In the competitive and often demanding environment of Cambridge University, Churchill College stands out for its innovative approach to staff wellbeing. In the Cambridge College environment Churchill is unusual in extending its wellbeing services to include all College staff, not just students. This strategy, led by Wellbeing Coordinator Louise Ranger and College Nurse Karen MacGinley, demonstrates Churchill’s commitment to creating a holistic community of care.
A proactive approach to staff health
Karen has established regular termly blood pressure health check days which have become immensely popular among staff members. These sessions provide convenient access to health monitoring that many employees find they otherwise neglect due to busy schedules. The informal nature of these check-ups also creates opportunities for staff to discuss other health concerns in a supportive environment.
Meanwhile, Louise, the Wellbeing Coordinator, has successfully organised Churchill’s third set of staff wellbeing days since their initial launch in early 2024. These two-day events offer staff members a diverse range of wellbeing activities through a simple booking system. The options demonstrate a thoughtful balance between physical, mental, and creative wellbeing approaches which have been well received by staff. This week’s events included opportunities to sign up for reflexology sessions, head and neck chair massages, guided meditation, pottery classes, pilates sessions, or a guided tour of the College gardens.
What makes these initiatives particularly effective is the feedback-driven approach. After each event, staff input is collected and used to tailor future offerings to actual needs and preferences.
Staff can also schedule confidential one-to-one meetings with Karen or Louise to discuss physical or mental health issues, or talk about any problems they may be having, and be triaged to receive appropriate support services (if needed), including staff counselling. Current members of staff can find out more and book appointments via the Staff Sharepoint Hub.
Breaking down barriers: The Menopause Café
In a progressive step toward destigmatising an often-overlooked health transition, Churchill College has also launched its first Menopause Café. The discussion group, open to all ages and genders, is designed to create a safe space for conversation without the pressure of expert presentations or formal structure. The initiative aims to increase awareness of menopause’s impact not only on those experiencing it directly but also on their families, friends, and colleagues, fostering a more understanding and supportive workplace environment.
Accessible weekly wellness classes
March 2025 also marked another milestone with the introduction of subsidised weekly classes that staff can join on a flexible, week-by-week basis. Options include resistance band training and Hatha Yoga during lunch breaks and Qigong classes from 5-6pm for those seeking end-of-day unwinding.
Setting a new standard
What Louise and Karen have accomplished at Churchill College represents more than just a series of wellbeing initiatives – it’s a fundamental shift in how staff welfare is prioritised by recognising that the wellbeing of all community members contributes to the institution’s success.
The progression from occasional wellbeing days to regular weekly offerings also shows a commitment to embedding wellbeing into the fabric of daily College life. At Churchill supporting staff isn’t just an added benefit – it’s essential to creating a thriving academic environment where everyone can perform at their best.
This is a Heading Example
