Welfare and Wellbeing Resources

Starting a new degree and moving to a new town – or even country – is always exciting, but it often comes with or adds to anxiety, stress, and other hurdles. Cambridge life might seem quite overwhelming, especially as a postgraduate. To help you navigate resources and identify people and services to reach out to, we put together a list of important and useful contacts surrounding college and the University. Please also reach out to our welfare officers for anything that is on your mind. While we are not trained counsellors, we will help you identify and/or get in touch with someone who is trained to cater to your needs.

Points of contact if you’re in a mental health crisis or just want to talk to someone

Immediate external support

  • For any urgent mental health crises, please call NHS 111 (select option 2). They provide 24/7 Mental Health Crisis support in Cambridge and around the UK.

  • Samaritans (call 116 123): Free, 24/7 confidential listening: Samaritans offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you. They won't judge, they will only listen

  • Nightline (confidential night-time support service run by Cambridge students for students), open every day until 23rd June,  phone open mon, wed, fri, and sat 7pm-7am (+44 1223 744444). Chat open every night and you can also email (email@cambridge.nightline.ac.uk)

  • SANE (call 0300 124 7900 & provide a first name and a contact number): Sane is a leading UK mental health charity working to improve the quality of life for anyone affected by mental illness, open  4.30-10.30pm 365 days a year. Email and text services are also available.

  • MIND Infoline (provides an information and signposting service, you can talk to them about mental health problems; where to get help near you; treatment options; and advocacy services. +44 300 123 3393, Email: info@mind.org.uk, Text: 86463 (open Mon-Fri, 9am -6pm)

  • Shout Crisis Text Line (Text SHOUT to 85258): Free, 24/7 UK text support if you are too overwhelmed to speak on the phone

  • Papyrus HOPELINE247 (Call 0800 068 4141, Email pat@papyrus-uk.org): 24/7 confidential suicide support. Hopeline is a confidential support and advice service for Young People under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide and anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide.

  • NHS Self-Help leaflets

  • Rehab 4 Addiction helps you connect with more than 70 addiction treatment providers located across the United Kingdom and abroad.

  • Boca Recovery Centre explores the complexities of Impulse Control Disorder (ICD) and its intersection with addiction, a topic that is often misunderstood yet increasingly relevant in today's society.

University, Collegiate and Cambridge SU Support

  • College Porters if you require immediate support and you are living in your college’s accommodation over the summer break.

  • Cambridge General Student Support Guide: studentsupport.cam.ac.uk/get-support

  • Cambridge Crisis Support Guide: studentsupport.cam.ac.uk/crisis-support-and-information

  • Cambridge Nightline (Call 01223 744 444): Student-run, confidential listening service 

  • Your College Wellbeing Coordinator/Nurse/Tutor: (Please check your specific college website for their direct email - we encourage you to find what college-specific support is available to you).

  • Your College JCRs and MCRs, such as Welfare Officers.

  • Cambridge SU Student Advice Service: www.cambridgesu.co.uk/advice/student-advice-service including in person and online meetings. Students may also request a BME Advisor. Please fill in the form on the website

Black, Disabled, & LGBTQ+ Support

Important contacts in the UK

999: Emergency Number (Police, Ambulance, Fire Brigade, Coastguard)

101: Police Non-Emergency Number