Snowed-in First Edition

John Snow College Newsletter 'Snowed-in' Issue 1

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Contents 3. Welcome to 'Snowed-in' 4. Words from JCR President 5. Join the JCR 'Snowed-in' group 6. Snow supports our key workers 7. Baking in I-snow-lation - JS Baking Soc 8. Snow Student provides local community support 9. COVID-19 Government Guidelines 10. Important Contacts

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Welcome to the first 'Snowed-in' edition of our College newsletter For those of you who don't know me, let me introduce myself. I am Lynn Preston, Assistant Principal for Student Development, supporting John Snow College throughout the transition process. One of my tasks in to lead on branding and marketing.

The aim of this 'Snowed-in' series is to keep us all connected during such unprecedented times, to celebrate our students and Alumni, and maintain cohesion. We plan to produce further issues and would value your input.

Therefore can I please encourage you to send any inspiring stories of ways in which you are using your time during this period of restricted movement. Send to snow.college@durham.ac.uk marked for my attention.

For now, read on to see how our John Snow community are continuing their learning journey, as well as leading by example. As our college motto states:

'Per scientiam et prudentiam quaere summam' - Through knowledge and wisdom strive for the highest.

Our JCR President, Richard Freeman and Welfare Officers Ellie and Jack, are doing just that and have been since day one of this Pandemic. They have provided excellent advice and support, sharing ever-changing Government guidelines and developing initiatives to maintain morale.

College staff also remain available to support students remotely that have travelled home, or remain in Durham (snow.studentsupport@durham.ac.uk). The College continues our regular student updates in relation to Government and University Polices and Guidelines.

I am so proud to say that I am part of the John Snow College community, during these challenging times. We certainly know how to handle adversity!

I am sure that this edition will make you proud too - Lynn

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Hello everyone, First, I hope you are keeping well and safe. Please follow the Government and NHS guidelines.

The JCR currently have a Facebook group called Snowed In, keeping students connected during this hard time.

People are sharing things that are keeping them entertained during lockdown, e.g. puzzles, pictures of pets, online games and lots more. We have weekly quizzes at 8.00pm on Wednesdays and Sundays which are proving highly popular. Coming soon: competitions and other exciting entertainment options!

In the next couple of weeks, we are hoping to connect people through Facebook/Houseparty/Teams so people can play games in groups or just chat.

Our Facebook link: facebook.com/groups/842329039576155 Keep an eye out for my Weekly emails on a Thursday, they contain links to websites with free tours or things to keep you entertained as well as the specific College things we are doing. Let me know if you have any ideas of your own.

And remember, I am always at the end of an email if you need me! snow.jcr@durham.ac.uk

Best wishes, Richard

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JCR Snowed -in Join here

Putting the social into i'social'ation

Stay connected With weekly online quiz and movie nights. Open to both current students and our alumni community!

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On the week prior to Thursday 26 March the JCR encouraged Snow Students to support

#clapfor carers Community Spirit Students delayed the start of their first Snowcial quiz to celebrate key workers.

Lauren Shale wrote 'we can all clap together and begin at 8:02'

Snow Support Welfare Officers Ellie and Jack have offered guidance and support

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Lifting spirits by baking while in i-snow-lation

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As a new society, we were really excited to become more established and host more socials in third term. We were heartbroken that these wouldn’t be able to go ahead in the unprecedented circumstances, so decided to go virtual and get involved in Snowed-in.

Many people on social media have started picking up baking as a hobby to pass the time in isolation, which gave me the idea to start Isolation Bakes on the John Snow Baking Society Instagram! We started out with exec mini tutorials, but quickly became overwhelmed by the incredible response from the John Snow family. College members are extremely keen to learn, tagging our page, sending in photos and inspiring each other with their ideas and recipes which we’ve been sharing on our Instagram story. We’re so impressed and have loved seeing everyone come together as a community, through cake! We have more plans to get people involved throughout this period and hope that we’ve been able to inspire people to start baking, or even just raised their spirits in this uncertain time.

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Snow student supporting his local community

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Paul Burgum, a mature student with family commitments, established BCT Aspire, a Community Interest Company (CIC) which aims to raise overall aspirations of children and young people within the Billingham community. Including; widening participation in positive recreational activity, reducing levels of anti-social behaviour and youth crime in the community, lowering levels of young people who are not in education, training or employment. As well as promoting community cohesion between people of all ages and developing training, work experience and employment opportunities through their networks.

These priorities are achieved by offering engagement in The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, clubs and activities offered at the central HUB, as well as an inspiring speaker series.

Sadly, during the current pandemic the HUB activities have had to pause, however this has not stopped the great community work or dampened community spirit. The centre has now been re-purposed and is being used as the Billingham food hub for The COVID-19 Community Support team, making and delivering food packages for the vulnerable, elderly and those most in need in the community.

Paul now co-ordinates a team of volunteers who work tirelessly to help local residents in so many ways, during these difficult times.

Paul Burgum Supporting the vulnerable in society, at their time of need within his home town of Billingham #snowsupport

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Coronavirus (COVID-19): what you need to do Stay at home Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work from home) If you go out, stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people at all times Wash your hands as soon as you get home Do not meet others, even friends or family. You can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms. gov.uk/coronavirus

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Important Contacts For all John Snow students, in the case of Emergency, please dial the Unite Emergency Control Centre on 0300 3031611 and ask for Rushford Court, they will then be able to contact the Emergency On-Call Officer.

In the event of an incident relating to Covid-19, contact the University’s Incident Control Centre (ICC) on 0191 3340000 or email them at: coronavirus.information@durham.ac.uk For non-urgent, but nevertheless important student support and welfare issues, email us at snow.studentsupport@durham.ac.uk In week commencing 20 April, we will be offering an enhanced College student support service. We will send you details about how you can access our new online student support clinics.

For those of you who remain in the UK, we remind you to frequently access the official NHS advice and guidance at: nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19 The University is providing Covid-19 updates at the following address: durham.ac.uk/coronavirus

Contact us Durham University Rushford Court North Road Durham DH1 4RY

T: +44 (0)191 334 0046 E: snow.college@durham.ac.uk Main Switchboard T: +44 (0)191 334 2000

Heading At John Snow College, we enable our students to develop in every area of life throughout their time here. There's a great variety of club s, societies and organisations to join and excellent support from friendly staff.

Founded in 2001, we are a modern yet traditional gowned college with self-catered accommodation.

durham.ac.uk

Š Durham University 2020

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