After smashing last term, Societies came back from the New Years break with even more energy.

We want to say a massive well done and thanks to all our amazing volunteers in Societies for their unique contributions to Roehampton this term.

Kicking things off with our first ReFreshers Fair since before the pandemic, Societies have recruited nearly 800 paid members and hosted 200 events this term ranging from regular meet ups to flagship events. 

We couldn’t possibly recount every Society event this term – but in this article, we’ll be spotlighting some of the standout activities ran by our Society Leaders.

Society Stories

The best thing about Societies is how diverse and varied they are. Here are some of the top moments of the term from a range of different Societies - from Academic to Active groups! 

The Amnesty International Society hosted the award-winning human rights activist Salma Zulfiqar for a Q&A and screening of her award winning The Migration Blanket. They also attended Amnesty Student Conference earlier in the term to network with other Amnesty student Societies and the organisation at large.The

Nutrition and Health Society hosted a ‘Blue Poos’ baking event. The blue muffin idea activity helps you test your gut transit time by eating two muffins for breakfast and waiting until you see blue in your poo! You can then record your results on the ZOE website and see what they recommend.

The Quiz Society attended numerous competitions as the “Roehampton Irregulars” – such as the Cambridge-Oxford Open Tournament on 18th February. This is an annual tournament open to all student and former student quiz teams, and this year it took place at Oxford University.

The Disabled and Neurodivergent Society celebrated Neurodiversity Week and hosted a panel discussion featuring Sandra Vita, CEO of Adults Dyslexic United, and Yolanda Bryant from Ruils Independent Living.

The Dance Team Society attended their annual dance competitions including Loughborough, Surrey, Bucks, and Southampton and also are booked to appear at Summer Ball as one of our student headliners - the first time since before the pandemic.

The Southlands Sharkettes hosted a charity Gala fundraising for Bloody Good Period and Wish UK at The Union Bar - they raised over £100 and featured a live performance from a local band. 

Roehampton Business Society organized a panel discussion, entitled the ‘Business of Brexit’. Collaborating with Wandsworth European Movement, it discussed the impact of the UK's departure from the European Union from a Business and Legal perspective. 

UR Writing Society took part in UNISLAM in Birmingham and enabled students to showcase their poetry to teams of students from Universities across the UK.

The Music Society restarted and has been hosting Open Mic Nights at The Union Bar, which has seen fantastic performances from student musicians from acoustic music to DJ sets! 

Weekly Wins

We also want to celebrate all our Societies that have been hosting frequent activities week to week. Maintaining a consistent exciting space on campus can be very hard, and takes determination and planning.

Well done to all of the following Societies who volunteering their time every week (or every fortnight) to bring students together:

• Anime and Manga Society
• Anthropology Society
• Believers Love World
• Christian Union
• Dance Society
• Film Society
• First Love
• Gaming and RPG Society
• Islamic Society Sisters
• Kharis on Campus
• Pole Fitness Society
• Roey Rollers
• Third Row Dance Company
• Yoga Society

How to Get Involved

Students 

If you've participated in a Society this year, you may be ready to take the step up to a committee role. Society Elections are coming soon, and any current member of a RSU Society can stand! To keep an eye on updates, follow our social media and visit the Society Elections page here: Society Elections (roehamptonstudent.com). 

Societies are led by students like you, so they're beginning to wind down for the year as exams and assessments approach. If you're curious about joining a Society, it's worth reaching out to Societies and checking-in about their plans for Term 3 - you can see a full list of our Societies here: Join a Society (roehamptonstudent.com)

Staff 

RSU Activities Coordinator has produced tailored a tailored guide for University Staff on how to encourage students to start an Academic Society – with tips, information on academic societies, and template email copy which could be sent out to students directly or uploaded as an announcement on your virtual learning environment. This is available on request and has been disseminated within each School. 

Harry Jones 
RSU Activities Coordinator 
societies@roehampton.ac.uk