At the start of October, we launched our Cost of Living Campaign, offering tips to help students maximise their money.  We ran some amazing competitions. Students could win an air fryer, an electric blanket and a slow cooker and a week’s worth of shopping by entering online.  We had our Spin the Wheel game in the Mall and took it to other campuses, students won gloves, woolly hats, packets of noodles, soup and pasta packets. 

We did a taste test in the Mall, comparing Aldi food to branded food.  Students enjoyed tasting food items ranging from cheese, crisps.  biscuits and other items.  They were surprised that Aldi items were as tasty, if not tastier, than branded items.  Everyone enjoyed the event.    

Finally, we had a week’s worth of shopping from Aldi to be won.  We had a shopping trolley in the Mall, with students guessing how much we paid for the goods.   The student with the nearest total won the trolley.  We had lots of entries, with a wide range of guesses.       

We held our annual Fresher’s Fair, and it was a fantastic two days!  We had lots of local and national stall holders who gave away lots of goodies and information.  It was very busy.  Students told us they really enjoyed the two days.  We will do it again in February at our Refreshers Fair!

We celebrated Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, by creating a Rangoli in the Chancellor’s Mall.  We used coloured rice and, with the help of students, created something amazing. 

Black History Month was celebrated on 15^th October.  We had drummers and representatives from our local AC Society, encouraging students to join in with their drumming and learn more about Black History Month.  It was a fantastic day.

Course Rep and Society Officer training carried on through October, making sure student volunteers are equipped with the knowledge they need to run their Societies and be the best Course Reps. 

The last week in October was Spooky Week.  We had a photo spot outside the SU office with props and a Halloween-themed backdrop. We did spooky jewellery/key chain making in the Mall, a Werewolves game with hot drinks, a horror movie evening with popcorn, any student who wore black or orange was entered into a prize draw to win a basket of spooky goodies and finally, on the day itself, we did Trick or Treat all day and face painting.  What a week!