Welcome to the June issue of Alumni Digest. I’m sure you’ve seen the news by now but just in case I wanted to open this blog with the news that Student Hubs is closing, with local Hub work ceasing as of 31 July, and the organisation closing in full in January 2025. You can read the full statement here for more information, and please do reach out to info@studenthubs.org with questions, feedback or anything else you’d like to share.
Though this news may be a shock, rest assured that we have still got lots of positives to reflect on from the month – and will have many more to share as we complete Student Hubs’ legacy work over the coming months. The organisation has achieved so much in its 16 years, and that’s certainly worth celebrating!
legacy work
Though we’re closing, plenty of good will still come from our work. What’s more – you can help! For the final time, we invite you to have your say on your experience with Student Hubs in our Alumni Survey. We want to use the next six months to capture our magic, and spotlight the value of active citizenship. And honestly, there’s no one better to contribute than you.
As well as supporting Student Hubs, you will have the opportunity to enter a giveaway for a £50 voucher. What’s stopping you?
Climate and sustainability Forum
Cambridge’s Climate and Sustainability Forum took place earlier this month on the topic of Global Perspectives. The event hosted a diverse range of field leaders, who spoke about their lived experiences in the sector and how they believed we should tackle the climate crisis, as well as a range of workshops.
![ID: a lecture theatre full of students, staff and members of the public in Cambridge.](https://www.studenthubs.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240613_111547__1_-1024x768.jpg)
![ID: a lecture theatre full of students, staff and members of the public in Cambridge.](https://www.studenthubs.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240613_111525__1_-1024x768.jpg)
Branch Up goes to the beach!
Southampton Hub’s Stephen took a group of Branch Up volunteers and children to Bournemouth for the day to round off a wonderful year. Hear from Stephen:
Taking an adventure to Bournemouth Beach was a fantastic way to end this year’s Branch Up! We took a coach from Southampton to the coast and after a windy drive through the new forest we were delighted to reach our destination. The sun was out (for once!) for this Branch Up as we dug holes, built castles and played in the sea. It was the least structured of all our days, children were buried and sand castles were made, with all the children happily then jumping, paddling and playing in the ever-coming current. For 4 of our children and 1 of our volunteers it was their first trip to the beach and they loved it, discovering sand and sea. It was beautiful and all the children managed to stay on the right side of the ocean. We rounded off the day with everyone getting an ice cream, with every flavour and sauce ordered by one child or another. Then back on the coach to drive back and enjoy being home, sunned, seasalty and thoroughly exhilarated.
![ID: Branch Up young people and volunteers enjoy a day at the beach](https://www.studenthubs.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/1000019956-1024x576.jpg)
![ID: a student volunteer looks out to sea on a Branch Up day](https://www.studenthubs.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/1000019968-1024x576.jpg)
![ID: Branch Up volunteers and young people play in the sea](https://www.studenthubs.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/1000019974-edited.jpg)
![ID: a Branch Up young person is in a hole dug into the sand at the beach, smiling and wearing sunglasses.](https://www.studenthubs.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/1000019980-1024x576.jpg)
What to look out for
Keep an eye on our social media channels and newsletters to stay up to date with our legacy work. We appreciate the news of our closure may have come as a shock, so we’d love if you used it as a reason to reconnect with your Hub friends and reminisce on your time with us. If you have any stories you’d like to share, please do get in touch with info@studenthubs.org. We’d love to hear from you!