this ISSUE
Welcome to the newsletter
A very warm welcome to the first issue of your Carlisle Enrichment Newsletter part of a new pilot programme running across our Carlisle campuses from February to April.
This programme brings together three key strands of activity designed to help you get more out of your time at university:
Enrichment through your academic studies
Opportunities and activities happening on campus
Ways to get involved in the wider Carlisle community
As this is a pilot, your feedback is incredibly important. We want to shape the programme around what you find useful, interesting and meaningful. If you have suggestions or ideas for future editions, there are two ways in which you can do this:
Email max.young@cumbria.ac.uk with your thoughts
Navigate to the āInput and Feedbackā section on the Carlisle Student Enrichment BlackBoard site
One of the highlights in February is the chance to attend Carlisle United Football Club home games at Brunton Park, with fantastic student discounts available for fixtures on 10 and 21 February. Itās a great way to explore your university city and get involved in the local community. Find out more on page three.
On campus, weāve also lined up a range of activities, drop ins and events to support your wellbeing, skills and university life. Full details are in the āKey Events & Activities this monthā section of this site, and include:
Chaplaincy events and walks
Lunar New Year activities
Webinars around global teaching opportunities and volunteer placements
UoC Active events
We hope you enjoy this monthās programme and look forward to hearing your thoughts so we can keep improving the offer for you
Score Student Savings at Carlisle United
With excellent discounts on tickets for University of Cumbria students, why not go and watch a match at Carlisle United Football Club this month?
Itās a great oppor tunity to get to know your university city and its community. Home fixtures for February are:
Scunthorpe United ā 10 February 2026 at 19.45
Yeovll Town ā 21 February 2026 at 15.00
Students are eligible for discounted matchday tickets for home games. For this football season students can buy their home match tickets at a discounted price of Ā£11 (terrace) or Ā£14 (seating).
In addition, a retail discount of 5% is available for purchases in the Club Shop on presentation of your University of Cumbria ID card.
You will need to show your student photo ID card at the Brunton Park ticket office the first time you buy a ticket, after which you will be registered on the system. The offer is not transferable, and you must be prepared to show ID on match day if requested.
Carlisle United Football Clubās address is: Brunton Park, Warwick Road, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA1 1LL.
https://www.carlisleunited.co.uk/
Get Involved, Get Inspired: Academic Societies
As a student on our Carlisle campuses, the University of Cumbria Studentsā Union (UCSU) offer a range of academic societies for you to get involved in. They offer an oppor tunity to meet new people, build new skills and enrich your university experience. From midwifery to law and physiotherapy to wildlife media, thereās something for you to get involved in and make the most of your time at Cumbria!
Current Academic Societies include:
Midwifery Society
Physiotherapy Society
Criminology Society
Law Society
Zoological Society
Allied Health Fellows
Emergency, Pre-Hospital & Primary Care Soc
Medsoc
Wildlife Society
You can find out more about each of these societies, and others, including how to sign up, below.
Nothing that suits you or your academic cohor t? Why not create your own society ā check out how any student can do this below.
this month? what is happening
Lunar New Year Comes to Fusehill Street
Join UCSU and the International Student Office for a drop-in session of Lunar New Year-themed activities - with light refreshments and an oppor tunity to find out about the exciting food-centred trip coming up to celebrate the Lunar New Year even more!
Meet in the Learning Gateway at Fusehill Street on Tuesday 3 February at 11.00.
TEFL in 2026: Global and Online Teaching Oppor tunities
This session is ideal for students looking to travel and gain international work experience after graduation through TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) in 2026!
In the session, students will explore:
How to get TEFL-cer tified and star t teaching ā no experience needed
Where to find the best jobs (and what lifeās really like there)
How TEFL can grow your confidence, skills and long-term career options
A step-by-step roadmap to landing your first job abroad or online
What it takes to succeed as a digital nomad English teacher
Live Q&A ā ask anything and get real answers from an exper t Students can register for free here or scan the QR code.
February Fitness Fun at Fusehill
Every Wednesday during February, UoC Active are offering Hybrid Training classes in the Spor ts Centre at Fusehill Street.
Additionally, on Wednesday 11th March join in the fun with UoC Activeās Muli-Spor t Madness Competition at the same location as above. Sign up your team by clicking here or scan the QR code to the right.
Do you have an idea of an event you would like us to organise? Contact UoC Active directly via email at uocactive@cumbria.ac.uk.
Your February Chaplaincy Offering
The next Chaplaincy Walking trip is on Saturday 7 February to Castlerigg stone circle and Keswick. Please contact Caroline from the university Chaplaincy service for more details and register your interest on a first come, first served basis.
āLiving with Loss: Understanding and Managing Grief: A group for students star ting Wednesday 18 February and running for the three following Wednesdays in Fusehill Chapel 13.30 ā 15.00.
Ash Wednesday Event ā on Wednesday 18 February at 12.30 in the Chapel, you are invited to put something unfamiliar into the landscape of your lives at the star t of Lent.
Discover volunteer placements with action tutoring
On 11 February 2026 from 16.00 to 17.00, the university is delighted to promote a free webinar to students by action tutoring where you can hear firsthand how placements have shaped careers, enhanced work skills and provided meaningful oppor tunities to make a difference.
Find out more and sign up here or scan the QR code.
Work Faster. Work Smarter. Get a Microsoft Office Specialist Certification
This February boost your academic work and strengthen your CV when applying for placements, internships or graduate jobs with a Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) cer tification.
As a University of Cumbria student, you can complete up to five MOS cer tifications free of charge including:
Word Associate
Word Exper t
Excel Associate
Excel Exper t
PowerPoint Associate
To ascer tain the cer tification, a small examination is required. Exams are in-person at Fusehill Street and last 50 minutes or 1 hour 40 minutes for people with time accommodations approved by the exam provider.
The next examination for the cer tification at Fusehill Street will be Tuesday 17 February. Doesnāt work for you? Not to worry, there will be oppor tunities in March, April and June too!
Find out more and self-enrol today by clicking here.
What
do those who have complete the certification say?
"My new knowledge and skills will really help me with my postgraduate studies"
"I'm already doing things much quicker as a result of following the Linkedin Learning and preparing for the MOS exam"
"My new knowledge and skills will really help me with my postgraduate studies"
"It will help with setting up the repor ts and assessments - it will help you to save a lot of time"
"I'm frustrated with my past self for wasting so much time when I could have known how to do all of the things that I know how to do now"
"In practising for the exam, I've picked up lots of little tips and tricks. The new skills I've learned means that I can work faster and more efficiently."
spark Something New at Cumbria: Set up your own activity!
Got a great idea for a new student group or society? Whether itās you love, a cause you care about or something completely uniqu has guidance and tools to suppor t you in this.
What will you need?
Star ting a group is simple. You just need:
Two or more students to form your group committee
A meeting with UCSUās Groups Coordinator, who will guide y everything from managing your groupās finances to plannin getting your name out there
What does the union provide?
When you set up a new group, youāll get access to loads of supp resources to help you thrive:
Ā£75 Star t up Fund once your group reaches three members
Three rounds of Group Grants each year, where you can app Ā£500 to grow your society
Exceptional Grants, perfect for one off costs or special purc
Access to on campus spaces, arranged through our links wi university
Help with booking transpor t or external venues for your activ
Insurance for all UCSU approved events, tailored specifically of activities student groups run
Most of your members should be University of Cumbria student members can join too as long as you get approval from your Gr Coordinator. If thatās something youāre interested in, just let us k suppor t you with the next steps.
Society Spotlight PCSM Teddy Bear Hospital
Medical students from PCSM have launched a Teddy Bear Hospital, a new community outreach initiative designed to reduce anxiety around healthcare and help children feel more confident in medical settings
30 primary school students took par t in the first workshop at Fir Ends Primary School in Kirklinton, Carlisle marking the star t of a wider programme that aims to involve schools across Cumbria in improving childrenās health literacy and wellbeing.
National data shows that about one in five children aged 8 to 16 in England had a probable mental disorder in 2023, underlining the impor tance of early, confidence building health education. In addition, research indicates that around half of children and young people repor t being worried about needles, which can contribute to anxiety about healthcare visits.
To address this, PCSM medical students have created an interactive, four station circuit designed for children aged four to eleven. Using medical props, role play activities and age appropriate guidance, children move through four themed zones:
1. The GP Visit ā introducing what happens during a routine checkāup
2. Hospital Heroes ā helping children recognise equipment and staff they might meet in hospital
3. The Health Lab ā fun, handsāon activities to promote movement, wellbeing and preventative care
4. Emergency Essentials ā teaching children how and when to call for help in an emergency
The workshop at Fir Ends Primary School is the pilot for a wider rollāout, with eight more primary schools already signed up to receive workshops in Cumbria. The PCSM Teddy Bear Hospital team hopes to expand the
The workshop at Fir Ends Primary School is the pilot for a wider roll out, with eight more primary schools already signed up to receive workshops in Cumbria. The PCSM Teddy Bear Hospital team hopes to expand the initiative into a jointāschools programme that brings multiple primary schools together to build confidence and community resilience.
Sarah Cunningham, Co Chair of the Teddy Bear Hospital and PCSM medical student said:
āI want to be par t of something that makes a difference. By giving children the chance to handle medical tools and ask questions in a safe, fun environment, weāre not only reducing anxiety, but we are also empowering the next generation to take charge of their own health.ā
Claire Davies, Teacher at Fir Ends Primary School added:
āThe teddy bear hospital staff were good with resources and equipment & the children were engaged and enjoyed doing the stationsā.
This initiative highlights PCSMās commitment to the Cumbria region, ensuring medical education extends beyond the university and into the hear t of local communities.
Source: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/mental-health-ofchildren-and-young-people-in-england/2023-wave-4-follow-up
Paint Your Flag!
Join us this LGBTQ+ History Month for a relaxed, creative celebration of identity, community, and self-expression. Open to LGBTQ+ staff and students and allies, this welcoming event invites you to paint your own pride flag in a safe, inclusive space.
Whether you identify with a well-known flag or want to create something uniquely you, all materials will be provided, along with snacks to keep the creativity flowing. No ar tistic experience needed at allā¦ bring the vibes.
This is a chance to connect, unwind, and celebrate LGBTQ+ history together in a suppor tive and joyful environment
Date: Wednesday 19 February
Time: 12:00pm ā 2:00pm
Location: Fusehill St, SKG12
Everyone is welcome. Come as you are, paint with pride, and celebrate community
UCSU LGBTQ + History Month Events
Queer History: Past & Present ā A Talk on Alan Turing & Drag Race
Join us this LGBTQ+ History Month for an engaging and thought-provoking event exploring queer history through both a historical and contemporary lens. Queer History: Past & Present brings together the legacy of Alan Turing, a pioneer of modern computing and a key figure in LGBTQ+ history, alongside the cultural impact of RuPaulās Drag Race and what it represents for queer visibility today.
Hosted by Wellbeing Officer Aidan, this relaxed and inclusive talk will look at how far LGBTQ+ representation has come, the challenges that remain, and why queer history, past and present, still matters.
Open to all LGBTQ+ students, staff, and allies with refreshments provided
Date: Wednesday, 26 February
Time: 4:00 pm ā 6:00 pm
Location: Fusehill St LG Lecture Theatre
Whether youāre a history enthusiast, a Drag Race fan, or just curious to learn more, everyone is welcome. Come along, listen, reflect, and celebrate queer stories together.
Student Opportunities Fund
The Student Oppor tunity Fund has been created in consultation with the Student Advisory Panel to suppor t eligible students with low household income to access development oppor tunities that suppor t employability through professional and personal development. Eligible UK undergraduate University of Cumbria students can apply for up to Ā£500 towards an oppor tunity that suppor ts their development.
Applications are assessed in two rounds during the academic year. The first deadline is 17.00 on Monday 30 March 2026, with a final deadline of 17.00 on Monday 25 May 2026.
For full eligibility criteria and details of how the fund works, click here or scan the QR code below.
Help shape your enrichment programme
We want your student enrichment oppor tunities to reflect what you care about ā your interests, your ideas and the experiences you want to have while studying at university. Thatās why weāre always looking for students who want to get involved, share feedback or even help bring new activities to life.
Share your feedback
Got thoughts on what ās working well? Ideas on what could be improved? Weād love to hear from you. You can share your feedback through:
Emailing your thoughts to max.young@cumbria.ac.uk
Going to the Carlisle Student Enrichment BlackBoard site and filling out the snapshot survey under the āShape your enrichment programmeā section.
Make your idea a reality
If youāre feeling inspired and want to take your idea fur ther, you can even work with us to set up your own activity, event or group. See the information on page ten to find out more.
