WEB_Freshers_Paper_2025

A message from your Elected Officers

A warm welcome to all new and returning members! As your elected officers, we are dedicated to making your time here at BNU (Buckinghamshire New University) as enriching and enjoyable as possible. Our responsibilities focus on several areas of student life, including education, welfare, achievement, belonging, and ensuring everyone's safety.

For individuals who are new to university, you are automatically enrolled in the Bucks Students' Union as soon as you enrol at BNU. There is much more to the Bucks Students' Union than simply nightlife activities. We provide plenty of chances to improve your learning and personal development.

You can take part in the leadership academy, join a club or society, make new friends, develop transferable skills, represent the course you are attending, and much more! We are here to make sure you get the most out of your stay at BNU and to help you in every way possible. The fact that everything we provide is FREE because of the Big Deal only makes this better.

The incredible Bucks Students' Union staff puts out every opportunity to improve the lives of BNU students. We are looking forward to the numerous campaigns and activities that this year has in store. We are dedicated to creating a lively and welcoming community through everything from interesting workshops and social events to campaigns for change and academic assistance. We're excited to work with you, hear your thoughts, and combine our efforts to make BNU a memorable place. We're excited to work with you, hear your thoughts, and combine our efforts to make BNU a memorable place.

Here's to a fantastic year ahead!

Contributors

Jean Marc Amagoua • Joe Burrell • Erin Cook • Bethany Jackson • Imogen Sanders •

Sarah Jackson • Tash Neal • Keleigh Brady • Kelly Wiles • Kristen Clark • Lauren Milne • Daniel Lawrence • Alex Ditchburn • James Wade • Fleur Voerman • Cole Williams • Kwaku Yeboah • Olajesu Esther • Abai Sharon Kshetri • Gowther Whittington • Logan Morazain • Sobia Ali • Dan Charlton • Ellie Lee • Elesha Sunar • Freya Cheeseman • Alexis Savvides • Gemma Finch • Mia Walford • Klumy Lui • Jess Gant • Leah Barrow • Evie Medland • James Goodacre • Aditya Gurung • Faridah Khan

Want to see your name in the list above? Want to have your writing or artwork on show to thousands of people? Get involved! Email lorenzo.dizenobbia@bnu.ac.uk

For all advertising and media enquiries please contact the Students’ Union Communications and Marketing department. Simon McDowell | Head of Communications and Marketing simon.mcdowell@bnu.ac.uk

Lorenzo Pio Di Zenobbia | Graphic Designer lorenzo.dizenobbia@bnu.ac.uk

Ajay Sunder | Marketing Coordinator ajay.sunder@bnu.ac.uk

Alice Askham | Digital Media Coordinator alice.askham@bnu.ac.uk

Articles in this newspaper do not necessarily represent the views of Bucks Students’ Union but are that

View this edition online at bucksstudentsunion.org/media/newspaperarchive. © 2025 Bucks Students’ Union

Jean Marc Amagoua

jeanmarc.amagoua@bnu.ac.uk

Hey everyone, I’m Jean Marc, your Students’ Union President.

I studied Sports Business Management at BNU, and I was involved with the Students' Union throughout my stay here. Last year, I was the Club President for Bucks Men's Rugby, I have held numerous roles in the Students' Union.

I chose to run for president because I have an overwhelming need to help others and I wanted to give back to the university community, the Union, and the student body. My goal is to make your time here better and make a constructive contribution to our lively community.

As President, my job is simple: to speak for all of you. I am committed to making sure your Union commits to and fulfils its strategic plan and keeps improving your university experience. My colleagues and I will put in endless effort to promote your academic and personal growth, advocate for your needs, and make sure your voice is heard.

Focuses this year:

To provide a safe and encouraging atmosphere for every student, I am dedicated to continuously improving safety protocols and increasing awareness. Furthermore, I'm determined to combat mental health this year by guaranteeing access to necessary tools and resources for every learner. By working together, we can create a campus where everyone shares responsibility for safety and where each student can succeed with assurance. While these aims are based on my manifesto, I recognise that priorities may change throughout the year. I will continue to work on and support many projects as needed. Stay tuned to my social media sites for updates throughout the year.

If you want to get in touch, you can pop into my office or email me or pop me a message on my Instagram.

Who am I when I’m off Duty?

I love to stay active and participate in sports most evenings. I play Rugby for Marlow RUFC and Bucks Men's Rugby. I also enjoy playing video games.

If you want to get in touch, you can pop into my office or email me on jeanmarc.amagoua@bnu.ac.uk or pop me a message on my Instagram @buckssupres

Joe Burrell

joe.burrell@bnu.ac.uk

Hi, I’m

Joe,

I can’t wait to meet you all!

My role involves overseeing the Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity work within the Students’ Union as well as the sustainability efforts and all the co-curricular activities we offer. I also work closely with the student activities team in everything from sports clubs to societies as well as the charitable fundraising events and volunteering. Mainly, I endeavour to make your time at Bucks an unforgettable one!

I am involved in making sure that you’re supported in developing new skills, gaining new qualifications and boosting your employability!

I also get to contribute to the amazing day time, nighttime and cultural events the Students’ Union plans. When it comes to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; I sit on the university and SU’s committees to ensure everyone is aware and doing the best they can to increase diversity and equality to create an inclusive, safe environment for all of our students.

I also sit on the sustainability committees to make sure that we continue to do our bit for the planet!

As well as this, I sit on the Union’s Trustee board to ensure that we’re sticking to our principles and making life better for students at Bucks.

If you want to get in touch, you can pop into my office or email me on joe.burrell@bucks.ac.uk or message me on Instagram @buckssuvpab

I look forward to getting to know you all!

What are my priorities for this year?

Raising awareness and accessibility of disability specific sport sessions to ensure all students at Bucks feel welcome to join sport and society sessions.

Continue to raise awareness for mental health and promote the support available to you at Bucks and in the local area.

I also have a few things lined up that I plan to bring forward in the coming year, so keep your eyes peeled for these very soon!

What do I do outside of work?

I like to think that I am very active through playing rugby, going to the gym and (very occasionally) attempting to run! My goal is to eventually run a marathon… No time frame yet. I am an avid History fan and love reading history books, especially WWII and the Cold War.

I have been told that I am a Golden Retriever in Human form also!

Cook

erin.cook@bnu.ac.uk

Hey, I’m Erin, your Vice President Education and Welfare (HW)!

I studied Acting for TV, Film, and Stage at BNU and actively got involved in the Representation side of the Students’ Union by serving as a course rep and School Officer.

I’m excited to support you all!

When I started at BNU in 2022, I never thought I would be in the position I am in now. I anticipated only studying and not getting involved, but Bucks Students’ Union was the best part of my three years studying here.

I started getting involved in my second year when I became my course rep, and from this, I progressed to School Officer in my third year and even started chairing our Union Councils. I was part of the Leadership Academy and was a member of the BNU Dance Club, and I had a blast! The experiences I had thanks to Bucks Students’ Union helped build my CV, meet new people, and inspired me to run in the elections.

My Plans for this year include:

Student Safety:

Improving the environment that students find themselves in to and from placement, lecturers and social events to ensure that all students are safe.

Support Services:

Highlighting and working alongside the support services that Bucks Students’ Union and BNU provide to guarantee they are at the best standard and are being used by our students when they need them.

Mental Health:

Increase the awareness of mental health, investigate the current services to see if there is any way of improving them, and implement drop-in sessions with mental health first aiders for immediate support.

What do I do outside of work?

When I'm not at work, I like to focus on my passions, so I enjoy getting involved in activities that allow me to act or dance. I have been acting for 10 years, and I started dancing when I was very young, taking a break before resuming in my final year of university.

If you have any questions or just want to say hi, pop into the office or email me at @erin.cook@bnu.ac.uk Alternatively, you can message my Instagram @buckssuvpew_hw

New Year? New Faces? We’re Back!

Here’s what to see!

Hello everyone. Whether you are just beginning the university journey or joining us for another year, welcome!

I’m Bethany, your Vice President Education and Welfare, Uxbridge, and Aylesbury for the academic year 2025/26.

My role is based at the Uxbridge and Aylesbury Campuses, working to enhance the student experiences and focuses on the educational and wellbeing elements.

I will be working to support education and wellbeing for students, through running campaigns and signposting, as well as holding the University accountable for the delivery of provisions by attending various meetings and panels.

A bit about me, I studied Sports Psychology and I have love for reading, musical theatre and sports. I also won the Ruth Gunstone Volunteer of the Year award at the Union Awards in 2024, as I love helping others in anyway I can, from sports coaching, school trips, food banks, beach cleans and litter picks.

I spent the previous year in my role (VPEW Uxb/Ays) working to make changes to support the student experience, from wellbeing events and activities, to campaigning for a quiet space. We expanded our offer of skills training, recreational activities and activities, as well as having ongoing discussions regarding the academic experience, across several areas of the organisation and institution.

A few areas I want to address this year, are:

Campus consistency - ensuring that provision across all campuses is consistent with each other (e.g. resources, facilities etc).

Wellbeing and mental health advocacy and events (quiet spaces and signposting

Academic experience - ensuring the service students receive is what is expected.

Over the next few weeks, you’ll be seeing lots of information regarding freshers, events, what we offer and The Big Deal! Be sure to keep an eye of everything (socials, website, newspapers and what’s happening on campus!

If you ever need anything, be sure to reach out, even if it’s finding the room your lecture is in, what activities and training you could do, or if you have any feedback, we are all here to help you in all the ways we can.

Feel free to head to the office, reach out on socials or email: bethany.jackson@bnu.ac.uk

Additional Skills & Recreational Activities

At Bucks Students’ Union everything offered is FREE to our students, courtesy of The Big Deal.

Whether you need to boost your CV, learn a new skill, or just unwind on a great day out we are to here to help! This is what we have lined up already:

Skills

• Sport Specific First Aid

• Emergency First Aid

• Basics of Budgeting

• Mental Health in Sport

• Time Management

• Wellbeing Skills for Student Leaders

Recreational Activities

• Musicals in London

• Trips to the Zoo

• Bowling

• Museum tours

And there’s more! For a full list of additional skills and recreational activities and for more details on how to reserve your free tickets, visit the What’s On page of our website.

We are always looking for new activities to arrange for you! So if you think of something not listed, please come down and see us at the Students’ Union office (High Wycombe) or email surecactivities@bnu.ac.uk so we can see if we can arrange your activity.

JOBSHOP

Make your money jiggle jiggle...

At the Students’ Union we understand that the majority of our students will need to work while studying with us and with that in mind we have tried to make finding local part time work that bit easier for you with our JobShop page!

Found on our website, we update this page regularly with local part time opportunities, in a range of different sectors so hopefully there will be something there for you including: retail, caring, bar work, tutoring, hospitality, sports coaching and more.

Whilst we understand the impact of the cost of living crisis, we do not recommend that students work more than 20 hours per week while undertaking a full time

course. This is to ensure that you are able to give time to your degree, but also so that you have some time to take care of yourself and enjoy your experience at Buckinghamshire New University!

If there is something more specific you are looking for, or would like support in writing your CV or applications, we are here to help!

Please arrange an appointment with us by emailing sujobs@bnu.ac.uk

By Sarah Jackson

Leadership Academy

It's never too early to start planning your career

So get a jumpstart as we are now accepting applications for our 2025/26 intake!

The Leadership Academy is an entirely bespoke and individual programme to help you reach your goals for the year, and beyond. We welcome applications from students in any year of study and can support you throughout your time with us at university and once you have graduated!

The programme starts with an in-depth initial meeting to learn a little more about you, your commitments and what you would like to achieve or would like support with during your time with us. We can help by providing additional training opportunities to boost your CV or help with softer, transferable skills such as time management or building confidence. We will signpost to different services offered by the Students’ Union and the university or other local organisations and arrange a mentor in a relevant industry to you. You will have access to a FREE Strengthscope session with a qualified practitioner where you can learn more about your strengths as well as FREE leadership workshops

and access to a community of students through our student leader socials.

You will also be entitled to a FREE hoodie, career fact file and a guaranteed invitation to our annual Union Awards! We will work flexibly around your commitments both in and outside of university, offering appointments both in person or online depending on your preference and keeping in contact through the year by a method of your choice, such as phone, email or meetings. The frequency of these sessions is again entirely up to you and the level of support you would like, ranging from bi-weekly to once every couple of months.

This really is a programme designed to support you in achieving your goals in a completely bespoke, flexible and manageable way. See what our previous Leadership Academy graduates have had to say about this programme:

To apply please visit our website and complete the online application form on the Leadership Academy page under jobs and Skills. If you have any questions, please pop down and see us in the Students’ Union office in North Wing (High Wycombe) or drop us an email at sutraining@bnu.ac.uk.

Creating future leaders

“I am incredibly grateful for the flexibility and individual planning that the Leadership Academy does. It makes a huge difference in facilitating those on busy/diverse courses being able to partake.”

“The Leadership Academy has given me access to bespoke training courses relevant to my industry. It has also allowed me to take tests to analyse my strengths as an individual, look through and improve my CV, and overall has given me great guidance on how to cope with a busy workload and stay resilient!”

“The Leadership Academy has given me the support and confidence I needed to pursue a graduate career”

“The Leadership Academy helped me to “keep on track” with both my studies and my future endeavours, by finding opportunities which I wouldn’t/ couldn’t have found on my own”

FREE FOOD

The Big Bucks Meal Deal

A project derived from the cost-of-living campaign run by Bucks Students’ Union to make sure you are fed and well. The campaign aims to tackle food poverty within the student community at BNU by cutting the prices of food in our cafés. The Lounge is hosting three free hot meals a week and Pulse offering free breakfast twice a week. This is funded and supported by BNU and delivered by Bucks Students’ Union.

Free dinner

Head over to The Lounge in Bucks Student’s Union for free dinner Tuesday, Thursday (5-7pm) and Sunday (6-7.30pm) during term-time.

Each week there will be a different dish on offer, all Halal and packed full of healthy ingredients to keep you going through the week.

Free dinner is first come first served, and all you need to bring is your student ID and a good appetite

Free breakfast

Head over to Pulse in Uxbridge for a free breakfast every Tuesday and Thursday (8.30-10am) during term-time. Included in the free breakfast is a tea/coffee, and a choice of either toast, porridge or fruit to help jump start your day.

Free breakfast is first come first served, and all you need to bring is your student ID and a good appetite.

Need help?

If you have any issues regarding the cost-of-living crisis, or food poverty, then please contact the Students’ Union Advice Centre by emailing suadvice@bnu.ac.uk

MONTHLY MONDAY MEALS

Terms and conditions:

-

Rusty’s Gold card is available from all outlets at just £12 for the year or £7 for six months.

Valid in The Lounge, The Kitchen, Pulse and The Brunel Engine Shed, this entitles you to a 10% discount on all hot and soft drinks, and exclusive promotions throughout the year.

Some of the regular additional promotions you can expect to see will include: 15% off food in The Lounge, special deals and toppings to name a few.

Check social media and cafe displays for current deals.

Welcome to The Kitchen, your home away from home right here in the heart of the High Wycombe Campus. Whether you’re grabbing a hearty breakfast to fuel your day, digging into a comforting hot meal, or customising a jacket potato just the way you like it, we’ve got something to satisfy every craving.

Find us in Beeches at the High Wycombe Campus, in East Wing

Term-time:* Monday to Thursday: 8am-5pm Friday: 8am-3pm Saturday and Sunday: 9am-3.30pm

Vacation time: Monday to Thursday: 8am-3.30pm Friday: 8am-3pm Saturday and Sunday: 9am-3.30pm

Welcome to Pulse, your home away from home right here at our Uxbridge Campus. Whether you’re grabbing a hearty breakfast to fuel your day, digging into a comforting hot meal, or customising a jacket potato just the way you like it, we’ve got something to satisfy every craving.

To help our students with the rising cost of living we are also offering free breakfast two days a week at Pulse Tuesday, Thursday (8.30-10am) on a first come first served basis.

Term-time:* Monday to Thursday: 8.30am-4pm Friday: 8:30am-3pm Saturday and Sunday: 9am-3.30pm

Vacation time: Monday to Friday: 8.30am-3pm Saturday and Sunday: 9am-3.30pm

Find us at the Uxbridge Campus on Floor 1

BREAKFAST

Breakfast Baps: (Please ask if you require a gluten free bap)

(Served from 9:00am - 11:30am Mon - Fri)

Bacon Bap £1.55 GF 439kcal

2 rashers of bacon served in a warm bap.

Sausage Bap £1.55 V° GF 520kcal

2 pork sausages or vegetarian sausages served in a warm bap.

Free Range Egg Bap £1.45 V GF 390kcal

Free range fried, scrambled or poached egg served in a warm bap.

Bacon and Sausage Bap £2.20 700kcal

1 rasher of bacon and 2 sausages served in a warm bap.

Breakfast Bap £2.95 831kcal

1 rasher of bacon, 2 sausages with free range fried scrambled or poached egg served in a warm bap.

Vegetarian Breakfast Bap £2.95 V 744kcal

3 vegetarian sausages, 2 hash browns and free range fried, scrambled or poached egg served served in a warm bap.

Quorn Sausage Muffin £2.95 V 672kcal

A warm breakfast muffin with 2 Quorn sausage pattie, cheese and a mini omelette.

All-day Breakfast £4.35 834kcal

Choose from the following: bacon, Red Tractor pork sausage, baked beans, hash browns, mushrooms, tomato and free range fried, scrambled or poached egg.

All-day Vegetarian Breakfast £4.35 V 610kcal

Choose from the following: sausages, baked beans, hash browns, mushrooms, tomato and free range fried, scrambled or poached egg.

Eggs Benedict £4.40 V 618kcal

Toasted English muffin topped with free range poached egg and served with Hollandaise sauce.

Warm Pancakes and Bacon

£2.95 954kcal

A stack of 5 American pancakes with crispy bacon and maple syrup.

Sweet treatS

(Served from 9:00am – 4:00pm Mon–Thurs, 9:00am – 3:00pm Fri)

Warm Pancakes

£2.95 VG 622kcal

A stack of 5 American pancakes with a forest fruit compote.

Tulip Muffins £2.30 V 490kcal

Triple chocolate, blueberry crumble, victoria sponge, or salted caramel.

Chewy Cookies £1.40 V 491kcal

Double chocolate, triple chocolate, or oat raisin and lemon cookies.

Opening times (term-time)* Monday to Thursday, 9am-4pm Friday, 9am-3pm

Vacation time

Closed

Find us on the ground floor of North Wing, within The Venue.

BUrGeRS

(Served from 11:00am – 4:00pm Mon – Thurs, 11:00am – 3:00pm Fri)

All burgers are served with your choice of fries or spicy wedges.

Upgrade to sweet potato fries for only 60p. Gluten free baps are also available.

The Classic £3.65 828kcal, double £5.10 1,129kcal

Flame grilled beef burger with tomato relish, shredded iceberg lettuce, served in a bap.

The Rooster Booster £3.95 912kcal, double £5.50 1,122kcal H°

A spicy coated chicken breast with mayonnaise, shredded iceberg lettuce, served in a bap.

The Mighty Lone Ranger £4.60 1,029kcal, double £6.10 1,282kcal GF VG

A quarter pound of plant based burger with a tomato relish, crisp lettuce, topped with vegan cheese, served in a bap.

The Red Tractor £5.75 1,071kcal, double £6.95 1,328kcal H° GF

A 6oz 21 day aged burger with tomato relish, crisp lettuce, sliced gherkin and topped with cheese, served in a bap.

The Halloumi £5.95 883kcal, double £6.95 1,199kcal V GF

A halloumi stack with an Asian sweet chilli slaw, served in a bap.

Add toppings to own your burger!

Three giant onion rings 90p V 241kcal Bacon 65p V 180kcal

Cheddar cheese 50p V 325kcal Vegan cheese 50p VG 285kcal

Jalapeño peppers 30p VG 20kcal

Free range fried or poached egg 50p V GF 131kcal

RUSTY,S TOWER CHALLENGE

£13.95 - Three beef burgers, three spicy chicken burgers, stacked with bacon, cheese, beef tomato, fried egg, red onion, Jalapeño peppers and iceberg lettuce separated by our brioche bun floors; served with baked beans, garlic flat bread with cheese, onion rings and either chips or spicy wedges. 3,549kcal

Served from 11am–4pm Mon–Thurs, 11am–3pm Fri

Eat all the food on your plate in under 30 minutes to win an exclusive I Rusty t-shirt! This is a one person challenge, are YOU up for it?

SIDE ORDERS

(Served from 11:00am – 4:00pm Mon – Thurs, 11:00am – 3:00pm Fri)

Chips

£1.20 GF VG 139kcal

Chips and cheese

£1.40 V GF 553kcal

Chips and curry sauce

£1.40 V 559kcal

Spicy wedges

£1.20 VG 135kcal

Spicy wedges and cheese

Sweet potato fries

Garlic flat bread

£1.40 V 549kcal

£1.90 GF VG 158kcal

£1.20 V 287kcal

Garlic flat bread with cheese

£1.70 V 701kcal

6 giant onion rings

£1.80 V 241kcal

Side salad

£1.00 GF VG 50kcal

Scan the QR code to view our most up-todate menus and special offers.

Don’t forget about the Big Bucks Meal Deal every Tuesday, Thursday (5-7pm) and Sunday (6-7.30pm) in The Lounge, where we offer free food to help ease the cost-ofliving crisis. See page 15 for more information.

snacks, salads, paninis, jacky p's & toasted sandwiches

(Served from 11:00am – 4:00pm Mon – Thurs, 11:00am – 3:00pm Fri)

Panini or Toasted Sandwich £2.75 V from 385kcal

Toasted to order with your choice of fillings. Please see the chalk board for the selection of fillings, treat yourself to a side of chips.

Chilli Nachos £3.75 V GF 1162kcal

Tortilla chips loaded with chilli con carne and cheese with a sour cream dip.

The Club Sandwich £4.10 664kcal

Classic triple layered toasted sandwich with shredded iceberg lettuce, beef tomato, chicken mayonnaise and grilled bacon.

Mac ‘n’ Cheese Bites £2.95 V 394kcal

Macaroni pasta and a mix of three cheeses in a crispy coating of breadcrumbs served with a tomato relish dip.

House Mix ‘n’ Match Salad from £1.95 329kcal

Salad leaves and a mix of cucumber tomato sweetcorn and peppers with a choice of toppings:

Chicken strips £1.60 Smoked salmon £3.10 Smashed avocado £1.95

Tuna fish £1.80 Grilled halloumi £2.50 Caesar dressing Inc

French dressing Inc Mayonnaise Inc Garlic and herb croutons 50p

Dirty Fries £2.40 894kcal

Fries loaded with bacon, peppers, Cajun spice, red onion and melted cheese.

Big Foot Sub £3.10 520kcal

A foot-long sub filled with shredded iceberg lettuce, tomato red onion, with chicken strips and Emmental sliced cheese served warm.

The TT Sandwich £2.70 1221kcal

Four Birds Eye fish fingers between two slices of thick white bread with Tartare sauce and shredded iceberg. Served with Walkers crisps.

Home FavouriteS

(Served from 11:00am – 4:00pm Mon – Thurs, 11:00am – 3:00pm Fri)

Lasagne £4.60 V 138kcal

Layers of spinach pasta filled with a rich tomato sauce with British beef, topped with a béchamel sauce and cheese served with side salad.

Fish ‘n’ Chips £3.85 GF 422kcal

Jumbo cod fillet in a crispy batter with chips or spicy wedges and your choice of mushy peas, garden peas or baked beans and lemon. Gluten free fish available.

Sausage ‘n’ Mash £3.45 V° 495kcal

Jumbo sausage with mash potato and gravy with garden peas or baked beans.

Penne pasta from £2.95 GF VG 603kcal

Penne pasta served with a choice of sauces and sliced garlic bread, add cheese for an extra 50p.

Chicken Katsu Curry £4.50 475kcal

Breast of chicken in a crisp Panko crumb cut into strips with plain rice and Katsu curry sauce.

Chicken Nuggets £3.65 VG 351kcal

Chicken coated in breadcrumbs, served with chips or wedges. Halal and vegan option available.

All our food is prepared in a kitchen where nuts, cereals containing gluten and other allergens are present, and our menu descriptions do not include all ingredients.

If you have a food allergy or intolerance, please let us know before ordering. Full allergen information for food is available upon request.

Monday 29 September to Sunday 31 October 2025

Black History Month meat dish from £3.85

Ask for details of this weeks dish

Black History Month vegan dish from £3.25 VG

Ask for details of this weeks dish

Spicy macaroni cheese

£4.10 192kcal

macaroni pasta with spicy cheese sauce served with garlic bread slices

Look out for the 1950’s style

located opposite the entrance

Serving delicious, freshly prepared pizzas on a 10-inch sourdough base with weekly specials - why not create your own from all your go-to toppings? Freshly prepared pizzas from £4.50 Open daily and alongside your favourite evening events.

Got something to say? Say it louder — as a Course Rep, Senior Rep or College Officer

Speak for your course or college. Shape the experience and get rewarded.

Want to stand out, gain leadership experience, and make a real difference for your course mates? Becoming a Student Leader is a flexible, part-time opportunity to represent your peers, shape the student experience, and build valuable skills for your future.

Sound like you?

Check out what these roles are all about and see how you can get involved this year.

Student Representatives:

Student reps are elected by their course mates to provide a credible student voice to feedback to the University.

Student reps can instigate change, minimise miscommunication between staff and students, ensure that assumptions are not made about the student experience, and improve their course for future years. They are elected by their peers to be the voice of their course and are the first point of contact for the students they represent for concerns or positive feedback.

Becoming a student rep is an amazing opportunity to gain skills and experience in several areas and, most importantly, represent the views of your year or cohort. Student reps are rewarded up to £100, gain in-demand skills such as leadership, negotiation, and teamwork, and make an impact for themselves and their course.

Each year of every course needs a student rep, so why not put yourself forward and ensure your peers have a say in their university experience, all whilst boosting your CV?

Senior Representative:

Senior Representatives build on their experience as Student Reps by taking on additional responsibilities within their course area. They meet regularly with student reps in their course cluster to gather and share

feedback, and they co-chair Programme Committee Meetings alongside staff.

This role plays a key part in supporting the flow of communication between students and staff, helping to identify both areas of good practice and opportunities for improvement within their department.

Senior Representatives receive an additional £100 on top of their Student Rep role in recognition of their contributions.

College Officers:

College Officers collate information on the student experience in their college, liaising with student reps and senior reps to ensure that they have a sound understanding of the areas for improvement affecting students across the range of courses within their college, alongside areas of good practice, and feeding this back to the Students’ Union and University.

College Officers assist the Representation team throughout the year with various administrative tasks associated with the student rep programme. These include collating feedback for Programme Committee Meetings and communicating regularly with student reps in their college. Full details will be provided to those appointed.

The three Colleges are:

• Creative Arts, Technology, and Engineering

• Health and Society

• Leadership and Innovation

We are looking for two officers per college, though the number of College Officers recruited each year may depend on student numbers and the breadth of work to complete.

College officers are rewarded up to £350 with the opportunity to increase through taking on additional work with the r epresentation team.

How do I apply?

Senior Representatives and College Officers will be appointed through an application process.

Please email surepresentation@bnu.ac.uk for more information.

Student Representatives will be elected by members of their course. Interested students will need to nominate themselves on the Students’ Union website between Monday 29 September at 10am and Friday 17 October at noon.

Voting will take place between 10am on Monday 20 October to Friday 24 October at noon here: bucksstudentsunion.org/ elections/studentrep

You can also submit your nomination by emailing surepresentation@bnu.ac.uk with the below details:

• Full name

• Student ID

• Course and year of study

• Contact email

Bucks Students’ Union Advice Centre

To make an appointment, email suadvice@bnu.ac.uk, appointments can be: By telephone - we will phone you, or online through Teams - we will organise this.

Telephone and online appointments are preferable during this current situation and will ususally available within 24 to 48 hours of a request during the normal working week from 10am to 4pm Mon to Thurs and 3pm on Fri. Appointments outside these times are possible but may take longer to arrange.

Lastly, Mind also have a network of around 125 local Minds across the UK that offer specialised support and care based on the needs of the communities they support. For over 100 years, Buckinghamshire Mind has been a trusted charity and work to support and represent people with mental health problems living in Bucks. They have branches in High Wycombe and Aylesbury, as well as Hillingdon Mind for Uxbridge students.

Buckinghamshire Mind

Phone: 01296 437328

Email: info@bucksmind.org.uk

Hillingdon Mind

Phone: 01895 271559

Email: mind@hillingdonmind.org.uk

By Keleigh Brady

RAG Ambassador Returns:

Raising Spirits (and Funds) for a Second Year

I’m back for my second year as a RAG Ambassador and more excited than ever to continue spreading the energy, fun, and purpose that makes Bucks RAG so special. Last year was filled with unforgettable moments, and I’m proud to say we raised money and awareness through events that brought students together while supporting important causes.

Back for Round Two – Bigger Events, Bigger Impact

This year, I am incredibly proud to support our new charity Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Service (RSASS), who are a vital charity that offer support to survivors and raising awareness about sexual violence. From crowd favourites like Netball4RAG and Volleyball4RAG, to the wild and hilarious soaking and pieing of our sports clubs, RAG events are always full of energy and good vibes. One of the highlights for me was our RAG Takeover of Bucks Got Talent — seeing the talent, laughter, and generosity all in one place was unforgettable.

This year, I’m looking forward to pushing even further — bringing in more students, more creativity, and more opportunities to give back. Whether you're new to Bucks or returning, RAG is for everyone. Get involved, have a laugh, and help us make real change happen.

This year, I’m looking forward to building on that momentum. Whether you’re a fresher or a returning student, there are so many ways to get involved — donate, join an event, or simply showing your support. Every little action counts when it comes to raising funds and spreading awareness for RSASS. Together, we can have fun and make a difference.

Let’s make this the best year yet for RAG at Bucks!

Ambassadors 2025-26

What is Bucks New Usage?

Bucks New Usage is a student-focused initiative that promotes sustainability and supports students by providing access to second-hand items—from clothing and kitchenware to home essentials. The aim is to help students settle in more affordably by giving pre-loved items a second life.

My name is Ritamary Benny, and I’m excited to introduce myself as the Bucks New Usage Ambassador for the 2025–26 academic year! I also had the honour of serving in this role during 2024–25 and was proud to be nominated for the Ambassador of the Year Award during that time.

What does the role involve?

As an ambassador, my key responsibilities include:

- Collecting donations from students and staff.

- Sorting and inspecting items to ensure they are clean, safe, and usable.

- Setting up and managing displays so students can easily find what they need.

- Promoting the initiative across campus and encouraging sustainable choices.

This role has not only allowed me to connect with students and help them feel more at home, but it has also deepened my passion for sustainability and community support.

I look forward to continuing this journey in the upcoming year and growing the initiative even further. If you have items to donate feel free to reach out!

my Name is Finley and I am an ambassador for Bucks New Usage.

As a Film Production student entering my second year at Bucks, I’ve seen firsthand how challenging it can be to balance studies, creativity, and finances.

That’s why I’m passionate about supporting initiatives that make student life more affordable, sustainable, and community driven, as a student usage ambassador I will help collect, clean, and prepare donated items ranging from blankets and dishes to tech appliances making them ready for redistribution through the Bucks New Usage program.

This initiative not only provides essential items to students for free but also promotes sustainability by reducing waste and giving pre-loved items a second life.

As a result of this I'm committed to creating a student experience that can help my peers cut costs, as well as ensuring all items are clean, presentable, and organized for easy access. I’m eager to help grow the visibility of this incredible resource, and to support students in need with dignity, respect, and care.

By Kelly Wiles

Volunteering Find a way to give back with...

Last year our students volunteered over 17,000 hours in the community, running clubs and societies and through our internal Students' Union projects! Our students also managed to raise an amazing £16,412 last year for RAG.

Volunteering at University can be so beneficial for you and can easily coincide with your studies. Volunteering can be anything from being on a committee for a club or society, giving back to the community by looking after our natural environment, from beach cleans, food growing and planting as well as looking after each other, working with charities for mental health, youth clubs and liberation groups.

Here at Bucks Students’ Union, we are always encouraging students to volunteer as there are so many great benefits that you gain. Volunteering looks great on your CV and provides you with many experiences and professional skills which will be great for your time beyond university.

The volunteer ambassadors will be on hand to run activities and help you get involved with all different experiences. Volunteering can be extremely rewarding and enjoyable and it is also a chance to meet like-minded people and make new friends. Volunteering opportunities are varied and there is definitely something for everyone, from six-month internships to one-off volunteering opportunities selling poppies for the British Legion. There is always an opportunity to get involved which we can make fit around everyone’s busy university schedule and individual passions.

There are so many volunteering opportunities in place for the year, if you want to see what we are offering visit the Bucks Students’ Union website and visit the volunteering portal where all the opportunities are kept. Students who volunteer their time get rewarded by being awarded with certificates based on the hours they have put in.

The hours are:

• Bronze award - 50 hours

• Silver award - 100 hours

• Gold award - 200 hours

• Platinum award - 400 hours

If you reach your Platinum Volunteering award, you will be invited to our annual Union Awards dinner evening to be presented with your certificate.

This academic year we are continuing our volunteering bundles! If you reach 30 community hours, you will be able to collect your very own volunteering kit which includes a T-shirt, hoodie, backpack, charger cables and more! We want you to be kitted out in a volunteering stash ready for any opportunity you may want to get involved with.

There are only 50 bundles available, so be quick and get logging those hours.

By Kristen Clark and Lauren Milne

Meet Your Volunteer Ambassadors 2025-26

Our Volunteer ambassador’s role is to help the Student Activities team in organising and running different volunteering opportunities for students.

We work with clubs, societies, student leaders and student reps across our different campuses to increase the participation of students getting involved in volunteering opportunities to boost their co-curricular skills.

While also creating an enjoyable volunteering environment for students to get involved in our student community.

Meet Lauren!

H, I’m Lauren, I’m a third-year student studying Psychology. I started volunteering with the SU in my first year at University. My favourite volunteer opportunities have been beach cleans and Spooktacular.

I’m looking forward for this academic year and all the fantastic volunteering opportunities.

At Bucks Students’ Union we have loads of Volunteering projects for all students to get involved with, whether this is out and about in the community or around the University and Students’ Union or virtually, there is always plenty of opportunities to get stuck in with! We are always keen to hear from students about what volunteering projects would benefit you, so there is also the option to always suggest new opportunities too!

If you have any Volunteering queries do let us know by contacting: bucksvolunteerambassador@gmail.com

You can also follow us on our Social Media platforms:

GREEN AMBASSADOR 2025-26

Meet Kristen!

Hello there! I’m pleased to let you all know that I am your Green Ambassador for the 2025-26 academic year!

I’m excited to network with members of the university to enhance Sustainability and Fairtrade at Buckinghamshire New University.

I also look forward to supporting sports teams and societies with their Sustainability initiatives and to improving life here at Bucks. Go Green Today!

It’s Only Cool If It’s Mutual!

The A-Z of Consent

Starting university opens the door to all kinds of new experiences — from meeting people from different backgrounds and exploring your independence, to navigating relationships, identity, and personal boundaries. It’s a time of learning, not just in the lecture halls, but in everyday life. One of the most important things you can learn during this time is how to understand and practice consent — clearly, confidently, and respectfully. Consent isn’t just a one-time conversation or a checkbox before sex. It’s about mutual respect, clear

communication, and shared responsibility — in relationships, friendships, group settings, and even digital spaces. It’s about understanding boundaries (your own and others'), knowing how to express your comfort or discomfort, and recognising that consent is ongoing, enthusiastic, and can be withdrawn at any time.

Despite how essential it is, consent is often misunderstood or reduced to vague assumptions and outdated norms. That’s where this A–Z guide comes in. Think of it as a crash course in what consent really looks like — from A for Autonomy

to Z for Zero Pressure. Each entry breaks down a key idea, myth, or term in a way that’s clear, relatable, and relevant to your everyday life on and off campus.

Whether you’re figuring things out for yourself, trying to support a friend, or just want to better understand the language of respect, this guide is here to help. No shame, no judgment — just the information and tools you need to build more respectful, confident, and informed connections.

GET YOUR FILL OF FRESHERS'

SATURDAY 27 SEPTEMBER TO SATURDAY 11 OCTOBER Scan to visit - Freshers page

SATURDAY 27 SEPT SUNDAY 28 MONDAY 29

TUESDAY 30 WEDNESDAY 1 OCT THURSDAY 2

FRIDAY 3 SATURDAY 4 SUNDAY 5

MONDAY 6

THURSDAY 9

TUESDAY 7

WEDNESDAY 8

FRIDAY 10 SATURDAY 11

Freshers' Fortnight at The Venue, Bucks is the ultimate way to kick off your university experience – two incredible weeks packed with the events you know and love, plus exciting new surprises we can’t wait for you to see. From themed club nights and karaoke to chilled socials and wild parties, there’s a huge variety of events to suit everyone. It’s the perfect chance to meet new people, make unforgettable memories, and settle into student life in the best way possible. And this year, we’re going bigger than ever with some amazing headline acts:

SHUTDOWN: Hardy Caprio Saturday 4 October, 10PM – 3AM, The Venue

Bringing the heat with his signature UK rap and afro-swing sound, Hardy’s known for bangers like “Unsigned” and “Best Life” – get ready for a huge night.

Freshers' Ball 2025: SIGALA Saturday 11 October, 10PM – 3AM, The Venue

One of the UK’s biggest dance music producers, known for massive hits like “Easy Love”, “Wish You Well”, and “Lasting Lover”. His highenergy sets are guaranteed to bring the party. Get ready – Freshers Fortnight 2025 is going to be unforgettable!

Freshers’ Fortnight Festivities!

Have a look at what activities we have got on for you for Freshers’ fortnight, don’t forget that we have more on the What’s On page.

Monday 29 September: Board Game afternoon

Unplug, roll the dice, and bring your game face! Join us for a chilled-out afternoon of classic board games, friendly competition, and good vibes. Whether you're a strategy master or just in it for the laughs, there's a seat at the table for everyone.

Wednesday 1 October: Freshers' Fair 2025

Come along to see all the stalls, from Sports clubs to Skills and Development. You can find out what our Students Union has to offer for all students. There will be some freebies including sweets and Pizza from Domino’s.

Tuesday 30 September: Arts and Crafts

Join us for a fun and relaxing afternoon filled with colour, imagination, and hands-on creativity! Whether you're a seasoned crafter or just looking to try something new, there's something for everyone.

Wednesday 1 October: Escape Room

Come and solve the puzzles, unlock the riddles and discover the secrets in a typical silly fun-filled Escape game. The stag do that went wrong! You awake the morning after the night before to find yourself in the town police cell with an hour until the church bells will ring. Can you retrace your steps and get him to the church on time?

Thursday 2 October: Bubble Zorb Footba

Get ready for the ultimate twist on the beautiful game – Zorb Football! Climb inside a giant inflatable bubble and battle it out on the pitch with friends, laughter, and plenty of bounce! No football skills needed, just a sense of humour and a love for fun!

Friday 3 October:

Rush Trampoline Park

Get ready to fly high and find the FUN as our Rush playlist keeps the atmosphere running all night. Explore our most exciting equipment, from Extreme Dodgeball, Wipeout, our huge AirBag, slam dunk basketball, Rush assault course or simply dance your way down our sea of wall-to-wall, interconnected trampolines with you and your friends.

Wednesday 8 October:

Performance Poetry - Sam Browne

All of us need a coping mechanism to stay mentally healthy and if journalling, writing or performing work for you, this will be a fabulous opportunity. Sam Browne is a poet who focuses on live spoken word.

Monday 6 October:

Tour of High Wycombe Town

Join us for a fascinating guided tour through the heart of High Wycombe, a historic market town full of charm, stories, and surprises. From its rich chairmaking past, explore the landmarks, legends, and local favourites that make this town unique.

Tuesday 7 October:

IKEA trip

Do you need some furniture for your new place? Need some odd bits to fill up your cupboards? or just want to mooch around IKEA? We are providing transport to IKEA for all your Swedish flat pack needs. There is even a food hall for you to try their famous meatballs and mash!!

Thursday 9 October:

Twelfth Night - Globe Theatre

Step into a world of shipwrecks, disguise, and unrequited love in one of William Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies! Twelfth Night is a tale of passion, laughter, and tangled hearts, where nothing is quite as it seems.

Friday 10 October:

London Museum Trip

Explore the London Natural History Museum and the Science Museum as well as enough time to explore the different London sights! You will take a Coach up to London, where you can take in the sights driving throughout.

Your Voice. Their Mission.

Introducing the new Student Voice Officers for this academic year!

What

are

Student Voice Officers?

Student Voice Officers play a vital role in making sure the Students’ Union is inclusive, community-driven, and truly representative of BNU’s diverse student body.

In this paid, part-time leadership role, Student Voice Officers work closely together with full-time elected officers, and Union staff to shape strategy, lead impactful campaigns, and drive positive change — especially for the groups they represent.

Student Voice Officers also:

• Represent students on Union and University committees

• Lead campaigns to improve the student experience

• Scrutinise reports and ensure accountability

• Promote and support SU events across campus

• Collaborate with key stakeholders to make sure student voices are heard at every level.

The officers who are already driving change this year are….

‘’I was motivated to become a Student Voice Officer to ensure that student perspectives are actively represented in university decisions. This year, I aim to enhance communication between students and staff, promote meaningful feedback, and contribute to a more inclusive and responsive academic environment.’’

‘’ Hi, my name is Ben Gibbons, and I’m currently in my third year studying Music Production and Business. I chose to become a Student Voice Officer because I’m passionate about making a positive impact on the student experience here at Bucks. This role gives me a unique opportunity to support and represent my fellow students, while also allowing me to grow personally and professionally by working alongside some of the key people who shape our university.

Students can get in contact with me via asking for me at the Student Union, or via emailing me at: ben.gibbons@bnu.ac.uk’’

We currently have fulfilled eight of our positions with two positions open for recruitment in September.

At present, we do not have representation from male students, LGBTQIA+ individuals, or Black women, and we especially welcome applications from members of these groups.

If you are interested in finding out more about the remaining Student Voice Officer positions please get in touch at surepresentation@bnu.ac.uk

‘’ I applied for the role of Student Voice Officer because I wanted to be able to advocate for minority and overlooked groups in our community. I am highly passionate about women’s safety and this role gives me the flexibility to plan a campaign around this interest. The team are so supportive and always ensure that I can achieve goals.

I am still in the early development of running this campaign but hope to plan multiple support events, talks, girls nights and more. My aim is to improve the university experience for women and help ensure they feel sage in and around campus.’’

‘’ Hi, I’m Ellie. I’m delighted to be continuing with the SVO team for this academic year. I joined the Student Voice Officer Team to advocate the Student Voice of our underrepresented student communities, to enhance their voices and inclusion in the student experience.

This year, I am striving to achieve campaigns for Allied Health Students studying at Uxbridge and Aylesbury Campuses, to bring some vibrancy and additional skills and activities to the Healthcare Student Experience. I am also currently working on Bucks Broadcast: Could You Be A Leader, which is a campaign for widening participation and visibility for student leadership opportunities and their partnership in governance to shaping the university student experience.

Students can contact me via email (ellie.lee@bnu.ac.uk) or I can also quite often be found across the SU at our campuses so do come and say hello! I wish all our freshers and returning students a fantastic 2025/2026 academic year!"

Evie Davies (she / her)

‘’ My name is Evie Davies (she/her) and I’m studying my BA (Hons) degree in Photography. Last year I was the Student Rep for my class, and I enjoyed being able to help my classmates with any support and feedback that they needed. This Student Voice Officer role allows me to continue to give a voice

This year I aim to help others like me who need a little bit of support but often slip through the cracks or don’t know how to ask for the help they need. I have ADHD and I feel as though the disorder is often misunderstood, especially in women, meaning our struggles often go unnoticed and we miss out on much needed support. With most women with ADHD, it is just a small boost of support we need, such as check-ins and someone to talk to. Starting uni can be overwhelming and the different aspects of your life (such as work and social life) can become harder to balance. I want to be there to help those who need it and advocate for you to the uni so they can ensure you and the support you need doesn’t slip through the cracks.

If you wish to contact me: Emaileviemae.davis@bnu.ac.uk’’

‘’ I applied to be a Student Voice Officer because the university provided me with such valuable support during my first year and I wanted to give back by helping other students in return, I've experienced similar roles during high school which sparked my passion for student advocacy.

I held this position last year and during my time as a student voice officer, I worked hard to represent student concerns and improve communication between the student voice and the university. As well as this I worked to make more inclusive spaces for students with my colleagues, such as creating more mixers for students to attend and bringing attention to disability and mental health awareness days. I want to continue developing the work I began last year, especially with creating more supportive and inclusive environments for students.

As someone with a disability, I am particularly passionate about supporting disabled students and advocating for the needs of women-identifying students as well.

I want to use my role to make sure every student feel supported and heard by the university.

Students can contact me through freya.carson@bnu.ac.uk’’

‘’ Despite being a mature student, I wanted to get involved when I joined BNU. That so far has not been attainable due to lack of interest at Aylesbury campus. This role allows me to spread the word so there is a fun and sociable aspect to Aylesbury campus.

I am an adult nursing student with lots of healthcare experience which means I am used to listening to concerns and liaising with lots of parties.

Furthermore, I am extremely passionate about ensuring fairness for all including those with Autism, therefore please approach me with things so you can have a brilliant social and academic experience.’’

Ritamary Benny

‘’ My name is Ritamary Benny and I’m proud to be one of your Student Voice Officers this year. I’m currently studying 3rd year BSc Aviation Management, and I’m passionate about making sure that every student’s voice is heard, valued, and acted upon.

As an SVO, my role is to listen to students’ feedback, concerns, and ideas, and communicate them to the Students' Union and University. Whether it’s about your course, campus facilities, or the student experience in general, I’m here to ensure your views shape real changes. My aim is to create a positive, inclusive, and supportive environment where all students feel empowered.

I decided to become an SVO because I believe that every student should feel confident and comfortable speaking up—whether it’s about what’s working well or what could be improved. I want to be a strong and approachable link between students and staff, and help bring transparency and action to the feedback process.

If you’ve got something to say—big or small—I want to hear it! You can contact me directly at:

Email: ritamary.benny@bnu.ac.uk

Instagram: @ritamary_bnu

Let’s work together to make your university experience the best it can be. Your voice matters, and I’m here to help amplify it.’’

The Clean Drain Campaign A Guide to Avoiding

Drains are an essential part of every UK household, silently carrying away wastewater from our sinks, showers, toilets, and appliances. But what many people don’t realise is that what we put down our drains can cause significant blockages, costly repairs, environmental pollution, and even public health risks. In the UK alone, water companies deal with over 300,000 sewer blockages every year, costing the industry and bill-payers millions of pounds. A major culprit? What people put down their drains.

Here’s a practical guide on what you can and cannot put down your drains — and why it matters.

What You Can Put Down the Drains:

1. Water

Clean water and wastewater from daily use (like washing or bathing) are safe.

2. Mild Cleaning Liquids

Diluted household cleaning products can be rinsed down the sink in moderation, as long as they’re marked as safe for drains.

What You Should Never Put Down the Drains:

Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG)

Why it’s a problem:

These substances might be liquid when hot, but they solidify as they cool, sticking to pipe walls and forming ‘fatbergs’.

UK Impact:

Thames Water removed a 130-tonne fatberg from a London sewer in 2017 — the size of a double-decker bus!

What to do instead:

Pour cooled fats into a container and dispose of them in the bin. Some councils provide fat recycling schemes.

Wet Wipes, Nappies and Sanitary Products

Why it’s a problem:

These don’t break down like toilet paper and can cause massive clogs.

UK Fact:

Water UK reports that 93% of material causing sewer blockages are wet wipes. What to do instead:

Only flush the 3Ps — Pee, Poo, and (toilet) Paper. Everything else goes in the bin.

Coffee Grounds and Food Scraps

• They clump together in pipes and act like glue for fats and oils.

• Compost these instead, or dispose of in your food waste bin.

Blockages and Pollution

Paint, Solvents, and Chemicals

• These can harm water treatment processes and pollute waterways.

• Many councils run hazardous waste disposal schemes – check with your local authority.

Hair

• Hair binds with grease and soap, forming stubborn clogs in shower and sink pipes.

• Use a drain guard to catch hair and empty it into the bin.

Medications

•Flushing pills or pouring liquid meds down the sink contaminates water supplies.

• Return unused medicines to your local pharmacy for safe disposal.

How to Keep Your Drains Healthy:

• Use drain guards: These catch debris like hair and food bits.

• Run hot water: Regularly flush your sink with hot water to prevent grease buildup.

• Clean your drains naturally: A mixture of baking soda and vinegar, followed by hot water, can help keep things flowing.

• Educate your household: Make sure everyone knows what should and shouldn’t go down the drain.

Conclusion:

Caring for your drains is not just about avoiding personal inconvenience — it’s about protecting your home, your community, and the environment. In the UK, the message is clear: only flush the 3Ps and bin the rest. By making small changes in your daily habits, you can help prevent blockages, avoid costly repairs, and reduce pollution to our rivers and seas.Here’s a practical guide on what you can and cannot put down your drains — and why it matters.

Union Council...

did someone say FREE pizza?

Union Council is the highest form of representation at the Students’ Union and serves as our senior representative body. Meeting throughout the year, the Council was established to represent the voice of the students. It is a platform that informs students about changes to policies within the Union, offers the opportunity to vote on university-wide issues, and directs our lobbying approach All students are welcome to attend these meetings to give feedback on their experiences and we strongly encourage new voices.

Every month, our Elected Officers provide updates on their efforts to enhance the student experience, along with a round-up of key changes made at the Union's top-level meetings. Students also can quiz our Officers and hold them to account for their work to better your time at BNU.

Free refreshments are provided at every meeting including FREE Domino's pizza. So not only can you have a major input on the student experience at BNU but you can also grab yourself some free pizza in the process - what's not to love?! We also give out food vouchers to one random winner at every meeting as part of our wider cost of living work as a Union.

Union Council is led by an elected student Chair, who is responsible for the running of the council and ensuring that all members have the chance to raise and discuss any ideas or issues within the meeting. They help set the agenda, chair discussions, ensure fair representation, and maintain communication with Council members.

Nominations are currently open for the 2025-26 Union Council Chair, so if you want to enhance your CV, gain hands-on experience with time and people management, as well as develop your skills in public speaking and leadership, why not put yourself forward? Nominations open at 10am, Monday 29 September and close at midday, Friday 17 October 2024. Voting will take place the following week.

You can submit your nomination at bucksstudentsunion.org/elections/ unioncouncilchair, or by emailing surepresentation@bnu.ac.uk with the below details:

• Full name

• Student ID

• Contact email

Our first Union Council will be held on Thursday 23 October from 5pm. Keep an eye on the Students’ Unions ‘What’s On’ page for the location and future dates, and for more information or how you can get involved, speak to any member of the Elected Officer team or email surepresentation@bnu.ac.uk

MONEY ADVICE

2025-26 Guidance

Whilst we hope your time at University is all plain sailing and smiles, the Advice Centre is always here should that not be the case. We are the Advice Centre, here to listen to, advise and support students by providing a professional, independent and confidential service, which is accessible and welcoming. We will use our experience and knowledge on student issues to influence University thinking to make life better for students at BNU.

To give you an idea of how much money you will need, here are some figures of what an average student might expect to spend in a week:

• Rent

• Groceries

• Daily Travel

• Socialising

• Course Costs

• Takeaways

The total average spending in this example is £250 per week. Obviously, this does not mean that this will be your weekly expenditure, so it is important to work out what your budget will be £40 for the year and plan accordingly. The money you may receive in loans from Student Finance and any other grants or bursaries will probably not be enough to meet all your expenses, so money from a part-time job or from parents will be needed. It is also important to prioritise your expenditure, for instance making sure that you have enough money to pay your rent, bills and for food before you spend your money on other less important things.

Most full-time students in higher education are not eligible for any welfare benefits, but some are.

Visit gov.uk for information on benefits.

If you are on any welfare benefits before you start your course, you must inform the relevant agency that you are now on a full-time higher education course. If you are eligible for student funding some of it is counted as income for benefit purposes.

If everyone living in a house is a full-time student, then the household is exempt from Council Tax. However, the Council will need proof, this can be obtained from The Student Hub. If not, everyone is a full-time student, then come to us for advice as it is complicated.

Anyone on a low income can apply for help with health costs. To apply for help you will need to fill in an HC1 form and we have these in the Students’ Union Advice Centre or you can complete one online: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-low-income-scheme

Hopefully by now you have sorted out your finances for this academic year, and know what you’ll be getting in terms of student support or if you’re not eligible for student support, have enough money available to see you through. If you haven’t, you need to get this sorted as a matter of urgency. Arriving at university without enough money will make your life very tough and can impact on your ability to pass your course.

TOTUM

TOTUM (used to be called NUS extra card) gives you great discounts and savings. Visit totum.com to get your card now.

Useful websites

Money Saving Expert moneysavingexpert.com

We cannot recommend this website enough. It is full of helpful information about all things to do with money. Particularly check out the budget planner, information on the best student bank accounts, the exclusive deals and information on student sponsorships and grants.

Turn2us

turn2us.org.uk

Turn2us is a national charity helping people when times get tough. A good website if you are a single parent on benefits, a section on studying and it has a grant search.

Bucks Students’ Union Advice Centre

High Wycombe Campus

tel: 01494 603 016 suadvice@bnu.ac.uk

Uxbridge Campus tel: 01494 605 180 bucksstudentsunion.org/advice

Useful contacts

Student Finance England gov.uk/student-finance

Telephone: 0300 100 0607

Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm

Saturday and Sunday, 9am-4pm

Text relay (Relay UK)

(if you cannot hear or speak on the phone) 18001 then 0300 100 0607

Student Finance Northern Ireland studentfinanceni.co.uk

Student Finance Scotland saas.gov.uk

Student Finance Wales studentfinancewales.co.uk

Student Finance EU team

Telephone: 0141 243 3570

From outside the UK: +44 1412 433 570 Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm

NHS Student Bursaries nhsbsa.nhs.uk/students

Ridgway House, Northgate Close, Middlebrook, Horwich, Bolton, BL6 6PQ

Telephone: 0300 330 1345

Twitter: @NHSBSA_Students Facebook: /NHSstudentbursaries

Social Work Bursary

nhsbsa.nhs.uk/students

Social Work Bursaries, PO Box 141, Hesketh House, 200-220 Broadway, Fleetwood, FY7 9AS

Telephone: 0300 330 1342

Twitter: @SWB_NHSBSA

Facebook: /socialworkbursaries

UKCISA (The UK Council for International Student Affairs) ukcisa.org.uk

Telephone: 020 7788 9214

Monday to Friday, 1-4pm

Contact for advice and information on all overseas student issues, including funding and immigration.

Financial help for disabled students in higher education gov.uk/disabled-students-allowance-dsa

The Buckinghamshire New University Financial Aid - Hardship Fund (FA-HF) can offer support if you are in financial hardship. Each application is assessed by The Student Hub following the BNUHF guidelines. If you receive a payment, it will be based on the assessment. Each student’s reasons for applying and financial situation will differ from each other.

You are eligible to apply if you are a ‘home’ full time or part-time student. You must be receiving all funding you are eligible for prior to applying to the fund. You must also be enrolled and within your academic year. EU students who continue to be funded by Student Finance can apply to the Financial Aid - Hardship Fund, you will need to provide evidence of your Tuition Fee Loan. If you are a part-time student, you must be studying the equivalent of 50% of a full-time course. Certain categories of students fall into priority groups for financial help from the Financial Aid - Hardship Fund. Payments are given as grants which do not have to be repaid.

Applications can take some time to process, so you are strongly advised to apply before you run out of money if you are in financial hardship. The fund does not have to be repaid. If you want to apply for BNUHF or for more information, please make an appointment to see an advisor in either Advice Centre.

The NHS Learning Support Fund

For eligible healthcare students only if you started your undergraduate healthcare course on or after 1 August 2017 or you are a postgraduate student that started a course on or after 1 August 2018, you may be eligible to apply for the NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF).

The LSF provides eligible students access to the Training Grant, Parental Support (PA), Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses (TDAE), and the Exceptional Support Find (ESF). The Training Grant is a non-means tested grant of £5000 paid each academic year in three instalments. An additional £1000 is paid to students on specific courses including mental health nursing. You will need evidence of eligibility in the form of your Student Finance letter to apply. The PA provides full-time students who are responsible for dependent children under the age of 15 (17 if the child has special educational needs) on the first day of the academic year. Eligible students will receive a non-repayable grant of £2,000. The funding is paid in three instalments (£500 in term 1, £500 in term 2, £1,000 in term 3). If you are a part-time student, you may be eligible for pro-rata funding, contact the NHS directly for more details.

The TDAE allows you to apply for your travel and dual accommodation claims. Eligible students are entitled to have some of the additional costs of attending placement reimbursed. The ESF is an additional non-repayable hardship fund, and it is available to eligible healthcare students only.

For more information on the Learning Support Fund and to check your eligibility, please visit: nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-learning-support-fund.

Keep active, try something new, and meet new people!

We are ready to welcome you to Bucks whether you are returning student or coming for the very first time.

Do you want to be active but not compete in sport? We have the perfect option for you. With our recreational sporting programme, Sport for Fun you can try a variety of sport and physical activities regardless of your ability. There is no commitment and all our activities are free of charge (apart from Bike Hire) and take place on different days, so there is always something for you to try.

What can I get involved in?

We have an action-packed programme for you this year with a mixture of weekly activity such as Football, Climbing, Cricket and newly introduced this year Pickleball. Throughout the year we will also be running lots of fun trips which you can get involved in, Go Karting, Crazy Golf, Trampolining, Snowsports and Ice Skating to name just a few, so be sure to keep track of our social media channels for all the latest information. If there is something we currently do not offer and is something you would like us to do, do not hesitate to get in touch. No idea is a stupid idea.

Bike Hire Scheme

We have several bikes which are available to hire throughout the year, where for a £40 deposit you can access the bikes for any purpose that suits your needs, whether this be commuting to uni/work or for general exercise. This deposit is fully refundable subject to certain terms.

SFF Ambassadors

We are looking for student leads for several sports so, if you have a passion for any sport and would like to enhance your CV whilst at university by gaining valuable leadership, organisation and communication get in touch. This is a volunteer role, but we will reward you for your work by paying for a coaching course if this is something you wish to do.

How do I get involved?

If you are interested in participating or would like further information on any of the upcoming events, contact sport@bnu.ac.uk. Oh, and don’t forget to follow us on our social media!

Instagram: @bucksstudentsactivities

By Daniel Lawrence

Daniel Lawrence Student Activities Coordinator (Recreational Sport and Societies)

Looking to enhance your university experience participating in something you love? Then why not join one of our many societies we have on offer!

We have a total of 26 societies for you to get involved in, ranging across different aspects such as Common interest (Baking, Comic, Kpop), societies linked to your course (Midwifery, Mooting or Physician Associate), physically active ones, cultural ones (Mallus and Nepalese) but also faith groups (Islamic Society and Christian Union). These are just a select few we have, for a full list visit bucksstudentsunion.org/ activities/socs.

All our societies are preparing for your arrival and have some fantastic plans in the works to engage you and get the most out of your university life. Each society is led by a committee who have been in your shoes and know exactly how you are feeling. Feeling nervous, no need to worry, our societies will help you settle into university life by helping you meet new people and gain some friends for life and this is only some of the amazing feedback we received last year!

Hopefully after visiting our website, there is one which catches your eye. If this is not the case, why not set up your very own society linked to your hobby or culture, all you need is you and 2 others.

You will get the full support of us here at the Students’ Union to help you get going, ranging from help with the initial paperwork to providing you with some funding to get the society up and running. Leading a society is a great way of enhancing your CV, providing organisation and communication skills which will help you in any career.

For further information on how to set up a society contact susocieties@bnu.ac.uk or you can find us on Instagram @bucksstudentsactivities

Daniel Lawrence Student Activities Coordinator (Recreational Sport and Societies)

By Daniel Lawrence

Societies

"Being part of a society has really helped me meet new people and become lifelong friends with them. Societies really highlighted my time at BNU."

By James Wade

The Anime and Cosplay Society

We at the Anime and Cosplay Society are a collection of geeks bound together by a shared love of the medium and all its adjacent contemporaries (whether that’s manga, games, or just general Japanese media).

At the Anime and Cosplay Society we try our best to create a welcoming environment for anyone with an interest in anime, manga, cosplay, or adjacent media. Whether you have watched Black Butler or Kamen Rider religiously, or don't know what those things are but have a passing interest in some shonen, there’s a seat for you open here.

As for what we do, we have a good mixture of activities from watching anime, playing anime related games, the occasional cosplay sessions, and our quizzes. On top of these, we have plans to expand on what we do greatly in the coming year. We openly encourage our members to give ideas for sessions and prioritise feedback on how to improve.

We meet on Mondays at 5.30pm, so stop by if you’re interested. We’d be glad to see you!

By Fleur Voerman

Bucks Blade HEMA

Fancy being a member of the oldest society of BNU and pick up some awesome sword fighting skills while you’re at it?

Look no further! Not only will you meet likeminded friends, but you will be taught actual techniques based on 14th15th century sword fighting manuals.

And the best thing? You do not need any previous experience! And it doesn’t matter what you study either, we accept everybody.

Our lovely instructors take you on a journey from singlehanded to hand-in-a-half and sword-and-buckler fighting styles, and at the end of the day we do a round of free sparring.

For more information head to the Bucks Students‘ Union website and check out our society. So if you’re hooked now, just curious, or have no idea what all of that was about, don’t worry!

Just come to one of our sessions and check it out it person :)

Our first session is on the Wednesday 8th of October at 6pm in Drama Studio 2 (WW0.01)

See you there!

By Cole Williams

BNU Boxing Society

We run weekly sessions every Thursday evening at Warriors Fight Factory, just a 20 minute walk from the university, with professional coaches.

Our classes are suitable for any skill level, whether you've never boxed before or are a pro, everyone is welcome!

Sessions typically start with a warm-up, some fitness training and then you can choose to hop in the sparring ring or focus on learning new techniques.

We encourage our members to train at their own pace and work towards their personal goals. So, if you’re looking for a fun way to exercise, to learn new skills or to become the next world champion, sign up to BNU Boxing (for free!) online or at freshers' fair.

PS: Our annual Fight Night is one of the student unions biggest events, check out the most recent highlight video on the SU website!

By Kwaku Yeboah, Olajesu Esther Abai and Sharon Kshetri

New term, new journey – Lets Walk with Christ Together

Your

campus life with Christ at the centre.

Starting university can be overwhelming, but you’re not meant to do it alone. The Christian union (CU) is a Christ centred community where students grow in faith and support each other through campus life.

Whether you are a lifelong Christian or just exploring, there is a place for you here.

We meet on campus weekly for Bible studies, prayer gatherings and fun hangouts. It’s a safe space to ask questions and deepen your walk with God.

As you begin this new chapter, we invite you to journey with us. Come hungry for God...and snacks.

We’ve got both.

"We don’t have all the answers, but we know the one who does"

By Gowther Whittington and Logan Morazain

CATS Society

A society welcoming a flexible mix of performance and sports skills

We are a society that encourage providing a space for improving flexibility, muscular endurance and motor skills. From juggling to acrobatics, parkour, clowning, singing, roller skating what we provide is shaped by what our committee and members can offer broadening our range of disciplines. Think you could be committee? Ask us what space we have available our teachers can commit to as little as 2 hours per week or as much as 4-6 hours.

So far since opening CATS society in March 2025 we’ve covered poi, acro, hula hooping, face paint sessions, red nose awareness and other activities to involve our members on what we could offer.

This term coming late October 2025 we wish to find a way to launch our own space to do aerial hoop classes which will take place in DS2. Our sessions run from 2 times a week with additional training sessions with enough demand.

By James Wade

Join the Comic Society!

Do you like superheroes? Did you ever have a favourite marvel movie as a kid? Ever played hours of Batman Arkham? Or are you a more hardcore comic book fan, who can vouch for the most obscure character known to man as a personal favourite? If the answer to any of those questions was yes, try the Comic Society!

We host movie showings, quizzes, game tournaments, discussions, and much more. If it's related to a comic, whether that’s traditional Marvel or DC, independent, licensed, or even comic strips like Garfield or Far Side, we have a place for it here.

We are a fairly new society, although one that has already won Society of the Year. We prioritise member experience and creating a varied schedule of different activities to create something worthwhile for everyone from newcomers to dedicated comic book fans.

If any of this sounds interesting to you, find us at 6pm on Fridays, and try it out. We hope to see you there!

Mission Statement

Islamic Society at Buckinghamshire New University

Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu!

(May the peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you).

“Whoever

Our mission is to foster a sense of community at university by creating a dynamic, inclusive and Islamic-centred environment to connect, learn and develop. We are committed to ensuring that our initiatives reflect the values of Islam: peace, diversity and inclusion, making the society accessible and meaningful for everyone.

Our Vision

Our aim is to bring together individuals from all backgrounds, creating a welcoming space rooted in faith and mutual respect. We aim to host a variety of events and activities throughout the academic year, including reminders by fellow students and guest speakers who offer valuable guidance and insight.

What we offer at the University?

Weekly Islamic Reminders

Each week, we offer a spiritual reminder designed to uplift and rejuvenate our hearts. These sessions draw from the timeless wisdom of the Qur’an, the teachings of the Prophet, and the noble traditions of the Sunnah. It’s a cherished time for reflection and renewal; a moment to pause, ponder, and reconnect with our purpose and faith amidst the university pressures and deadlines.

Jummah Prayer

Jummah, the most blessed day of the week. A time when we come together to pray, reflect, and reconnect. Amid the hustle and bustle of academic life, it offers a spiritual detox and a chance to pause. Standing shoulder to shoulder, we embrace unity through collective worship while listening to inspiring khutbas (sermons) and recitations delivered by our brothers on campus.

performs Ghusl on Friday, then goes to the mosque early, listens attentively during the khutbah, and does not engage in idle speech, will have his sins forgiven between that Friday and the next.”

Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 883) and Sahih Muslim (Hadith 857)

Bake Sales

We have bake sales featuring a variety of sweet treats like brownies, karak chai, milk cake, and more!

Guest Speakers

We host inspirational guest speakers who share valuable insights, advice, and raise awareness on important topics.

Ramadan Iftar

We held a beautiful Iftar during Ramadan, bringing us together to break our fast in unity, accompanied by meaningful reminders. We came together in the true spirit of community, experiencing the bonds of sisterhood and brotherhood as we broke our fast, prayed together, shared meaningful reminders, and enjoyed beautiful Quran recitations.

Picnics

We have cute picnics in scenic settings such as the park and tulip fields to embrace nature, painting and sisterhood.

Future initiatives

Guest Speakers: We aim to host more inspirational and knowledgeable speakers.

Islamic Classes: We are in the process of setting up weekly classes on Islamic teachings including Seerah of the Prophet and Arabic and more.

Hiking: We are planning adventurous excursions such as hiking trips where sisters can connect, embrace nature and a challenge!

Fundraising: We intend to fundraise for charities by hosting bake sales and other relative initiatives In’Sha’Allah.

Prayer Room: N1.10

Instagram: bnuislamicsociety

TikTok: bnu_isoc

Email: islamicsocietybnu@gmail.com

WhatsApp: Scan the QR code below to join the announcements chat, then join the brothers or sisters group chat respectively.

By Dan Charlton

A Warm Welcome From Mental Wellbeing Society

Welcome to BNU! We are a brand new society, set up for students to have a place they can unwind, whilst also learning to foster healthy mental wellbeing.

We have loads of ideas brewing, which we, as a committee, are so excited to share with you all in the near future! We all know university can be stressful at times, so we want to help support and encourage maintenance of our member’s mental wellbeing.

Sessions will vary in format, ranging from arts and crafts and games nights, to walk and talk socials and hosting guest speakers! We also will be running a few trips and socials throughout the year, so watch this space!

Anyone and everyone is welcome to join, whether you’re brand new to the university, or preparing to begin your final year!

No matter if you want to use the society as a place to unwind, or to socialise and meet new people, we would be delighted to invite you to our society!

If you have any questions, or would like to know more about the society, feel free to message us on Instagram @bucksmentalwellbeingsoc or via email, on bucksmentalwellbeingsociety@gmail.com.

We look forward to meeting you all later this year, and can’t wait to get started!

Welcome to Bucks Musical Theatre Society!

Bucks Musical Theatre Society is a welcoming space for all students with an interest in musical theatre and the performing arts! We are a Society with Union Award accolades and have been an Outstanding Accredited Society every year since 2017. We pride our success on running weekly sessions where there is something for everyone to enjoy, to hosting professional masterclasses and regular rehearsals for our jam packed schedule of performance opportunities.

Throughout the 2024-25 academic year our society highlights included participating in our fun, engaging and open sessions where we soon got to know each other and became a part of the Bucks MT community. From performances at High Wycombe Christmas Lights Switch On, Winter and Summer Showcases to volunteering out in the community and across the university on various performance tours. We were joined by industry professionals Ben Sell (Queenz & Kinky Boots) and Lizzie Bea (Hairspray, Heathers & Sister Act) for masterclasses in Actingthrough-Song and Dance. Our Society Competition Team went to Southampton University to compete at the Inter-University Musical Theatre Festival. To rounding - off the year with a Society trip to see Mamma Mia in London’s West End.

The committee is beyond excited to take you with us on another exciting year! We have some amazing things planned, from performances, trips and socials!

We host sessions weekly on Mondays (7.30pm - 9pm) and run socials weekly on Wednesdays (9pm) as well as having the opportunity to have extra sessions for performance preparation.

If you have any questions or would like more information, we have a page on the Bucks Students’ Union Website, or you can DM us on Instagram (@bucksmtsociety) or email us on bucksmtsociety@hotmail.com

From all of us at Bucks MT, we hope you enjoy the rest of your summer and we hope to see you soon!

By Sobia Ali

Physician Associate Society at BNU

MISSION STATEMENT: This is a newly established society at Buckinghamshire New University! We dedicate to represent the interests and concerns of physician associate students, actively advocating for ongoing improvements within the program and ensuring student voices are heard. It will also serve as a central hub for sharing resources, course updates, and organising events that promote collaboration and community.

FUTURE INITIATIVES: Welcome Event

We are planning to hold introductory sessions for newly enrolled PA students, including a Q&A and the sharing of useful resources that previous students have found helpful. This will give new students the chance to connect with current students, ask questions, and settle into the course more smoothly.

Guest Speakers: We aim to invite experienced PAs and alumni to deliver talks about their journeys after graduation, share reallife insights, offer valuable advice, and provide guidance for life beyond the course.

Annual PA Dinner: We plan to host an annual dinner for both first and second-year students, along with staff, to relax, reconnect, and enjoy a well-deserved treat after a challenging but rewarding year. It will be a wonderful opportunity for everyone to come together, reflect on our achievements, and celebrate our hard work. This year, we hosted a small evening to help everyone rest and unwind after a demanding year, and we planning to organise a bigger event next year.

Wellbeing and Support: We hope to launch a wellbeing initiative offering one-to-one sessions for first-year students with senior peers. These sessions will provide a safe space to discuss any challenges, share experiences, and signpost students to further support where needed.

Join the Paramedic Society!

By Freya Cheeseman

Are you a new or returning student interested in first aid, emergency care, and making the most of your university experience?

Then the BNU Paramedic Society is perfect for you! Our Paramedic Society is a supportive, exciting and educational community where you can enhance your learning, meet likeminded people and gain insight into the Paramedic profession. Throughout the year we host many events including guest speakers with expertise in a variety of topics, OSCE practice sessions, fundraising for charity and social nights.

Some examples of last years activities are visiting the High Wycombe fire station to learn how the fire brigade and ambulance service work together and hiking up Mount Snowdon carrying a mannequin to raise money for The Ambulance Staff charity!

We are open to everyone, not just Paramedic Science students so sign up on the Bucks Student Union website, find us at the Freshers Fair and follow us on Instagram @bnu.paramedicine.society!

Did you know that we keep a record of everything that you get involved with at the Students’ Union? And that everything you get involved with can create incredible transferrable

skills to the workplace? That is why we created the Bucks Award!

BUCKS AWARD

Acknowledging commitment & celebrating success

John Smith BSc (Hons) Graphic Design

Volunteering

Club or Society Hours: 282 hours

Community Hours: 5 hours

Skills

Freshers Helper Training 2024/25

Committee Training 2024/25

Sport Specific First Aid 2024/25

STRIVE Employability Festival Attendee 2025

Mental Health Awareness 2023/24

RepCon Welcome 2023/24

Self Care Workshop 2023/24

Freshers Helper Training 2023/24

Employment

Head Freshers Helper 2023/24

Freshers Helper 2022/23

Leadership roles

Men’s Hockey Captain 2024/25

Men’s Hockey Social Secretary 2024/25

Course Rep 2023/24

Men’s Hockey Vice-Captain 2023/24

Memberships

Union Council Member 2024/25

AU Council Member 2024/25

Comic Society Member 2024/25

Men’s Rugby Member 2024/25

Sport for Fun Ballet Fitness Participant 2024/25

Dance Team Member 2024/25

Men’s Hockey Team Member 2024/25

Union Council Member 2023/24

AU Council Member 2023/24

Men’s Hockey Team Member 2022/23

Mens Hockey Team Member 2022/23

Awards

Bronze Volunteering Award

Silver Volunteering Award

Gold Volunteering Award

Union Awards Nominee 2025

Designed to give you a record of all your achievements and activities undertaken with the Students’ Union, we can provide printed copies of these to you at your request any time during the year. The Bucks Award is broken down into headings:

Volunteering – the number of hours of volunteering you have delivered including a breakdown of whether this was community, committee, ambassador or other.

Leadership roles – including membership of the Leadership Academy, committee roles, representation roles and others.

Employment – including Freshers helpers, bar and events staff and others.

Skills – including all co-curricular training sessions and workshops undertaken with us.

Member activities – including memberships of clubs and societies, recreational activities and sport for fun sessions.

Awards – including awards both nominated and won for AU dinner and Union Awards.

The Bucks Award can be used as an ongoing reflective tool to identify any areas you feel we can help you develop, maybe you will accrue many volunteering hours in your first year, but would then like to secure a leadership role, or maybe you will attend a number of skills sessions and would like to use those skills working for us!

As employability has been ranked as a top priority for our students, we can also offer Bucks Award sessions to students at any time through the year. These are self-reflective sessions, where we help you understand what skills you have gained through your time with us and how you can effectively articulate these both in applications and interviews when applying for your dream job.

These sessions typically last 1 hour and can be booked around your schedule, either online or in person.

To request your Bucks Award, a Bucks Award session, or for more information on either of these please email us at sutraining@bnu.ac.uk. We hope to see you soon!

By Alex Ditchburn

Competitive sport at Bucks.

Where sport is FREE!

Competitive Sports for FREE! Here at Bucks, we offer something not many Universities do. Thanks to The Big Deal you can train and compete each week and not pay a penny. Ranging from Basketball to Rugby, we offer opportunities in fourteen different clubs and over 25 teams that you can be a part of. Check out the list on this page for all the clubs we have.

Most of our teams play on a Wednesday afternoon anywhere within the SouthEast Region of British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) leagues and knockouts. Outside of BUCS we also have Cheer and Dance clubs, they train weekly throughout the year to compete all over the country against a range of universities.

We also offer the opportunity for student athletes to compete in individual sports with a chance to represent us in the BUCS national competitions. Over the last few years, we have sent Snowboarders, track and field athletes, rowers, and fencers to their chosen competition. If you are an individual competitor pop down to the SU office and we’ll do everything we can to get you competing in your chosen sport. Last season we had three league winners (Bucks WFC, Women’s Hockey, and Netball). With a cup final win and a tantalising Varsity victory. At the end of each competitive year, we celebrate our

teams’ successes at the Athletic Union Awards. These awards include, Team of the Year, Captain of the Year, Sportsman of the year, Sportswoman of the Year and Club of the Year plus many more. With the Club of the year being recognised on the Bucks Students Union website with a crown.

In addition to the above awards, in 2014, to mark the 25th Athletic Union Awards Dinner, Bucks New University’s Hall of Fame was introduced. The Hall of Fame is reserved for individuals who truly excel on the field. The system, that is built on the American model of ‘retiring shirts’, sees us frame the playing shirt of each recipient and hang it, along with a short biography, outside E1.101. This award is not necessarily handed out each year but is in special recognition of someone who has contributed greatly to university sport and represented the University whilst competing at a high level.

Sport at Bucks is something that changes your university experience for the better

and an area that you should absolutely get involved in. Sport has a positive impact on your wellbeing, providing a change of scenery from your everyday courses and is a wonderful opportunity to meet new friends. Getting the most out of your university experience.

“To me, sports is not just about getting fit or gaining strength. It's about being part of a team that feels like family. Joining the women's football team has transformed my experience at university and I now have friends I can turn to for advice or just to hang out with. I definitely would recommend joining a team as soon as possible because you won't regret it.”

If you have any questions relating to competitive sport prior to starting at university and know which sport they are for, please visit the Students’ Union website and visit the individual sports page (QR code on this page) to find the relevant contact details.

If the questions are more general or pertain to a sport we do not appear to offer, please contact sport@bnu.ac.uk.

Or pop into the Students’ Union office in September/October.

Student Activities Coordinator (Competitive Sport)

• Athletics

• Badminton (Men’s and Women’s)

• Basketball (Men’s and Women’s)

• Cheerleading

• Cricket (Men’s)

• Dance

• Football (Men’s and Women’s)

• Futsal (Men’s)

• Hockey (Men’s and Women’s)

• Netball (Women’s)

• Rugby (Men’s)

• Swimming

• Volleyball (Men’s and Women’s)

Smash Your Uni Experience with the Badminton Team

Looking to meet new people, stay active, and maybe even unleash a killer smash? The university badminton team might be just what you’re looking for.

Whether you’re a seasoned player or a complete beginner, the team welcomes students of all abilities. Weekly training sessions are a great way to de-stress, stay fit, and improve your game. Plus, there are opportunities to compete in university leagues or just enjoy friendly games with other members.

Joining a sports club is one of the best ways to get involved in university life – and badminton strikes the perfect balance between fun, fitness, and community. So why not come along to a taster session and see what it’s all about?

For more info, follow us on Instagram @bucksnewunibadminton or come say hi at the Freshers' Fair!

JOIN THE NEW WOMEN’S BADMINTON TEAM!

Have you wanted to join a competitive women’s sports team? Well look no further because the BNU Women’s Badminton team is back up and running.

We have a few members already but need you to join! It’s a great way to stay fit, socialise and have fun.

Everyone of all abilities is welcome to join us, as full training will be provided.

We would love to have you on our team, and we are looking forward to meeting you!

“The potential for greatness lives within each of us.”

Wilma Rudolph

By Gemma Finch and Mia Walford

Get Ready to Cheer: Compete, Connect, and join our team!

Come and join the BNU Swans family. Come and shake some Pom Poms, support BNU clubs and compete at university nationals. If you've ever wondered what it's like to put on a sparkly uniform and cheer for the university, now's your chance!

Compete Against Other University Cheer Teams

Ready to show off your skills? Our team competes against other top universities, bringing the heat with every performance! Gain confidence, improve your skills, and experience the excitement of uni cheer. No experience needed, we’ll teach you all the skills!

Meet New Friends

Being part of our cheer family means you’ll create a whole new friendship group You’ll bond with teammates through training sessions, socials and game day cheering.

Fun Socials with themed games. What’s better than cheering for your team? Celebrating with your teammates at our amazing socials! We host fun, themed events throughout the year that’ll be sure to make memories you’ll cherish.

Not Into Competitive Cheer? Not a Problem!

If competing isn’t your thing, no worries! We offer “Cheer for Fun” sessions where you can still be a part of the team without the pressure of competition. Perfect for those who want to stay active, learn new skills, and have a blast while doing it!

You asked, we did?

Many of our returners asked for more opportunities to perform which is why we're planning to give you at least 10 performances throughout the year.

Interested? Check out our social media pages for more details, updates, and how to sign up.

We can’t wait to cheer with YOU!

Instagram @bnuswanscheersquad

TikTok @bnuswanscheersquad

BNU Dance Club: Move With Us in 2025!

Whether you’re a Fresher looking for a new start, or a returning student ready to try something new, BNU Dance Club is ready for you!

We’re an energetic, inclusive and supportive community that welcomes all experience levels. Whether you’ve danced for years or just want to give it a go, there’s a place for you here.

We offer a range of competition teams in styles like Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Tap, Street, Lyrical, and Wildcard, which require an audition and represent BNU at external / internal competitions.

But you don’t have to compete to get involved – we also run Dance for Fun sessions that are open to everyone! Whether you just want to dance, make friends, or enjoy moving to music without the pressure of competing, these sessions are for you. Plus, there are performance opportunities throughout the year – so even noncompetitive members can take the stage and be part of the show!

"Joining Dance Club is more than just dancing – it’s about making friends, gaining confidence, staying active, and being part of something unforgettable."

All BNU students welcome!!!

Come see us at the Freshers Fair, follow us on Instagram @BNUDanceClub. Ask us if you have any questions and get ready to dance your way through the year!

League Winners. Varsity Champions. Ready

for a New Season.

Last season was one for the history books.

Bucks Women’s Football Club didn’t just play well, they delivered. With a league title, a promotion, and a Varsity win all wrapped up by the end of the year, this squad made it clear they’re not here to make up the numbers; they’re here to compete.

But speak to anyone in the team, and they’ll tell you: it’s about much more than results.

“We came into the season wanting to work hard and enjoy our football. The fact that we ended up winning the league and Varsity shows how far we came, not just as players, but as a group.” – Captain Keisha Ruff

That group includes players from all backgrounds and experience levels, from those who’ve been in football academies to others who only started playing at uni. What unites them is an attitude of commitment, team spirit, and a genuine love for the game.

The weekly training sessions aren’t just about drills and tactics. They’re where friendships start and continue off the pitch, through team socials, matchdays, and the quiet confidence that comes from knowing you’ve got your teammates backing you.

As the new academic year begins, Bucks WFC is welcoming a new wave of students, and they’re inviting freshers to be part of what comes next.

Whether you’ve played competitively or never kicked a ball, there’s space at Bucks WFC for anyone ready to show up, get stuck in, and enjoy the game.

So, if you’re looking for a team this year, in every sense of the word, you’ll find one here. Come find us at Freshers Fair, meet the squad, have a chat, and sign up for a taster session or follow us on Instagram @buckswfc to get involved.

By Leah Barrow

Hockey Hitting New Heights

The Men’s Hockey Committee would like to give a warm welcome to all new and returning students!

Last year was an extremely successful year for the club, going above and beyond from previous years, both on and off the pitch.

In the league we showed togetherness and competitive nature, finishing second in the league, narrowly missing out on the title, and more importantly we gained promotion to the league above. This was a landmark achievement for everyone involved with the club, as we swept away the majority of our opponents, including a 16-0 victory against Imperial, and dispatching UCL 11-0.

As a club, we welcome people of all abilities, no matter whether you have been playing hockey all your life, or if you’ve never picked up a stick before! The core of our squad last year were completely new to the sport, and settled in straight away, feeling instantly welcomed and learnt the sport. The competitive season culminated in varsity, where we eventually disposed of Roey 3-0, after a nervy first two quarters, making that two consecutive victories against our rivals!

Off the pitch, we raised £600 for charity, running a charity match between ourselves and Wycombe Hockey club, with Women’s Hockey playing beforehand and BNU Swans putting on a show between games! It was a great day for everyone, all for a great cause, and we look to replicate that success again this year!

Each week on a Wednesday evening, we hold socials, which are always a great way to unwind after a match. We hold both dedicated sober socials, and others where members can drink if they choose to, with a variety of different themes and games throughout the year, regularly collaborating with Women’s Hockey! Overall it’s a safe space for the members of the club to bond and socialise with each other, which makes us closer as a team!

We would love you to join the club, even if you have no experience of playing before. Once you join, you’re instantly part of something much bigger than playing sport, you’re part of a big family!

Find your team, find your people

Bucks Women’s Hockey wants you!

From big wins to bigger friendships

The past year has been a brilliant triumph for our team. From our countless wins (including an incredible 25-0 against King’s College), to being league winners and finally winning varsity – our team has brought out all the stops and done our university proud.

Play hard, party harder

The fun doesn’t stop when we step off the field. Every Wednesday we participate in a variety of fun socials with hilarious fancy dress, funny games and events. This year, we had a very successful takeover with netball, an alien and cowboys night, full of mini games, prizes and fundraising

Why join us?

With a uni full of exciting and fun teams, why join us? Firstly, no matter how experienced you are in hockey, you are welcome with us. Not only are we a very friendly and welcoming group, but you will also be trained by experienced hockey coaches who will build your confidence and will help you lead us to victory. In addition to this, we have a plethora of volunteering opportunities to help give back to our community.

This is a team where you make friends for life. So why not bring your shinpads, gumshield and bring the next win for Bucks!

Lets go girls!!!

For mor information check out the SU website and follow our Instagram: @buckswomenshockey

Join a winning club Bucks Netball

Want to make new friends, keep active, and be part of one of the university’s most successful sports clubs? Whether you’re an experienced player, want to make new friends or just fancy giving netball a go, everyone’s welcome in our club!

Our previous achievements

We’re so proud of what we achieved in just the 2024-25 season. Our 1st team, captained by Holly Spittles (who’s now our new Chair for 2025-26), had an incredible season — winning the South Eastern Conference Finals Cup, beating the University of Roehampton at Varsity, and finishing top of their league for the 2024-25 season! Holly was named Captain of the Year, and the team took home Team of the Year at the university’s annual Athletic Union Dinner — a brilliant, formal night where all sports clubs come together to celebrate.

Our 2nd team also smashed it this year with their best season in three years, holding a Varsity draw that made us all proud. Our amazing coach, who works with both teams, was named Coach of the Year — a testament to the dedication and passion she puts into helping us succeed.

Our Club’s Values

Bucks Netball Club is so much more than what happens on the court. Here you will make connections with so many people you otherwise may not have met, make the best friendships that will last a lifetime as well as being provided with so many great opportunities such as volunteering, trips and personal development roles that enhance your time at university even more.

More information

If you would like to find out more about who we are and what we do, come and see us at our stall at Freshers’ Fair — we’d love to meet you, whether you’re a new or returning student everyone is welcome.

Or if you can’t wait until then, just drop an email to Holly Spittles (Chair for 2025-26) at 22324661@bucks.ac.uk or

Evie Medland (Vice Chair for 2025-26) at 22411113@bucks.ac.uk — we’re always happy to chat and answer any queries you may have.

We train every Tuesday night from 7–9pm at Kingsmead Netball Courts. Don’t worry about getting there — we all meet in ‘The Lounge’ at the Students’ Union and travel together, leaving at 6:30pm. We then play matches on the following day each week-both at home and away. Come along, give it a try — and see why we’re so proud to wear our dresses every Wednesday.

We can’t wait to welcome you to the team!

A Huge Welcome from Bucks Men’s Rugby

Hello! I’m James Goodacre, the captain of Bucks Men’s Rugby.

Congratulations on joining BNU! At Bucks Men’s Rugby, we pride ourselves on welcoming everyone, regardless of their rugby experience. Our strong partnership with Marlow Rugby Club allows our exceptional coaches, Kev and Rodd, to create training sessions that are inclusive for both newcomers and seasoned players alike.

We also host socials every Wednesday, primarily at the SU, along with sober events that range from barbecues to go-karting. As a fresher myself last year, I was initially apprehensive about the stereotypes surrounding university rugby teams and felt anxious about joining.

However, I was greeted with warmth and made many wonderful memories. One highlight was playing in our Wednesday night lights fixture against UCFB, where support from other clubs made it feel like we were competing in a stadium. Another cherished memory was our first team barbecue, organized by Cian, last year's captain, the day after Freshers' Ball. It served as a fantastic opportunity for freshers to connect with returning players. We all had a wonderful time, culminating in our participation at the big quiz in the SU.

BNU Volleyball Club: Serving Good Vibes On and Off the Court

Whether you’re a beginner looking for an activity to do with your friends or a pro at spiking, our Volleyball club is the place to be! With a mix of chill sessions, competitive plays, training, and unforgettable socials, there’s bound to be something enjoyable for everyone and a team that feels like family.

What To Expect?

4 Fun sessions every Tuesday from 6:30-8:00pm, open to all skill levels. Absolute beginner? Come, anyway!

Team Training following fun sessions from 8:00-10:00pm for players selected through try-outs, to sharpen skills, work as a squad, and get ready for matches.

A community full of welcoming members whether you’re on the court or just hanging out.

Off the Court…

It’s not always about the game in our Volleyball club!

Our social nights will include: Karaoke nights (show off your best notes!) Volleyball at Rye Park and more to come soon: our classic Wednesday night outs at the SU

Wanna Join?

Give us a go and join our 4 Fun Sessions where everyone’s welcome!Interested in joining the competitive training team? Keep an eye on our socials for try-out announcements

Tuesdays | 6:30–10:00 PM | Gateway Building, Event Hall

Follow us on Instagram: @bnuvolleyballclub

Email us: bucksvolleyballteam@gmail.com

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