In case you didn’t already know, ‘Your Skills’ is SUSU’s programme of training provided especially for our student volunteers. Although some of the training is aimed specifically at Sabbatical Officers, Union Councillors and Trustees, there is a wide selection of programmes that all students can attend if they feel they need to brush up on a particular skill or add something a little different to their CV. ‘Your Skills’ is run by volunteers at the University of Southampton who have identified the most frequently used skills in their own roles to help equip students with everything they need to excel … Read the rest

What is Blackout?

Blackout is a campaign that aims to raise awareness about how much unnecessary energy we waste! Not only does this lead to high energy bills but it also impacts the environment in several ways.

Blackout is organising an evening where students and staff will be recording and turning off every non-essential electrical item across Highfield, Avenue and Winchester campuses!

Not only is this campaign and event beneficial economically but it also aims to encourage a more sustainable behaviour at university which you can even take and apply at home!

Last year, with 250 volunteers, blackout saved over … Read the rest

Your Skills sessions are free courses that are open to all students who want to develop themselves. There are a wide range of sessions from health and safety, to CV writing, to decision making! The development courses all occur during term time and can be booked in advanced through www.susu.org/yourskills

The Time Management Your Skill course that occurred on the 14^th October was a fantastic success! As extra chairs were needed for the bigger than expected turnout, the atmosphere was buzzing and the conversation was flowing. The feedback of the course that was taken by our Vice President Democracy … Read the rest

Southampton Hub, a student group at the University of Southampton, and SUSU’s Community Action Group are teaming up to participate in a national event to celebrate

volunteering in Higher Education; ‘Student Volunteering Week’. Plans are afoot for a variety of events and stunts, including a campaign to encourage further volunteering and one-off  opportunities for students to get involved in the local community.

Now in its 13th year, Student Volunteering Week 2014 will be taking place from Monday 24th February to the 2nd March. SVW brings together organisations from all sectors to promote and celebrate the volunteering efforts of students … Read the rest

From the 3-7 February universities around the country will be taking part in a National Week of Action. Run by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, the week looks at the Government’s proposal to sell off the 1998-2012 Student Loan book to the private sector.

The Government has recently sold off the pre-1998 Student Loan book and have proposed the beginning of the 1998-2012 Student Loan Book sale to the private sector, valued at £10bn. This proposal includes plans to lift the low-interest cap that graduates currently pay, meaning these groups, amongst others, are at risk of paying more for a … Read the rest

SUSU’s unique training programme Your Skills is returning this term with loads more great sessions to help you gain essential skills for your development.

The useful sessions are open to all student volunteers, from course representatives to JCRs – everyone is welcome!

Led by trained members of staff, all the sessions are fun and interactive using a variety of techniques, designed to prepare you with all that you need for your volunteering role.

Kicking things off, on the 29 January from 2-4pm in Meeting Room 1, Building 42, there will be a time management session. Perfect if you find it … Read the rest

We are very excited to announce the start of the SUSU Peer Support scheme. We are going to train 12 student volunteers with all the necessary skills to support and listen to their peers. The training will be delivered by a qualified professional and all volunteers will receive fortnightly supervision to ensure they are properly supported. If you would like to apply to be a Peer Supporter, please have a look at the Peer Support Scheme Role Description. If you would like to apply, please then fill in the Application form for Peer to Peer Support Scheme.

As … Read the rest

In time for the new academic year SUSU is creating a new Peer to Peer project, to provide extra mental health support for University of Southampton students, and is looking for people to help lead it.

The project comes in response to a greater demand for mental health peer support among the student population and findings that peer support is ”more accessible and acceptable to students than professionally staffed services”. There is currently only one counsellor for every 5667 University of Southampton students and SUSU is looking to fix that.

The Peer to Peer project is looking for … Read the rest

Last night at the Excellence in Volunteering Awards we paid tribute to the heroic volunteers, both groups and individuals, who dedicate so much effort and time to delivering all kinds of services, events and activities to their peers.

This year we received an astounding 436 nominations across the seven award categories, and each of the nominees received a certificate to recognise their achievements.

We are very pleased to announce that this year’s Excellence in Volunteering winners are:

Collaboration Award

Winner – Pure Dance
Highly Commended – Adam Dales
Highly Commended – Stage Soc

Impact Award

Winner – Cameroon Catalyst… Read the rest

Earlier this year the SUSU Ethical & Environmental team saw one of its most successful campaigns ever in Blackout: A Night Out with the Lights Out.

The campaign saw over 200 staff and students at the Univeristy of Southampton come together on Friday 27th April to switch off all non-essential electrical equipment across 47 buildings.

The results were outstanding, with over 7 tonnes of carbon saved – which is enough to power 5 family homes for year!

The team’s amazing efforts not only received praise from across the University, but also from other universities across the UK with plans … Read the rest