University welfare

Here you can find information about the services provided by the University to ensure your welfare whilst you live, study and socialise at the University of Cambridge and within Cambridge town. If you would like any additional information about these services, feel free to contact the JCR Welfare Officers.

CUSU welfare

CUSU provides independent, non-judgemental and confidential support and information for all students. They employ a full time, professional Student Adviser, who can be contacted at any time. You can also contact the CUSU Student Support Officer, CUSU Education Officer and CUSU Women’s Officer, whether it’s a first point of call or a last resort—that’s what they’re here for! All of them are trained student support officers and CUSU Student Support is student-centred and free. It’s also independent from the College and the University, so no one will know that you’ve contacted them.

Students get in touch with CUSU for information, for support or to talk things through. More specifically, they are often contacted about all sorts of issues such as academic difficulties, discrimination, financial hardship, childcare, accommodation, pregnancy, disabilities (equality and support), mental health issues and more. They can also support you in dealing with interrupting your studies, University and college complaints and working out which source of support or information is best for you. If you are worried about a friend, or would just like some information, you should also feel free to get in touch with CUSU.

For more information, visit the CUSU Welfare website.

Contact details

Cambridge University Students’ Union,
Old Examination Hall,
Free School Lane,
Cambridge,
CB2 3RF.

Tel: 01223 333313
Email: The CUSU Sabbatical Officer’s email directory can be found here.

Opening times:
Monday–Friday, 8am–4pm.

CUSU is open throughout the year, but is closed on most public holidays.

University counselling service

Many personal decisions are made and problems solved through discussions with friends or family, a College Tutor or Director of Studies, or a Nurse, GP or Chaplain. However, there are times when it’s right to seek help away from the familiar daily environment; the University Counselling Service (UCS) was set up to meet just such a need. Most personal, relationship or identity problems can be helped through counselling–this includes anxiety, stress, depression, family and/or relationship difficulties, sexual problems and identity issues. Counselling can also help with other issues such as adjusting to a new culture, dealing with dilemmas, making difficult decisions or choices, as well as more specific problems such as eating problems. Don’t wait until a problem has grown very serious—UCS would much rather you went to them when something was relatively minor so that it can be resolved more quickly.

For more information, visit the University Counselling Service’s website.

Do I need to see a counsellor?

Many people sort out problems by talking to friends, family or staff in their college or department, whilst for others it is a matter of looking up information about things that concern them. For those who wish to look up information, the University Counselling Service have produced a series of self-help leaflets. However, there are times when this isn’t enough and you really do need to speak to someone; at times like this it makes sense to go to the Counselling Service.

Making an appointment

To make an appointment, you need to complete a pre-counselling form on UCS’s secure website and submit it to them online. You can find this form here. Please put as much or as little information as you feel is appropriate. You will need your Raven password to use this facility.

Alternatively, you can download a paper copy of the pre-counselling form here.

Any information you give will remain confidential within UCS and will be used to help them place you with an appropriate counsellor.

Contact details

Cambridge University Counselling Service,
2–3 Bene’t Place,
Lensfield Road,
Cambridge,
CB2 1EL.

Tel: 01223 332865
Email: rece...@counselling.cam.ac.uk.

Opening times:
Mondays and Friday, 9.00am–5.30pm.
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9.00am–7.30pm.

UCS is open throughout the year except for periods during the Christmas and Easter Vacations. Reception hours and evening opening may be reduced over the summer period.

Disability resource centre

The Disability Resource Centre (DRC) is the University of Cambridge’s disability service, providing advice, information and support to all disabled students. The DRC supports individuals with any disability, medical matter or injury, including those with:

  • Specific learning difficulties (including dyslexia),
  • Physical impairments and injuries (including broken limbs and Work Related Upper Limb Disorder),
  • Sensory impairments,
  • Mental health issues,
  • Eating disorders,
  • Chronic illnesses,
  • Asperger syndrome and autism.

The DRC can provide confidential information and support, study skills tuition and mentoring, assessment for dyslexia, the loan of specialist equipment and assistance with funding applications. The DRC can also support you to ensure you are receiving adequate support from your college and department.

For more information, visit the Disability Resource Centre’s website.

Contact details

Disability Resource Centre,
Keynes House,
Trumpington Street,
Cambridge,
CB2 1QA.

Tel: 01223 332301
Email: ucam...@lists.cam.ac.uk.

Opening times:
Monday–Thursday, 9am–5pm.
Friday, 9am–4pm.

The DRC is open throughout the year, but is closed on most public holidays.