Health, Welfare and Wellbeing Team

This health and wellbeing contact information is for current students.

The Welfare and Wellbeing Team

Head of Student Welfare and Wellbeing

I am Hanne Clark, Head of Student Welfare and Wellbeing at St John’s College Oxford. I have worked in student support at Oxford University for 8 years and at St John’s since 2023. My team and I are always happy to meet students who would like to talk about any aspect of their Oxford life which is impacting their wellbeing or welfare. We will meet with you, hear your concerns and help you identify what options you have for support and help. Sometimes a quick chat is all it takes to see the wood for the trees or other times, support can be needed for much longer. We can help you find the service or team in College, the University or sometimes the local community who can best help. We offer support to move forwards at a pace which suits you.

Senior Welfare and Wellbeing Officer

I am Rob Styles, Senior Welfare and Wellbeing Officer.

I have worked here at St Johns since 2024 and feel privileged to work in a role where I can empower people to become the best version of themselves. I am a qualified Social Worker, and prior to joining the College, I spent 12 years working with young people aged 18-25 in a statutory service.

You can Make an appointment for a Wellbeing Check In with me to talk through anything you feel is worrying you about your College or University life, or as a starting point to sourcing further support. We can go through the options you have available to you, and I will try to help you work out your next steps, including information about who else in the College or wider University that might be able to support you.

When I am not at work, I enjoy spending time with my family, keeping active in the gym, and playing or watching football.

Student Welfare Advisors (from left to right: Jisoo, Shams, Pablo, Sara)

Our Student Welfare Advisors are our College Out of hours Welfare support team. They live in College, and one of them is on call every evening, night and weekend both during term time and vacations except during College fixed closure dates. They provide a listening, support and signposting service to students experiencing difficulties such as personal problems, poor mental health, or other welfare/wellbeing matters including students in crisis. You can call the Main Lodge on 01865 277300 and the porters will contact the advisor on duty or you can call the student welfare advisors directly on 07483924303 between 7pm and 7am Monday to Thursday, and from 7pm Friday to 7am Monday. For non-urgent matters they can be contacted at studentwelfareadvisors@sjc.ox.ac.uk and one of them will get back to you as soon as they can.

Disability Support

For disability support, please contact St John's College Disability Coordinator, Donna Jones.

Tel: 01865 277318

Email: disability.support@sjc.ox.ac.uk

Counselling

I am Ellen Skidmore, Cognitive Behavioural Therapist and Integrative Psychotherapist. I am an accredited member of the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). I am the college counsellor, and also part of the wider student counselling team within the university. I will be available on Mondays in St Johns to see students for 50-minute therapy sessions which can be in person or online.

I have been delivering therapy to individuals since 2014, where I initially trained to be an Integrative psychotherapist. I worked in 2 different counselling services providing therapy to young people and young adults. I then continued in my professional development training to become a Cognitive Behavioural therapist in 2019, where I then worked in the NHS for 4 years. More recently, I have practiced privately, and also delivered clinical supervision to trainee therapists in their training in another university. I have been working for the student counselling service since Mach 2024, and I am really excited to now be part of St Johns college also.

I welcome students to come to see me presenting with all kinds of mental health difficulties, difficult life factors and hardship at university. We can meet and have an assessment together and then see what support would be best for you.

You can make an appointment with me by contacting me via email on ellen.skidmore@admin.ox.ac.uk, and I will get back to you as soon as possible. I work for St Johns college on Mondays, but I also work in the wider student counselling service on Wednesdays and Fridays.

College Nurse

I am Kinneret Milgrom, St John’s College Nurse, I enjoy supporting students to make informed choices about their physical and mental health. I particularly love working with young adults as they take their first steps into adulthood and living independently. Outside of work, I am passionate about informal outdoor education for youth, and love attending camps with my family.

Students can see me for confidential professional support on a variety of health issues: Minor illnesses, Accidents and Injuries, Contraceptive Pill Checks, Sexual Health, Health Travel Advice, initial Mental Health Support, Assistance in navigating the NHS for International Students and more.

Wellbeing Practitioners

We have three external practitioners who regularly support St John's College wellbeing community. Together, they help to make many of our most popular events possible. From left to right they are: Annabel James, Nicky Reed, and Katie McNeil.

Annabel: Chiropractor. My particular interest is in the link between the body and brain, understanding how our musculoskeletal system can be impacted by physical (sitting for long periods) or mental (meeting an essay deadline) stresses.

Nicky: Mindfulness Practitioner. My training is in counselling, mindfulness and compassion, nature connection facilitation and sound healing.

Katie: Yoga Teacher. I teach a gentle vinyasa flow with an emphasis on mindfully connecting to mind, body, and breath. I believe in fostering a sense of personal agency within each student's yoga journey, assisting them in building a personal toolkit to navigate life's ebb and flow.

Therapy Dogs

We are fortunate to have four wonderful welfare dogs who visit us throughout the year.

From left to right they are: Cenere, Hubble, Molly, and Stanley.

Keep an eye on your student email for information throughout term time about group sessions with the welfare dogs.

During the spring and summer we try to organise walks with the welfare dogs around the University Parks. These walks are a lovely opportunity to relax, get some fresh air, and to connect with other members of college.

College Cats

We are Baylie (bottom, left), Case (top, left) and Laud (right), your College Cats.

If he is sleek, black and white, with a kink at the end of his tail and has a little Charlie Chaplin moustache – it is Case.

If he is more grey in colour, fluffy and has a huge bushy brush of a tail – it is Laud.

If he has a little brown nose, lots of white on his tummy and mackerel like stripes down the side – it is Baylie.

Connect with us by coming on an SJC Wellbeing Community Cat Stake Out or happen across us in the College Grounds in your own time.

Medical care

College Nurse
Kinneret Milgrom
tel 01865 277369

The surgery is open during term (weeks 0-9) at the following times:

Mondays 13.00-17.00
Tuesdays 15.00-18.00
Thursdays 9.00-11.30

The Nurse’s office is North Quad 5, room 1 and is fully accessible. Current students can book an appointment on the Intranet here. Appointments can be face to face or online via Teams. If you feel you need a longer appointment e.g. to discuss a mental health issue such as anxiety or depression, please book two consecutive slots. Consultations are strictly confidential.

College Doctor
Dr Debbie Waller
19 Beaumont Street
tel 01865 240501

The Oxford Emergency Medical Service (OXEMS) provides an out-of-hours service from 6pm to 8am. If you ring the Beaumont Street surgery during those hours, you will be given a number to ring.

The surgery also runs a very good travel clinic for those wishing advice for foreign travel.

For urgent cases out of hours - call 111.

In a life-threatening emergency - call 999 and update the lodge.

Dental practice

Studental
Helena Kennedy Student Centre
Headington Hill Campus
Oxford Brookes University
Headington Road, Oxford OX3 0BP

Monday-Friday, 8.00 am–6.00 pm

tel 01865 689997
email Studental
http://www.studental.co.uk

Counselling

St John's students can make an appointment with the college counsellor, Ellen Skidmore. Ellen is a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist and Integrative Psychotherapist and an accredited member of the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). Ellen is available on Mondays in St Johns to see students for 50-minute therapy sessions which can be in person or online.

About Ellen: 'I have been delivering therapy to individuals since 2014, where I initially trained to be an Integrative psychotherapist. I worked in 2 different counselling services providing therapy to young people and young adults. I then continued in my professional development training to become a Cognitive Behavioural therapist in 2019, where I then worked in the NHS for 4 years. More recently, I have practiced privately, and also delivered clinical supervision to trainee therapists in their training in another university. I have been working for the student counselling service since Mach 2024, and I am really excited to now be part of St Johns college also.

St John's is also 1 of 8 colleges joining a Mental Health Advisory Pilot next academic year, managed by the central University Support Services. The pilot connects with this provision and will offer professional support to students with complex and enduring mental health issues. More information will be available on this in the coming months.

The University Counselling Service is designed specifically to meet the emotional and practical needs of students at Oxford. It is confidential and deals with the whole range of academic, social and personal anxieties. It is based at 3 Worcester Street, Oxford, OX1 2BX. Appointments can be made by calling in to the office, by telephone 01865 270300 or by email.

Accessibility

St John’s College aims to provide a good degree of accessibility for everyone. The main entrance is via the Porters’ Lodge on St Giles, which is fully wheelchair accessible. The Front Quad, Canterbury Quad, the Chapel and the Kendrew Quad have level thresholds, all making for easy access.

Accessibility information for members and visitors can be found at https://www.accessguide.ox.ac.uk/st-johns-college.’

Transgender Guidance

As a supportive and inclusive community, St John’s College is committed to the University’s Transgender Policy and Guidance. Please read our Transgender and Gender Identity guidelines for more information and sources of help.

Useful college contacts

Fellow for Welfare

Professor Charles Newton sits on the College Welfare Committee and is engaged in strategic, policy, governance, and administrative issues related to student welfare in College.

Fellow for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Professor Zuzanna Olszewska is responsible for ensuring the implementation of the College’s policy on equality of opportunity, without regard for gender, ethnic background, sexual orientation, disability or age.

Academic Registrar
Please contact the Academic Office for matters relating to the day-to-day academic administration of the College.

Finance Bursar
Kerry Jenkins is responsible for administering grants and collecting battels.

JCR Welfare Team
The JCR appoints a Disabilities Officer and an Equality Officer as part of the JCR Welfare Team to represent students on College Committees.

The Student Harassment Advisors
These are Professor Heather Bouman and Professor Philip Maini.
For information about our harassment policy, support and reporting please go to our Intranet.

Decanal Team

The Decanal Team are involved in all matters of student discipline within the College.

Senior Dean
Dr Kate Doornik is responsible for disciplinary procedures and supports the Junior Dean team. She is a full-time tutorial fellow. She works with the Junior Deans to keep St John’s a safe, well-regulated environment for all Junior Members.

Junior Deans

The Junior Deans (Kate Maddern, Freya Wallis, Ross Wood) are specially trained graduate students whose role is to help ensure the safe running of the College during term time evenings and weekends.