What we did for Students in December 2015:

• World Aids Day (Tuesday 1^st December 2015).  We showed our support for World Aids Day by wearing red and bringing students and staff together in the SLZ alongside Bolton Pride to recreate the universal symbol of awareness and support for those living with HIV; the red ribbon. ​Arthur gave a brief speech about the importance of HIV and AIDS awareness after which we stood together to form a human red ribbon and were photographed by the University and local news to create a lasting image. The LGBT Society also showed support alongside Bolton Pride through a Sexual Health Stall promoting safer sex and selling red ribbons to help raise funds for the cause. Read more about how we marked World Aids Day here

• Students came to us saying they were unhappy with the queues they were experiencing at break and lunch times at the food outlets and cash machine.   We liaised with the University regarding this issue, and they informed us they would stagger some classes for Semester 2 to try and alleviate some of the problems.  The University has also agreed to increase the lunch break from ½ hour to a full hour.  Thank you to those students who brought this to our attention.      

• TLAN students told us that they had not received their discretionary bursary, and were worried about the delay.  Arthur and Vivienne (SU Community Engagement Officer) worked closely with the University, in particular Gill Waugh, Head of School Education and Psychology, to keep students updated with the progress of their bursaries - offering advice, support and helping to retain a number of students.  The bursary has now been paid. 

• On the 10^th December, the SU organised a Christmas Jumper Day and Christmas Bake Sale.  Staff and students baked and donated cakes to sell to raise funds for Bolton Hospice.  We sold Bolton Hospice Christmas Draw tickets, and Michelle (CEC) baked and donated another of her fabulous cakes for us to raffle.   There was also a tombola which raised funds for Fort Alice, the Women’s Refuge in Bolton.  The bake sale raised £247 for Bolton Hospice and £44 was raised by selling Bolton Hospice raffle tickets.  The tombola stall raised £83 for Fort Alice.  We would like to thank everyone who donated cakes and tombola prizes and thanks to those who came along to buy cakes and raffle tickets.

• 14 Days of Happiness. Whilst Christmas time is an opportunity to give presents to our nearest and dearest, this time of year also provides us all with an opportunity to reflect on our lives and make positive changes for the future.  Inspired by the 10 Keys to Happier Living from Action for Happiness, Bolton SU ran 14 days of happiness in the run up to the festive break to encourage students to think about their contribution to their relationships and the world around them. You can read more about the project on our blog. 

• Lots of students took part in sharing their thoughts and feelings with us on subjects such as ‘how do you bounce back in tough times’ (‘Talk to my Mum’) or ‘what do you do to help others’? (‘Listen to people’)

• Students also took time out from studying and revision to take part in our challenges – can you get an After Eight Mint from your forehead to your mouth using only your facial muscles?  The answer is, yes, most of you can!  Can you keep 3 balloons in the air for a minute? The answer is, no, only one person in the University managed to do this!