How is it the end of September already?! It’s a busy one at Student Hubs and has absolutely flown by. We’ve been welcoming in the new academic year and meeting the next cohort of students who will take part in our programmes, which is always a really fun time of year. As I only joined the Hubs team in the summer, it’s been great to witness activities starting back up, and I’m looking forward to seeing what this term holds.
As this is posted, we’re at the end of Southampton’s Welcome Week, with Bristol’s having taken place last week. I’d like to start off with a virtual round of applause for our local Hub staff, who have once again done a fantastic job of sharing Student Hubs’ work in their communities.
Keep reading to find out more about what we’ve been up to!
Bristol Welcome Week #FollowTheOrange
Bristol’s Welcome Week kicked off on the 18th, using the hashtag #FollowTheOrange to keep everyone updated on where the Hub team were going to be every day.
I thought their ‘Share Advice For a First Year’ activity was particularly thoughtful. It’s easy to forget how much we develop during our studies, and what a daunting experience the start of university can be, so it’s nice to be able to reflect on that and help a new student out!
Think back to your Freshers experience – what advice would you have liked to hear? I’ve shared a couple of my favourite pieces of advice below, courtesy of Bristol students.
There was also a well-attended Committee Coffee Morning at Mrs Potts Chocolate House (#FollowTheChocolate?) that gave students the chance to catch up with this year’s committee and learn more about their plans for the year. It’s always fantastic to see committees getting stuck in right from the start, and Bristol’s committee certainly did a great job of representing Student Hubs.
Southampton’s 2022-23 Impact Report
What better way to set the tone for a new academic year than with a wonderful Impact Report showcasing the transformational work that took place at Southampton Hub during 2022-23. I’d recommend sitting down with a hot drink and giving it a read when you get the chance, as it’s a great insight into Hub life.
Here are some highlights from Southampton’s ‘Impact at a Glance’:
- 97% of students felt that volunteering enhanced their university experience, with 87% sharing that it enhanced their wellbeing
- 2442 hours were volunteered through Hub activities – this is equivalent to 101 days! Think of all the social impact that’s possible in that time
- Southampton Hub hosted 182 long-term volunteers and 112 one-off volunteers in 2022-23
in the Spotlight
In the spotlight this month is Southampton Hub’s newest staff member, Stephen! Stephen is taking on the role of Programme Manager.
He is passionate about offering opportunities to young people and is a strong believer in educational equality and the power of positive play.
In his spare time Stephen is a champion of local literature and can be found performing poetry in unique places. He loves collaboration and writing with people and in the past has organised live events and festivals. He’s excited to get started on Southampton Hub’s Programmes and looks forward to meeting lots of engaged student volunteers. If you’d like to say hello to Stephen, drop him a message on stephen.muldowney-mizen@southamptonhub.org.
What to Look Out For
- Student Hubs Book Club – Book Pick for October
Our Book Club choice for October is Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. Join our Discord Server here to take part in discussions on what we’re reading. We’d love to hear your thoughts on this month’s pick!