Rachel Winson has joined Gonville & Caius College as Mental Health and Wellbeing Advisor.

Rachel joins Caius from the National Health Service, where she worked as an Occupational Therapist, focusing on neurological rehabilitation.

At Caius she is responsible for providing individual support to students at risk of deterioration in their mental state and also works to support students experiencing difficulties by promoting maintenance of positive mental health, personal resilience, and providing a crisis response when needed. 

A University of Cambridge alumna, having studied Modern and Medieval Languages (German and Russian) at Clare College, Rachel is familiar with the challenges of student life.

“Having walked in those shoes, albeit a while ago, gives me an insight into some of the challenges people are facing day to day here,” she says.

“It’s all about balance, looking at key areas – work, leisure, the practicalities of looking after yourself.

“You need that switching off time, that relaxation and change of focus to enable you to perform better, to use your brain and body in different ways to optimise your academic performance.”

Rachel will work alongside the College Nurse and Head of Health and Wellbeing, Anne Limon Duparcmeur, to support students in individual and group settings.

Topics are likely to include relaxation and sleep, self-care, life skills, balance between work and leisure and practical support.

Rachel says: “It’s about learning about your own strengths and building your own support networks so you can face challenges with more confidence.

“It’s about building your team – friends, using the resources you’ve got within the College and University and people outside College. It’s about connecting with those people, and learning about yourself as well. Trust your own strengths. Learn coping strategies that work for you and will help you to manage in a complex world.”

Caius students can find out more about the Health Centre on The Venn (College intranet).