We want to update you on the steps that we at Student Hubs have been taking in response to COVID-19.
We understand this will be a worrying time for students, community organisations, young people and the higher education sector. If you have recently transitioned to working from home you can read our tips and keep up to date here, we’ll also be posting relevant blog posts in the coming weeks in response to changes. We would like to emphasise that our thoughts are with everyone affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak at this difficult time.
Student Hubs is taking the following steps:
- The universities in which we work (Bristol, Cambridge, Kingston, Southampton and Winchester) are currently providing online teaching until the end of the academic year. We encourage all students at these universities to follow the official advice set out by their institution and our staff are doing the same in each location.
- All Student Hubs staff have been working from home since 13th March. Staff are still available to support students remotely, but will not be on campus until further notice.
- Our long-term volunteering, skilled placement, incubation and service learning programmes have been moved online where it is possible to do so, and cancelled for the remainder of the academic year where it is not. If you are a student volunteer or community partner, you should already have had contact from your local hub with arrangements.
- Hub staff are exploring how to support local community responses to the virus outbreak through our Active programmes, Schools Plus, LinkAges and Social Innovation Programme.
We expect these measures to be in place for several months, and we will update our course of action depending on how the situation unfolds.
Find out what’s happening at your local Hub
Each of our local Hubs are working on new modes of delivery to respond to these new and emerging challenges. If you are a student and want to get involved you can find all the details below. We are also interested in hearing from the community that are interested in partnering with us to deliver these important activities.
Winchester Hub
Winchester are looking at writing letters to elderly residents and potentially running an online quiz through video call. They are exploring the use of student-made workbooks for local schools to be sent to children to do at home.
What can you do now?
- You can register your interest in volunteering on these opportunities here.
- Keep your eyes on Winch Hub social media, we’ll be doing some wellbeing activities for students with the hashtag #remotegiag.
Find out more here.
Bristol Hub
Bristol are working on offering online tutoring support to young people, video calls to isolated older adults and virtual activities for key worker children that are still at school.
What can you do now?
- Students can register their interest for these responsive volunteering opportunities on the Bristol Hub website, staff will be in touch very soon on next steps to take.
- We are recruiting for our Student Leadership Committee for next year, and are accepting applications here.
- Students can email info@bristolhub.org with their own ideas and initiatives, which we can support them with developing and expanding to the wider student network.
Find out more here.
Cambridge Hub
Cambridge are exploring new ways to deliver Engage for Change and Impact Labs virtually. They are also looking at the best way to celebrate the Vice Chancellors Social Impact Awards online.
What can you do now?
- Students can apply to be on Engage for Change and Impact Labs.
- They can nominate themselves or someone else for the VCSIA.
- We are also welcoming students to let us know about any innovative projects they would like to do remotely.
- If you’re interested in joining the 2020/21 student committee keep an eye on the website and socials.
Find out more here.
Kingston Hub
Kingston are exploring online tutoring support and are launching recruitment for the next cycle of the Social Innovation Programme that aims to be delivered virtually.
What can you do now?
- Students can engage with us on social media! Bringing all together to share positive news, highlight relevant initiatives and be a space which draws people together in recognition of positive social contributions in this challenging time.
- We are recruiting for our Student Leadership Committee for next year, and are accepting applications here.
- Students can sign-up through our website for our own and local community initiatives once they are posted. They can email hello@kingstonhub.org with their own ideas and initiatives, which we can support them with developing and expanding to the wider student network.
Find out more here.
Southampton Hub
Volunteers at Southampton are writing letters and creating activity booklets for the young people that have taken part in their projects over the year. They are hoping to offer tutoring and activity sessions to partner schools that are open for key worker children.
What can you do now?
- Students can register their interest in response volunteering here.
- We have launched recruitment to join our 2020-2021 student committee. There are various roles available from President to Project Coordinators. Click here for more info.
- We are looking for volunteers who would like to submit a sports challenge and motivational tip for our comms campaign to keep young people active during isolation.
- We are also looking for existing and new volunteers to submit fun, engaging activities that our beneficiaries can do while they are at home over the Easter holidays to go in our booklets mentioned above. Volunteers can sign up to both of these here.
Find out more here.
Keep smiling – from the Student Hubs team x
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