Institute Life

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Our on-site accommodation includes a total of over 40 hostels, flats and houses. Subject to availability, accommodation can be requested for anything from one night up to a whole year (restricted to three months in some hostels). Visiting students and scientists often find Institute accommodation particularly beneficial. It can also be helpful for staff relocating to Cambridge. If you're a part of the Institute and would like more information about accomodation options contact babraham.housing@babraham.ac.uk.

The Institute has an on-site nursery which has been consistently rated outstanding by OFSTED. Run by qualified and highly experienced staff, the nursery provides a safe, attractive and stimulating environment for children from six weeks to five years of age. Its excellent childcare facilities are available for the use of Babraham Institute staff and the wider community.

The Nursery also provides a Breakfast Club and manages the After School Club in Babraham village, providing wrap-around care for children attending Babraham Church of England Primary School. The team also operate the ‘Fun Pack’ Holiday Club for children from Reception to Year 7. For further details please visit the Babraham Nursery website.

A wide selection of food and drinks is available on campus throughout the day during the week. The main dining area is located in the Cambridge Building near the centre of the Campus. Hot and cold options are provided at subsidised prices to eat in or take away. A campus networking session with free hot drinks and snacks operates once per month. Barbeques and outdoor dining options are also often available during the summer months.

An additional café area can be found in the Bennett Building and there are vending facilities for drinks and snacks across the campus.

The Institute is committed to supporting all employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance. We recognise that it’s not always easy for everyone to work standard hours and we make provisions for flexible working. The Institute can support job sharing and can provide remote access to computer systems to enable working from home. However flexible working works for you, we’re here to support you to find a balance that suits with your circumstances and helps you to live your life and enjoy your time at the Institute.

There are a range of transport options available to employees travelling to the Institute.

• The public bus Route 13 typically runs every 30 minutes along the A1307 between central Cambridge and Haverhill with stops near both ends of the Babraham Research Campus.
• The Campus is linked to the Cambridgeshire network of cycle paths providing a safe route for cycle travel to the Institute. Many staff choose to cycle the 10 kilometres from Cambridge to the Campus. A scheme is available to support cycling to work.
• On-site parking at the Campus is free and secure for registered vehicles. Charge points for electric cars are also available.

Situated within the estate of Babraham Hall, the Babraham Research Campus is an impressive countryside location bordered by trees and the River Granta. Much of the land on Campus is protected from development meaning that, although we are a growing and thriving research community, the Campus’s future as a green, natural space is secure. A dedicated team manages the estate and keeps our outdoor spaces looking fresh and verdant. Institute staff are able to enjoy our gardens, walks around the Campus and may also choose to help manage our allotment space.

A fantastic team of volunteers operate the Babraham Campus Sports and Social club providing a social centre for the Campus. The team is always open to welcoming new members and they manage an active calendar of events for Campus employees and their families throughout the year. In addition to the Campus Summer Social and Christmas Party, events include Burns’ Night suppers, summer BBQs, art exhibitions, sporting tournaments, student parties, quiz nights, off-Campus trips and film evenings. If you are interested in starting a new activity, get in touch with the committee:

On-site activities and clubs include:

Summer Volleyball Football all year round A friendly bar: Wednesday & Friday evenings Tennis Rounders

Gym and sauna Yoga classes International food nights Boot camp

The Institute has access to a well-equipped on-site cardio and weights gym providing ideal fitness facilities for our employees. Membership costs are very reasonable and a short induction session is required. For after your work out we also provide a sauna and showers, which also come in handy after cycling to work or taking a lunchtime run. The Sport & Social Club manages the gym and can arrange inductions.

The Institute cares about the wellbeing of our staff. In addition to our flexible and relaxed working environment, we offer a range of resources and initiatives to support wellbeing. These include an Employee Assistance Programme, offering confidential support, information, expert advice and specialist counselling service to employees and their immediate family members. We also provide wellbeing seminars and training as well as the excellent facilities and social club featured elsewhere on this page.