Laoise Gallagher, an undergraduate at the University of Kent’s Centre for Journalism, has been hired as a feature writer for Irish Dancing Magazine – whilst still completing her final year of studies.

During her second year of studies, Laoise designed and wrote an article for the publication as part of a print assessment. After being encouraged by lecturers to pitch it to the Irish Dancing Magazine, Laoise successfully had the article published as a double-page feature. She was subsequently offered the role of feature writer for the publication.

Laoise, who is also a World Championship level Irish dancer, has built up her journalism experience whilst at Kent with placements writing print articles at the Medway Messenger and an internship at broadcast news outlet KMTV. She is now trained in print, radio, TV and online journalism.

After being an Irish dancer from a young age, around six years ago Laoise began competing professionally, training three to four times a week for the Reel Eire School of Irish Dance. Her biggest achievement to date is being ranked third in the Southern Region, which qualified her to represent England at the World Championships in North Carolina last year.

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Laoise said: ‘As a World Championship level Irish dancer myself, I thought that it would be smart to pick a niche magazine to pitch to as I could really immerse myself in the story and show expert knowledge. To make the design as accurate as possible, I contacted the magazine to ask for specific details on how they would lay out a feature piece. They were so helpful and when I submitted my assignment, I also sent it to the editor of the magazine. She was really impressed with the piece and I was delighted to not only have it published but to be offered a role in their editorial team too. This is so valuable to have as experience on my CV.

‘Studying at CfJ has been the best few years of my life. When I joined, I was quiet and shy, the thought of a phone call was terrifying. Now I am in my final year and it feels like I have grown so much as a person and the skills I have developed as a journalist really prepare you for the real world. The lecturers go above and beyond to support you in whatever route you want to take.’

So many of you have been brilliant, resilient and caring as part of our College communities this term. We wanted to thank you by spreading festive cheer, so we have put up real Christmas trees around the campus, some huge and others small but all with lights so you can see them as the dark nights draw in. You can find them now or follow a trail which we will publish next week, but do try and spot them all if you can and tag us in any photos via twitter @unikentccl or Instagram @unikentlive.

The cheer will continue both on and off campus with the College RLAs, postgraduate student volunteers, hosting College events all accessible via social media and zoom:

• Win cash prizes in the ‘Tw’elf Days of Christmas’ daily on your College Facebook page
• Bake Christmas cookies with RLA Ally and the KU Baking Society 10 December (borrow baking bags with equipment if needed on campus)
• Origami Hour – A Christmas Special with RLA Dani 15 December (paper available to collect if needed on campus)

There will be even more to do, such as Lip Sync battles, Zoom chats & cookbooks, baking boxes and jigsaws to borrow, all advertised on our CCL Team webpages. Do come and join in.

The College and Community Life team focus on welfare and support, to ensure you have a positive experience of student life. Join us now and throughout the new year:

Our thanks and good wishes to you all for a wonderful (safe) Christmas and winter break.

Best, Jacqui, Miriam, Jodie and Bethany

The College and Community Life Team

Student Support and Wellbeing continues to operate until 22 December and then will return on Monday 4 January. Wherever you find yourself over the vacation period, please find below some information to help you stay well and connected:

• For expert information to help you through the challenges of coronavirus from Student Minds, check out the Student Space website which provides advice, as well as telephone, email, webchat and text support.

• For 24/7 free online support from peers and trained professionals, all Kent students can access Togetherall.

• If you’re having a difficult time and want to talk to someone, you can call the Samaritans free on 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org.

• If you would prefer to receive support via text message, Shout is a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope, simply text 85258.

• Spending Christmas on campus? There’s lots happening for our on campus communities – for information on events, where to eat, meet, study, worship, walk and much more, check out the vacation webpage. Local GP surgeries (University Medical Centre in Canterbury, St Mary’s Island and  in Medway) are operating according to normal opening hours apart from bank holidays, outside of these please use NHS 111.

More information, advice and resources will be posted throughout vacation on our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts – check out @UniKentSSW.

This year has come with many difficulties. If you find yourself struggling financially, you are welcome to apply for financial support from the University. Please note the deadlines and university office closure dates below.

Kent Emergency Short Term Loan

You will need to have your application for the Kent Emergency Short Term Loan completed and sent to us by 14.00 on Wednesday 16 December to receive any money by Christmas.

You should complete and scan the application form to FinancialAid@kent.ac.uk (Canterbury) or UKMFinance@kent.ac.uk (Medway) along with scanned copies of your bank statements (for all bank accounts UK or abroad). These statements should show all transactions back 30 days from the date of the application.  Payments will be made directly into your bank account – no cash can be issued at this time.

Other financial hardship packages

The other financial hardship packages are still available for students to apply but please be aware that any application may not now be processed or finalised before Christmas. Students should therefore not rely on receiving any funds granted before the New Year for these packages.

Office closures

Financial Aid and other Central Finance offices will be closed for Christmas from midday on Tuesday 22 December 2020 and will re-open on Monday 4 January 2021.

Blog post by Second Year Law Student, Ellie House. 

Although lockdown ends on 2 December, the new tier system will bring its own challenges – especially as we try to navigate through the Christmas period. Here are some top tips on ways to feel festive this December, while still staying within restrictions and keeping safe!

1. Take a walk with those in your household/bubble

A great way to stay active during this time is taking walks outside. There are many beautiful walking spots around Kent and within Canterbury and exploring those with your household could be a great activity! If you also want a festive feel, try taking a walk through Canterbury (or your local area) and looking at this year’s Christmas lights.

2. Try some festive baking

This is an activity you can do by yourself or with those in your household! Try making a festive cake or some cookies and get creative with your decorations. If you’re feeling extra Christmassy, you could even try building a gingerbread house, or having a gingerbread house making competition with your friends – this could be together if you’re a household or over Zoom.

3. Take time to do some festive arts and crafts

A great activity if you feel like you’re in a creative lull is doing some festive arts and crafts! There are many different things you can create with a Christmas theme, but if you’re stuck for ideas, you could try a wellbeing art kit.

4. Decorate!

If you haven’t done so already, decorating is always a fantastic way to feel more festive. You can put up a tree and decorate your home with all the glitter and tinsel you can find. Whether you stick to a traditional red, green and gold colour palette, or change it up with something a little different, you’re bound to feel more in the Christmas spirit once your decorations are up.

5. Have a Christmas movie night in

Unless you’re the Grinch, Christmas movies are bound to get you in the festive spirit. Set up a movie night with your household and watch all your favourite Christmas classics, and maybe even a few new releases out for Christmas this year. You can make it more interesting by having each person pick their favourite film, or if you don’t have time to binge-watch them all, pick them out of a hat. You can also feel more festive by drinking hot chocolates and eating festive snacks!

6. Make your own Christmas cards or gifts

Whether you’re creative or not, you can still get into the Christmas spirit by making some DIY gifts for your family and friends. There are lots of tutorials online for all sorts of gifts, so you’re bound to find something you’d enjoy making and that would be appreciated by your friends and family.

7. Have a ‘Zoom’ Secret Santa

Use an online Secret Santa generator to each pick someone to get a gift for and set a budget for how much you’re each going to spend. Then, buy your gifts online and get them delivered to each other’s addresses! Make sure you set a date for when you’ll all open the gifts and call each other whilst you open them to see everyone’s reactions.

8. Festive ‘Come Dine With Me’

Why not get together with the other members of your household and have a festive ‘Come Dine With Me’? You can each cook a meal for everyone in the evening, and then each ‘guest’ can rank the meal out of 10! Whoever gets the highest score for their meal wins. Make sure to add a festive element to each of your meals, maybe by making a Christmas-themed dessert or even just adding some brussels sprouts to your dish!

9. Hold an online Christmas quiz

You can find plenty of Christmas-themed trivia questions online or come up with your own. Put them together in a quiz and test your friends’ Christmas knowledge. You can come up with a prize for the winner, or just play for fun – it’s completely up to you!

10. Volunteer

During this difficult time, it’s especially important that we give back to our local communities and help those in need. Helping others during this festive period, even if it’s just donating a small amount of your time, can really make a difference to someone’s Christmas. Take a look at the volunteering opportunities around your local area and see what you can do to help. Whether you’re able to give up your time for charity, or you have some change to spare and buy some food for the foodbank on your weekly shop, helping others during this difficult December is something we should all strive to do.

No matter how you spend your Christmas, try to get the most out of December whilst staying safe.

Residential Life Assistants (RLAs) are postgraduate student volunteers who host events and support initiatives within your College. They will help you to form a College Committee in the spring, to find your voice and promote your ideas and values. They will support you to shape the ways you can all come together to make your College Community, where every student is welcome no matter what their background and whether living on or off campus.

Fawaz (studying Bio-digital Architecture MSc)

Ally (studying Economics MSc)

Maria (studying Forensic Osteology MSc)

Ishaan (studying Environmental Anthropology MSc)

Daniella (studying Criminology MA)

RLA festive events

Get involved with The Tw’Elf Days of Christmas competition on your College Facebook page (daily prizes awarded). Find your College Facebook page on the College webpage.

We also have a Christmas Cookies baking event coming up hosted by the RLAs and Kent Union Baking Society for live baking fun! If you’re staying on campus you can borrow the equipment you need for the bake from the College Life team.

We’re adding more events to our College events page so keep an eye out.

College Life Team

The RLAs focus on events but also work closely with the College Life Officers (CLOs) who are experienced, full time staff working in the central College and Community Life team. Your CLOs can offer you individual or group support if you are struggling, by email (cclteam@kent.ac.uk), phone, or Teams. Their focus is on welfare, support, and access to specialist services.