welfare
SSCSU Academic Welfare Officer
James Wilson
I’m here as an approachable source of help if you want to have a chat about anything from study skills to how teaching is organized here, or the facilities that are at your disposal (such as the library). Cambridge is a place where all students get stretched academically, so if you have any questions about how to handle supervisions, directors of studies, the library or personal study, I’m there to help you out as best I can, or by putting you in touch with other sources of assistance.
Another big part of my job is to listen to any views or concerns you might have relating to the academic side of life at Sidney, and then to relay your views directly to members of staff such as the Senior Tutor and Librarian, with a view to make studying here as rewarding and enjoyable an experience as possible.
We want you to be happy, healthy and safe during your time at Sidney, and there are many people here to cover your welfare needs.
The pastoral system – the tutorial team allocates a Tutor to every student at Sidney, to oversee their non-academic welfare. The tutors hold drop-in sessions throughout the week for you to attend with specific problems or queries. Heading the tutorial team is the Senior Tutor, Max Beber, responsible for the pastoral care of the student body.
The Chaplain and the Nurse – in addition we have the college Chaplain, Peter Waddell, who is the emergency contact when there is not a tutor on duty, and is also available to any student who wishes to talk confidentially at any time. The college Nurse, Jenny Taylor, is a great asset to the college, and holds regular surgeries Mon-Fri when you can drop by with any health issues.
Social Welfare Officer - my role is to look after student welfare in areas of health, social and emotional wellbeing, safety, accommodation, and to help you make the most of the pastoral system. I hold weekly drop-in welfare sessions in my room Blundell 104, and am available for contact via email at sscsu.welfare@sid.cam.ac.uk. I deal with any issues promptly and with complete confidentiality. More practically I am also here to provide a source of resources such as condoms, free pregnancy tests and free Chlamydia tests.
