New Welfare Coordinator role supported by generous funding

Life as a student can be challenging enough without throwing a global pandemic into the mix. The past year has been a rollercoaster for everyone, with constantly changing guidance on what we can and cannot do. But one thing that’s remained constant is Green Templeton’s commitment to the safety and welfare of all students, which is why a new position was created to deal specifically with the unique challenges that living through a pandemic can bring.

Marten Krijgsman was appointed as the college’s part-time Welfare Coordinator in November, to provide students with quick and easy access to information and support provided by the college, university and beyond during the pandemic. The part-time role, covering evenings and weekends, was created through generous funding provided by Chris Visdomini, CEO, Change Group Americas.

“It’s a fascinating, rewarding and important job right now. My favourite part is knowing I’m actually making a difference,” says Marten, who is grateful for the funding that allowed the post to be created. “I have to credit Green Templeton with its forward thinking approach in creating a post like this to make sure the welfare of our students and staff doesn’t suffer as much as it could during this pandemic.”

“I am pleased to be able to assist Green Templeton by providing the financial support for the appointment of the Student Welfare Office post,” says Chris. “I know that Marten is providing invaluable support to the students, and to college staff, during these challenging times.  The current situation is putting increased strain on college finances and I know that anything that the wider community can do to help would be very much appreciated.”

Marten’s role is triggered when he is alerted that someone in college has had some engagement with the pandemic, for example, when students log a COVID test result or books a test with the Early Alert Service. In coordination with other college departments, he will get in touch with those students to offer whatever support may be needed.

“I liaise between the main stakeholders in the welfare team and various other parts of college working on the response to COVID,” he explains. “My primary contacts are Alison Stenton, the Senior Tutor, and Alison Franklin, the Academic Registrar. Together, with the Lodge, Junior Deans and GCR, we coordinate our welfare response to students and, if necessary, staff if they have been affected in some way by the pandemic. That could be supporting students having to self-isolate because they have symptoms or a positive test result, or students who are returning from abroad. We make sure no person in college slips between the cracks and we have everything covered. We check in regularly with people who may be affected by the pandemic to ensure they’re okay. We want to provide as good a service to support our students and staff as we can.”

It’s a largely proactive role that involves making the first move at contacting a student who may need help, although students are welcome to – and, indeed do – contact Marten themselves via welfare@gtc.ox.ac.uk.

“What I’ve found in this pandemic is students needing help mostly because they aren’t entirely sure where to go, and having a calm and steady hand to guide them through what they need to do is taking that worry off their shoulders and really provides a useful service,” he says.

Marten says there isn’t a particular theme running through his interactions with students. “I think every student situation is every different. We’ll have students who are returning from abroad or isolating and need help with shopping, so we’ll step in and set that up, or others who, understandably, are finding the whole situation is getting to them and just want to talk to someone. I can talk with them and if they need more, I can point them in the direction of further resources like the university’s Counselling Services.

It helps, says Marten, that he can relate to students and their concerns. “I’m technically still a student,” he says. “I’m nearly done with my DPhil corrections – I need access to a library that is currently closed – so that experience of being a student and college life is still very fresh in my mind. I was also Student President at St Cross so I have a background in dealing with student welfare issues – student extensions and academic suspensions was a major platform of mine. Here, a student having trouble with COVID may need an extension to their academic deadline so it’s been a very helpful experience.”

Marten has nothing but praise for how Green Templeton students are helping each other in the pandemic. “Our students are responding extremely well and that’s in no small part to other students. The GCR has been doing an absolutely fantastic job, as have the Junior Deans. My experience in other roles is if you’re a student and something is affecting you negatively than it’s so much easier to go to a peer and have that barrier of entry lowered a bit. Once that gets to the broader discussion with the welfare team in college then we can also step in where necessary. We really owe a debt of gratitude to all our students who have been doing such a fantastic job in making life a lot easier for everyone. “

As you’d expect, the nature of Marten’s role means an in-depth understanding of the constantly evolving government guidance and university protocols. “It’s a challenge,” he admits, “but a fun challenge. It really helps to have an entire team in college dedicated to keeping abreast of everything that’s shifting.”

Marten’s role also includes working on initiatives that fall within the government guidelines and can benefit students. “We look at the parameters of the guidance and try to make happen what we can make happen. For example, we can’t do anything in person in college right now, but we have set up a programme with Somerville College pairing two students together for walks. They keep the required distance and walk a pre-planned route to get some exercise. It’s low-risk and within the rules while also allowing people to get in touch a little bit. I’ve been so impressed with the college’s attitude throughout the pandemic and how enabling the senior staff have been. Someone will have an interesting thought and the college will see if they can make it work in the current regulations. That makes my life much easier as the support we can offer students is much greater as we try to work within these boundaries.”

With the landscape changing every day, nobody can predict how long the pandemic will continue to affect our daily lives but for now, Marten is happy to continue in his role making a difference to students’ experiences in Oxford during a difficult time. “The post is temporary as long as is necessary for the pandemic,” says Marten, who also works part time in the university undergraduate and graduate admissions office. “I’m just really happy to have the opportunity to do this work. It’s fascinating and so important right now.”