Similar to Freshers' Festival in September, Refreshers is a chance to get out and about on campus, meet new people, and ultimately have a really great time. It's just a bit colder now.
Do I need to buy a wristband?
If you want to attend our headline events taking place at the Union Venue, buying a wristband is the best way to guarantee your entry. There is a limited supply of individual tickets if you’d rather pick and choose certain events. Even if you don’t buy a wristband, there are still loads of events for you to attend at Medicine and The Packhorse, as well as our Give It A Go programme.
Early bird wristbands are available for £20 until 23:59 on New Year's Eve, guaranteeing your entry to all of our events at the Union Venue during Refreshers as well as some additional perks. From New Year's Day, wristbands will increase in price to £25.
Which events are included in the wristband?
Will my wristband guarantee me entry into events?
Wristbands and online tickets guarantee you entry into the event before 11pm.
When and where can I collect my wristband?
Once you’ve made your purchase you will be emailed a confirmation receipt (please read this as it contains loads of important details). Your ticket will be viewable within the account area of your profile on our website. You then need to bring your College card and proof of age ID along to the Union Helpdesk (on the first floor of the Students’ Union Building) to collect your wristband. You will also need to show proof of either double vaccination, a negative test, or natural immunity - preferably via the NHS COVID Pass.
Collection times:
Monday 10 January | 12:00 – 20:00
Tuesday 11 January | 12:00 – 16:00
Wednesday 12 January | 12:00 – 20:00
Thursday 13 January | 12:00 – 20:00
Friday 14 January | 12:00 – 20:00
Can I buy individual tickets to events?
Yes, a limited amount of individual tickets went on sale at the same time as the wristbands. Essentially, if you’re looking to attend multiple events over the week then a wristband is the best value offer and guarantees your entry to all events at the Union Venue.
Can I purchase tickets on the door?
It's cheaper to purchase tickets in advance (and that's the only way to guarantee your entry to an event) but there may be a limited number of tickets available to purchase on the door depending on how many tickets and wristbands are sold in advance.
Can guests attend Refreshers events?
Due to COVID-19 safety measures, no guests are currently allowed within the Union Venue. Guests are welcome at Medicine (currently limited to one guest) and The Packhorse.
Can I get a refund on my wristband or tickets?
What happens if events are cancelled due to COVID?
If any change in government guidelines requires us to cancel events, refunds will be given to everyone who has purchased a ticket in advance, at face value, as per our Purchasing Terms & Conditions.
I’m worried about coming out to events, will they be safe?
All our activities and events will be conducted in accordance with the relevant guidance published by the UK Government, with changes made to the operation of all events and venues to comply with current guidance.
What are your entry requirements with regards to COVID-19?
To collect your wristband and be admitted to our events at either the Union Venue, you will need to show proof of one of the below, preferably via the NHS COVID Pass:
DOUBLE VACCINATION - you received your second COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 whole days ago (or 14 whole days after one dose of the Janssen vaccine).
or
NEGATIVE TEST - a negative lateral flow or PCR test taken in the 48 hours prior to the event.
or
NATURAL IMMUNITY - evidenced by a positive PCR test result for COVID-19, lasting for 180 days from the date of the positive test and following completion of the self-isolation period.
Do I need to be double vaccinated to attend Refreshers events?
To collect your wristband and be admitted to our events at the Union Venue, you will need to show proof of one of the below, preferably via the NHS COVID Pass:
DOUBLE VACCINATION - you received your second COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 whole days ago (or 14 whole days after one dose of the Janssen vaccine).
or
NEGATIVE TEST - a negative lateral flow or PCR test taken in the 48 hours prior to the event.
or
NATURAL IMMUNITY - evidenced by a positive PCR test result for COVID-19, lasting for 180 days from the date of the positive test and following completion of the self-isolation period.
I'm not double vaccinated, can I still attend Refreshers events?
Yes, but you will need to show proof of one of the below, preferably via the NHS COVID Pass:
NEGATIVE TEST - a negative lateral flow or PCR test taken in the 48 hours prior to the event.
or
NATURAL IMMUNITY - evidenced by a positive PCR test result for COVID-19, lasting for 180 days from the date of the positive test and following completion of the self-isolation period.
I have a medical exemption, can I still buy a wristband/tickets?
If you have a medical exemption please contact our Venues team at venues@su.rhul.ac.uk who will be able to chat to you about attending and what to expect within our venues.
I have a disability and I’m worried about access, will I be able to take part?
As your Students' Union, we're keen to promote equality of opportunity for people with disabilities and to take the necessary steps to meet their requirements - that's why we've ensured that everything we do is accessible to as many of you as possible. You can find out more about specific events on our accessibility page.
I'm worried about drink spiking, what are you doing to combat it?
The Students' Union takes a zero-tolerance approach to the spiking of drinks and will work closely with the University and Police to push for prosecution with the full force of the law at every available opportunity.
To read about our initiatives and the additional measures that are being scaled up behind the scenes, visit our Spiked campaign page.
I think I've been spiked, what should I do?
If you think yourself or a friend has been spiked, dispose of the drink in question immediately. Inform a member of the bar or security team who will be able to assist you. Find somewhere safe, away from large groups of people but with a friend and potentially with support from our staff team.
If it is your friend that has been spiked, make sure you don't leave them alone. Contact the GP Surgery (if the incident occurs during their opening hours) or NHS Advice (111) immediately. Alternatively, the nearest A&E department is St Peter's Hospital in Chertsey - attend here straight away if you feel sleepy, vomit or have hallucinations.
If you're capable, arrange transport and travel home but only go home with someone you totally trust. If you are with people you do not know, contact a trusted friend or relative to come and take you home and look after you. If you or your friend is comfortable doing so, inform the police about the incident - they may ask for a sample of your blood or urine to test, to find out if drugs have been used. It is important you are tested as soon as possible if you think your drink was spiked as most drugs leave your body within 12 –72 hours.
If you suspect you have been spiked in one of our venues, please contact venues@su.rhul.ac.uk with the details of the incident so that we can investigate what has happened and a member of our team will get in touch.
I don't drink / I’m worried about peer pressure to drink.
We understand that lots of students don’t drink for different reasons – that is totally fine and you should never have to do anything you’re not comfortable with.
We host loads of alcohol-free events over the year for you – these will be tagged on our Events page and on the Student Life guide that can be downloaded via the Welcome to Royal Holloway app. There will also always be alcohol-free drinks available to purchase at any of our events where alcohol is on sale.
If you feel harassed or pressured to do anything you’re not comfortable with, you can report it to a member of staff, security, or your Hall Life Duty Officer.
How do I report sexual harassment at one of the Refreshers events?
As a Students’ Union, we believe that we have the duty to challenge harassment and violence at any instance and encourage all students to report it. When we are silent about these issues, we become complicit in them.
When we talk about sexual harassment, it often is given a very narrow definition of what it might involve. Sexual harassment is not just about physical touching or groping, it can be applied to any unwanted and persistent behaviour of a sexual nature.
If you experience any form of sexual harassment at any of our events, you can report the incident to any member of security, bar staff or supervisor/duty manager and the situation will be investigated immediately and appropriate action taken. The staff will also advise you if you want to follow up on the complaint.
If you feel able to talk to someone about it and you'd like to, you can book an appointment with one of our advisors by visiting the Union Helpdesk - our advisors offer free and impartial advice and are happy to chat with you about any problems you are having. Alternatively, the College provides free counselling services to support you if you need a chat or you need professional and impartial advice. You can contact them by emailing counselling@royalholloway.ac.uk.
Where can I find support if I’m being bullied or harassed?
You can contact the University’s Student Wellbeing team, which can offer you support and guidance.
I'm having trouble logging into the website, what do I do?
Try following the steps provided in our login guide. If you’re still struggling after following the guide, please email marketing@su.rhul.ac.uk stating your student number and the error message you have encountered.