This week is International Stress Awareness Week, and our Sabbs have each shared their top tip for coping with stress at uni. In the current circumstances and with another lockdown for England starting on 5 November, it’s normal to be feeling stressed. Make sure to check in with your mental health and reach out for support if you need it – remember, you’re not alone.

Our Sabbs top tips are…

Take a Step Back

Take a step back from your work when you feel it’s becoming too much for you. Take some deep breaths, or go for a walk – … Read the rest

When the academic year started in September, none of us could have predicted the situation we find ourselves in now. Everything is changing so rapidly and it can be really scary. But we want you to know, you’re not alone.

We, and Students’ Unions from across the UK, have a message for you…

Up and down the country, your student representatives are working tirelessly with your Universities and institutions to support you as best as we can.

Thank you to Winchester Student Union, UCLan SU, University of Essex Students’ Union, University of Birmingham Guild of Students, … Read the rest

Our #ExpectRespect Policy is now approved and available to view on our Equality and Diversity page here: SUSU Equality and Diversity.

This policy was approved by the Trustee Board, elected Senators at Senate, and has been reviewed by the Liberation Officers.

This policy outlines what YOU can and should expect from your Students’ Union, and what we can expect from you. This is to ensure our behaviour and conduct is appropriate, inclusive and tolerant of everybody. This began development at the beginning of August 2019 and will now be a terms of reference policy under SUSU.

This is a … Read the rest

Throughout the month of January we want to remind you, you are more than your studies. 🙌🏽

There are a number of events being held across campuses to take your mind off of the stresses of exam season, and to remind you that exam season isn’t the be all and end all, you’re welfare matters too! 🤝🏻

See the full YAMT schedule below:

• Study and Chill Out Space, Highfield Campus (Meeting Rooms 2&6): 06 January – 31 January (08:00-20:00)

• Free Zumba, Highfield Campus (Activities Room): 13, 16, 17, 20, 23, 24 January (16:00-17:00)

• Cupcake

Your VP Welfare and Community Laura Barr tells you everything you need to know about our promise to not profit from menstrual products sold in The Shop.

What is this campaign all about?

“The move to make period products be at cost price and to stop the Union profiting from menstrual items is a statement to say that we do not support, or want to be complicit in, treating these necessary items as ‘products’ or ‘luxuries’.”

Why is this happening now?

“Now is as good a time as any. Really it should have happened years ago. If we want to … Read the rest

Content warning: mentions of rape. 

After feeling uninformed of the support available to her at university, fourth-year student, Sarah teamed up with SUSU, SCA Society and MedSoc to introduce new consent workshops to the Faculty of Medicine.

“Unfortunately, during my years of university, I have been raped. When this happened, I felt alone and uninformed of the support available at university. I felt that educational systems had failed to educate my colleague on what consent means and how it applies to our lives,” says Sarah.

“I’ve now been able to find support at the Enabling Services which have allowed me

10th October is World Mental Health Day, an annual day recognised by The World Health Organisation to provide an opportunity for those working on mental health issues to talk about their work and what more needs to be done. This year’s theme, chosen by the World Federation for Mental Health, is ‘young people and mental health in a changing world’.

As a Students’ Union, young people’s mental health and well being is so important to us. We would like to take this World Mental Health Day to talk about the work being done and the work left to do. … Read the rest

Throughout December 2017 we ran our annual Shoe Box Appeal in association with our Homed society. We received a fantastic 53 boxes of essential items, toiletries and gifts, which were donated to Two Saints Day Centre, an organisation who support the homeless in Southampton.

You may wonder exactly how our donations contribute to the important work Two Saints carries out. We were thrilled to receive a thank you letter from the team at Two Saints Day Centre:

“As an organisation we are always grateful to receive donations, especially clothing, food, toiletries, shoes and of course financial. It goes without … Read the rest

Remember, you are more than your studies. As the Semester One exam period is fast approaching, we’re pleased to announce the return of the Union’s You Are More Than campaign, supporting each and every student with a range of study spaces in the Union, events and activities. It’s important to take a break and relax away from your exams, assignments and hand-ins.

Study Spaces within the Union

• The Cafe and Bar 2 (both in Building 42) will be open for studying during normal Union opening hours
• Meeting Room 5 (Building 42, Level 2) and Meeting Room 7 (Building 40, Level

November is Men’s Health Month; we have met with students to discuss the stigma often attached to physical and mental health problems in men, and consider how we can tackle this. We spoke to Alastair about coping with depression whilst at university:

“I came to university much like any other student: excited about what seemed an endless array of possibilities.  My first year passed quickly, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.  Then, during my second year a number of factors aligned and I began to feel depressed.  Depression is one of those things that, once you’ve had it once, you … Read the rest