Fourth Week Welfare Notices


Hello everyone!
Happy fourth week - we're nearly half way through term already! Here are your welfare notices for the next seven days. 

1. No Welfare Tea this week
I'm so sorry but there will be no welfare tea this Friday, as both Jochen and I are away. We'll be back on Friday of 5th week with plenty of cake!




2. 20-20-20 

Every Thursday, 6pm, EPA. Come along for 20 minutes each of cardio, strength and stretching. Everyone is welcome, regardless of your fitness level. Please wear appropriate sports clothing and trainers, yoga mats are provided and class is free!




3. Welfare Supplies

Condoms are available in the laundry rooms at Bear Lane, EPA and Little Clarendon Street. These are technically for 'emergencies' only, so please don't stock pile them in your rooms! If they run out, let us know and we will replace them asap. If you would like any other sexual health supplies, including pregnancy tests and attack alarms - please get in touch with one of us (email us, or pidge us a note) and we will discretely pidge you what you need.

4. Halloween Costumes
Dressing up is a central part of Halloween, and 31st October is a great opportunity to get creative with face paints and hair spray. But just a reminder: please be sensitive with what you wear. Dressing up as a mental patient or similar is naive at best, and offensive at worst. Mental illness - for those suffering - can be terrifying and can feel like a nightmare, but buying into the still-pervasive attitude that mentally ill people are scary or dangerous prevents society from creating an empathetic, compassionate response to mental health. Not convinced? Please read this guide; if you're going to insist on dressing as a 'mental patient' then you might as well do it right: https://www.theguardian.com/science/brain-flapping/2015/oct/21/mental-patient-halloween-costumes-a-scientific-guide-to-dressing-accurately 

5. Supporting SupportersMonday, weeks 4 & 7, 6-7.30pm, Large Meeting Room, Turl Street Kitchen
Supporting Supporters is a group that will help you to support a friend with an eating difficulty, and also to look after yourself.
These two educational workshops focus on understanding eating difficulties and communicating effectively with a friend or loved one who has difficulties around food. The workshops will cover: types, causes and triggers of eating difficulties; behavioural, psychological and physical effects of eating difficulties; basic dos and don’ts; communication skills; identifying what ‘stage’ of recovery someone might be at and how you can help at each stage. All welcome.





6. Counselling Service Podcasts

The University Counselling Service provides a selection of podcasts providing advice for a number of 'common' problems or concerns that Oxford students may face. You can download the podcasts to your phone or iPod and listen at your convenience! More here: https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/welfare/counselling/self-help/podcasts?wssl=1 




7. Mind Your Head - Apply to join the committee Mind Your Head is holding elections! Nominations are open from now until Tuesday of 4th week (1st November). If you'd like to get involved, all you need to do is think about why you'd like to run, give one idea you think you could do in that role e.g., organising a speaker event, running a campaign - you only need to write 100 words - and then email: matthew.ford@sjc.ox.ac.uk. More info here: https://www.facebook.com/mindyourheadoxford/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE&fref=nf  


8. Student Minds Blog
Student Minds runs a blog written by students, for students. The blog deals with a wide variety of topics relating to mental health - this week Beth writes about her experience of OCD. You might want to consider writing for the blog yourself! More here: http://studentmindsorg.blogspot.co.uk/  

9. Mindfulness for IBS
If you are a woman who has IBS, you might be interested to take part in this research study. The study offers a free mindfulness course that may help you to manage your symptoms. For more information about the study please email Julia.Henrich@psy.ox.ac.uk or sign up here: http://limesurvey.msd.ox.ac.uk/index.php/476452/lang-en. 


10. Ted Talks: Overcoming Depression
Four speakers share their experiences of depression, how they managed, and how they have recovered. Worth a watch for anyone who has experienced depression, or for those supporting someone else: http://www.ted.com/playlists/287/4_ted_talks_on_overcoming_depr 


That's all for now! If there's anything at all we can do to help you this week, please get in touch. Jochen is currently in Germany, and I will be away Thursday-Sunday, but we can both be contacted by email. You can also get in touch with any of our lovely peer supporters; their contact details are on the attached poster.

Take care and enjoy the rest of your weekend. I hope to see some of you at Pumpkin Carving in the MCR on Sunday afternoon!

Rose and Jochen xx

Third Week Welfare Notices


Hello everyone!
Happy third week! Here are your welfare notices for the next seven days. As always, any comments, suggestions, or cake-related feedback, please get in touch!


1. Welfare Tea
Every Friday at 4pm in the MCR. Come along for free tea, cake, coffee and chat :) If you'd like to bake a cake for welfare tea, please do get in touch! Shout out to Mat Veal for his amazing orange sponge cake last Friday, and to Aida for so kindly helping me clear up afterwards! Thank you!

2. 20-20-20 
Every Thursday, 6pm, EPA. Come along for 20 minutes each of cardio, strength and stretching. Everyone is welcome, regardless of your fitness level. Please wear appropriate sports clothing and trainers, yoga mats are provided and class is free!

3. Welfare Supplies
Condoms are available in the laundry rooms at Bear Lane, EPA and Little Clarendon Street. These are technically for 'emergencies' only, so please don't stock pile them in your rooms! If they run out, please let us know and we will replace them asap. If you would like any other sexual health supplies, including pregnancy tests and attack alarms - please get in touch with one of us (email us, or pidge us a note) and we will discretely pidge you what you need.

4. Student Mental Health Panel at the Oxford Union 
It is estimated that 50% of Oxford students experience mental health difficulties. This panel of prestigious speakers - including Dr. Nicola Byron and Stephen K Amos - will address the current 'crisis' in student mental health. Tuesday, 8-9pm, at The Oxford Union. More information here: https://www.facebook.com/events/189037774871181/

5. Exam Panic 
This new website, produced by the university counselling service, is designed to help students manage feelings of panic around exams and studying: http://exampanic.co.uk/

6. Counselling Service Podcasts
The University Counselling Service provides a selection of podcasts providing advice for a number of 'common' problems or concerns that Oxford students may face. You can download the podcasts to your phone or iPod and listen at your convenience! More here: https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/welfare/counselling/self-help/podcasts?wssl=1 

7. Student Minds Group Facilitators - Applications now openGroup facilitators are central to Student Minds; they run university-based support groups, providing their peers with time and space to talk openly. Oxford Student Minds is looking for motivated, enthusiastic and empathetic people who are keen to develop new skills while supporting peers facing mental health difficulties. If this appeals to you, consider training to be a group facilitator! More info here: http://www.studentminds.org.uk/peer-support-application-and-training.html 


8. Student Minds Blog
Student Minds runs a blog written by students, for students. The blog deals with a wide variety of topics relating to mental health - this week Caitlin writes about her experiences of Fresher's Week as an 'anxious introvert'. You might want to consider writing for the blog yourself! More here: http://studentmindsorg.blogspot.co.uk/ 


If there's anything at all we can do to help you this week, please get in touch. Jochen is currently in Germany, but can be contacted by email (especially in the middle of the night, since he's working horribly long and unsociable hours in a lab somewhere in deepest darkest Hamburg...) You can also get in touch with any of our lovely peer supporters; their contact details are on the attached poster.

Take care everyone :)

Rose and Jochen xx

Hello everyone,
Welcome to second week. Term started and the weekly schedule is way too full to go to all the awesome social and sport societies you could go to. Also, Emily Carr came along and might have left some of us in a mixed mood between exhaustion and excitement. If you fancy some calm time over a cup of tea and chat come along to one of next week’s welfare events. You are always welcome to contact any of us or a member of the peer-supporter team directly if you feel like it. This week we would like to raise your attention to the following:
 

1. Jochen leaves to Hamburg for two weeks

I will leave Oxford for two weeks on Friday. Feel free to contact me with any concerns on my German mobile number during this time (+4917662447789). I will work some nightshifts and will be awake between 4pm to 4am but please feel free to call me during this time. You can always write me an email or contact anybody else on the welfare team.  
 

1. Movie Night on Thursday, 8pm in the MCR

Do you like a good movie, popcorn and pizza? Then come along for the first movie night of this term. We are still debating which movie to show, so if you want to through your favourites into the ring, get in touch.
 

1. Welfare Tea on Friday, 4pm in the MCR

One week in term, Rose’s backing skills are already one of the best spread secrets of the MCR. Come along, bring your friends, books, knitting and stories of the week.
 

1. 20-20-20 on Thursday, 6pm in the EPA

Come along for an hour and spend 20 minutes each for your strength, endurance and flexibility. This class is conducted by Tania and is completely free. We are looking forward to meet you there.
 

1. Welfare supplies

Condoms and lube are available in the laundry rooms at EPA, Little Clarendon Street and Bear Lane. Please do send us an email if you notice that the supplies have run out, and we'll top them up as soon as we can. If you require anything else, you can pidge either of us a note, or send us an email, and we will be happy to help. Requests for welfare supplies are treated as strictly confidential, and dealt with as discreetly as possible. 
 
5.     Launch of the Oxford Mental Health Support Network (OMSHN)
Aiming to bring together mental health resources in Oxfordshire across both universities and the general public, OMHSN provides a comprehensive list of services for those in need. Please come along to discuss the issues surrounding Oxfordshire's Mental Health crisis. Anyone is welcome, and you can leave and go as you like. For more information visit the event’s facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/events/709150142584557/) or contact the organisers directly (oxfordmentalhealth@gmail.com).
 
6.     Motivate me! on Thursday 7pm- 8:30pm, Art Café (3rd floor)
Motivate Me is an informal group which provides support and encouragement to any student who is experiencing difficulties around food or body image. Week 1 is a Meet and Greet - come along for a chat with facilitators and to see if the group is for you! You can find the art café on 14 Bonn Square in OX1 EU.
 
7.     Positive minds on Thusday 7pm-8:30pm, Art Café (3rd floor)
Positive Minds is a course for students with low mood or mild depression, covering topics such as building a support network, establishing healthy routines and exploring different relaxation techniques. Week 1 is a Meet and Greet - come along for a chat with facilitators and to see if the group is for you! 
 
8.     The Loss Foundation
The Loss Foundation is a charity dedicated to providing support to those experiencing bereavement. Visit their Facebook page for more details: https://www.facebook.com/lossfoundationoxfordstudents/?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf 
Thursday 13th October - Meet and Greet
Thursday 20th October - Session 1
Thursday 24th November - Session 2
 
 
Finally have a look how animals celebrate Halloween on http://www.boredpanda.com/halloween-animal-comics-liz-climo/
 
This is all from us for now. We wish you a wonderful week,
Rose and Jochen
 
P.S.: I would like to share my favourite recipe of the week with you: http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/quickvegetablecurry_92583 This is responsible for a couple of wonderful moments in my past week. Enjoy and tell me what you think.

First Week Welfare Notices

Hello everyone! 
Welcome, and welcome back, to Lincoln. This is your first welfare email of the term; it contains some helpful contact details for services that you may wish to access at some point during the year, as well as general information about upcoming events both in college and around the university more widely. It might be worth saving this email somewhere in case you or a friend need to access the info at a later time (though of course, you can always get in contact with us and we can point you in the direction of any services you may wish to use).


As always, if you have any ideas for how we can improve welfare provision here at Lincoln, we would love to hear from you! Please don't hesitate to get in touch with thoughts, ideas, criticisms or concerns. We're all ears.


1. Help and Support
Oxford is a pretty amazing place to live and work, but it can also be tough at times. Here are some of the people or services that may be able to help you, should you need support:

• The Porter's Lodge - this is your go-to place for almost anything: if you need the police or an ambulance, if you're locked out of your room, if you're unwell, if you've lost something around college, if you or a friend has consumed too much alcohol or other substances... go to the lodge. The lodge can be called on this number: 01865279800 
• The Chaplain, Mel. Mel is available to talk about pretty much anything that is concerning you, and you absolutely don't have to be a Christian to knock on her door! Find her in her office in Chapel Quad (above the JCR) or email melanie.marshall@lincoln.ox.ac.uk 
• The college doctors and nurse. Our medical team are available to deal with any concerns relating to your physical or mental health. Check here for more information about their office hours in college, and about the opening hours of Kind Edward Street Medical Practice (where our doctors work when not at Lincoln!) https://www.lincoln.ox.ac.uk/Health 
• The MCR Welfare Officers. That's us! You can contact us about almost anything - we offer a confidential listening service, and we can also provide you with sexual health supplies such as condoms, pregnancy tests, lube, dental dams etc. Please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or would like someone to talk to.
• The Peer Supporters. Like the Welfare Officers, these guys have also received 30 hours of training from the University Counselling Service, and are able to meet and talk with you about anything that is causing stress or concern. Lincoln has 5 peer supporters in the MCR - their names and contact details can be found on the attached poster. 
• LGBTQ Support - Your LGBTQ Officer is Alex Foley. His email address is alex.foley@lincoln.ox.ac.uk 
• Nightline. An anonymous helpline and listening service run by students, for students. Nightline operates between the hours of 8pm and 8am (i.e. through the night). Call: 01865270270 or visit their office at 16 Wellington Square (just off Little Clarendon Street)
• The University Counselling Service. If you would like to meet with a professional counsellor, you can book an appointment by emailing counselling@admin.ox.ac.uk , call 01865 270300, or pop into their officers on Worcester Street (just off Gloucester Green, behind the bus station). More information can be found here: https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/welfare/counselling?wssl=1 
• The First Response App. If you or a friend are the victim of sexual assault, you can report it immediately and seek support through the First Response App - more info here http://www.firstresponseoxford.org 
• In an emergency - call 999 to speak to the police, the ambulance service or the fire brigade. If you are ill but not sure if you need an ambulance, call 111 and describe your symptoms.

2. Welfare Tea
Every Friday at 4pm in the MCR. Come along for free tea, cake, coffee and chat :) knitting needles and colouring books are welcome (as are laptops / books if you're feeling studious...) Rumour has it the now famous Toffee Apple and Pecan cake will be making an appearance this week... 

3. 20-20-20 is back!
Tania's fitness classes are back after proving extremely popular last term! Every Thursday, 6pm, EPA. Come along for 20 minutes each of cardio, strength and stretching. Everyone is welcome, regardless of your fitness level. Please wear appropriate sports clothing and trainers (ladies, you'll probably need a sports bra! There's lots of jumping!)

3. Welfare Supplies
Condoms are available in the laundry rooms at Bear Lane, EPA and Little Clarendon Street. These are technically for 'emergencies' only, so please don't stock pile them in your rooms! If they run out, please let us know and we will replace them asap. If you would like any other sexual health supplies, please get in touch with one of us (email us, or pidge us a note) and we will discretely pidge you what you need.

4. Motivate Me - Support Groups for Food and Body Image 
'Motivate Me' are informal support groups and are here to provide support and encouragement to any student who is experiencing difficulties around food or body image. The 'Meet & Greet' welcome event is happening this Thursday at 7pm at the Art Cafe - more info here: https://www.facebook.com/events/318238625201810/ Or if you'd like more information, email edoxford@studentminds.org.uk 

5. Student Minds - Join the Committee 
Interested in student mental health? Want to be involved in campaigning, advocacy and hosting events? Oxford Student Minds is hosting a welcome event next Monday (Week 2) at 7pm at All Bar One, more info here: https://www.facebook.com/events/989747867814287/ 

6. Counselling Service Podcasts
The University Counselling Service provides a selection of podcasts providing advice for a number of 'common' problems or concerns that Oxford students may face. You can download the podcasts to your phone of iPod and listen at your convenience! More here: https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/welfare/counselling/self-help/podcasts?wssl=1 

7. The Blurt Foundation 
The Blurt Foundation provides support for anyone experiencing depression. The website contains lots of useful information, as well as helpful blog posts and podcasts. Have a look at their work here: https://www.blurtitout.org - you could even order yourself a BuddyBox!

8. Mind Your Head
Mind Your Head campaigns to get people talking about mental health. 'Like' or visit their Facebook page for regular updates on Oxford-based events https://www.facebook.com/mindyourheadoxford/ 

9. Cold and Flu Season
Please see attached poster from our lovely college doctors about how to look after your health and avoid catching a cold or flu this term! (Includes info about getting a flu jab!) 

10.  And finally... here are 18 adorable animals to help take your mind off things if you're having a tough day today. https://www.buzzfeed.com/elainawahl/18-cute-animals-who-will-help-take-your-mind-off-things?bffbmain&ref=bffbmain&utm_term=.wq2AeXB44#.oeB7W53KK You're welcome, Lincoln. 

Have a wonderful first week everyone. And remember, we are here if you need us. 
Rose and Jochen xx