Author Archives: Miriam Sandiford

Clocks going back: plan your journey home (Medway)

Clocks go back on Sunday night. As it will get darker earlier, here’s some top tips to help you #StaySafe. Whether you’re going on a night out or you’re working late in town, make sure to plan your journey home.

Check bus services

Depending on how late you stay out, you might be able to catch a bus home. Arriva is the main bus operator in Medway. Find out more about bus services in Medway.

Booking a registered taxi

If you’re booking a taxi, make sure it is registered. You can tell if a taxi is licensed by checking if there is a licence plate on the front and back of the vehicle. They are usually positioned under or next to the vehicle registration plate. Drivers of licensed taxis will also be wearing an ID badge and you can ask to see this if it is not immediately visible.

Recommended walking routes on campus

If you’re walking across campus at night, we recommend you use the following walking routes that are fully lit:

Campus Security Walking Taxi service

If you don’t want to walk home alone on campus, you can call Campus Security on 01227 82 3300 and they can arrange for a member of Security to walk with you.

Look out for your friends and don’t leave anyone behind #StaySafe

Clocks going back: plan your journey home (Canterbury)

Catch the night bus

You can catch the Stagecoach Uni2 bus after a night out in Canterbury. It’s a 24 hour service (excluding Sundays, bank holidays, Christmas and Summer vacation). Learn more about Stagecoach bus routes and discounts.

Student safe taxi scheme

In Canterbury, we operate the student safe taxi scheme with Longleys Private Hire, a local taxi firm. The scheme gives students who find themselves in a vulnerable situation safe travel to their accommodation or another destination, such as a police station or local hospital. Students can request a taxi through the scheme even if they do not have the funds to pay the fare at the time of booking, as fares can be paid later on the Online Store.

We recommend you sign up to the scheme in advance in case you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to use it. Registration is quick and simple and all students who register will be entitled to discounted taxi fares on all journeys with Longleys.

Booking a registered taxi

Campus Security Walking Taxi service

If you don’t want to walk home alone on campus, you can call Campus Security on 01227 82 3300 and they can arrange for a member of Security to walk with you.

Canterbury Connected Routes

Connected Routes is a joint initiative been University of Kent, Kent Union and Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU). By joining up, we can offer support to you in Canterbury city as well as on campus. Any activation of SafeZone on the Connected Routes will give the Kent or CCCU security control room your location, so they can offer you support. Plus there are refuge points where you can go if you ever feel unsafe or need support. Find out more about the Connected Routes.

Look out for your friends and don’t leave anyone behind #StaySafe

BFI London Film Festival comes to the Gulbenkian

This November the BFI London Film Festival comes to campus at the Gulbenkian, with a season of screenings of films making waves at the film festival. These include Oscar tipped The Banchees of Inisherin, My Policeman starring Harry Styles, and Bros, the LGBTQ+ rom-com getting rave reviews.

The Banshees of Inisherin

Fri 11, Sat 12 and Thu 17 Nov, 19.00

Set on a remote island off the west coast of Ireland, ‘The Banshees Of Inisherin’ follows lifelong friends Padraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson), who find themselves at an impasse when Colm unexpectedly puts an end to their friendship.

Book for The Banshees of Inisherin

Decision to Leave

Sat 19, Wed 23 and Thu 24 Nov, 19.00

A man falls from a mountain peak to his death. The detective in charge of the investigation, Hae-joon (Park Hae-il), comes to meet the dead man’s wife Seo-rae (Tang Wei). When she becomes a suspect, Hae-joon finds himself slowly developing an interest in her.

Book for Decision to Leave

My Policeman

Sun 20 & Mon 21 Nov, 19.00

A beautifully crafted story of forbidden love and changing social conventions, My Policeman follows three young people – policeman Tom (Harry Styles), teacher Marion, and museum curator Patrick as they embark on an emotional journey in 1950s Britain.

Book for My Policeman

Triangle of Sadness

Sat 26, Sun 27 Nov & Thu 1 Dec, 19.00

Two-time Palme d’Or winner Ruben Ostlund cements his position as contemporary cinema’s leading satirist with this savagely funny tale of class clashes and role reversals.

Book for Triangle of Sadness

Bros

Fri 25 & Tue 29 Nov, 19.00

Universal Pictures proudly presents the first romantic comedy from a major studio about two gay men maybe, possibly, probably stumbling towards love. Maybe. They’re both very busy.

Book for Bros

Call Jane

Mon 28 & Wed 30 Nov, 19.00

A housewife is overjoyed with the news of her pregnancy – until she learns it poses a threat to her own life. She has nowhere to turn until she meets an underground group of women who risk everything to provide people like her with a choice.

Book for Call Jane

Staff discounts at the Gulbenkian

New for this year, Gulbenkian have introduced a Kent Staff Membership. For only £10 you get:

4 free cinema tickets
20% off all films for 12 months
plus 40% of selected theatre for 12 months
and 10% off in the Gulbenkian Café………for 12 months
AND your discount can be applied for up to 6 tickets per event!

Visit the Gulbenkian site to buy you £10 membership.

Waterfront Leisure – tours and discounted membership (Medway)

Waterfront Leisure on Pier Road has recently re-opened its doors after an extended period of closure. Facilities include a swimming pool, gym, squash courts, a spinning room and members bar.

Waterfront are keen to partner with the Universities at Medway and offer a discounted membership to staff and students. There is an Open Day on Thursday 3 November with slots available for tours starting at 10.00, 14.00 and 16.00. They will also discuss membership options and discounts with those who attend.

If you are interested in taking a look, please sign up for one of the slots by following the Eventbrite link Waterfront Leisure Open Day Tickets, Gillingham | Eventbrite

BFI London Film Festival comes to the Gulbenkian

The Banshees of Inisherin

Fri 11, Sat 12 and Thu 17 Nov, 19.00

Book for The Banshees of Inisherin

Decision to Leave

Sat 19, Wed 23 and Thu 24 Nov, 19.00

Book for Decision to Leave

My Policeman

Sun 20 & Mon 21 Nov, 19.00

Book for My Policeman

Triangle of Sadness

Sat 26, Sun 27 Nov & Thu 1 Dec, 19.00

Two-time Palme d’Or winner Ruben Ostlund cements his position as contemporary cinema’s leading satirist with this savagely funny tale of class clashes and role reversals.

Book for Triangle of Sadness

Bros

Fri 25 & Tue 29 Nov, 19.00

Universal Pictures proudly presents the first romantic comedy from a major studio about two gay men maybe, possibly, probably stumbling towards love. Maybe. They’re both very busy.

Book for Bros

Call Jane

Mon 28 & Wed 30 Nov, 19.00

Book for Call Jane

Student discounts at the Gulbenkian

Students get 2for1 cinema tickets for films every Tuesday – so £3 per student currently! You can buy online in advance or on the door – you just need to bring ID with you. See what’s on and look for the 2FT symbol on films.

For only £5 per year, students can get 20% off film, 40% off selected theatre, and 10% off everything in the Gulbenkian Cafe/Bar. Find out more about student membership.

Events roundup: 24-30 October

This week is the final week of Black History Month. Don’t forget to check out the Black Pioneers Exhibition in Keynes atrium and the Drill Hall Library before the end of the month! Plus other events to help your wellbeing and get you in the mood for Halloween.

Monday: Volunteering opportunities

Find out about the variety of ways you can volunteer – both virtually and in person – at this online session. Volunteering is a great way to gain experience and develop your employability skills. This session will go through the different types of opportunities which are available and how you can make the most of them.

Tuesday: Eat the Garden, Black Owned Business Market and Managing Stress and Anxiety

Make soup using garden produce, meet new people and Eat the Garden at the Kent Community Oasis Garden. The KentCOG Coordinator will take on a guided tour of the garden, harvesting autumn produce to make soup with. Spend some time outside, learn more about good food and how it makes us feel.

If you’re looking for ways to manage stress and anxiety, this practical workshop will give you research-based strategies and will focus on how mindfulness practice can give you tools to build your resilience in the face of study, work and life challenges.

Come along to the Black Owned Business Market in Venue on Tuesday afternoon. Support your fellow students who will be showcasing their businesses and selling products.

Wednesday: Medway Talks open lecture series begins

On Wednesday evening Medway Talks, the open lecture series run by University of Kent, Greenwich, and Canterbury Christ Church, kicks off with a talk by Professor Alex Stevens from University of Kent: ‘Drugs: what are the problems and how can we solve them?’ The talks are open to students, staff and the local community. They are free of charge but registration is required. There will also be refreshments available on arrival.

Thursday: Climate Café and spooky events

If you find yourself feeling anxiety around the Climate Crisis, consider going along to the Climate Café. It’s a safe space to share fears about the climate crisis without judgement or advice, and a place to connect with others.

On Thursday there are lots of events happening to help you get in a spooky mood, including Pumpkin Carving at the Venue, a Rutherford College Tim Burton Movie Night and Creepy Crawlies Encounter at The Hub, Medway.

Weekend: Halloween events

On Saturday join your Medway Residential Life Assistants, Holly and Cole, for the Medway Spooky Quiz in the Oasis Lounge.

Do you like scary films? On Sunday, come along to Eliot Lecture Theatre 2 for an Eliot Scary Movie Night. Open to all students.

See more events for students

Opportunities

Do you know an inspirational student or student group?
Leading Routes – empowering the next generation of Black academics. Sign up for Leading Routes workshops at Canterbury campus for both UG and PG students
Food for Thought survey about our catering outlets at Canterbury campus. Leave feedback and be entered into monthly prize draw to win a £20 catering voucher to spend on campus
Interested in pursuing a PhD with CHASE or SeNSS? Learn more and sign up for workshops
Sign up for Exploring Intersectionality support group for Women of Colour
Student expectations survey for first year students – chance to win £300 Amazon voucher. Closes Monday 24 October at 17.00.

See more student opportunities

Share your experiences with disability

At the University of Kent, we believe in being part of the drive for a more inclusive society, where diversity is celebrated, opportunities are created and voices from all corners of our community are amplified. As we approach Disability History Month (16 November – 16 December), here are some ways you can share your perspective and get involved in showcasing and growing inclusivity at Kent and beyond.

Share your experiences with disability

Are you interested in being involved in a campaign to raise awareness this Disability History Month? We’d like to give everyone at Kent an insight into the experiences of our community in disclosing parts of identity, so we can better understand and support one another.

We’re inviting students past and present as well as staff to share your experiences by writing a blog post, attending a storytelling event to share in person with others, or being professionally filmed for a few minutes at a location convenient for you. To structure what you say or write about we’ll have some questions available that you can think about ahead of time, but you are also welcome to can make up your own question or theme which draws out your particular lived experience of disability and study/work/opportunities at Kent, or how it set you up for where you are now.

Interested in sharing your story at a live evening event in December, in short-film form or written word? Please fill in the online form. so we can contact you about being involved.

#DHMKent22 is coming soon!

Stay tuned for events and resources as we approach Disability History Month 2022 #InclusiveKent @UniKentSSW.

Exploring intersectionality therapeutic support group for Women of Colour

The University environment may have provided opportunities for you to notice things about yourself that you might want to explore and talk about. This therapeutic support group will take place online over six sessions and will provide a safe space to explore experiences and themes with others, who you may have things in common with. Commitment to attend all six sessions is required.

The group has been run over the last two years and came about as a response to feedback from students in the context of Black Lives Matter and the pandemic. Having access to others and role models that look like us is fundamental to our wellbeing; all of participants reported feeling a sense of connection and a sense of belonging. Quotes from previous participants include “everyone listened and supported each other”, “felt a sense of sisterhood”, “felt seen in a way that gave me comfort, topics resonated”. All participants felt that the group had a positive impact on their sense of identity as a Black woman or woman of colour.

The group will be experiential, and you are expected to bring yourself and be willing to share your thoughts with others and to be able to listen to others. We will decide together in week one which themes we would like to explore each week. Previous themes include; Who am I? – What does it mean to be me? – Relationships – Friend or enemy? – Self-love – Mental health – Self-care. You may have other themes that you want to suggest and explore.

Please note that you need to commit to attending all six sessions which take place on Tuesdays from 12.00-13.30 on the following dates: 1 November, 8 November, 15 November, 22 November, 29 November, and 6 December 2022.

If you are available for all six dates and would like to participate, please email wellbeingevents@kent.ac.uk to book your place, you will then be contacted for a brief 1:1 online meeting with the group facilitator at a mutually convenient time before the course begins. Please think about why you would like to join the group and what you would like to get out of it.

Find out more about the group. If you have any queries, please email wellbeingevents@kent.ac.uk

Student expectations survey – chance to win £300 Amazon voucher

To be in with the chance of winning a whopping £300 Amazon voucher, take just 10 minutes to fill in the Student Success Expectations Survey.

This questionnaire is for first year students and aims to find out your academic expectations and plans for the year. We use the results to find out what you hope to achieve at Kent, and how best to support you (so taking part is a win-win).

Complete the survey to be in the running for our star prize, and you’ll also be added to a Divisional draw for a £20 Amazon voucher! The more students that complete the survey in your Division, the greater your chance of winning, so remind your friends to take the survey too (we’ll even organise a Divisional social if enough students take part).

Completing the survey is also worth 5 Employability Points – these can be cashed in to apply for exclusive internships, placements and training on the Employability Points Scheme. The Student Success Team will get in touch directly with any lucky winners to arrange prize collection.

The survey closes on Monday 24 October at 17.00.

Leading Routes – empowering the next generation of Black academics

We have recently partnered with Leading Routes to deliver a series of events and workshops aimed at Black students, who would like to explore opportunities to continue studying and working in academia.

Leading Routes is a pioneering initiative that aims to prepare the next generation of Black academics, by exploring new ways to strengthen the academic pipeline for African Caribbean students, from a Black-led perspective.

Leading Routes will be running a series of events and workshops for students and staff at Kent. These events and workshops are being promoted and managed by the Graduate and Researcher College, learn more and book your place on our website now.

As well as the student events, there are also two online workshops scheduled specifically for Academic, Research and Professional Service Staff:

The Pipeline – challenging meritocracy and acknowledging structural barriers for Black students – 14 November, 13.00 – 14.30
Changing Cultures – practical steps towards long term change – 16 November, 13.00 – 14.30

Don’t miss out and book your place today!