Bristol SU Pocket Welcome Guide 2020

bristol su in your pocket Everything you need to know about your students’ union

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Welcome to

Bristol! welcome to b r i s t o l You’re now a member of Bristol SU – representing your student voice, giving you access to our venues, the ability to join over 350 clubs, societies and volunteering projects, and access to other support.

Bristol SU is an organisation for all students, led by elected student reps working together to get the best for your time here. We’re independent,

but work closely with the University. We work for the best student life and you can see some of what we’ve done for students at bristolsu.org. uk/impact We’re always open to new ideas and want to make sure you have the best student experience amongst the street art and hot air balloons of Bristol. @bristol_su

student g ro up s We help students to run more than 350 societies, sports clubs, and volunteering projects.

Whether it's sports like football, rugby or running, or something more unusual, Bristol SU has a huge range of options. Our societies cover everything from board games to cheese, from salsa to PokĂŠmon. This year, clubs and societies will be running a mix of physical and digital activities to help everyone join in.

We also offer a huge array of volunteering opportunities, helping you to develop your skills and make a difference. You could join one of our student-led projects, or volunteer with one of our partner organisations in the city.

You can view all 350+ of our societies and sports clubs and join them online at bristolsu.org.uk/groups Our Balloon Accreditation Scheme helps to recognise the groups who embody our SU values. You can see this year’s Gold Balloon Accredited groups below.

A Cappella Society ACS - African Caribbean Society American Football Archery Art Society Badminton Boat (Rowing) BOpS - Bristol Operatic Society Bristol Improv Bristol University Conservation Group BUMS - Bristol University Music Society Canoe Chaos (Physics) Cricket Cycling Football - Men’s Football - Women’s Hindu Society Hockey - Men’s Hockey - Women’s Kickboxing

Korfball Lacrosse - Men’s and Mixed Lifesaving Club Magic Society Management Society Matrix (Maths) MTB - Music Theatre Bristol Nightline Pole Fitness Society RAG (Raising and Giving) Rugby - Women’s Squash Swimming & Water Polo Symphonia Synchronised Swimming Tennis Ultimate Frisbee University of Bristol Environmental & Energy Law Society (EELS) University of Bristol Phab Volleyball You’ll meet all of our student groups at the Virtual Welcome Fair on Wednesday 7 October

SPORT Whether you want to compete or just get off the sofa, there’s lots of ways to get active at Bristol.

Intramural Sport Intramural is sport for people who just want to turn up and play. Home to a community of nearly 3000 students who do sport differently. Make friends and do the sports you love without the pressure to perform or train regularly. Be part of a team with people from your halls, society or a group of friends. No one to play with? We’ll find you a team. bristolsu.org.uk/intramural B:Active A year-round programme of fun and affordable sport and exercise classes run by the department of Sport Exercise and Health. bristol.ac.uk/sport/activities BUCS University of Bristol clubs are consistent top ten finishers in British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) league.

Shop online at bristolsushop.com Find us in Bristol SU (The Richmond Building) 105 Queens Road, Bristol BS8 1LN

w e ar e a democracy Representing your academic interests This means that you elect the people who lead the SU and represent you. Elections for different roles are held in November and March this year.

You have reps for your course, your halls, your societies and sports clubs, as well as reps making sure that all identities are represented. You can see what our reps have done for students at bristolsu.org.uk/ impact

If you want to change something, you can: • Speak to a relevant student rep - a course or faculty rep, JCR member, Chair of Network or FullTime Officer • Join a relevant Network and come to a meeting to see if other students will work with you • Run to be a rep yourself we’ll train and support you to get stuff changed

Bristolsu.org.uk/welcome

ent a stud il counc g meetin

You have different reps for different things: Your Academic Reps represent your academic interests to the University.

These include Course Reps, that represent your views to make sure your course is the best it can be, and Faculty Reps, that represent students across your whole faculty and attend University decisionmaking meetings.

JCR Reps work on your living costs, your social life and your safety while you’re living in halls.

Some of the recent things your reps have done include: • Getting the university to declare a climate emergency • Securing millions of pounds of rent savings for students who left halls due to lockdown • Getting increased funding for students facing financial hardship

your elected

officers 2020 Your seven full time officers are elected by the student body. They represent students and help improve the student experience at Bristol.

roy kiruri

jason palmer

equality, liberation & access bristolsu.org.uk/jason

leah martindale

international students

postgraduate education

bristolsu.org.uk/roy

bristolsu.org.uk/leah

Bristolsu.org.uk/welcome

rushab shah

ruth day

sport & student development

student living

bristolsu.org.uk/rushab

bristolsu.org.uk/ruth

david ion

julio mkok

undergraduate education

UNION AFFAIRS

bristolsu.org.uk/david

bristolsu.org.uk/julio

networks Join the conver sation Bristol SU Networks are representative groups of students united by common interests or identities. They lead campaigns, run forums and hold regular social and awareness events.

Networks are a platform for students to build empowered communities and create change together. These campaigns range from promoting being a Trans ally, to hosting Sustainability Month and Global Carnival.

The 18 Bristol SU Networks are each led by an elected chair who is a current student, and supported by our Full Time Officers and the Chair of Student Council to run democratically and work on policy.

Membership to Networks is free and open just like membership to the Union.

You can join on our website bristolsu.org.uk/networks.

Open to All networ ks These Networks are open to everyone.

Liber ation & Identity Networ ks These Networks are open to those who identify into the group.

WELLBEING Coming to University can be a stressful experience. If you experience a dip in your wellbeing, there are different ways to help you care for yourself whilst you’re studying.

Bristol SU Living Room A space away from your studies to relax and unwind.

Student Support wellbeing-access@bristol.ac.uk 0117 456 9860

Student Groups Student groups are a great way to meet new people and build a network of supportive friends at university.

Big White Wall bigwhitewall.com

Networks Networks are a great way to find friends with a shared identity or interest. There’s even a network dedicated to Wellbeing!

Nightline 0117 9266 266 8pm - 8am term time Find out more about all of the wellbeing services available to you at bristol.ac.uk/ students/wellbeing

Bristolsu.org.uk/welcome

Bristol su

LIVING ROOM The Bristol SU Living Room is a space at the heart of campus (4th Floor Senate House) to relax, unwind and meet new people. There are also four Living Rooms in Halls which all students are welcome to use.

Our Living Rooms provide you with space on campus to combat isolation and facilitate positive wellbeing. There are student led activities if you fancy trying something new, lots of different games, space to relax, catch up or meet someone new, have a cup of tea and eat your lunch.

There may be some changes to our Living Rooms this year so that they are Covid secure and follow government guidelines. Check our website for up-to-date opening hours. bristolsu.org.uk/bristolsulivingroom

venues The Richmond Building is the home of Bristol SU and a social hub for students. The building includes a bar, gig venue, two theatres, music rooms, and activity and study spaces.

The Balloon Bar is a student social space which offers great value food and drink. The bar usually hosts regular events, sports and TV screenings and student group takeovers. This year the bar might look a little different but keep up to date on Facebook or Instagram.

There are a number of spaces on campus which are run by the SU. There are multiple Bristol SU Living Rooms to give you space to relax and unwind. We’ll also shortly be opening the Bristol SU Loft and Beckford Bar in Senate House, at the heart of campus.

The Anson Rooms has been a proudly independent venue for the past 50 years. It has played host to an impressive list of acts including David Bowie, Radiohead and Ed Sheeran.

Today the venue spans the Anson Rooms, Winston Theatre and Pegg Theatre, offering a diverse programme packed full of everything from comedy to drag shows, headline gigs and talks. All shows at the Anson Rooms offer student-priced tickets, on our website bristolsu.org.uk/ansonrooms All our spaces are Covid secure and will only be open in accordance with Government guidelines

Bristolsu.org.uk/welcome

Richmond Building

Balloon Bar

Balloon Bar Terrace

Bristol SU Living Room

Anson Rooms

Winston Theatre

U S EF UL SERVICES Bristol SU offers more than just a good social life. We host a range of essential services to help you get to grips with the practical side of university life. We’ve got you covered.

just ask Just Ask are a free, impartial advice service for University of Bristol Students.

We specialise in academic advice such as appeals, extenuating circumstances, changing your course, and issues relating to your relationship with the University. We can also offers support to students facing sanctions or involved in disciplinary action.

If you need specialist support with other matters such as mental health, accommodation, financial issues or visas we can refer you to other appropriate services. bristolsu.org.uk/advice

Bristol SU Lettings Bristol SU Lettings have the highest student satisfaction rating in Bristol for privately rented student accommodation. Our experienced team offer a wide range of properties and will help you find your perfect student home without any charge. bristolsulettings.co.uk

the basket The Basket is your students’ union shop, a place to gear up with university merchandise, a personalised printing service and purchase cheap bus tickets to London with National Express. bristolsushop.com