What's Student Group
Training all about?

Before you can get started in your new committee role, it is our responsibility to make sure you are all fully equipped to run your group so you can hit the ground running in September.

On 28, 29 and 30 May we will be holding some invaluable Student Group Training sessions, in which we will be giving you the information you need to get through the summer as a committee and prepare for the year ahead. We will go over all the basics where we’ll introduce you to the Student Opportunities team and explain how to help run your groups. We'll be walking you through setting up your memberships and keeping on top of your finances, managing your fixtures, putting on events, and how to spend your group funds.

We will also hold a drop-in session where you can meet the Student Opportunities team as well as your fellow committee members.

From June, the mandatory content will be uploaded onto Freshdesk in video format for those who can’t attend in person. The online sessions will end with a quiz to enable us to monitor which groups have completed the relevant training. We will then follow up in Autumn with some refreshers as well as some more in-depth sessions for Term 1 and beyond.

All sessions are compulsory; some are role-specific and some are open to all committee members. We expect at least one person from each committee to participate either in person or online and attendance will be monitored. If your committee does not meet this criteria, you will forfeit your group's entitlement to summer funding.

Sign Up

Sessions will be delivered in person in Bourne LT1 and we will also be recording the content to make it available online for those of you who may not be able to attend in person due to exam commitments and future reference.

Sessions

Running your Student Group:

This session will introduce new committee members to their role in student groups and within the Students’ Union. It will also outline what leadership means in a student group and how you can develop this within your role. This session will cover the key information to be able to operate both in Term 1 and throughout the rest of the year. This includes the processes involved in putting on events, and an overview of what space is available to use and how you can access it throughout the term. We will also discuss other admin tasks that will be useful to know and what to expect in Welcome Week. (Mandatory for at least 1 one of your core roles)

Treasurer Training:

This session will provide all treasurers with a detailed understanding of their responsibilities and the processes involved with student group finances. This includes how the different accounts work, how you can spend money using expense claims, invoices and purchase requests, and how money can be paid into your group account. This session will also go over how you can apply for funding from the Students’ Union, explain how to create a budget sheet and set your membership prices. (Mandatory for Treasurers)

Running Your Sports Club:

This session will outline what Term 1 might look like for your Sports Club, give you a timeline of all the key dates over the next few months and outline some key processes you will need to know for the summer. We will also discuss any admin tasks which will be useful for you including event proposal forms, coaching forms and kit orders. (Mandatory for Sports Club Presidents & Sports Club Captains)

Community, Culture & Conduct:

This session looks at how we can work together to ensure student groups foster a positive and safe environment on campus and how to challenge negative behaviour and conduct issues within your student group. We’ll equip you with the knowledge of what to do when things go wrong, and to raise awareness of what is expected for a positive campus culture from topics such as boundaries & communication to consent culture and welcome drinks, as well as understanding the role of an active bystander. (Mandatory for at least 1 member of committee)

Disability Awareness & Accommodation:

This session will cover ways that you can make your group accessible to all and how you can support and empower members from diverse backgrounds to get involved with your activities (Presidents, Wellbeing Secretaries, Inclusivity Roles).

Wellbeing Secretary Training:

This session aims to reduce stigma around mental health and empower students to be able to create open discussions and a more inclusive environment for people to be able to talk about their own mental health experiences. We’ll talk about how prevalent mental health is in universities, symptoms you may spot in your student group and some useful skills and signposting resources. (Wellbeing Secretaries).

Committee Café:

Come along to a Committee Café to meet up with committee members from any student group - an open support space to talk and collaborate with your peers. This space is for you to pop along for a catch-up with your peers on other committees to discuss any ideas, seek support and ask any questions. Staff will also be present to answer any questions you may have! (Open to all Committee Role).