What is WAM?
WAM is here to provide welfare support to you as students by fellow students. We are here to chat about any issues or worries you may have. We offer signposting to the various support channels you can use and help ease any issues you may have. Likewise, we are happy to chat about anything or just act as a friendly face around college. We run a number of campaigns throughout the year covering a number of important issues which anyone is able to get involved and help out with, these include informative social media posts and often some events covering topics from mental health and body positivity to sexual health. We will also being hosting weekly welfare hours which will involve free snacks and act as a time to chat to us about anything that may be on your mind. We will be running Welfare Wednesday’s each week where there will be a chance to get involved with some other Mary’s societies and a much needed chance to destress half way through the week!
See our past campaigns here
WAM Team
Senior Welfare Officers : Pip Pearson and Bee Wilkes
Hi, I’m Pip, I’m a 3rd year Psychology student from the Midlands. I’m super excited to be your senior WAM officer, alongside Bee, for this year! I’ve struggled a fair bit with my own mental health and have found the support offered here at Mary’s incredibly helpful and I’m so glad that I can now offer this support to others. I’ve been involved with WAM since my first year and I was one of the assistant officers last year which I really enjoyed, as well as getting the opportunity to Frep which was a really rewarding way to give back to the college.
Outs
ide of WAM I am a keen rower and really enjoy anything sporty, so that’s mostly where you’ll find me – on the river, running by the river (great route, highly recommend) or in the gym! Prior to uni I have done a lot of skiing and spent a year doing my instructor qualifications so I love chatting about all things skiing! Equally in my down time I love yoga and spending far too much time in cafes (check out Leonards, its a hidden gem).
The transition to university is a really tricky time and everyone will respond to it differently. Get involved in as much as you can, uni is potentially the first time that there are so many things on offer, from new sports to so many different student groups. Equally, this can be really overwhelming so try and take some time for yourself and do something you enjoy. Everyone comes to uni with different experiences and expectations but this is your time at uni to do what you want. I took Freshers’ week quite slowly because I knew it would be overwhelming for me and slowly got more involved as I got more comfortable which worked for me, however some of my friends threw themselves in from the beginning and loved it. There’s always time to start new things, the most important part is that you feel comfortable and ready to do so.
I hope you have an amazing year here at Mary’s and we’re always here to help so don’t hesitate to get in touch on facebook or email me at olivia.d.pearson@durham.ac.uk or the WAM email: [st-marys.wam@durham.ac.uk]
Hi everyone!! I’m Bee and I’m in my 3rd year at Durham, studying English Literature. During my time at Uni, I’ve struggled a lot with my own mental health, and have found the student support systems at Mary’s and the friendliness of our college to be super helpful, and I’m so happy to be able to help others access this support also! As Senior Welfare Officer this year, I will be doing my utmost to uphold the incredible, supportive atmosphere of Mary’s.
I will be working alongside my fellow Senior Welfare Officer, Pip, as well as our wonderful assistants, Emily, Niamh, and Saachi. As Senior Welfare Officers this year, Pip and I will be running the WAM (Welfare at Mary’s) committee, including organising various informative campaigns, chilled out events, trips, and plenty of snacks, all to support the welfare of everyone at Mary’s. Our role is to look out for the wellbeing of everyone in college, and signpost you to different support channels you can use, and overall to help ensure your experience of university can be as welcoming as possible and help you find ways to ease any issues you may encounter.
Outside of WAM: I will be running the new Mary’s Book Club this year; I’m part of the boat club; and you will also often see me working at the Toastie Bar (where you can get the best toasties in all of Durham!)
My top tip for college life is to get as involved as is comfortable for you! A lot of people will say to get involved in everything/as involved as possible. But personally, I found it best to focus on my course for a while first before slowly getting more involved in college life and easing into everything else as and when I felt comfortable. Getting involved in lots of different things is great as you can meet new people and try new things! For example, I started rowing in my second year which I’d never done before and had so much fun. However, in my first year I didn’t get involved in many societies at all and didn’t get much involved in college life until third term –but I don’t regret this at all, because I know I did what was best for me by joining in with more things when I felt ready! So, my main advice is to navigate university in your own way that feels right for you.
I hope everyone has an amazing time at Mary’s this year. Don’t forget that WAM are always here to help so don’t hesitate to get in touch! You can contact us on st-marys.wam@durham.ac.uk.
Assistant Female WAM Officer: Niamh Williams, Combined Honours Social Sciences, 2nd year
Hiya, I am Niamh, a second year CHSS student, from Bridgend in south Wales. This year I am the assistant female welfare officer here at Mary’s, and I cannot wait to work with the other WAM officers to ensure positive wellbeing at Mary’s.
WAM is a super important service here at Mary’s, as coming to university can be super daunting, and we all want to ensure everyone has the best time, so we are here to provide support in any way. I am super excited to run campaigns and well-being days, specifically discussing being away from home, mental health struggles and providing resources for safe sex. I am really passionate about addressing stigmatised issues and cannot wait to contribute to the comforting community at Mary’s. A little about me outside of WAM, I love all things theatre, I am on the FHTC exec this year, and cannot wait to perform soon! I also love yoga, iced coffes and singing, and I highly recommend joining any Mary’s societies for these!! I cannot wait to meet you all this year, I will be running weekly drop in sessions, so feel free to pop in to say hi
Assistant WAM Officer (Gender Neutral): Emily Hopper, Geography, 3rd year
Hi! I’m Emily, a third year Geography student from a small town in the West Midlands. Welcome to Mary’s!! I’m so excited to be one of your WAM assistants for this year, and I will be working alongside the other welfare assistants to promote wellbeing in Mary’s and support members of our lovely community. University life is super busy and a time of personal growth which means it is often emotionally intense, but WAM is always here for any worries you may have, big or small! We will be running events throughout the year, posting information on social media and offering a listening ear and signposting when needed – come and chat with us whenever you want! A bit about me, outside of my maps and colouring-in degree, I work at Mary’s toastie bar a couple times a week so feel free to visit and grab a toastie if you’re peckish after dinner! I am also part of Mary’s rowing club having learned how to row as a beginner last year, I’d definitely recommend rowing if you want to pick up a new sport. You’re sure to have the most amazing time at Mary’s this year, definitely make the most of everything we have to offer and have a wonderful first year!! :))
Livers-Out WAM Officer: Saachi Bajaj, Accounting & Finance, 2nd year
Hey everyone! Congrats on getting into Durham and welcome to Mary’s (arguably the best college!!). I’m Saachi (She/her) and I’m a second year studying accounting and finance from NW London. As your assistant welfare-at-Marys livers-out representative, I’m here to help! Whether you are living out this year, have any questions or concerns about living out next year or need someone to talk to about adjusting to living away from home you can always come chat to me. This year I’m also secretary of Marys theatre company: Foot of the Hill Theatre Company, which puts on many shows throughout the year from comedies to musicals, which has Marys priority, so if you have an interest in trying out anything to do with theatre, whether it be producing, directing or acting its a perfect way to start! Freshers week can be nerve racking, I was so nervous last year going into it but it didn’t last long thanks to all the friendly, amazing people I met. Everyone’s in the same boat, so have as much fun as you can, you have the entire year to be a ‘silly fresh’! Remember to look after yourself and take breaks if you need to, first year isn’t just the first week.
Don’t forget that WAM is a safe, supportive and friendly space, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us! I’ll be frepping this year so come and say hi xx
Past Campaigns
2019/2020
Mental Health Campaign 2019
Led by Sophie Wroblewski (Assistant Female Welfare Officer 2019/2020) & WAM committee
Body and Sexual Positivity Campaign 2019
Led by Naomi Clarke (Senior Welfare Officer 2019/2020) & WAM committee
Relationships Campaign 2019
Led by Grace Hayne (Assistant Welfare Officer 2019/2020) & WAM committee
2018/2019
Body and Sexual Positivity Campaign 2018
Led by Georgia Greenburg (Assistant Female Welfare Officer 2018/2019) & WAM committee
Consent Campaign 2019
Led by Naomi Clarke (Assistant Welfare Officer 2018/2019) & WAM committee