Month: September 2024

Tackling loneliness

Author Student Communications | Posted on

Loneliness is something that everyone feels at some point in their lives and each of our experiences are individual to us. It’s something which is particularly common at university. In fact, isolation and loneliness are two of the biggest problems facing current university students, both nationally and here at UWE Bristol.

Making friends and building connections at uni can be tough. It doesn’t come easy to everyone. You’re away from your usual support network, often living away from home for the first time, and it can get lonely sometimes.

If you’re struggling with feelings of loneliness, why not take a look at Mind’s website for tips and guidance.

We’ve also pulled together some information on how to build connections and meet others.

We hope you find this useful and remember to reach out to our Wellbeing Service if you’re finding things overwhelming. You can also find a range of self-help resources online.

Tips to help with loneliness

Watch this short video from Mind for tips to help you with loneliness.

Mind – connecting with others

Connect with others at the university

Events

A huge part of university life is meeting new people and making connections. To help you do this, there are a huge range of events and activities you can get involved with, whether you’re the life of the party or you prefer something more low key.

This is your chance to shape your experience to suit you, so take a look at what’s on offer and start building your community.

MOVE

MOVE is free for all UWE Bristol students and is designed to get you involved in activities that help you feel good and be active. There are a huge variety of classes and more than 100 weekly sessions. With so many different sessions available, you can try something new, take time to relax and meet lots of new people. 

The Centre for Music

Join the Centre for Music– a free, exclusive facility for all UWE Bristol students and staff. Sign up to get involved with one of their playing and singing groups, take advantage of the rehearsal rooms and studio space, or go along to any sessions or music lessons.

Volunteering

Volunteering is a great way to meet others, all whilst doing something great that makes you feel good. You can take part as little or as often as you like, and you’ll meet people whilst helping your community.

Connect with others through The Students’ Union

Events

The Students’ Union host a range of events throughout the year and try to cater to all tastes. Many students go along to events to meet new friends, so why not give it a try?

Societies

Get involved in a society! It’s a great way to meet like-minded people who share your interests, learn new skills and most importantly, have fun!

Connect with others in the community

Meetup

Meetup is a great way to meet other people in your local area. Browse groups by interest (like health and wellness, film, technology) or search for groups near you. Millions of people use Meetup and there should always be likeminded people nearby.

Time outdoors

Time outdoors provides a list of activity clubs in your local area, such as walking, running, climbing and cycling groups.

FriendMatch

FriendMatch works like a dating site, but matches people up with new friends rather than dates. Meet new friends near you, or connect with others around the world.

Do It

Volunteering is another good way to meet other people. Search opportunities near you using Do It, the national database of volunteering.

Find support in the community

Befriending

Sign up for an informal weekly phone chat with Changes Bristol Befriending Service. Befrienders are trained volunteers who are happy to listen to you speak about how you’re feeling, what challenges you’re facing and how you’re coping.

Student Space

Student Space offer free, confidential, one-to-one support by text, webchat, phone and email. They’re there to help with whatever challenge your facing whether it’s loneliness, mental health, studies, money, relationships or isolation.

Mind’s online community

It’s a powerful thing to connect with someone else over shared experiences. Side by Side is an online community where you can listen, share and be heard.

Are you autistic or do you identify as autistic?

Author Student Communications | Posted on

It is important that you look after yourself. University can put different demands on you at different times of the year, and that can be difficult to manage. Understanding how to look after yourself is important.   

We’re the Access and Learning Strategies team and we host monthly group sessions offering a safe place to meet other autistic students. The groups are hosted by Specialist Mentors who are there to facilitate the session and answer any questions you may have about support or your studies.

Plus, each month we invite a guest speaker who can support you with university life and help you build on your strengths. There’s also time for you to discuss any topics that you feel are important.

Take a look at our upcoming support sessions – we host them at both Frenchay and Bower Ashton campus. The groups are friendly and welcoming, and we’d love to see you there!

If you are a student with specific learning differences, such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, you are autistic or your studies are affected by mental health, support is available on our webpage.

Careers Spotlight: your Volunteering and Community Engagement Team

Author Student Communications | Posted on

by Careers and Enterprise

Who are they?

Our dedicated and enthusiastic Team strives to inspire and empower students to volunteer for causes they are passionate about.

Each member of the team have experience, either working or volunteering for charities and community organisations, in the UK and across the globe!

Their mission is to connect you with the voluntary and community sector in Bristol and beyond, to both benefit the community and help you make the most of your time at UWE.

What do they do?

This term they have a range of exciting projects for you to get involved in, including professional volunteering for arts and creative students, school projects, health and wellbeing, heritage, sport and a variety of community projects.

Their opportunities by sector webpage is always up to date and provides an excellent overview of what is available at any one time.

How can they help you?

Their projects and opportunities will help you to boost your skills and confidence, gain fantastic work experience for your CV and enhance wellbeing. All whilst making a huge difference to the city and community you’re studying in!

How and where can you find them?

You can find out more about their offer and how to get in touch, on the Volunteering webpage or on the Career Toolkit.

Allyship in our community

Author jaswhiting | Posted on

Written by Brodie Goodall (They/Them)

Allyship is a crucial part of queer liberation. The need for allies grows by the day as members of the LGBTQ+ community are denied life saving healthcare, are used as political tools, struggle to find safe spaces, do not see accurate and inclusive representations of themselves in the media, healthcare, education and more. Being at university is an amazing experience but can be daunting and stressful so having peer support can make a massive difference to mental health. 

As a queer student I find it so helpful when other students support me, something that makes a big impact is when others correct someone for misgendering me (use the wrong pronouns), as I don’t always feel confident enough to do it myself. When someone asks about my romantic life and they don’t use gendered language to not assume my sexuality or my partners pronouns is great too!

So what is an ally? 

Being an ally encompasses actively fighting or advocating for rights,  educating yourself and standing up for communities you are not part of. It’s important to remember that being an ally doesn’t simply mean not being bigoted, it’s active, year round – not just for pride month, or for cisgendered heterosexuals. LGBTQ+ people can work towards being better allies too – I’ll touch upon my allyship later. 

How can you be an ally?

Be appropriate

Asking a trans person about their transition and body can be a painful conversation for many individuals, so it is not acceptable to ask about these things unless you have prior consent. Asking someone about their sex life because they don’t share the same sexuality as you is invasive and inappropriate. If you have a non-invasive question (check in with yourself about what may be uncomfortable), ask if they are happy to discuss first. Some people revel in the opportunity to educate others, but remember that is not always the case, it is not their job, and that it may be a sensitive and personal topic. 

The darker side of the rainbow

LGBTQIA+ rights still have a long way to go. As much as we celebrate with sparkles and glitter in honour of our pride, it is important to acknowledge the struggle many still face on a daily basis. Pride began as a protest and still is in many ways, it is crucial to remember those who fought for the right to live authentic lives and to appreciate those who continue to do so. If you do not know the name Marsha P. Johnson, please take a moment to research and delve further into the deep and important past of LGBTQ+ rights. 

Gender-neutral language

Much of the English language has developed around gendered terms. Using gender neutral language when possible will help avoid the unintentional misgendering of your peers, including those identifying outside of the gender binary and reduce assumptions around peoples sexualities. This will also help to move us away from language that centers around binary [/or] male dominated terminology, which will contribute to gender equality and decolonising language and queerness – colonialism has introduced patriarchal practices to many indigenous communities who’s cultures often do not fit within the gender binary systems colonisation has placed upon them. 

Consider using:

  • Humankind over Mankind, 
  • Police-officer over Policewoman/man, 
  • Workforce over manpower,
  • Chairperson over chairman/woman,
  • Gender neutral pronouns if you don’t know preferences. 

Pronouns

Respecting peoples pronouns is important. If you are unsure, using gender neutral pronouns like they, them and theirs is encouraged, but it’s also okay to ask people what their pronouns are. You should never assume that your instinct on somebody’s gender is correct. Some may not feel comfortable sharing and that’s okay. If you get someone’s pronouns wrong simply apologise, correct yourself and move on.

Offering your pronouns is a good way of showing people that you are a safe person to share theirs with, and helps normalise the conversation which can make navigating communication and social situations easier for trans people. 

Consider putting your pronouns in your email signature or when introducing yourself to new people: 

‘Hey I’m Brodie, they/them’. Pronoun badges are cheap and accessible too! 

Assumptions

Making assumptions about anyone or the people they are close too may have negative affects on a person. In this context, it is important not to assume someones gender, sexuality, assigned sex at birth or pronouns. 

  • Anatomy does not equal gender. 
  • Clothes, makeup and colour have no gender. 
  • Sexuality and gender are separate things.
  • Not everyone is straight and not all who aren’t straight are gay. 

We can all work to be better allies. As a white member of the LGBTQ+ community it is my duty to be mindful of the fact that my voice and presence holds privilege. To be a better ally, I try and focus my self education on intersectionality, marginalisation, and the origins of LGBTQ+ issues. I have recently learnt of decolonial-queer theory, which highlights the heteronormative and rigid sex-gender systems that have been imposed through colonisation and the implications of this. You can read more about this here: (https://blossom.lgbt/decolonisation-marginalised-voices-in-queer-history-month/) 

Thanks for reading,

Brodie Goodall (they/them)

Introducing: your MOVE membership

Author Student Communications | Posted on

by the UWE MOVE team

There’s lots of benefits of being a UWE Bristol student, but did you know a MOVE membership is one of them – and it’s completely FREE!?

What is the UWE MOVE Programme?

The MOVE Programme offers over 100 FREE activities per week, catering to a wide range of interests. From football to yoga, aerial hoop to swimming, and so much more. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, whether you’ve done it before or are giving it a go for the first time. Oh, and did we mention it’s also completely FREE for UWE Students!

The best part is you don’t even have to move (pun intended) that far to take part – sessions take place at Frenchay, Glenside and City Campus, as well as a range of facilities across Bristol. It’s all about supporting your physical, mental, and social well-being – the perfect way to stay balanced in your busy student life.

Our programme is designed to provide a relaxed and welcoming environment where you can be yourself, meet like-minded individuals, and discover new passions.

How to get started (it’s super easy!):

It couldn’t be easier for you to dive into your first UWE MOVE experience.

  1. All you need to do is download the UWE Sport app.
  2. On the app homepage, click ‘pin access’ button on the bottom right. Now in new the link, enter your preferred email address to receive your unique pin.
  3. You will receive your unique pin to your preferred email address. Once you have received this, go back onto the app and click the ‘My Bookings’ button at the bottom of the homepage and login with these details.

Once logged in, you can explore the diverse range of activities and reserve your spot in any session that catches your eye. Click on the ‘UWE MOVE’ tab to view what’s taking place that week; sessions are split into two groups for ease of viewing (Frenchay Campus/around Bristol) – but don’t worry, as a MOVE member you can attend anything you fancy, regardless of which campus you’re studying at.

If you are already a gym member at UWE your PIN number is the same, so no need to request a new one. If you’re having trouble with your PIN code or haven’t received it, you can retrieve your PIN here. Please note, some phones are not compatible with the app. If you are not able to download the app, please use this webpage.

The sessions are tailored to all, so don’t be afraid to try something new! Welcoming instructors will guide you every step of the way.

Remember, it’s all about having fun and being part of a friendly community:

The UWE MOVE team firmly believe that being active should be enjoyable and inclusive. It’s not all about working up a sweat; it’s about forming connections, boosting your well-being, and creating unforgettable memories.

Stay tuned for updates:

Over the coming months, we’ll be sharing exciting updates, including new activities, special events, and ways to get involved. Keep an eye on your inbox and be sure to follow UWE MOVE on social media to stay up to date with the latest news.

If you have any questions or need assistance with anything, feel free to reach out to the friendly team at move@uwe.ac.uk – they’re here to ensure that your UWE MOVE experience is nothing short of extraordinary.

Go and join the MOVEment!

Making connections more meaningful

Author Student Communications | Posted on

We’ve all struggled to connect with other people at one time or another, and university is usually the first step out of the bubble of school or college. Ironically, sometimes the more people you’re surrounded by, the easier it can be to feel lonely!

The small, everyday interactions you have all help build a sense of community and belonging. Connecting with people (in whatever capacity) supports your wellbeing – regardless of the number of people you consider friends. In fact, research shows that social connections are just as important to your overall health as exercise is.

But how often do you wish you could skip the small talk, and go straight to being friends with someone? It’s easier to bond over shared interests or experiences, so if you’re already signed up to events, societies and MOVE classes then you’re already on your way – and if you’re not, and your study schedule allows – you know what to do!

The art of small talk is important though, and a skill that will benefit you in your university, personal and professional life, so here’s our top tips to help:

  • Ask open-ended questions. Instead of “did you have a good weekend”, you could ask what someone got up to during it – maybe it’ll turn out you did something similar, or they’ve visited that new spot you’ve been meaning to go to.
  • And then actually listen to the answers! (This one’s important)
  • If you’re asked questions, avoid super short answers; it’s hard to take a conversation anywhere if you don’t give the other person anything to work with. You don’t need to share anything you’re uncomfortable with, but adding a little extra detail can keep the conversation going a little further than just “good thanks, you?” “yeah good, thanks”
  • Respect boundaries. For example, if someone clearly doesn’t want to talk about their family, or dating life– don’t push them to.
  • Don’t take things too personally. You may have caught someone when they just don’t fancy a chat (with anyone), so don’t let this put you off altogether.
  • Be in the moment. Put away your phone – unless it’s relevant to the topic at hand (hello, cute pet pics)
  • If you compliment someone, make sure it’s genuine. Compliments are a great way to start a conversation, or simply brighten someone else’s day – but insincere compliments can have the opposite effect.
  • Make plans with (potential) friends. Especially when everyone is managing a busy workload (or out on placement), it can be easy to shut yourself away a bit. Taking breaks is important though, so factor them into your study schedule and hit two birds with one stone. Had a brief chat with someone after a MOVE class? – ask them if they’re coming to the next one!
  • If you identify as neurodivergent, then come along to one of the Thinking Differently cafes if you haven’t already.
  • Finally – don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone, and keep at it! The more you practise, the easier it’ll feel and the more resilient to awkwardness you’ll be. Often the most confident people in the room once felt (or still feel) shy inside!

Connections don’t always develop into friendships, but it’s not all or nothing – a variety of relationships of all different types makes life more fulfilling and interesting.

Good luck!

Meet Becky, your Specialist Drugs and Alcohol Practitioner

Author Student Communications | Posted on

by Becky Risley

Who am I?

I’m Becky Risley your Specialist Drugs and Alcohol Practitioner.

What do I do?

I offer advice, information and support to students at any stage of their journey with substance use.

I also work closely with the Students’ Union to deliver drug and alcohol events and activities throughout the year. This is a great way for me to ensure you know all the facts about drugs and alcohol, allowing you to make informed decisions about your substance use.

You’ll also see me at the Welcome Fair’s at the start of term so come over, say hello and ask me any questions you might have!

How can I help?

I can offer three different support options including:

  1. A one-off educational session around the substances you (or someone else) are using and discuss ways to reduce the harm.
  2. Six sessions of motivational interviewing to support you to make changes to your substance use, which could include reducing, taking a break or stopping.
  3. I can also offer relapse prevention support if you decide you no longer want to engage in substance use at all. During these sessions we would look at making plans and setting goals to support your decision.

Want to know more?

Take a look at our drugs and alcohol webpage to find out more about the support I offer and helpful resources.

Introducing your Student Experience Coaches

Author Student Communications | Posted on

Support we offer you here at UWE comes in many different forms – this includes a team of Student Experience Coaches who are here to help you achieve your goals and make the most of university life.

Student Experience Coaches use coaching models and techniques that help you to define direction, overcome obstacles and achieve aims.  Student Experience Coaches can help you with your university experience outside of the classroom. They can coach you on many areas of your life and studies, including self- development, wellbeing and self-care and engagement with your course, including growing confidence in your exams and assignments.  

They can:

  • Encourage you to seek solutions to your issues
  • Empower you to take control 
  • Help you to explore what your aspirations and goals are 
  • Identify strategies and establish day-to-day habits that will have a positive impact on your life and studies. 

What students say:

“(Coaching) really helped me to understand how to motivate myself and prioritise my work in a way that worked well for me!”

“My coach was incredibly helpful and supportive. So helpful to sit with someone and process my thoughts.”

“Coaching made me feel like a superhero.”

How to get in touch

The team are really warm and friendly, and easy to reach; during term time you can pop into one of their drop-in sessions at your campus:

Frenchay

  • Monday to Friday 11:00 – 14:00 level 2 of the Library

Glenside

  • Monday to Friday 11:00 – 14:00 level 1 of the Library

City Campus

  • Bower Ashton Studios: Tuesday 10:00 – 12:00, Thursday 12:00 – 14:00 Student hub (Information Point)
  • Spike Island Studios: Tuesday 12:00 – 14:00
  • Arnolfini: Tuesday 10:00 – 12:00, Thursday 12:00 – 14:00

There is also a virtual drop in on Tuesday 11:00 – 14:00, and Thursday: 11:00 – 14:00.

Final bits of info

Coaching is available to all undergraduate students, across all campuses. 

You can book appointments with a coach, five days a week, Monday – Friday, 9:00 – 18:00. The appointments will last around 45 minutes.

You can book an appointment with a Student Experience Coach via InfoHub or email us via experiencecoach@uwe.ac.uk with an outline of your situation and we will get back to you. 

An informal chat with someone who is outside of the situation might just help you untangle your thoughts and gain some clarity on a way forward. They are part of the university package you’ve signed up for, so do make use of your Student Experience Coach.

Sticking to your budget during the first few weeks

Author Student Communications | Posted on

Starting uni is super exciting but it can also be a lot to manage in your first few weeks!

Here are some quick tips to help you find where to grab your groceries, public transport, get tips for making tasty and budget-friendly meals and discover where to get your caffeine fix without breaking the bank.

Local supermarkets: convenient and affordable options

Going to the bigger supermarkets can be the cheapest way to get your food shop as smaller shops can be more expensive. Here are some great options close to Frenchay campus:

ASDA Filton Superstore – located in the Abbeywood Retail Park (between a 15-20 min walk from campus)

Sainsbury’s – located on Fox Den Road (around a 15 min walk from campus)

Lidl – also located on Fox Den Road (10-15 min walk from campus)

Aldi – brand new this June and located on Fox Den Road (roughly a 15 min walk from campus)

While it’s totally up to you where you’d like to shop, Lidl and Aldi tend to be the cheapest followed by Asda then Sainsbury’s (with a Nectar card!).

Navigating Bristol with ease

There are lots of ways to get around Bristol but the cheapest way is using the buses which come right to campus!

First Bus: The main bus operator in Bristol, offering several routes connecting UWE campuses with the city centre and surrounding areas. The First Bus app includes a journey planner and offers live bus times.

Student Bus Pass: Consider purchasing a student bus pass for unlimited travel. First Bus offers term and annual passes at discounted rates for students.

M1/M3/M4 Metrobus: These rapid bus services connect Frenchay Campus with the city centre and Cribbs Causeway (the local shopping mall). It’s fast, reliable, and runs right through to the early hours to ensure you get back to campus cheaply and safely after a night out.

Food and drink

The cheapest options for food and drink are of course to make your own and bring it to campus but we also know the first weeks of uni can be a little hectic so here’s some quick tips for making your Frenchay ‘on campus’ purchases as cheap as possible!

Coffee: At £1.85 for a latte Greggs is the cheapest option, followed by the independent cafés (The Atrium, The Grill and Wild Kitchen) at £3.05 for a latte. Starbucks and Costa are also available but tend to be the most expensive options.  The Student’s Union is also a fairly cheap option.

The Fresh Fruit and Veg stall located in the Undercroft has a wide selection of fruit, vegetables and salad from local suppliers. Organic and Fairtrade goods are sourced where possible and everything is very reasonably priced and their trademark bowls of fruit or veg are only £1!

And of course, if you have been organised and got yourself to the supermarket, here are some great recipes to get you started!

Budget Recipes: Explore budget-friendly recipes from websites like BBC Good Food or Mob’s Easy & Cheap Student Recipes

10 reasons you’re gonna love Bristol

Author Student Communications | Posted on

If you’ve bagged a place at UWE Bristol (congrats!) then you might already know a bit about our amazing city and all it has to offer. But if you haven’t had a chance to visit yet – and especially if you’ve found your way to us through clearing – we thought we’d reintroduce Bristol and why we love it so much.

Landmarks!

Make your friends from home jealous by sharing selfies with our world-famous landmarks. The Clifton Suspension Bridge is not only a mean feat of engineering but provides the perfect backdrop for that “I’ve arrived in Bristol!” selfie – it’s what Brunel would’ve wanted 😉

This year Bristol celebrates 650 years as a city, and with that history comes so much to explore. Check out the gorgeous Cabot Tower parkland (climb the tower itself for unrivalled views of the city) and the iconic Bristol harbourside – home to the S.S. Great Britain.

The theatre scene is buzzing

From West End musicals at the Bristol Hippodrome to cutting-edge plays at the Bristol Old Vic; there’s something for everyone. Venues such as the Tobacco Factory Theatre and the Wardrobe Theatre offer everything from contemporary theatre to the classics.

It’s a firm foodie destination

Known for quirky independents to Michelin-starred gems, Bristol has it all! There’s a strong focus on local, organic and ethical food. Grab some of Bristol’s best street food at St. Nicks Market or head to Cargo at Wapping Wharf – home to a host of independent eateries.

It’s a green city!

Bristol is overflowing with green spaces to chill, study and meet friends in. Countryside surrounds the city on all sides and in-between – highlights close to our campuses include the beautiful Ashton Court, Stoke Park and Snuff Mills, and in the city centre, Queen Square, Victoria Park and the Downs are all worth a visit.

Bristol culture

Street art, museums, history – Bristol’s culture is as vibrant and diverse as our city is. Get to know the heart of Bristol by catching an independent film at Watershed, seeing some live jazz at the Old Juke; or booking yourself onto a Banksy walking tour to get those snaps for the ‘gram!

We’ve got a festival for pretty much everything

Upfest for street art; music at Love Saves The Day; Bristol Balloon Festival for, well, balloons… Then there’s St Paul’s Carnival, Bristol Pride, Bristol Light Festival, Bristol Harbour Festival, Bristol Craft Beer Festival… needless to say, you’ll never be bored here!

Legendary nightlife

From big clubs with top DJs to gigs, underground speakeasies, regular comedy nights and karaoke – and a huge LGBTQ+ scene – Bristol nightlife is what you call LIT! OK, we can’t pull that off, but it really does have something for everyone. Bristol’s also been awarded the Purple Flag status in recognition of our efforts to keep our city a vibrant and safe place to enjoy at night.

It’s super sporty!

Ashton Gate Stadium houses Bristol City Football club and Bristol Bears, and across the city you’ll find opportunities for climbing, sailing, cycling and so much more. We recommend trying your hand at paddle boarding down the harbour or heading to the outskirts of the city where you’ll find The Wave; a popular year-round inland-surfing destination.

What’s our vibe here then?

Well, Bristol is known for being diverse, independent, creative and, most importantly, super friendly. Catchphrases you’ll hear out and about are “Cheers drive” for any form of transport; “Alright my loverrr” as a standard greeting; and “Shipshape and Bristol fashion” for when things are in good order – such as like your study notes, timetable, your (sustainable) out-out wardrobe…

Wanna explore further?

Stokes Croft and Montpelier fall just outside the main city and are a lively hub for student life, lined with vintage shops, quirky cafés and a Banksy or two. Head to North Street in Bedminster for tonnes of urban art, and the Tobacco Factory Market on Sundays for ethical and eco-friendly goods, food and drink, craft and art stalls.

You can find out more about all the places we’ve mentioned on the Visit Bristol website.

We hope you’ll have fun exploring our city. Wait, your city. Share your pics with us by using #HelloUWEBristol

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