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Author: Amy Edwards

Student Volunteering Week: Storyhouse

Start Date: 12 February 2025 10:00 am

End Date: 12 February 2025 12:00 pm

Location: Seaborne Library, Exton Park

Storyhouse is one of the UK’s foremost cultural charities; its home in Chester incorporates a library, theatres, and a cinema. It is also an acclaimed theatre producer an open-air theatre as well as the Moonlight Flicks open-air cinema each year.

They offer a variety of different volunteer roles including welcoming visitors to their theatres, cinema and events, supporting the library team with shelving and digital support for library users, assisting the wardrobe department with costumes and supporting their festivals

No need to book – just drop by to find out how you can get involved!

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Posted in EventsTagged

Student Volunteering Week: Chat to a Charity – Passion for Learning

Start Date: 11 February 2025 10:00 am

End Date: 11 February 2025 12:00 pm

Location: Seaborne Library, Exton Park

Passion for Learning aim to train and support volunteers to use play and enrichment to provide 1:1 support to primary school children helping them to fulfil their true potential.

They’re looking for volunteers to support after school Enrichment Clubs in a team supporting up to 15 children to have fun after their school day. Volunteers may help read books, play games, make jigsaws, build Lego, bake, make crafts, or help to run events e.g. a small party which the children have planned. Volunteers will gain experience of working with primary school aged children, and an insight into the school environment. Many of the children they work with typically do not make the expected levels of progress at school and many come from complex or challenging backgrounds. The after school clubs provide children with support for their learning but equally importantly, an environment of fun, praise, enthusiasm and inspiration.

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Print Services

Print Services are situated on Exton Park, on the ground floor of Seaborne Library.

The staff can offer advice on any print job, provide quotes and give information about turnaround times. 

Services:

  • Stationary and Business Cards
  • Flyers, Leaflets, Brochures, and Booklets
  • Newsletters
  • Posters and Large Format Printing
  • Indoor Banner Stands
  • Canvas Prints
  • Finishing, Binding and Folding

Contact:

Opening hours:

  • 9am – 4.30pm, Monday – Thursday
  • 9am – 4pm, Friday


How do I order?

Ordering is easy, you can either call us (ext. 3460) with your request or send an e-mail to print@chester.ac.uk . We accept work in either hard copy, or as a PDF file or sent by e-mail. 

If you want to check your work before the final run or make last minute alterations, we are happy to offer a proofing service free of charge.

How long does a job take?

We know your work is important to you and we will endeavour to meet your delivery requirements or offer a solution that will satisfy your needs. The standard turnaround time is 5-10 working days. However, please let us know when placing the order if you need a very quick turnaround time and we will do everything possible to achieve this.

Posted in Support and OpportunitiesTagged , , ,

University of Sanctuary status and sanctuary initiative

As part of our commitment to creating a welcoming environment for all, we’re pleased to announce that the University is preparing an application to become a University of Sanctuary.

The University of Sanctuary initiative celebrates institutions committed to creating a culture of inclusivity, safety, and support for asylum seekers and refugees.

Our application demonstrates our commitment through various community activities, teaching, research, policies and strategies and has been a collaborative effort, with input from key staff across the institution, including both academic and professional support teams.

The final submission will be made to the University of Sanctuary by end of January 2025, and if successful, we will undertake a site visit from University of Sanctuary representatives in spring 2025, with a decision thereafter.

This application marks a significant step in the University’s journey to becoming a University of Sanctuary and reflects staff commitment to supporting asylum seekers and refugees within the institution and the broader community.

Ways to get involved

Refugee Week: Each year staff and students across the University celebrate Refugee Week and World Refugee Day; we will look to host a number of events again in 2025 – previous events have included reflections in the Peace Garden, fundraising football matches, film nights and hosting theatre performances.

Refugee Week is a UK-wide festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. Founded in 1998 and held every year around World Refugee Day on the 20 June, Refugee Week is also a growing global movement.

We are asking our university community to hold an event in support of the movement and to support the University’s work in becoming a University of Sanctuary.  

Simple Acts are everyday actions we can all do to stand with refugees and make new connections in our communities. Small steps to create big change!

Please let us know (studentexperience@chester.ac.uk)  what activities you have organised, and ways in which you have been involved (however small!), by sending in details and photos that we can share and celebrate on our webpage!

Student Action for Refugees (STAR Group)

The STAR group has recently been set up through Chester Students’ Union, and is key to the University’s work in becoming a University of Sanctuary.

STAR is the national network of students whose aim is to build a more understanding and just society where refugees are welcomed and can thrive in the UK. Student groups based in universities are supported by a central team of experts, who work together at a number of levels to bring about lasting change.

Group members:

  • Volunteer locally working directly with refugees, building understanding and connections
  • Campaign nationally for policy change and equal access to higher education for refugees
  • Learn about refugee protection and the asylum journey in the UK with experts and peers

If you are interested please click here for more information and details of how to get involved.

Posted in News/FeaturesTagged ,

Tour of the new-look Library Search

Start Date: 5 February 2025 10:00 am

End Date: 5 February 2025 10:30 am

Location: Online

Book Now

In this session, we’ll discuss how the Library Search has been updated and how you can get the most out of it for your research.

Join the meeting now

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Tour of the new-look Library Search

Start Date: 3 February 2025 10:00 am

End Date: 3 February 2025 10:30 am

Location: Online

Book Now

In this session, we’ll discuss how the Library Search has been updated and how you can get the most out of it for your research.

Join the meeting now

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Tour of the new-look Library Search

Start Date: 28 January 2025 2:00 pm

End Date: 28 January 2025 2:30 pm

Location: Online

Book Now

In this session, we’ll discuss how the Library Search has been updated and how you can get the most out of it for your research.

Join the meeting now

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Posted in EventsTagged , ,

Tour of the new-look Library Search

Start Date: 27 January 2025 10:00 am

End Date: 27 January 2025 10:30 am

Location: Online

Book Now

In this session, we’ll discuss how the Library Search has been updated and how you can get the most out of it for your research.

Join the meeting now

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How to be an active bystander

What do we mean by ‘active bystander’?

An active bystander (or upstander) means being aware of when someone’s behaviour is inappropriate and choosing to intervene and offer assistance.

Barriers to being an active bystander

There are several reasons why people don’t act to help when they witness crimes or incidents involving violence, intimidation, harassment or hostility:

  • They fail to notice the crime or incident – they may be distracted or see things on such a regular basis that they become immune to the incidents happening around them
  • They fail to recognise the seriousness of the event
  • They fail to take any personal responsibility – assuming that someone else has already called for help or is helping so they don’t need to do anything
  • They lack the knowledge or competence to offer appropriate help and worry about being judged on their actions
  • They are concerned that if they intervene, they could put themselves in danger
  • They fear legal consequences
  • They lack empathy – it’s not happening to them or anyone they care about. This may also be due to unconscious bias – which can make people less likely to help when those in need are perceived as different from them
  • They question whether they have the authority to get involved

How can we be active bystanders?

  • Don’t expect others to be the first to act

If you are with others when you witness a crime, your first instinct, and that of the others around you, might be to not intervene. Once someone helps, then others will join in because a new social norm emerges. Be that person who takes the first step.

  • Take responsibility to do something

If you’re in a position to help, tell yourself this is now your responsibility. Don’t be influenced by other people who aren’t doing anything. Try not to worry about the consequences of helping.

  • Encourage others to get involved

Be an influencer. If you need assistance, ask particular people near you to do specific things. Look them straight in the eyes or single out someone by a distinguishing feature – e.g. blue jumper, glasses, pink face mask – and ask for their help. By directly asking someone, there is a good chance they will feel a shared responsibility and take some action.

  • Empathise with the victim

People are more likely to help if they identify with a victim. Try imagining the victim is someone you love and ask yourself what you would like others to do to support them in those circumstances.

  • A small act of kindness can make a big difference

Asking “Are you okay?” when it’s safe to do so, lets the victim know that you acknowledge what happened to them was unacceptable. This can be reassuring for the victim.

  • Call for support

If it is not safe to intervene, call the University’s Security team on 01244 511541 or in an emergency call the police on 999.

For more information on bystander intervention, please visit the Neighbourhood Watch website.

Posted in Support and OpportunitiesTagged , ,

Free support from Royal Literary Fund Fellow Caroline Corcoran

As part of an educational initiative to allow writers to share their expertise, the University has a Royal Literary Fund (RLF) Fellow – and our Fellow for the next two years is author Caroline Corcoran.  
 
Caroline is an internationally published Sunday Times bestselling author whose work has been translated into multiple foreign languages and sold around the world. Caroline can support students at all levels of study with all aspects of their writing, such as structuring an argument, making writing clearer, more precise, and improving style and flow.

The service is:

• free
• confidential
• one-to-one

What the RLF Fellow offers:

  • 50-minute one-to-one tutorials.
  • A friendly, independent, and confidential service.
  • Advice based on your writing and tailored to your needs.

What the RLF Fellow does not offer:

  • Reading the totality of a lengthy piece of work – much can be gained from a professional writer looking at an extract of your work in its finer details.
  • Teaching English as a Second Language, or provide specialist support for specific learning abilities.

More information available here: https://www.rlf.org.uk/institution/university-of-chester/

To book an appointment, email: caroline.corcoran@rlfeducation.org.uk. She is available Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10am till 4pm.

Posted in News/Features, Support and OpportunitiesTagged ,