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Wellbeing<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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- We\u2019re excited to have launched a brand-new SU Swap Shop<\/strong><\/a> where students can swap and share pre-loved items like clothes, books, kitchenware, and all sorts of bric-\u00e0-brac <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- As part of our Warm Up With Us<\/strong> campaign, we handed out over 3,000 free meals<\/strong> to students – and we\u2019re planning to do it again in the New Year! Keep an eye on our website<\/a> for dates so you don\u2019t miss out <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The Pantry<\/strong><\/a> has been buzzing with 5,500 visits<\/strong>, and we\u2019re thrilled to now offer free fresh fruit and vegetables<\/strong> on Wednesdays too! <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Over 190 of you<\/strong> joined in on our SU Activity Hours<\/strong>, getting creative with glass decorating, origami, pumpkin painting and more <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- We hosted 6 workshops <\/strong>covering topics like mental health awareness, transitioning to university life, mindset, and the stages of stress and anxiety. We hope you found them helpful and inspiring! <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The student-led mental health campaign, QUB Mind Your Mood<\/strong>, has hosted a variety of events this semester including a World Mental Health Day scavenger hunt, pumpkin smash, sensory space and zen den pop up, as well as a plant pot painting session! <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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\nAdvice<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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- Our Advice Team has supported approx. 770 students<\/strong> with over 1,700 issues<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Based on the advice provided, we helped students unlock an additional 15k<\/strong> of student funding and social security benefits<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 141 more <\/strong>of you have signed up to the Blackbullion financial wellbeing platform<\/strong>, bringing the total number of users to over 1,500<\/strong>. It\u2019s great to see so many of you taking charge of your finances!<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- We\u2019re always here to help, so don\u2019t hesitate to reach out<\/a> if you need us <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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\nClubs & Societies<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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- We were thrilled to welcome over 30,000 visitors<\/strong> to our annual 3-day Freshers\u2019 Fair<\/strong>, where they got to meet and chat with 150+ of our Clubs & Societies<\/strong> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- We\u2019re proud to have given \u00a340,000 in funding to Societies <\/strong>and helped allocate more than \u00a3160,000 to Sporting Clubs <\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A huge shoutout to all of you who have joined our Clubs & Societies this year. With memberships currently sitting at 14,679<\/strong> (Societies: 9,982 and Clubs: 4,697), we\u2019ve hit our highest Club membership since pre-covid! <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- We\u2019ve also celebrated the creation of 5 new Clubs & Societies<\/strong>, including the Vietnamese Students\u2019 Society, Formula One Society, and Live Music Society <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A special mention to the Walkie Talkie Girlies Society<\/a> <\/strong>who organised their inspiring Project Pink Walk<\/strong> to stand against violence against women and girls. Over 500 attendees<\/strong>, including Queen\u2019s students, staff, and Belfast Lord Mayor Micky Murray, walked from the SU to City Hall. Thanks to the society\u2019s incredible lobbying efforts, Belfast City Council lit up City Hall in pink for the occasion. What an achievement! <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Don\u2019t forget, there\u2019s so much to explore with our 220+ Clubs & Societies<\/a> <\/strong>and you can join one or more any time throughout the year! Our Refreshers’ Fair<\/a> <\/strong>is also taking place on Wed 15 Jan<\/strong> in Mandela Hall where you can meet some of them in person<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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\nVolunteering<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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- 95 student<\/strong> have made a big difference by volunteering with one of our 16 partner Homework Clubs<\/strong>,<\/a> helping local children and young people with their studies! Applications are now open<\/a> for Semester 2!<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 323 of you <\/strong>have registered for our Handy Helpers<\/a> programme<\/strong>, getting involved in fun and impactful one-off volunteering activities like community gardening, Halloween dodgeball and a community litter pick. Thank you for lending a hand! <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Around 600 of you <\/strong>stopped by our Volunteering & Wellbeing Fair<\/strong> to chat with 50+ external organisations <\/strong>about their opportunities and activities. We hope you found something that inspired you! <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A shout out to QUB RAG<\/strong>, which has already raised \u00a33,816 <\/strong>for their 2024-25 charities, Carers NI and Nexus NI <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- There’s lots of volunteering opportunities<\/a> available that you can get involved in throughout the year<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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\nEnterprise<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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- We were delighted to award a share of \u00a312.5k in funding <\/strong>to 11 students <\/strong>to help them bring their brilliant business ideas to life <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Over 50 students<\/strong> have taken advantage of our free business 1-2-1’s<\/a><\/strong>,<\/a> getting personalised advice to grow their ventures <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Our co-working space in the SU <\/strong>has been buzzing with creativity, with 30 student entrepreneurs and alumni<\/strong> currently making the most of it to develop their businesses <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A huge congratulations to the 5 student businesses <\/strong>that made it to the final of Student INVENT 2024<\/strong>, especially \u2018Vibrotect\u2019<\/strong>, which scooped the top prize of \u00a32k<\/strong>! <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- We\u2019re also trilled for the 4 student entrepreneurs <\/strong>who have secured a total of \u00a335k in external funding <\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Got a business idea of your own? Whether you\u2019re just starting out or ready to grow, check out how SU Enterprise\u202f<\/a>can help you on your journey<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Got a business idea of your own? You could be in with a chance of winning a share of an amazing \u00a325k prize pot in our QUB Dragon\u2019s Den<\/a> competition!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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\nStudent Voice<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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- 699 of you <\/strong>stepped up to represent your fellow students in roles like SU Councillor, Faculty Rep, School Rep, Course Rep, <\/strong>and Association Chair <\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- We received over 20 ideas <\/strong>from students for us to take forward, including: a pedestrian crossing on Elmwood Avenue; secure and accessible cycle parking for students; more activities for commuter students; and professional experience mentoring. Submit your idea at any time here<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- So far this year, we\u2019ve held 3\u202fStudent Council Meetings<\/a><\/strong>\u202fand 6 EMC meetings<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- We hosted the very first NUS Liberation Collective meeting in NI<\/strong>, bringing together student activists from trans, women, racialised, disabled and LGBTQ communities. Together they explored ways to contribute to UK-wide NUS campaigns <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- We also welcomed the Trilateral Meeting<\/strong> of the three national students\u2019 unions (NUS-UK, USI, NUS-USI<\/strong>) <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- We received over 20 ideas <\/strong>from students for us to take forward, including: a pedestrian crossing on Elmwood Avenue; secure and accessible cycle parking for students; more activities for commuter students; and professional experience mentoring. Submit your idea at any time here<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Over 50 students<\/strong> have taken advantage of our free business 1-2-1’s<\/a><\/strong>,<\/a> getting personalised advice to grow their ventures <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 323 of you <\/strong>have registered for our Handy Helpers<\/a> programme<\/strong>, getting involved in fun and impactful one-off volunteering activities like community gardening, Halloween dodgeball and a community litter pick. Thank you for lending a hand! <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- We\u2019re proud to have given \u00a340,000 in funding to Societies <\/strong>and helped allocate more than \u00a3160,000 to Sporting Clubs <\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Based on the advice provided, we helped students unlock an additional 15k<\/strong> of student funding and social security benefits<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- As part of our Warm Up With Us<\/strong> campaign, we handed out over 3,000 free meals<\/strong> to students – and we\u2019re planning to do it again in the New Year! Keep an eye on our website<\/a> for dates so you don\u2019t miss out <\/li>\n\n\n\n
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