We have always taken the wellbeing of staff and students seriously at Land Economy, but it has obviously gained greater importance since the recent COVID-19 epidemic and lockdown, the introduction of hybrid working, and the University’s new commitment to better mental health support for staff and students.
LE’s Wellbeing Advocate, Lynda Haines, sends out a weekly Wellbeing (Green Impact) email to all staff, highlighting wellbeing initiatives and events across the University as well as links to sources of support for helping to deal with difficulties such as stress, anxiety, bereavement, loneliness, physical and mental health issues and topical crises such as war conflict, the cost of living/energy and food poverty.
There are EMERGENCY SUPPORT FOR ANYONE IN DISTRESS posters in the toilets and REACH OUT support posters displayed throughout the department.
If you need support or counselling of any sort, please see the resource links at the bottom of this page.
Wellbeing is an intrinsic part of our department’s commitment to the University’s annual Green Impact Challenge, and as a platinum-winner, we have organised many successful initiatives including a 10,000 Step Challenge, an online book club, a virtual pub quiz, as well as fund-raising MacMillan Coffee Mornings, LandAid charity events and our annual Save the Children Christmas Jumper Day.
Lynda is also our department’s Green Impact Coordinator and Sustainability Champion, so her weekly emails also include updates on our sustainability initiatives and Green Impact Excellence Project for the year, and are packed with advice on caring for the many houseplants that staff and students have in their workspace and at home {Green Impact criteria G079]; seasonal gardening tips and suggestions (e.g. how to chit potatoes) and recipes to use the fruit, herbs and vegetables that people are growing. There's also an annual vegetable growing competition. In 2021 it was giant sunflowers, in 2022 cucumbers, in 2023 Maris Piper potatoes and in 2024 it’s cucumbers again as they’re so popular.
She also organises an annual Spring and Autumn photography competition, which is also very popular.
For an up-to-date list of Wellbeing resources for staff, as well as scheduled events, visit Wellbeing
Dedicated sources of support for student wellbeing can be found at Student Wellbeing
For more information and how to get involved in Wellbeing at Land Economy please contact Lynda Haines
Here are the University’s support mechanisms should you need them. Regularly updated with new resources and sources of support, the University’s Wellbeing website has a comprehensive list of support services all offering a confidential service, and features external sources of help and support, including Togetherall, a free, anonymous, online support service monitored by health professionals and Qwell, an online counselling and wellbeing platform run by MIND (Cambs, Peterborough & S Lincs). The University’s internal sources of support include the Staff Counselling Service, Dignity at Work, Occupational Health, Disability Resource Centre and the Chaplaincy. There is also support HERE for those affected by the ongoing situation in Gaza. There’s also useful information on the University’s EDI webpages
EMERGENCY SUPPORT FOR ANYONE IN DISTRESS
NHS 111 - First Response Service
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call Freephone 111 & select Option 2
A specialist healthcare professional, 'First Responder' will talk to you and assess your needs. someone may come out to see you or arrange for you to go to The Sanctuary which is a safe place providing support for people in crisis, open 6pm-1am, 7 days a week
Please note medical emergencies (Option 1) might need to attend A&E Addenbrooke’s Hospital
Samaritans (Cambridge)
FREE (from any phone) National 24-hour helpline: 116 123
Local Helpline (charges apply): 0330 094 5717
Local branch: 4 Emmanuel Road, Cambridge CB1 1JW
Website: https://www.samaritans.org/branches/cambridge/
They say: “If you need someone to talk to, we listen. We don’t judge or tell you what to do.
Call us any time, day, or night. Emotional support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”
Urgent Care Cambridgeshire (UCC)
If you are experiencing a physical health crisis that cannot wait until your GP practice is open, e.g. overnight or at weekends, call Freephone 111 & select Option 1
Based at the Urgent Treatment Centre (Clinic 9) at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, this service is for conditions which cannot wait until your GP practice is open.
Website: https://www.wellbeing.admin.cam.ac.uk/files/nhs_out_of_hours_gp.pdf
Alternatively, other sources of support are available via the University webpage:
https://www.wellbeing.admin.cam.ac.uk/sources-support-0
LE Sustainability Champion/Green Impact Coordinator and Wellbeing Advocate 25/04/24