The Student Wellbeing Point, the warm and cosy living room in the main building, was recently featured by AT5. In the video, student staff explain why having such a space matters. We spoke with coordinator Kimberly van den Ouden about the story behind the initiative: why does this low-threshold concept work so well at VU Amsterdam?
Student Council raised the alarm
“The first lockdown really revealed how vulnerable student life can be. International students in particular, without a familiar support network, had a difficult time,” says Kimberly van den Ouden, former member of the University Student Council and now coordinator of the Student Wellbeing Point.
While other universities were already developing wellbeing initiatives, things remained quiet at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam; until the University Student Council stepped in. The Executive Board listened and turned the question around: “What would you propose yourselves?” Within a year, the Student Wellbeing Point was a reality. Designed, developed and set up entirely by students.
Walk in: no appointment, no labels
You don’t need to register, give your name, or worry whether your situation is ‘serious enough’. You don’t even need to know exactly what to ask. You just walk in. For a chat, for some practical info, or because you’re not feeling great.
“One student might have a question about DigiD or the VU Amsterdam sports centre, someone else may be struggling with mental health. We notice students appreciate that it doesn’t always have to be heavy,” says Van den Ouden. “That makes it less intimidating for many of them to reach out.”
Support from someone who’s also a student
At the Student Wellbeing Point, you’ll talk to a fellow student. Someone who also attends lectures, takes exams, and knows what life at VU Amsterdam is like. No long explanations needed, they get where you’re coming from.
“The students who work here come from all kinds of study programmes, not just Psychology,” Van den Ouden explains. “They receive proper training, support, and payment for their work. Because they’re students themselves, conversations feel personal and relatable, without becoming too heavy or clinical.”
VU Amsterdam staff members also stop by
Van den Ouden shares that colleagues often reach out for input, especially when developing new wellbeing-related activities. “We’re regularly asked questions like: ‘How do students really view this?’, or ‘What impact does this have on their wellbeing?’ That makes the Student Wellbeing Point more than a space for only students. It’s also a meeting point for broader discussions within VU Amsterdam.”
Thousands of students have already stopped by
Other universities also run wellbeing initiatives, but few are as well integrated as this one. “Some have had to stop, others are just getting started,” Van den Ouden says. “We’ve been in touch with many of them to exchange ideas, that’s been very valuable.”
A strong foundation makes all the difference. “It works because it was created by students, for students, and it still is,” Van den Ouden reflects. “They were given space and taken seriously.” The initiative recently celebrated their three-year anniversary, a milestone that shows how important low-threshold and personal contact is for students.
Invite a Point Peer to your programme
Would you like a Point Peer to visit your programme or introduction days to share what VU offers in terms of wellbeing support? Contact Kimberly van den Ouden at k.van.den.ouden@vu.nl.