Student Support and Wellbeing

Your time at University will be exciting and rewarding, but it will also have its challenges. We recognise that many of our students will need support during their time at University. Whether you have a longstanding condition or have recently started to experience difficulties, there is a range of support options.

If you are concerned about your mental or physical health you should always consult your GP. Most Durham students are registered with the University Health Centre at Green Lane.

Visit our Student Support Hub for more information on all of the support services available to you and how to access them.

College Wellbeing Support

Your College Student Support team is here to support your transition to university life, promote your autonomy, and support your wellbeing throughout your studies, from matriculation to graduation. You can speak to the team about any personal, health, or academic concerns at any point during your time at Durham. The team can listen, offer advice and support, and where appropriate, liaise with other departments and specialist services on your behalf.

Within Josephine Butler College, the Student Support team - led by the Assistant Principal - offers regular drop-in sessions where students can access 1:1 support. The team also delivers a range of proactive wellbeing initiatives designed to support healthy study habits, build community, and promote student wellbeing. These include Monday Mindset, a weekly supervised study space, and Wellbeing Wednesday, a weekly wellbeing café.

Alongside this, the JCR Welfare team, elected by the student body, provide peer support and student-led initiatives. They run campaign weeks across the year on topics such as consent, mental health, disability awareness, and self-care, as well as offering regular drop-in sessions and informal support.

Together, the College Student Support team and student welfare team deliver a wide range of events and activities that provide accessible support, signpost key resources, and foster a connected and inclusive college community.

Our new student support initiatives

Please see each section below for more information about Butler Cares, Butler Launch and Butler Engage.

Butler Cares

Butler Cares is Josephine Butler College’s support and wellbeing programme, helping students navigate university life and thrive independently.
Butler launch

Butler Launch is Josephine Butler College’s careers and leadership programme, building students’ skills, confidence, and employability.
Butler Engage

Butler Engage is our enrichment programme, helping students build skills, confidence, and connections through activities and opportunities.