St John’s is a place of formation, and we take your wellbeing and personal development seriously. University life is about more than academic success; it’s also about growing in confidence, resilience and independence.
College staff work closely with academic departments and central University services to provide joined-up support that considers both your academic progress and your health and wellbeing.
Our friendly Student Support team helps you make the most of your time at Durham. The team includes the Vice Principal’s Office, Resident Tutors (who live on site), and the College Chaplain, working closely with the student-led SJCR Welfare Team. Together, they foster a caring, inclusive community where everyone is supported.
We can help with:
Durham University offers a wide range of specialist services, including:
You can explore the full range of central services on the University’s website.
Miles, Civil Engineering graduate
Looking back to the person who arrived in first year and the person I’ve since become, the contrast is stark. That growth has only been possible because of the staff, students, and opportunities here, from frep teams to musicals. It has been an honour and a joy to be here.
Staff and students work closely together to make College life thrive, and there are many ways to get involved. Each year we advertise part-time and casual roles in areas such as the bar, catering, housekeeping, and the library. Postgraduate students can apply to be Resident Tutors, while the SJCR President serves as a full-time sabbatical officer.
In addition, John’s offers internships and volunteering opportunities throughout the year, helping students build skills, gain experience, and contribute to the community. From supporting local schools to College outreach projects, it’s a great way to give back, and to grow personally and professionally.
When you live in College, someone is always available in an emergency. Resident Tutors live on site and provide overnight support for urgent welfare and safety concerns, supported by a Duty Officer system, and College Reception during the day.
We understand that parents, carers, friends and relatives may sometimes be concerned about a student’s wellbeing, safety or ability to cope.
While we are not normally able to share personal information about students without their consent, we can receive concerns and act on them appropriately. This may include checking on a student’s welfare, making them aware of support available, or asking them to contact you.
If you are concerned about a student at St John’s, please contact Reception on 0191 334 3500 or email the Student Support team at [email protected].
The Vice Principal’s Office coordinates student support and enrichment, working closely with staff and student leaders across the College.
Please get in touch with any queries. The team is available during office hours.
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
15 April 2026
Toby Donegan-Cross, Resident Tutor 2024-25, offers an honest reflection on his time in the role. St John’s often repeats the idea and nurtures the belief that it does things differently – a conviction shared, paradoxically, by almost all other institutions. Everyone wants to be an exception; this is something of a rule. Yet after several years at the College – as a student and this past year, Resident Tutor […]
10 November 2025
Alice Condliffe, Welfare Officer, explains her role and the type of support that the Welfare volunteers provide for John’s students. My name is Alice, I’m a third year at John’s and I am the Welfare Officer for this year. I’ve really enjoyed it so far, so I thought I would share a bit about what […]
9 June 2025
Meet fresher Ahmed Latif, David Wilkinson First Generation Scholar 2024-25. From rowing, formals and late-night board games to taking on the role of Welfare Officer for DU Boxing, Ahmed’s time at St John’s College has been nothing short of transformative. Coming from a state school, he wasn’t sure what to expect from Durham — but John’s quickly became a place he could call home. In this interview, he reflects on the friendships, challenges, and unexpected passions he’s discovered along the way, and why St John’s truly lives up to its reputation as the kindest college.
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