Hi, Amy here – for one final time in 2023!
What a month December has been! We’ll be reflecting on the end of term one with some updates from across the network, as well as sharing exciting news about what’s in the pipeline for term two.
I hope those of you celebrating Christmas had a wonderful day, and that everyone has been able to get some rest and relaxation over the festive period.
Grab a festive treat, get comfy, and let’s wrap up 2023 at Student Hubs!
no snow, no problem: branch up takes to the slopes
Stephen, Southampton Programmes Manager, shared some highlights from 2023’s final Branch Up Day.
A beautiful and bombastic day of fabulous festivities was had at our 3rd Branch Up up day of the year!
The morning was filled with special Christmas activities, our fabulous young people had arty crafty fun where they made Christmas bags, decorated baubles, iced gingerbread men and created Christmas cards for those they love.
After a discussion about what it meant to be giving, caring and sharing we had lunch and caught the bus to The Alpine Activity Centre to go donutting.
Our young people and volunteers alike had a wild time whizzing down an alpine slope in giant rubber rings. They raced, rocketed and went down in groups, screaming and loving it all the way down!
Stephen even had a go himself (above). Although we’re sure Stephen had lots of fun, we thought the below quote from Noah summed the day up perfectly:
This is fun, isn’t it? There is no way you could describe this other than fun!! Is this the best day I’ve ever had? It’s the most I’ve enjoyed myself in a long time. As long as I can remember. I do a few other clubs but Branch Up is the best!
Noah, 8, Branch Up attendee
the Best of Bristol
Heading over to the South West, we have lots to update you on from the world of Bristol Hub! First up, the Social Innovation Project:
SIP was a fantastic day filled with energetic, engaging presentations. Students supported Mothers for Mothers, Young Bristol, My Future My Choice and Creative Tuition Collective to develop and grow their organisations, providing research to support them with challenges they were currently facing. Overall, the showcase at Burges Salmon provided fantastic insight, with several students being highlighted as outstanding presenters. The overall winner of the showcase was the My Future My Choice team!
Additionally, with the term coming to an end, we have been visiting our wonderful Schools Plus projects and checking in with our young people. Will, our Projects Officer, received a warm welcome (and chocolates) from our partners in the Dings, and we had some fantastic reading sessions at Bannerman Primary School. The guided reading groups this term have been a wonderful space for students and young people to grow.
Finally, we had an amazing set of one off volunteers turn crisps packets into blankets! 8 students worked together to iron and create blankets that were then donated to a local homelessness shelter as we go into the winter months.
Great work, Bristol Hub!
What to look out for
You heard it here first: Hub Book Club is relaunching!
We’ll be sharing more details across our socials, as well as in our Alumni LinkedIn and Facebook groups in January, with the first meeting planned for March. Keep your eyes peeled!
If you’re in need of some more book recommendations in the meantime, check out our Winter Reads blog!
Paid alumni opportunities
If you’re looking for something to do before term starts or you go back to work, why not check out our paid student and alumni opportunities?
We want to talk to you! We are recruiting participants to take part in focus groups discussing how we can best engage with our Alumni community. Whether you’re already Alumni, or a current student who wants to stay in touch after you graduate, email amy.bond@studenthubs.org for more information before January 8th. All participants will be reimbursed for their time.
Write for us! We want to showcase your thoughts and ideas on our blog. If you’re interested, register your interest via the link in our bio or airtable.com/appzS1VCkMwZIMbK1/shrDUcqYad0itZIiI, and a member of the team will be in touch to discuss your ideas. We pay £40 per blog as we really value the time that goes into writing wonderful copy!
That’s all for now. Thank you for being a part of our 2023, we can’t wait to make 2024 even bigger and better – see you then!