Welfare

One of the nicest things about living in a really friendly community like Merton is that there's always someone there to look out for you. If you ever get into trouble or feel a little down or need help with anything there's someone on hand. We have a really hard-working welfare team specifically dedicated to doing just these things. Welfare is taken very seriously meaning students are looked after really well.

Welfare Reps

Merton has two JCR Welfare Reps - one male, and one female. They are students at Merton who are there to answer your questions and are trained at peer support. Whether there are burning problems to get off your chest, or you feel like a chat they are right there as a friendly face you can count on for complete privacy. Another important role of the welfare reps is to provide mountains of free food every Sunday afternoon for 'Welfare Tea' as well as providing more free food at weekly film nights. Additionally, they also keep the laundry room stocked with free condoms.

People To Help

A whole load of other student officers are also there to help you out. Our Equal Opportunities rep is there to represent minority groups and combat discrimination. The Academic Affairs rep can help you with any issues to do with your academic work. The LGBT rep is there to see to the needs of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender students. Furthermore, there are trained peer supporters around college that all have been trained to provide a confidential listening service.

College Provision

As well as student reps, the college employs several great and friendly people who you can approach with problems or queries. The college nurse is in college most days should you need to see her, and there is a welfare dean for other concerns. Head of welfare in the college is the Chaplain, who provides welfare support and advice for everyone in a non-denominational way. All three can be contacted in complete confidence with any worries you may have.

There are a number of other schemes that allow you to talk to someone outside of college about anything that's troubling you. Nightline, a free telephone service, is open every night if you want to talk to someone. The Oxford University Student Union has its own welfare and support schemes including the Nightbus that'll pick you up from anywhere in Oxford and take you home for next to nothing.