We’re a global community here at the University of Bristol. If you’d like to meet new friends, learn about different cultures and hear out about studying abroad, then keep a look out for events and activities organised by the Global Lounge Team.
Why not come along to their Festive Mingle events next week? You can find out about events taking place in the local area while the University is closed over the holidays and meet other students who might be staying in Bristol. There will also be free tea and coffee, snacks and plenty of festive cheer. It’s a great opportunity to learn about how the holidays are celebrated in many different cultures and share your own traditions with others. The Festive Mingle events are taking place in the Bristol SU Living Room (Senate House, 4th floor) between Monday 17 Dec – Thursday 20 Dec from 12 pm – 2 pm.
Don’t forget, there’s also a Facebook group which you can join to connect with other students and discover what to do in Bristol over the Christmas break. If you’d like to know more about which University buildings are open over the Christmas break and when, take a look here.
If you haven’t met your new neighbours yet, why not take the festive season as an opportunity to say hello and maybe share a mince pie or two? They could keep an eye on your empty house over the holidays and perhaps bring your bins back in for you once you’ve gone. It’s great to build relationships with the community around you; find out what’s happening in your local area and get involved. You’ll meet new people and feel part of your neighbourhood.
Try to also remember your neighbours if you’re planning a festive celebration and the impact it might have on them. The guide to community living provides some good advice.
During this season we tend to generate a lot of extra stuff. Bristol Waste offer some useful ideas for recycling, reusing, re-gifting and donating to help us be mindful of our impact on resources and landfill.
Be mindful of safety – look after yourself, your belongings and each other. Security Services promote useful tips on personal safety. And if you are going to be away, make sure everyone takes responsibility for switching things off and locking up.
This time of year particularly can be difficult for some people, so help out where you can. Check out SU Volunteering for opportunities to make someone else’s festive season a little brighter.
#TisTheSeason
Joni Lloyd, Community Liaison Manager
If you’re staying in Bristol, don’t forget to join the University Staying in Bristol Facebook Group listing events and activities taking place over the festive season.
You can also find out about our opening hours during the holidays including study spaces, the Students’ Health Service and the sports facilities. If you want to talk to someone over the festive season, you will be able to access support via our Residential Life Support Centre, open to all students for urgent issues, whether you live in Uni residences or not. There are also self-help tools to provide support, including Big White Wall.
The festive break is almost upon us so we want to wish you all a very happy holiday season. Students and staff from across campus have come together to bring you some ‘Tis the season to …’ festive joy and useful info. Look out for some familiar faces over the next two weeks.
We’re starting with a message from our SU Sab Officers.
And here’s what they’re looking forward to working on next term!
Stanford – Society Awards
Nasra – Careers Week
Ginny – Varsity
Shubham – A full-time International Officer
Sally – People’s Vote
Feel proud of all that you’ve achieved this term too #TisTheSeason
For those staying in Bristol, please find out about our opening hours during the holidays including study spaces, the Students’ Health Service and the sports facilities. If you want to talk to someone over the festive season, you will be able to access support via our Residential Life Support Centre, open to all students for urgent issues, whether you live in Uni residences or not. There are also self-help tools to provide support, including Big White Wall.
Join the University Staying in Bristol Facebook Group listing events and activities taking place over the festive season.
Dorothy was on to something – there really is no place like it.
If you’ve been into Senate House lately you’ll have noticed that big changes are happening. The University senior team has moved out to make room for students; there’s a new home for post-graduate researchers in the PGR Hub; there’s new artwork entitled ‘Belonging’ by print artist, The Fandangoe Kid, inspired by workshops with students to explore what belonging means; and next week the Students’ Union opens the ‘Living Room’, to provide central space to relax and connect with each another.
Inspired by Camerados’ public living rooms and mental health research, the SU Living Room is a brand-new central place to relax, connect and have fun at the heart of the campus. Away from lecture theatres and cafes, there’ll be hot water and big sofas, in a space that’s cosy and friendly.
Come to the opening
We’d like to welcome you with open arms at the launch event on Monday 3 December, where you can put your stamp on your new space. Paint a mug to use in the SU Living Room or revamp old t-shirts to create comfy cushions! From Monday, there’ll be a weekly calendar of events until the University closes over Christmas, usually held at around midday. But you can pop by anytime to grab some food, find a quiet place or meet up with friends. The SU Living Room is open 8am-10pm Monday-Friday during term time.
Leave your mark
This is your space and we want you to feel like it’s yours, so tell us what you think – good or bad. Leave a message in the big yellow phone box in the SU Living Room, or email bristolsu-livingroom@bristol.ac.uk.
Get involved
A second artwork created by Annie Nicholson, aka The Fandangoe Kid, and 40 students to explore the meaning of ‘home’ is being installed outside the SU Living room on 11 December. Annie will be in the Living Room from 2.30pm – 3.30pm on 11 December so sign up if you’d like to meet Annie.
The SU Living Room is part of Campus Heart, the University’s programme to create the kind of environment that students have told us they want: welcoming, relaxing, communal and helpful. If you want to get involved in making future decisions about what we do in Campus Heart Sign up to get involved.
Bristol Students’ Union (SU) represents students, provides advice and guidance and put on a whole range of events for students to socialise and try new things.
The Richmond Building, home to Bristol SU
We caught up with some of the Communications and Engagement team to find out how they’re preparing for Welcome Week 2018.
Jess working on the Welcome Guide
Jess Augarde is the SU’s Multimedia Designer and you’ll be seeing loads of her work around during Welcome Week.
‘I worked with a local illustrator to get the creative look for Welcome Week 2018 together and then spent a lot of time cutting out images in illustrator to make the cool graphics you’ll have seen on our social media already and will see when you get to Bristol. I loved working on the Welcome Guide and loved seeing a video from our printers of the guide rolling off the presses!
When it comes to Welcome Week, I love heading out to the events with my camera and always get some great photos, particularly at the Welcome Fair.’
Nicola Haydon
Nicola Haydon, Communications Executive, works on the SU’s campaigns and content.
‘This year we’re collaborating with different societies on the films we’re screening each evening in the Balloon Bar, including a double bill organised by the Chinese Society. I love the Welcome
Fair, it’s a really nice atmosphere. It’s great to see what current students are doing and to see new students get excited about everything they can get involved with.
My advice for new students is to make the most of all the events. There really is something for everyone, whatever you’re interested in and it’s a great introduction to all the societies and activities available at Bristol.
We’re welcoming some big names to Bristol for our headline Club Tropicana event with Nick Grimshaw and Mistajam as well as plenty of local DJs to give you a flavour of Bristol’s night life.’ There are limited tickets available so snap yours up here!’
Bristol SU arrange a packed schedule of Welcome Week events; from club nights to plant potting, there’s something for everyone! Take a look at what’s on and get your tickets now.
And what about after Welcome Week? Your SU needs you!
Election nominations open during Welcome Week and they’re looking for first year course reps, JCR reps and NUS delegates. Find out more about these roles and how to stand for election at bristolsu.org.uk/elections.
For more information about the Students’ Union, visit bristolsu.org.uk.
