Induction – Welcome Week Warrington 2022

Start Date: 17 September 2022 9:00 am

End Date: 23 September 2022 4:00 pm

Location:

Congratulations on gaining your place at the University of Chester!

Our Welcome Week aims to help you understand your course, get to know more about Chester, make new friends and have some fun! University can seem daunting at first, but by the end of Welcome Week we hope that you are settled in and feeling at home. The University of Chester is a friendly community, and we are here to you help you every step of the way.

Research shows that those who get involved from the outset are more likely to succeed at University – they become more engaged students – but this involvement will be different for everyone. Not everyone socialises in the same way and you will all have different interests so our advice is look carefully at what is on offer and find something to be involved in sooner rather than later!

We have prepared this summary of events to let you know what you’ll be doing during Welcome Week. There’s also a checklist of tasks for you to complete before you arrive. You can also find out lots of information about student life at the University of Chester, as well as more detailed information on what you will be doing during Welcome Week, including a range of social and academic events designed to help ease you in to university life, on our Pre-Arrival Student Site (PASS) pass.chester.ac.uk

Download Induction Schedule

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Induction – Welcome Week Shrewsbury 2022

Start Date: 17 September 2022 12:00 am

End Date: 23 September 2022 12:00 am

Location:

Congratulations on gaining your place at the University of Chester!

Our Welcome Week aims to help you understand your course, get to know more about Shrewsbury, make new friends and have some fun! University can seem daunting at first, but by the end of Welcome Week we hope that you are settled in and feeling at home. The University of Chester is a friendly community, and we are here to you help you every step of the way.

We have prepared this summary of events to let you know what you’ll be doing during Welcome Week. There’s also a checklist of tasks for you to complete before you arrive. You can also find out lots of information about student life at the University of Chester, as well as more detailed information on what you will be doing during Welcome Week, including a range of social and academic events designed to help ease you into university life, on our Pre-Arrival Student Site (PASS) pass.chester.ac.uk

Download Induction Schedule

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Induction – Welcome Week Chester 2022

Start Date: 17 September 2022 12:00 am

End Date: 23 September 2022 12:00 am

Location:

Congratulations on gaining your place at the University of Chester!

Download Induction Schedule

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Chaplaincy Events

Start Date:

End Date:

Location:

Chaplaincy offer a safe space where religion, beliefs and worldviews can be expressed, explored and discussed together.

As well as our staff team we have a much wider team of Associate Chaplains, Faith Advisors and volunteers representing a variety of world faiths. For further information about these and further support for your religion or belief please see our dedicated Portal page.

Please do get in touch with us if you have any queries, would like to access our ‘listening space’ service or would like to know more about Chaplaincy.

Induction Week Events

Chill and Chat
Saturday 17 September
7.30pm-9pm
Community Hub, Exton Park
Team: Chaplaincy
Relax in the Community Hub with a chance to meet people, play board games and have a hot chocolate.

Chill and Chat
Sunday 18 December
7.30pm-9pm
Community Hub, Exton Park
Team: Chaplaincy
Relax in the Community Hub with a chance to meet people, play board games and have a hot chocolate

Soul Space: Pause for Prayer
Monday 19 September
8.30am-9.15am
Community Hub, Exton Park
Team: Chaplaincy
Start your week well with a short time of stillness & prayer, followed by breakfast.

Soul Space: Pause for Prayer
Wednesday 21 September
5.30pm-6pm
Community Hub, Exton Park
Team: Chaplaincy
Join us for a short time of reflection and prayer at the end of the day, followed by light refreshments.

Community Crafts
Thursday 22 September
2-4pm
Community Hub, Exton Park
Team: Chaplaincy
A relaxing afternoon to be creative, chat & enjoy cakes!

Faith Matters
Thursday 22 September
6-7.30pm
Community Hub, Exton Park
Team: Chaplaincy
Join us for some food together while we discuss important topics on life, faith, beliefs & values.

Soul Space: Night Peace
Thursday 22 September
8-8.30pm
University Chapel, Exton Park
Team: Chaplaincy
Night peace is in our beautiful chapel – candlelit with music. Come and rest for your soul.

Afternoon Cream Tea
Friday 23 September
2-4.30pm
Community Hub, Exton Park
Team: Chaplaincy
Take a break in your day and enjoy a cream tea and a chat in the Community Hub
Tags: Chaplaincy, community

Recurring Events

Soul Space: Pause for Prayer
Every Monday
8.30am-9.15am
Community Hub, Exton Park
Team: Chaplaincy
Start your week well with a short time of stillness & prayer, followed by breakfast.

Catholic Mass
Every Monday
1.05pm
University Chapel, Exton Park
Team: Chaplaincy
Join Fr Paul and others for this short service – all welcome.

One World Café
Every Tuesday
12.30pm-1.30pm
Community Hub, Exton Park
Team: Chaplaincy
Drop in for a shared lunch, get to know new people from around the world

Faith Matters
Every Tuesday
5.30pm-6.30pm
Community Hub, Exton Park
Team: Chaplaincy
Join us for some food together while we discuss important topics on life, faith, beliefs & values.

Community Gardeners
Every Wednesday
2pm-4pm
Community Hub, Exton Park
Team: Chaplaincy
Come and help us develop our new garden and meet up with others. No experience needed – lots of chat and snacks – all welcome!

Soul Space: Pause for Prayer
Every Wednesday
5.30pm-6.30pm
University Chapel, Exton Park
Team: Chaplaincy
Join us for a short time of reflection and prayer at the end of the day, followed by light refreshments.

Community Crafts
Every Thursday
2pm-4pm
Community Hub, Exton Park
Team: Chaplaincy
A relaxing afternoon to be creative, chat & enjoy cakes!

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Chester Difference Award Induction

Start Date: 21 September 2022 2:00 pm

End Date: 15 February 2023 12:45 pm

Location:

CDA Induction

Wednesday 21^st September 2022, 2pm-2:45pm

Join this induction to find out about the Chester Difference Award (CDA), the process and how you can start your own CDA journey.

CDA Induction

Wednesday 5^th October 2022, 12pm-12:45pm

Join an induction to find out about the Chester Difference Award (CDA), the process and how you can start your own CDA journey.

CDA Induction

Wednesday 2^nd November 2022, 2:00pm-2:45pm

Join this induction to find out about the Chester Difference Award (CDA), the process and how you can start your own CDA journey.

CDA Induction

Thursday 24^th November 2022, 2:00pm-2:45pm

Join this induction to find out about the Chester Difference Award (CDA), the process and how you can start your own CDA journey.

CDA Induction

Tuesday 17^th January 2023, 12:00pm-12:45pm

Join this induction to find out about the Chester Difference Award (CDA), the process and how you can start your own CDA journey.

CDA Induction

Wednesday 15^th February 2023, 12:00pm-12:45pm

Join an induction to find out about the Chester Difference Award (CDA), the process and how you can start your own CDA journey.

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Welly Wednesday Wildflower Planting at Countess of Chester Country Park

Start Date: 28 September 2022 10:00 am

End Date: 28 September 2022 3:00 pm

Location: Countess of Chester Country Park

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All students

Join us for our first Welly Wednesday session of the academic year! Welly Wednesdays is a Student-Led Volunteering Project, led by students for students! On Wednesday 28th September, from 10am – 3pm, we will be joining The Conservation Trust at the Countess of Chester Country Park to plant some wildflower seeds in the upper meadows and near the wetland. No experience is needed as everyone will be shown what to do on the day! This is a chance to get outdoors, meet other students and learn a bit about seed sewing. If this sounds like something you would be interested in, head over to our Volunteer Hub to find out more and apply https://volunteering.chester.ac.uk/details/756/ Welly Wednesdays run different conservation sessions throughout the academic year, so make sure to follow them on social media (@wellywednesday_uoc – Instagram) and keep an eye out on their profile on our Volunteer Hub for upcoming sessions.

Any questions email volunteering@chester.ac.uk

Apply on Volunteer Hub https://volunteering.chester.ac.uk/details/756/

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Health & Fitness – Sport and Active Lifestyle

18 September 2022

Whatever your fitness levels, interest in sport or experience we have something for you at the University of Chester.

Many of our facilities and programmes are free to use for students including our fitness classes, Active Campus activities, golf simulator, spin studio, squash courts, tennis courts, 3G and Astro pitches and sports hall.

Our facilities include:

Large sports hall for badminton, volleyball, basketball, futsal, archery, trampoline, cricket, dodgeball, and netball
Floodlit 3G Multi-use Games Area for football, rugby union, rugby league, ultimate frisbee, American football,
Floodlit hockey astroturf for hockey, lacrosse, rounders, softball, quidditch
Floodlit tennis courts for tennis, netball and basketball
Floodlit sprint track
Squash courts
Studio for dance, cheerleading, mixed martial arts, fencing, pole fitness and HEMA
Spinning studio
Golf simulator studio
Indoor and outdoor table tennis
25m Swimming pool for swimming and water polo
Over 100-piece fitness suite
Regular fun fitness classes in our studios
Grass pitches for football, rugby union, rugby league and American football
Access to local facilities for athletics, rowing, equestrian, sailing and canoeing

Athletics’ Union

With over 40 sports on offer at the University and a vast array of facilities to use, our Athletics’ Union is the perfect platform for you to achieve your potential in whatever sport you wish to continue with, renew your love for or even try out for the first time.

From lacrosse to rowing, cricket to archery, we have a sport that you can excel in. If we don’t have a sport that you want to try, don’t panic – we also have links to local clubs that do and can facilitate you joining, so please get in touch.

The majority of our teams play in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) leagues, and we compete against other universities within the North-West such as Liverpool, Manchester, Lancaster and Edge Hill to name a few.

With alumni such as cycling supremo Dave Brailsford, Olympic gold and silver medallist in cycling and rowing Rebecca Romero, Netball legend Tracey Neville and ex-women’s rugby union captain Gill Burns, Chester is the perfect environment to launch you into your next phase of development.

Active Campus Programme

If you’re not interested in joining a sports team but still want to engage in some team and individual activities, then our Active Campus Programme is just the thing for you. With regular, free, non-competitive activities on offer, our programme gives you and your friends the opportunity to join in and have fun without the commitment needed to join a sports team. Activities include:

Ultimate frisbee
Urban golf
Walk and Talk
Couch to 5K
Badminton
Table tennis
Tennis
Netball
5-a-side football

Click here for more info.

Virtual fitness

Want to work out at a time to suit you? Our virtual fitness challenges and classes could be the perfect option. Join our communities on our very own Playwaze app and engage in physical activity challenges, link your fitbit to the app and record your step counts or even go for a bike ride and log the highest number of kilometres in your friendship group. Our monthly challenges fit in with our themed fitness months such as MOVEmber, You-Can-Jan, FitFeb, Mindful March, Active April and Move in May. Challenges are fun, engaging and you can see instant results.

Alternatively, as a student you can also access one of our many on-demand fitness classes via Portal.

Additional support

Our Active Wellbeing Programme is designed to support you with mental health issues and uses physical activity as a form of therapy to support you with a range of concerns. Alongside the activity programme we also offer support with lifestyle management, nutrition, quitting smoking, sleeping, organisation and how to look after yourself in general.

For more information on any of our programmes then please visit our Portal pages or follow us on Instagram:

Sport and Active Lifestyle – Portal
Athletics’ Union – Portal
Sport and Active Lifestyle – Instagram
Athletics’ Union – Instagram

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Sustainability at the University of Chester

18 September 2022

The Sustainability Unit at the University of Chester sits within the Estates & Facilities department and aims to ensure that the University leads by example, putting sustainability at the heart of decision making and service delivery. Our goal is to embed sustainability throughout our campuses, curriculum, culture, and community.

Campus

When it comes to sustainability on campus, there are key areas such as energy reduction, waste and recycling, water, transport, and biodiversity. We have a target to reach Net Zero for scope one and two emissions by 2030 (emissions from our electricity, gas and fuel consumption). Whilst on campus, you will see some of the physical changes and technologies needed to achieve this, from solar panels and LED lights to light sensors and improved heating systems. We’re currently looking at our estate to see what actions we can take to improve our spaces and reduce our carbon emissions.

The University also has a recycling target. In addition to aiming to reduce the amount of waste produced in the first place, we aim to increase recycling rates to 65% by 2025 and 75% by 2030. There are many recycling bins around campus, if you’re unsure of what can and cannot be recycled, have a look at this handy A-Z guide!

There are many ways in which waste is being reduced. The University has recently signed up to Warp It, to redistribute unwanted items. Food waste can be a big contributor to carbon emissions, and the catering department work hard to minimise the amount of food waste created by regularly reviewing menus. During term time, the community fridge in the Sustainability Shop on Exton Park is stocked with meals left at the end of service and sold at a reduced price.

The department also work closely with Grounds & Gardens on their ‘Garden 2 Table’ initiative, growing vegetables in their greenhouses, which is then used by chefs to create seasonal meals with very low food milage! We don’t use disposable cups or takeout boxes in our catering outlets. If you want to grab a coffee to take to a lecture, bring along a reusable cup or opt into our Drop n’ Swap scheme; paying a £2 deposit, you can drop off your used cup at any catering outlet rather than having to remember to bring one!

Curriculum

Students graduating from the University will be at the forefront of tackling the climate crisis across a variety of organisations and sectors which is why embedding sustainability in the taught and informal curriculum is important. We are committed to ensuring our students leave with the knowledge and skills needed to become engaged citizens, able to lead change in their professional and personal lives.

In June 2020, the University was awarded Responsible Futures Working Towards Award, after demonstrating commitment and action to embed sustainability in the curriculum. There are case studies from departments across the University that highlight this such as, Chester Business School integrating environmental audits in the final year Tourism Futures module.

In August 2021, we began delivering Carbon Literacy Training to staff and students. The training covers the science behind climate change and provides attendees the practical knowledge to make a positive difference. As we enter the new academic year, we aim to deliver the training to more students and staff, who can go onto to become Carbon Literacy Trainers.

Cultures

We aim to provide regular opportunities for students and staff to get involved with sustainability at the University, whether that’s volunteering at the allotment or joining our Digital Climate Cafes. We are implementing an Environmental Management System (an Environmental Management System is a way for an organisation to manage its impact on the environment in a structured approach, helping to manage environmental performance and identify any risks and impacts). As part of this, we will be working to create a clear reporting system for students and staff to contribute valuable ideas into key areas such as transport, waste, education etc. Alongside volunteering opportunities, we also have a programme called Climate Action. This is designed for staff to improve the sustainability performance of their department. The programme is currently under review as we make changes to ensure that it is achievable for all departments to take part in.

Community

The University can have a positive impact on our local area, whether it’s through events and volunteering or research and teaching. We aim to support and engage with groups within our local communities through our activities. For example, we work closely with Bren Bikes, donating abandoned bikes to them, who then refurbish and sell them on at an affordable price. For many years, we have taken part in British Heart Foundations’ end of term ‘Pack for Good’ campaign, encouraging students to donate unwanted items such as clothes and books. Earlier this summer, a second BHF donation bank was added to Exton Park due to the increase in donations!

The University was a key partner in delivering the Youth Conference at the first Green Expo in Chester earlier in June. The Chester Youth Climate Action Network (Chester Youth CAN) comprised of current students, recent graduates and apprentices from Chester Zoo, who designed and delivered a programme of activities to inspire future generations to consider careers in the sustainability/green sectors. We work with our community partners to share the positive action happening locally and there are often numerous volunteering or work placements available.

Stay in touch

We’re looking forward to the year ahead and are busy planning our Sustainability Festival for early November. For the latest information on events and opportunities to get involved follow us @GreenChester on Facebook and Twitter or @Greenuochester on Instagram!

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