Tag Archives: Wellbeing Room

Chocca block with happy readers

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New traditions

Over the last two weeks we hosted the latest events from our Wellbeing Calendar, providing free hot chocolate to any member of the University community who dropped in during the sessions held on the mornings of Thursday 13th and Tuesday 18th November.

As we approach the end of term, and deadlines loom, we know it can seem even more difficult to take the breaks you should so we thought there was no better time to offer an incentive to enjoy a sweet, warming treat on us.

Free Hot Chocolate at the RSL is rapidly becoming amongst the most looked forward to dates in our Wellbeing Calendar and we are well on the way to establishing them as a real winter tradition of our own, almost two years after the inaugural event.

New Records!

Back in 2024, we served almost 90 hot chocolates to grateful readers as part of our Wellbeing week. In 2025 we doubled that filling and giving out almost 200 warming cups over the two days as over 60 people visited us on the 13th November and a whopping 120 waited patiently for their turn between 10.00 & 11.30am on Tuesday 18th. That’s something like 50 litres of hot chocolate (and a whole lot of marshmallows) going out at an average rate quicker than a cup a minute to some very happy students. The efforts of the RSL team were much appreciated by the readers. They made sure that everyone was served promptly but never forgetting that the perfect hot chocolate is always properly stirred (not shaken!)

Some took the opportunity to take five and relax with friends whilst for others it was pour into the takeaway cup, on with the lid and straight out back to work (with that extra warm spring in their step).

Four female students smile with their hot chocolate
A close up shot of a cup of hot chocolate. The cup is full of small marshmallows floating in the top
Three standing female students smile as they enjoy their hot chocolate

Old Friends and New…..

The best part of any event is knowing that the people who took the time out to visit enjoyed it. We met everyone from RSL Wellbeing Room regulars to the casual library users. Everyone had a big smile on their face but hey, chocolate and marshmallows are supposed to do that to a person!

For a couple of undergraduates, it was a first ever visit to our library having been rounded up by an RSL regular who had insisted that the provision of free hot chocolate must dictate study location on the groupchat the night before

We received some fantastic feedback including a first time visitor who said that the Wellbeing space was wonderful (and so was the chocolate). A frequent reader noted that the evolving nature of the Wellbeing Room and the different things we are able to offer had them coming back “…to see what great stuff you have added next.” Another commented that they thought the free chocolate was such a lovely idea, thanked the team and said they thought that the “… RSL is the only library doing nice things like this”.

New Chocolate dates, New Events & New ideas

The value of taking regular breaks should never be underestimated so remember that outside of the events calendar, the Wellbeing Room is available to everyone, every day from 2pm – 5pm.

Don’t be blue if you missed out on the free hot chocolate this time, we’ll be back with more dates in the Hilary term. Keep an eye on the events calendar on the RSL website for this and other activities you can be a part of. Enjoy a break and aid your studies by taking the time to look after your own wellbeing.

If you have any ideas for events (or items) that you think would enhance the offering of the RSL Wellbeing Room then why not drop us a line to rsl-wellbeing@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

A group of student women sit on a corner sofa enjoying their hot chocolate. Another student is writing on the desk. Only his arm is in shot
Two smiling female students stand wrapped up ready to go out into the cold with their take away hot chocolate. There is a snowy plastic fir tree in the background behind them
Two smiling students drink their hot chocolate on the sofa. The woman smiles and the man raises his chocolate making the 'Cheers' motion

Wellbeing Week in the Radcliffe Science Library

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Week 5 of Hillary Term is notorious for being a high stress time of year for students and staff. To help our community feel refreshed and rested, the Radcliffe Science Library prepared a range of activities across Week 5 of Hilary Term (17-21 February) as part of a Wellbeing Week.

Highlights from the week

Across the week we had over 230 participants at our events. That encompasses 88 hot chocolates drunk, 56 origami creations folded, countless inkings of 5 different lino print designs and biscuits. So many biscuits!

Collage of photographs of smiling young people some holding cups some holding bags and jeans with prints on them. At the centre is the text Radcliffe Science Library Wellbeing Week.

Craftiness and creativity were in abundance. Many beautiful paper creations were folded into being at our origami sessions and many people upcycled jeans, bags and t-shirts with lucky lino prints. Elizabeth McIntosh, RSL Library Assistant, designed 5 wonderful prints based on the Bodleian Libraries Oracles, Omens and Answers exhibition. Staff and students engaged the artistry and expression by arranging the prints to their own specifications.

Two young women smiling and holding cotton tote bags with lino printed designs.
Student holding up a pair of jeans with lucky you printed on them
A woman sitting at a table holding a stamp against a cotton tote bag

Across the library we have whiteboards asking for feedback. The people have made their voices clear. They asked for hot chocolate and we provided it. We can’t provide it every day, even once in a while is a “morale booster” acccording to one of our students.

Smiling female student holding cup in two hands
Photograph of two male students with hot chocolate smiling.
Female and male student smiling and holding paper cups.

Our nature walk on Thursday was a somewhat damp affair but it was amazing to see the signs of Spring bursting through in University Parks. Nature lovers can continue to boost their wellbeing at the Winter Wonders events in Oxford Botanic Gardens, every Tuesday until 18 March. After origami sessions, Lego Lunches and free coffee the week was closed out with a well attended mindfulness session on Friday.

Photograph of a park with high pine trees and green grass. At the centre is a tall grass like plant with red tips.
Photograph of two young women smiling and half hugging.
Photograph of a Lego peacock, dragon, dinosaur, small piano and tiny space shuttle.

Thanks to all the staff in the Radcliffe Science Library for facilitating and to our great session leaders for hosting such interesting and engaging sessions.

Future Wellbeing events

We have more events coming up this term and over the break, including Craft & Chat on 4 March and the shredding of the Worry Box on 11 March, so remember to check out our Wellbeing Calendar and take a little time for your wellbeing.

If you have any feedback or suggestions for wellbeing events reply here or email rsl-wellbeing@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

Wellbeing Welcome Lunch

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The Radcliffe Science Library (RSL) hosted a marvellous networking lunch for staff who work in the area of Wellbeing from across the University on the 1st of October. The 49 attendees came from all corners of the University including all the divisions, the Students Union and GLAM. The RSL wellbeing lead, Rachel Scanlon, organised the event to meet with other colleagues working in the area of wellbeing, support and mental health for staff and students.

Photograph of three women smilling in a room with nature art and fairy lights.
While eating a tasty lunch colleagues chatted about their own wellbeing work. There were great discussions around what could improve staff wellbeing from book clubs to free food to nature walks. We were also able to highlight some of the great activities coming up in the Radcliffe Science Library all available on our Wellbeing Calendar. Many of our events are open to staff and students such as our upcoming Craft and Chat sessions, taking place on the first Tuesday of the month. Keep an eye on our calendar for upcoming events.

Two women sitting at a table smiling, with cups and plates in front of them.
Attendees were also impressed with our Wellbeing Room calling it “Just what we need”, “Welcoming” and “Really lovely”. We hope to build deeper relationships with our colleagues working in wellbeing, to learn from them and share our own experiences going forward.

Young asian woman smiling and holding a cup of coffee.

Wellbeing in the RSL

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We know Trinity Term can be very stressful with deadlines and exams.If you need a break you can always drop in to the Wellbeing Room. It has bean bags comfortable sofas and new nature inspired art. There are also a range of crafts and games available in the room to help you relax and refresh. Sometimes the room is booked for events, see someof the activities we have planned below, but you can drop in whenever the room is free. And it is always free for drop in between 2 and 5pm, weekdays.

Photograph of the RSL Wellbeing room showing a sofa bean bags and cushions.

Relax in our Wellbeing Room

Wellbeing Activities

It can be difficult to take time for yourself especially when you feel under pressure. To help  manage your stress and give you something to add to your diary the Radcliffe Science Library has arranged plenty of wellbeing activities during the term.

Along with our usual Lego Lunches (Wednesdays 1-2pm) we have also organised some experts to lead sessions for students on yoga on 14 May  09-10am, and origami on 9 May 13.00-14.00 and 23 May 13.00-14.00. Spaces are limited so remember to book your place.

Nature Walks

Due to popular demand we are repeating our bird song nature walk, this time in a morning slot to better hear the birds.Book your place on the walk 9.15-10.15, 30 April. If you prefer a lunch time strioll why not join our walk on 13 May 1-2pm. We’ll be concentrating on bees this time with handouts to help us identify which types are in the parks!

Free Tea& Coffee

Sometimes activities and classes aren’t of interest, and you just want a good tea or coffee. No booking needed just pop into the vending area in the Radcliffe Science Library on Wednesdays from 10am-12pm, during term, and get yourself a cuppa. We’ll be serving complimentary tea and coffee every Wednesday in term. You deserve it!

A picture of hot cups and biscuits. Written above is the text Time for a break? Pick up free coffee or tea in the Vending area of the RSL.To see the range of Wellbeing activities we are offering at the RSL check out our Wellbeing calendar. This shows all our activities both drop in and bookable.

RSL Wellbeing Programme

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Supporting the wellbeing of our students is a core part of the role of academic libraries, and one that we feel very passionately about here at the RSL.

Our Wellbeing Room is a welcoming space for students and staff to take a break and concentrate on their wellbeing by doing some colouring, jigsaws, Lego or just relaxing on a bean bag.

Photograph showing four students sitting at a table completing a jigsaw puzzle.

photo (c) John Cairns

We have regular activities taking place to help student wellbeing.

Daily activities:

  • Quiet Time: 4-5pm in the Wellbeing Room
    We dim the lights and play calming nature videos for you to enjoy peace and quiet.
  • Drop in sessions: 2-4pm in the Wellbeing Room
    Your time to try any of the activities on offer, including jigsaws, reading, origami, knitting and more. The room will never be booked at this time.

Weekly activities:

  • Lego Lunch: Wednesdays 1-2pm in the Wellbeing Room
    You bring your lunch, and we provide the Lego. Eat, chat and create!

Monthly activities:

  • Nature Walk: First Monday of the Month 1-2pm. Meet in the Wellbeing Room
    Join us on a gentle nature walk around some of the University Parks.

We also have special activities taking place throughout the year, in cooperation with our University Partners and special guests! So far these have included themed crafting events (with snacks), some lovely therapy dogs, origami and more!

Photograph showing two students sitting on the floor stroking a golden Labrador Therapy dog.Keep an eye on our blog for updates on upcoming events, and follow us on Twitter/X @radcliffescilib.

If you have any suggestions for wellbeing events please let us know by emailing rsl-wellbeing@bodleian.ox.ac.uk, or replying here.