On 24 October, Raise and Give (RaG) groups from over 230 different universities, including Kings College London, Nottingham and Leeds, travelled to London to raise money for Breast Cancer Campaign, with 47 people from Kent RaG joining them.

They spent the day in London collecting donations in their charity buckets – dressed in pink.

Helen Lafferty, a RaG member, tells us how the RaG raid helped bring members together for a good cause:

‘Our volunteers all met so many new people, raised thousands of pounds for charity, and had an incredible experience we will never forget. I would absolutely love to go again, and am looking forward to the next RaG raid’.

Overall Kent RaG raised £11,771 for Breast Cancer Campaign – this money goes towards research projects that are attempting to find a cure for breast cancer, as well as awareness campaigns that aim to familiarise people with the signs of breast cancer so that they can seek early diagnosis. RaG’s top fundraiser, Charlotte Cox, raised an amazing £694.31 in one day!

Many volunteers who went on the raid were first-timers. If you’d like to join the next RaG raid look out for information on Kent RaG’s Facebook page.

For the University’s 50th anniversary, Kent Union and its volunteers have been given some money to redevelop the campus garden, to create a peaceful space away from busy campus life.

Not only does this project give students the opportunity to shape the way that campus looks, it’s a great way to get beat deadline stress and gain some practical skills.

Volunteers are invited to come along to the sessions which are taking place every other week and help clear the shrubs and plan what the garden will look like in the future.

The first session involved clearing large areas of the ground to provide a new base for development – five volunteers came out on a remarkably warm day to help out.

The second session involved painting the campus garden shed to make it a more friendly space for volunteer gardeners to meet.

Tom Abbott, Kent Union’s Volunteer Projects Coordinator, is leading the project:

‘Despite the cold weather five volunteers took up the task of painting the shed up at the campus garden – I was really impressed with their dedication and hard work. Once the project is complete the shed will be a base for all the activity we hope will go on at the garden and thanks to the Kent Union volunteers.’

If you’re interested in getting involved it’s not too late – this project will continue on into next term. Email volunteering@kent.ac.uk to register your interest or visit Kent Union’s website to sign up for the next project.

The University Lost Consort will open the musical beginning to the Advent season this Friday (5 December) at 5pm, in the ancient and atmospheric Undercroft of Eastbridge Hospital, Canterbury.

Conducted by Dan Harding, and with harpist Emma Murton, the upper-voice choir will perform Britten’s enchanting ‘Ceremony of Carols’ in a free performance, with a retiring collection in aid of the Pilgrim’s Hospital.

More details are available at: http://kent.ac.uk/music/whatson.html?tab=december

The student-led volunteering society, Canterbury Homeless Outreach (CHO), is passionate about helping the homeless.

The student group fundraises for homeless charities such as Porchlight and Catching Lives, and aims to raise awareness of issues affecting homeless people.

CHO recently held a ‘Party for Porchlight’ to celebrate 40 years of the Charity’s work and raise essential funds to support the work they carry out. The event was a huge success and featured a raffle, apple bobbing, Halloween themed drinks and loads of giveaways!

The Penny Theatre hosted the event and Canterbury Homeless Outreach did all the organising. 15 volunteers were closely involved in the planning of the event and the whole society contributed to decision making, leafleting and walking buses.

This was a fantastic effort made by Canterbury Homeless Outreach volunteers and the event raised an amazing £584 through ticket sales alone. Making a significant contribution to their £5000 fundraising target for the year.

Canterbury Homeless Outreach a number of bucket collections this month so keep an eye out on their Facebook page for details of how to get involved.

Stage Spiders is a student-led volunteering society that works with children and young people to encourage their confidence and creativity.

It also raises money for a number of charities such as Demelza Children’s Hospice and Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity.

This November, Stage Spiders took to the plaza in their pajamas and onesies to raise money for Children in Need. They had a brilliant day spent outside Essentials in their onesies and pyjamas, painting faces and speaking to students who were passing by. In total they managed to raise £264.74. With the money they raised from their Virgin Money fundraising page this total was boosted to an amazing £434.74.

If you want to find out more about Stage Spiders and how to get involved check out their page on the Kent Union website.

Medway Student Services would like to ask for your support again this year for The Open House Project Christmas Appeal by donating items of food, non-perishable goods and Christmas treats to help those in need over the Christmas period.

Donations of food such as biscuits, cakes, Christmas food treats and other non-perishable goods with long sell by dates including toiletries and Christmas items would be much appreciated.

Please bring donations to Lynne, Theresa or Sarah in G0-05 or Micky/Jodie at Medway Building Reception between now and Friday 12 December.

Please rummage through your cupboards at home to provide any items you can spare, or if you are willing to purchase an extra item when you do your shopping this weekend and bring these in to us, it would be very much appreciated.

The Open House Project is a drop-in centre for those people in our community living alone or who are homeless, located in the Quaker Meeting House in Rochester. It is open every Saturday from 2-4pm, when other local support agencies are closed. They aim to provide food, shelter and companionship in a peaceful and friendly environment. They will be opening over the Christmas Holiday.

For further information, contact Lynne Regan.

Cathrine Gyldensted, journalist, author and Associate Professor at DIS, Copenhagen, Denmark, will give a talk on ‘Changing the News: Innovating Journalism through Positive Psychology’ on Wednesday 10 December at 1pm.

Every day, we’re exposed to news stories about the faults and failures of society and humanity. What would happen if we applied principles from positive psychology and social psychology to how we communicate news? While critical reporting has toppled presidents and kept power in check, research suggests that news reporting with a ‘negativity bias’ might also induce helplessness and apathy in us rather than foster engaged, informed, global citizens.

Cathrine Glydensted’s talk argues that journalism with constructive angles, interviewing and constructive debate formats has the power to be both critical and foster positive change for people and societies.

This Centre for Journalism talk, linked to the 50th anniversary Happiness Project, will take place in G1-04, Gillingham Building, on Medway campus. All are welcome.

The Kent Student Awards recognise outstanding extracurricular student activity at Kent.

Kent Student Award winners receive cash prizes, official recognition from the University and unique opportunities to gain new experiences as students and alumni. Runners-up will also receive a prize and all nominees will receive a certificate to recognise their contribution.

This year we are telling you early so you can start building your experience to make sure you’ve got the best shot at being nominated and winning a Kent Student Award.

There are three new categories this year which recognise student fundraisers, students who have overcome significant challenges, and this year, one student will receive the prestigious Chancellor’s Prize.

View last year’s winners and find out more.