Author Archives: Miriam Sandiford

Events roundup: 10-16 October

It’s going to be a busy week with plenty to get involved in, including World Mental Health Day, Employability Festival and Black History Month events! Here’s a roundup for you:

All week: Employability Festival #EmpFest22

Our Employability Festival is back! Develop employability skills and gain valuable industry insights from staff, alumni, guest speakers and industry experts. Browse all the EmpFest events.

Monday: World Mental Health Day activities and covid vaccination pop-up (Medway)

There’s plenty happening at our campuses on Monday for World Mental Health Day. At Canterbury you can get a free hot drink and biscuits (11.00-14.00), do some mindful colouring and talk to mental health advisers and other support staff. Plus you can join the Wellbeing Café or the Climate Café in the afternoon.

At Medway, you can go along to the Wellbeing Fair in Pilkington, see cute dogs in Drill Hall Library and even get a massage or your nails done at the Hub!

There is a covid vaccination pop up at the Deep End (Student Hub) at the Medway campus 10.00-15.00. Find out if you are eligible.

Tuesday: LinkedIn headshots and 10,000 Black Interns launch

Want a professional LinkedIn headshot? Matt Cook photography is at our Canterbury campus to take your photo for free.

If you want to know more about what to look for in a graduate job, come along to this Finding a Graduate Job session at our Medway campus.

Tuesday is the launch of the 10,000 Black interns programme. Join online and find out about the interns offered to Black students and graduates across the UK, as well as training and professional development.

Wednesday: Jobshop part-time jobs fair and inspirational speaker

The Jobshop part-time, temporary and seasonal Jobs Fair is a great opportunity to find a job for Christmas, next year or just to network.

As part of Black History Month, tune in to watch inspirational speaker Ezechi Britton ‘The Journey from software developer to VC and MBE’, and hear his tips for success.

You can also do some pretzel decorating at The Hub for Oktoberfest. Choose from sweet and savoury toppings.

If you’re in stage 2 and planning to Study Abroad next year, come along to this Study Abroad session to find out about finance and the application process.

Thursday: BHM Canvas painting and EmpFest events

Express what Black History Month or the Black experience means to you by painting mini canvasses with pictures, patterns, words, or whatever you want at the Venue.

There’s lots of EmpFest events on Thursday including Finding Disability Confident Employers, Simplifying the Job Search for International Students and Women and Careers in Finance.

Sunday: Sustainability Walk

On Sunday you can take a guided sustainability walk across campus, taking in the changing seasons. Meet outside Templeman Library.

Opportunities

Ten Kent students will win £1,000 for simply registering online with the Santander Scholarship programme by 20 November. Register for free now.
Get involved in the Black Student Voices project
What makes you smile? Medway photo competition for World Mental Health Day
Be part of the University Community Choir

See more student events on the Student Guide.

Gender Affirmation Fund (trans, non-binary and gender-neutral students)

**This fund has now closed**

At Kent we want all our students to be able to live, work and study to the fullest of their abilities, and we want to ensure that we are removing as many barriers to that success as possible.

We recognise that transgender, non-binary and gender-neutral individuals face additional mental health pressures that are directly related to their gender identity. Many of these additional stresses are directly caused by the potential misalignment between how an individual presents in terms of clothing and appearance, and their own identity. This stress can have a direct impact upon an individual’s ability to work, study and engage in their academic commitments. A significant barrier causing this misalignment is the cost of having to purchase additional items to reduce gender dysphoria.

As part of our commitment to supporting students with their mental health, we have created the Gender Affirmation Fund. This fund is available to students who identify as transgender, non-binary or gender neutral and can be used to help support students with the costs of gender affirming items such as binders, clothing, packers, makeup, hair extensions, pouches, Stand To Pee devices, gendered religious headwear or clothing and minor cosmetic procedures such as ear piercing or for managing body hair to help individuals feel more comfortable in their own bodies.

Applications are now open, and the fund is available to any student who identifies as transgender, non-binary or gender neutral and can be accessed once in your academic career. The only eligibility criteria is that you must be a registered student enrolled on any University of Kent academic programme.

Find out more about the fund and apply.

Covid-19 vaccination pop up at Medway, 10-11 Oct

NHS vaccination teams will be on site at the Medway campus on 10 and 11 October,10.00-15.00, on in the Deep End (Student Hub) to offer Covid-19 vaccinations.

Who can get vaccinated?

Students and staff who have not have received their full UK course of vaccinations (for most people, this will be a first and second dose and one booster dose);
Students and staff who are eligible to receive a seasonal booster dose in autumn 2022. This includes anyone over 50 and those in certain vulnerable groups;
International students can get vaccinated in the UK if they fall into any of these categories.

Find out more information about Covid-19 vaccination. See student FAQs for Covid-19 vaccination.

Get together on campus for World Mental Health Day 2022

To mark World Mental Health Day on Monday 10 October 2022, all members of the University of Kent community are invited to gather together and find out more about support available.

To recognise the importance of community and belonging in maintaining good mental health, we are hosting World Mental Health activities in both Canterbury and Medway for students and staff. Come on your own or bring your friends, flatmates, course mates, or colleagues and find out lots of ways you can boost your mental health and wellbeing at Kent.

For full details of what’s on at each location, please visit kent.ac.uk/wellbeing.

Canterbury wellbeing highlights

Staff and students on the Canterbury campus are invited to come and get a free hot drink and biscuit from the Templeman Library Terrace from 11.00-14.00 on Monday 10 October. Bring your own reusable cup if you can to help the health of the planet, and the first 180 people to come along can also take a free new Kent mug! Chat to the College and Community Life team student Residential Life Assistants about a variety of activities to connect with yourself and others, get creative with some colouring activities to do, and find out more about wellbeing initiatives coming up such as the Climate Cafe and Wellbeing Cafe.

Medway wellbeing highlights

Fancy winning some Amazon vouchers? The World Mental Health Day photo challenge is a free photography competition open to all Medway campus students and staff – share an image or moment that made you smile.

On campus on Monday? Come along to Pilkington building to meet with different support teams from the Universities at Medway as well as local mental health charities, who will be giving out some freebies and explaining what support is on offer. Drop into the Hub between 11.00-15.00 to get your nails done or have a free massage, or head to the Drill Hall Library for Pets as Therapy (cute dogs) and some books on wellbeing. See Medway World Mental Health Day events.

Student Support and Wellbeing – professional support for all students at Kent

Could you use professional help for your mental health? Did you know that Kent has a professional support service of over 100 specialist staff providing support in person and online? We’re here to support you with mental health, disabilities, and neurodiversity such as specific learning difficulties or autism, through 1:1 support as well as peer support groups and events.

There will be Student Support and Wellbeing staff at both Canterbury and Medway events where you can get advice on how to find support. You can also check out our Mental Health webpages and a short video of top mental health tips from our mental health team.

Look out for #UniKentWellbeing on the socials for more information year-round on what’s happening across the University for you.

24/7 support

Feel like you really need to talk to someone but the Student Support offices are closed? Check out the Emergency Support page with details on online, text, and telephone support available round the clock.

Written by Joshua Stevens and Natalia Crisanti, Student Services, updated 03.10.22

World Mental Health Day: Medway events and photo competition

Monday 10 October is World Mental Health Day! It’s an opportunity to reflect upon your mental health and find new ways to support your wellbeing. Find out what’s planned at our Medway campus:

Pets as Therapy, 10 October

Miss your pets at home? Love dogs? The Pets as Therapy dogs will be in the Drill Hall Library between 12.00-14.00. Take a break from studying and go and have a cuddle!

Wellbeing Fair, 10 October

Come along to Pilkington building 11.00-15.00 to meet with different support teams from the Universities at Medway as well as local mental health charities. Pick up some freebies and find out what support is on offer.

Free massages and nails, 10 October

Need to de-stress? Drop into the Hub between 11.00-15.00 to get your nails done or have a free massage.

Create a wellbeing collage, 11 October

Join Medway Chaplain Lynne and other students to create a wellbeing collage on Tuesday 11 October 10.00-14.00 in the Drill Hall Library.

Wellbeing book display

You can also check out the wellbeing book display in the Drill Hall Library. Have a browse and see if there are some books which might help you find some calm.

Wellbeing photo competition – what makes you smile?

To celebrate the World Mental Health Day, this photo challenge is an opportunity for you to share an image or moment that made you smile. Enter this free photography competition to win great prizes including Amazon vouchers. Open to all Medway campus students and staff.

Book an appointment with a Careers Adviser

You can access help through online or face-to-face appointments using our booking system, where you will find 15-minute Quick Advice appointments, 45-minute Careers Guidance appointments, or even practice interview slots for when you have a job interview lined up.

If you aren’t sure what you want to do after Kent, a Careers Guidance appointment will help you in making decisions and future plans. If you just have a quick question, or would like a CV or application reviewed, a Quick Advice appointment is best.

Online resources

There’s also have a practice interview system that will help you improve your video interview performance.

If you find yourself being invited for an assessment centre, you might want to check out the practice tests which give feedback on how you are performing. If you’re looking to gain some experience, but want to work remotely, check out the guide to developing skills at home.

Events roundup: 3-9 October

All week: Black History month events

October is Black History Month and the theme this year is ‘Time for Change: Actions not words’. Get inspired at our Black Pioneers exhibitions at both Canterbury and Medway campuses. See the exhibition in the Drill Hall Library Café at Medway (throughout the month) and in Keynes Atrium at our Canterbury campus (from 10 October). As well as these exhibitions, there are also online and in-person events throughout the month.

Monday: Part-time job help and Chorus choir practice

Would you like a part-time job but not sure where to start? Join this online session about finding a part-time job.

An un-auditioned choir of around 100 singers, the Chorus, meets weekly on Monday evenings, and prepares for three concerts in the year with the Symphony Orchestra, both on campus and in Canterbury Cathedral.

This Imperialism Past and Present event at Gulbenkian Arts Centre is free for students. Book your ticket online.

Tuesday: Free LinkedIn headshots (Medway) and independent learning

Get a professional LinkedIn Headshot at our Medway campus. Photographer Matt Cook will be taking free headshot photos 10.00-16.00 so don’t miss out.

Our Student Learning Advisory Service have a wide range of online bitesize sessions. On Tuesday, you can join the session about Independent learning, reflective & critical thinking.

Wednesday: Mindfulness and inspirational speaker

If you’d like a moment of calm, consider joining the in-person mindfulness session on Wednesday 17.00-18.00. Or there is an earlier online mindfulness session 13.00-14.00.

Hear from inspirational speaker Kami Asamani on Wednesday 15.00-17.00 in Marlowe Lecture Theatre. Kami studied BA Politics and International Relations and LLM International Law with International Relations. She works for the British Council, as Head of Business Management for Arts Sub Saharan Africa. Hear her inspiring story and ask any questions. The event will also be livestreamed.

Get involved in the Inter College Football League and play for your College football team. Find out where and when your trial takes place.

Thursday: careers support

Our Careers and Employability Service offers lots of sessions to help you on your career journey. On Thursday you can join a session on how to answer interview questions and how to network. Both these events are taking place in Keynes and will also be livestreamed.

Friday: Mature, Part-Time and Commuting Network coffee social

There’s a Mature, Part-Time and Commuting Network coffee social happening at Woody’s on Friday. Meet other students in a similar position to you.

Opportunities

Become a Student Ambassador (some deadlines this week)
Get involved in the Black Student Voices project
Apply to be a Global Officer (deadline – 10 October)
Book an appointment with a Careers Advisor

Check out the student events calendar to see all the events.

Black History Month: Time for Change; Actions, Not Words 

October can only mean one thing… we’re celebrating Black History Month at Kent. This year, the national theme is ‘Time for Change: Action, Not Words’ and this has never felt more pertinent. At Kent, we are committed to ensuring that all our students and staff, including our Black students and staff, have the best experience possible whilst they are with us.  

Celebrating Black History

Black History Month is an opportunity for us as an organisation to celebrate and recognise the myriad of ways in which Black people have contributed to the arts, science, culture, history and technology of Britain and the wider world. It allows us to shine a spotlight on those achievements, and also provides a platform for staff and students to discuss and reflect on their own experiences. Our activities here are organised by a team of people that include the BAME Staff and Student Networks and representatives.  

Get involved – Black History Month events

Events to look out for include art exhibitions, a book club, online theatre screenings, an open mic night, a coffee morning, 10,000 Black Interns project, Inspirational Speaker Ezechi Britton MBE, film screenings, a Black Owned Business Market and lots of online resources for you to enjoy and to deepen your own learning. 

Plus, don’t miss our BHM staff webinars – Introduction to Anti-Racism and Next steps to Allyship.

Check out Kent Union’s Black History Month website for all events and resources.

Continuing the celebrations #Black365

We don’t just limit this celebration to one month a year. That is why we have #Black365; a series of events and activities that take place throughout the year that continue the legacy of Black History Month.

Challenging racism also takes a university-wide approach and we know there is always more we can put in place to both be better and do better. We recently launched our Antiracism Strategy which outlined our commitment to taking action against all forms of racism at the University, and beyond.

We also launched our work on the Race Equality Charter, the national framework which universities use to identify and self-reflect on institutional and cultural barriers that stand in the way of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff and students to help us grow and improve as an institution. 

We really hope you explore and enjoy all the different events and activities that have been organised by staff and students for staff and students. We are always seeking to improve though, so if you have any ideas for the future, or feedback, please do get in contact with us on StudentEDI@kent.ac.uk 

Happy Black History Month 22! 

#BHMKent22 

Black History Month: Time for Change; Actions, Not Words 

Celebrating Black History

Get involved – Black History Month events

Events to look out for include art exhibitions, a book club, online theatre screenings, an open mic night, a coffee morning, 10,000 Black Interns project, Inspirational Speaker Ezechi Britton MBE, film screenings, staff webinars, a Black Owned Business Market and lots of online resources for you to enjoy and to deepen your own learning. 

Check out Kent Union’s Black History Month website for all events and resources.

Continuing the celebrations #Black365

Happy Black History Month 22! 

#BHMKent22 

Become a Student Ambassador

Be inspirational, be a Student Ambassador.

Are you interested in sharing your experience and knowledge of university life with the wider community? Then why not help others and gain valuable experience by becoming a Student Ambassador!

The University of Kent’s Student Ambassador Scheme employs enthusiastic undergraduate and postgraduate students to represent the University at on-campus events, in local schools and colleges, in the community and online.

Students can apply to be an ambassador for:

The Central Ambassador Scheme
The Academic Divisional Ambassador Scheme
BOTH the Central Scheme and their Academic Division.

Medway students are particularly encouraged to apply.

Check out the Student Ambassador vacancy webpage for more information about how to apply.

Some deadlines are coming up very soon so if you’re interested, check it out today.