College building and bunting (Photo: John Cairns)

Life at Merton: Health & Welfare

Merton College’s Welfare provision aims to help create conditions in which our students can achieve and flourish, both in their academic lives and broader student experience. This includes promoting the foundations of a balanced and healthy lifestyle, wellbeing and belonging within the student community. We offer support and guidance to help students navigate the challenges of university study and the stresses of life, which can sometimes occur.

The Welfare Team

The Welfare Team at Merton includes the Head of Welfare, Senior Welfare Adviser, College Nurse, Student Support Administrator and three Junior Deans for Welfare.  

  • The Head of Welfare oversees welfare provision in College and leads the Welfare Team. Like the Senior Welfare Adviser, she is also available to undergraduate and graduate students to talk through welfare matters and offer support, information and guidance.  
  • The Senior Welfare Adviser is available to undergraduate and graduate students for advice and guidance on welfare-related issues. She line manages the Junior Deans for Welfare. 
  • The College Nurse offers medical help and welfare support to all members of College in regular general surgery hours during termtime.  
  • The Welfare and Student Support Administrator supports the administrative processes of the team, including advice about financial support and College grants.  
  • The three Junior Deans for Welfare participate in an on-call rota during term-time to respond to urgent welfare concerns out of hours. 

Other Provisions in College

  • The College Chaplain and Associate Chaplain offer pastoral care to the whole College community. 
  • The JCR and MCR each elect a number of students as Welfare Officers and other representatives. A team of students is trained as Merton Peer Supporters who are trained in listening and communication skills and can signpost others to appropriate sources of help. 
  • Two Harassment Advisers may be consulted informally by Junior Members who believe they may be victims of harassment, or who are merely seeking advice. 

Medical

  • The College is associated with an NHS GP Practice, based at the Jericho Health Centre, New Radcliffe House, Walton Street, Oxford, OX2 6NW. 
  • For students who will need a visa to study in the UK (non-EEA nationals), information about the UK government’s immigration health surcharge can be found at www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application. For courses lasting six months or more this allows access to NHS treatment on the same basis as a resident.