate (or Asher) email kathrine.bruce2@durham.ac.uk. Alternatively, do feel free to get in touch with Amanda, the Assistant Chaplain, at amanda.tayloraiken@durham.ac.uk.

John's MCR Welfare Officer – Alice Kamolzoda

Alice is the MCR’s Welfare Officer, which means she sits on the JCR Welfare Committee making her the main communication route to the JCR, College and University Welfare systems. Do get in touch if you’ve got any queries, want a cup of tea, or just someone to talk to (johnsmcr.vp@durham.ac.uk).

Resident Tutors

Amanda Taylor-Aiken
Gerry Aiken
Benedict Douglas
Clare Bliss
Derek Bohm

A resident tutor is alwyas on Duty when reception is closed (11:30pm-8:30pm) for any urgent problems, please phone: 07837 093803.

Johns Welfare

Johns has various systems in place to provide welfare support. A few of these are listed below. To get full details of what other services are available from the Johns Welfare Team have a look at http://johnsjcr.org.uk/welfare.

Welfare Room

A member of the Welfare Team will be in here every day from 5:15 -6:15. They’re there to point you to help and resources available, give you welfare supplies, or just have a chat over a cup of tea. To find the Welfare Room, turn left at Cranmer Crossroads (if coming in from the Bailey), head through two sets of fire doors and take the awkward staircase to the right. If you get as far as the Wallis Room, you’ve missed the staircase!

Student2Student Supporters

These lovely people are trained welfare contacts who you can get in touch with; are a strictly confidential, non-judgemental listening service. They can point you to further welfare provisions in the University and Johns, being a listening ear, and are pretty good at making tea too!

Bursaries

There are several bursaries available to JCR members. A comprehensive list and how to apply for them is available here: http://johnsjcr.org.uk/welfare/guides/student-finance

University-Wide Services

DSU (Durham Student Union) Welfare

Education and welfare officer: Scott Parker - dsu.ewo@durham.ac.uk

As well as being able to offer information and advice, as all of the above, the Education and Welfare Officer will be able to support you in any academic appeals, disciplinary issues, etc. Scott can be contacted at the above address or in the top floor of Dunelm House (the DSU building) in the Advice Centre.

The Advice Centre

advice.centre@dur.ac.uk

The DSU have fully trained professional Advisors who can aid you with any queries ranging from legal matters to counselling needs you may have and have a huge array of experience in dealing with just about any problem a student may face. The advice centre is on the top floor of Dunelm House – you can make an appointment by going into the advice centre, ringing the advice centre reception on 0191 3341 775 or sending an e-mail to te above address.

www.dsu.org.uk/welfare

The DSU welfare website contains large amounts of welfare-related information and links. It is most easily accessed through the Unions/Societies link on the University Homepage. The welfare tab is on the top of the website.

LGBTa

lgbta@dsu.org.uk

This association provides information specifically for homosexuals, bisexuals, transgenders and also those who choose not to self-define. They have their own website (www.lgbta.dsu.org.uk) and as a member of Durham Student’s Union there is no need to sign anything and no fee to pay to join! To join the mailing list, visit their stall at the Freshers’ Fair, or send an email to lgbta@dsu.org.uk. They also arrange a good social!

Nightline

Possibly the most important number on the back of your campus card.

nightline@dur.ac.uk
www.dur.ac.uk/nightline
www.facebook.com/durhamnightline
Behind Dunn Cow Pub
9pm-7am every night of term

Nightline is a completely confidential listening service open from 9pm - 7am every night of term. You can call the nightline number, found on the back of your campus card, or drop into their offices behind the Dun Cow pub on Old Elvet. There is always a man and woman on duty each night ready to listen to what you have to say and support you. It doesn’t matter how long you are on the line, they won’t end the call or hurry you. You can call nightline if there is something specific you want to get off your chest or talk through, if you want information such as a taxi number, or even if you are just feeling lonely and feel like chatting to someone. Nightline also offers information on a wide range of subjects such as abortion, rape, depression and sexuality, as well as pizza numbers and taxi numbers. They also offer anonymous pregnancy testing, Chlamydia screening packs, free condoms, tampons and can loan attack alarms.

University Health Centre

01913865081
42 Old Elvet
Monday-Friday 9am-5pm

This is for all health issues including: Stop smoking support, Contraceptive clinic, Asthma clinic, Psychotherapy, Maternity and Child health, Diabetes clinic, Travel clinic, Sport injury clinic at Maiden Castle. The doctors here have chosen to work specifically with students and are supportive and non-judgemental of all kinds of problems. They are located at 42 Old Elvet and you can contact them on 01913865081. Doctors and Nurses are available Monday to Friday 9am-5pm. Open Surgeries (no appointment necessary) are as follows:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9.00-11.00 
Wednesday 2.00-4.00 
(appointments should be made at all other times)

University Counselling Service

0191 334 2200
counsel.service@durham.ac.uk
Room a70, Elvet Riverside 1 top floor over “glass bridge”
Monday-Friday 9.00-4.30

The aim of counselling is to enable a student to work through personal and emotional difficulties in a confidential, safe and non-judgemental environment. Students come to talk through a whole range of problems, serious and not-so-serious, including such problems as relationship break-down, depression, rape, child abuse, bereavement, sexuality and pregnancy. There is a team of professional counsellors who offer free sessions for students. To make an appointment call 0191 334 2200 or email counselling.service@dur.ac.uk. It is located above the language department reception in room a70, on the top floor of Elvet Riverside 1. It is situated over the “glass bridge” and up the stairs.

Durham University Service for Students with Disabilities

01913348115
disabilities.service@durham.ac.uk
Pelaw House, alongside Hild & Bede College, DH1 1TA
Monday-Friday 9.00-4:30

This service is there to help students with any disability who may need assistance. Help will be given specific to needs. It may include a full assessment of special academic needs, supplying of specialized equipment including appropriate IT Communication support (such as note-taking in lectures), and personal help with physical difficulties (such as fetching or carrying). They have good support for students with a range of disabilities and particularly for those who are hearing impaired or dyslexic. Get in touch with them if extra support may be appropriate for you.

Careers, Employability and Enterprise Centre

http://www.dur.ac.uk/careers/s/

The Careers Centre is there to support you in researching your career ideas, developing skills for employment, applying for jobs and further study and meeting potential employers.