Written by Kearin Green
This piece was originally published in Pugwash Magazine on 30/03/2022.
Illustration by George Wilson
You’ve probably heard about The Wellbeing Café on campus, but you might have no idea what it entails, or maybe, if you’re like me, you might have at one point been too shy to even consider going to it. Maybe you even found the poster on a drunken night out and ended up throwing up all over your friend’s shoes before deciding to investigate further.
Described by one of its founders and one of Student Wellbeing advisors, Ruth Geddes, it is “a student-led space which is fluid and relaxed. It’s a space where everyone is safe, valued, and respected.” Replete with activities such as puzzles, paper mâché templates, and Jenga, it makes you wonder how you may have forgotten things so simple and innocent.
At the pace many of us live our lives, subjecting ourselves to such a range of activities may feel like a waste of time. However, at a time where society is finally prioritising mental health, The Wellbeing Café is worth considering. It offers a safe space for students who might need 90 minutes to escape their stresses, or simply just a place for like-minded people.
“When I started university, I found it difficult to socialise with many of the people on my course and blend in” said one student who uses the café regularly. “I started going around then, and I’ve been going almost every week since. I feel comfortable there. I met the majority of my friends there. It really feels like somewhere I can relax and be myself”.
Up and running since 2016, The Wellbeing Café is mostly co-ordinated by students. Whilst it always has two members of the Wellbeing service present, how the café runs is up to the people it serves, as long as it keeps to several core values: being respectful, keeping what happens in each session confidential, and listening to one another. The café is an informal space which gives you the freedom to be yourself.
The café is still seeking to continue to expand. “We want it to become a more student-let space”, says Ruth, “push for more peer support and get the students who attend to pitch their own activities, what they want to be doing in this space. The intention is for them to be co-creative and make this space their own. Because it is their space”.
The Wellbeing Café takes place on a Wednesday from 15:00-16:30 on the fifth floor of the University Learning Centre. Contact Wellbeing Admin at wellbeing-admin@port.ac.uk for more information.
About The Author: Kearin Green (she/her)
Hi, I’m Kearin and I am the magazine’s Welfare Officer! I am a second year Film Production student and am currently committed to using our support platform to give mental health a louder voice at our university. I also write about cinema, political issues, humour pieces and whatever comes to mind.
About The Illustrator: George Wilson (he/him)
Hi, I'm George. I am a third year Film Production student, aiming to do an MA in Illustration and I am the Head of Design for Spyglass. In my free time I enjoy video games, digital art and anime :)
(This piece was edited by Amber Turner-Brightman)
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