You’ve probably heard it mentioned by now, the annual fundraising hitchhike organised by our amazing RAG has seen previous year’s volunteers reach Dubai, Morocco and Hong Kong. Jailbreak is one of the most exciting charity events you can get involved in but how does it all work? 🗺✈️

It’s simple. Groups of 2 or 3 compete in a race against time to get as far away from Southampton as possible, without spending any of their own money. This year, groups are raising money for three charities, Yellow Door, Anthony Nolan and Help Refugees. Each group must raise an initial £50 … Read the rest

Did you know that your affiliated club or society can apply for funding from the Union? This funding isn’t designed to cover the day-to-day running costs of the group (this should be covered by membership fees, fundraising or from other sources) but it can be provided to cover the costs of resources, specific pieces of equipment or trips that wouldn’t otherwise be able to be provided.

We recently approved some new capital funding awards to the Photographic Society, Water Polo Club and Sub-Aqua Club. This means they have some exciting new equipment coming their way which will help to improve … Read the rest

Our Boat Club are taking part in this year’s Spotify Soundclash, where as a student group, you can you create a Spotify playlist in a bid to gain as many followers as possible in order to win the grand prize of £10,000.

By following the playlist, you are supporting the University of Southampton and helping Boat Club to show we are on top!

So far*, Boat Club aren’t displaying on the top set of Unis, so make sure you show your support today and let’s give them a nice boost!

Find out more about the competition on the Spotify website… Read the rest

National Student Money Week runs between the Monday 06 – Friday 10 February. Students’ Unions all over the country are running events to give you tips and advice on how to stretch those pennies a little bit further. Whether it is by planning your food shop by using a list or opening a separate bank account to help you save – we’re interested in hearing what you do, so we can share ideas to other students. Tweet us your best ideas @Union_Soton.

But that’s not all. We’ll be travelling around the different campuses, holding competition and advice stalls full … Read the rest

The Union Enterprise Fund exists to help you fund original and innovative events, activities and projects. After receiving an incredible 11 submissions showcasing your great ideas, we are in the process of choosing the most deserving idea for the £500 investment – and as you can see, it is proving quite a challenge:

Applicant 1: The Charge Project, is a solar energy distribution service that will operate in the ultra-poor river islands of Bangladesh. The Charge Project will comprise of a boat network with solar panel arrays mounted to the roof, which will be used to charge battery boxes.

Applicant … Read the rest

RAG (Raise and Give) Society and Enactus Society raise an estimated £5,400 for charity during Jailbreak 2016, with one group of students travelling as far as The Gambia in under 36 hours with no money.

Jailbreak is a challenge where students aim to get as far away from the Students’ Union as possible in 36 hours using none of their own money in a bid to raise cash for charity.

26 teams made up of 63 students participated in this year’s event, each with a minimum fundraising target of £150 that students had to raise before departure last weekend.

Dennis … Read the rest

Project Crowdfund is an initiative to allow you to get the funding you need to get your social enterprise idea off the ground, organised in association with Office of Development and Alumni Relations (ODAR). We have received some ingenius submissions from you already, which are all worthy of investment.

Here are your ideas:

Ignite:

Ignite run creative therapy and educational sessions with the purpose of empowering women from troubled backgrounds, giving them the support they need to get jobs or even start a business.

Campus Collective:

Campus Collective will run a university vegetable garden to … Read the rest

Project Crowdfund
In association with Office of Development and Alumni Relations (ODAR)

Have you got an idea that you want to get off the ground to help your community or the wider world?

We’re hosting a new and exciting opportunity for you to crowdfund the cash you need to make it happen.

Your project should fit into one of the following areas:

• Wellbeing matters
• Access to Education
• Equality for all
• Sustainability in the community
• Combatting climate change

If you want to create social change and help others in your community, we can help with our crowdfunding project coming soon.… Read the rest

Our very own Southampton RAG team have put in a bid to host the 2017 RAG Conference.

The conference is hosted in a different Union annually to showcase the successes of the year’s fundraising.

The bid comes after RAG announced their 2015-16 fundraising total, which was an incredible £165, 194.05.

Each year, our student-run team focuses its fundraising efforts on three nominated charities, voted on by you! in 2015-16, Make A Wish Foundation, Student Minds, and The Red Lipstick Foundation were just some of the charities that benefitted! From charity Colour Runs to Christmas Fayres, you have had the opportunity … Read the rest

Congratulations to our incredible RAG team for working so hard to raise an amazing £165, 194.05 for charity during last year.

Each year, our student-run group focuses its fundraising efforts on three nominated charities, voted on by you! in 2015-16, Make A Wish Foundation, Student Minds, and The Red Lipstick Foundation were just some of the beneficiaries of the total, plus you of course! From charity Colour Runs to Christmas Fayres, you have had the opportunity to make friends, achieve some incredible challenges and have a lot of fun in the process.

RAG have just announced their nominated charities for … Read the rest