#DoItMyWay Resource Bank

Your Academic Experience Officer Meg Darroch has put together a resource bank to compliment the #DoItMyWay Toolkit!

Every Penny Counts - getting your tenancy deposit back

When your current tenancy ends, you’ll be hoping to receive the money back that you paid in deposit at the start of the contract. To give you the best chance of receiving your full deposit back, we’ve put together a list of practical things to do before you move out

Being An LGBTQ+ Student At Leeds Beckett

Law student Jess Jones explores her own and others experiences of being an LGBTQ+ student at Leeds Beckett University

Academic Experience Officer Round Up 2021-22

Meg Darroch rounds up her first year in office as your Academic Experience Officer

Bars to check out in Leeds

Looking for a certain drinking experience in Leeds, but not sure where to start? Not to worry, we've got you covered!

Log your volunteering hours

The deadline is nearly here to log your volunteering hours on the Leeds Beckett Students’ Union Website before the hour logging resets on 1st July 2022. You will be eligible for certificates when you log your hours, these certificates can then be downloaded and shared with your lecturers, future employer, or shared on your LinkedIn.

Students complete the Yorkshire Three Peaks for charity

On 25 May, students and staff at Leeds Beckett University took on the Yorkshire Three Peaks, a trek taking on the peaks of Pen-y-Ghent (694m), Whernside (736m) and Ingleborough (723m). This circular route is approximately 24.5 miles in length with an elevation gain of over 1585m!

Convenor Update - May - Final 2021-22 Blog!

Convenor Update - March & April

Union Awards 2022 Winners

This academic year, you've all showed up for the Leeds Beckett community and achieved so many great things. You hosted amazing events, raised a lot of money for charity and impacted the uni experience of many. You should all be proud!

Students are raising money for the Crohn's and Colitis Charity

Bite of Leeds is a food and arts market with a bar and live music held at Left Bank on Sunday 1st May during the bank holiday weekend, .

Convenor Update - March & April

Are you eligible for a £150 council tax rebate?

We have been in touch with Leeds City Council about the £150 council tax rebate and they have provided us with some Q&A’s that you might find helpful. Take a look at below! Please note that all purpose built student accommodation is ineligible for the rebate (not just halls). Please read our article on energy costs for those who have “all-inclusive” rent.

Album Launch Shows at LBSU

Here at Leeds Beckett SU, we have a history of putting on some MEGA launch shows for the most exciting album releases of the year. Artists such as Blossoms, Steps, and London Grammar have chosen us as the place to have an intimate night-in with their fans.

Union Awards 2022 Nominees

Congratulations to all the movers and shakers, the go-getters and do-more’ers of Leeds Beckett Students’ Union. You brought amazing events and ideas to LBSU this year and together we achieved so many great things!

Is your tenancy agreement all inclusive?

Given the recent price hike in utility bills it’s important that you check your tenancy agreements for clauses that state if your “all inclusive” means what you think it does.

2022 Gig Line Up

2022 promises to be an exciting year here at Leeds Beckett SU, with our venue finally back in full action and hosting a variety of great events. We have more to look forward to than ever – with some big names gracing our stage and bringing with them a night of fantastic music that you wouldn’t want to miss.

Support for students who are engaged in sex work

Research by the University of Swansea estimates that around 5% of students are involved in sex work, with 20% having considered it (Sager et al, 2015, p. 7). These figures may have increased since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly in relation to online sex work. It is recognised that experiences of involvement in sex work vary; some individuals may be happy in the work, whereas others may prefer not to be involved in sex work.

Amber Cars Partnership

Our partnership with Amber Cars gives all students the access to the Safe Taxi Scheme which ensures that all students can get a lift home in the hours of darkness, even if they don’t have any money for the fare. Amber Cars offers the service to students in emergency situations, including lone students with no other means of getting home and individuals who think they or their friends have been spiked.

Me, My Autistic Self and I

This week is such a special week for me as it is World Autism Acceptance Week. It is so important to me that I celebrate what makes me unique, after all, this wasn’t always the case for me having gone undiagnosed for many years and flying under the radar. So I am here, reminding you to celebrate yourselves and anyone who you know is autistic!

Why you should join a society

It can be difficult to get to know new people at university but don’t worry, everyone is in the same boat! Here at Leeds Beckett Students' Union, we believe joining a student-led society is the best way to meet new people and make lifelong friends. Whether it is your first year at Leeds Beckett or your last year, it is never too late to join a society.

Student Skydives for Charity

Here at LBSU we like to highlight some of the great fundraising that students undertake. Emily, a second year Criminology with Psychology student will be skydiving on the 23rd April to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society, a charity very near to her heart:

Consent & Student Safety Survey Report

Lucy MacDonald, your Welfare & Community Officer, collected feedback in Semester 1 as part of her objective of improving student safety in Leeds and changing the culture of consent. The Students’ Union undertook some research in the form of a survey on student’s perceptions of safety and consent on and off campus. The survey was open for 2 weeks and had 249 respondents.

Convenor Update - February

Meet your 2022/23 leadership team

The Leadership Elections are one of the biggest events in the SU calendar, requiring huge effort from the whole staff team to make them happen. A huge thanks goes to all staff and Officers who took time out of their usual jobs to encourage students to nominate themselves, to vote for their next leaders or to provide support to candidates.

Update on university IT systems

An update on the issues currently affecting university IT systems

LGBT History Month

In February, we're observing LGBT History Month in the UK. A whole month of learning and celebrating queer history! It's an opportunity aimed to educate people and make members of the LGBT+ community visible in all their rich diversity. Education is such an important part of the fight against injustice and stereotypes. The conversations we have had in the last few weeks should be ongoing and not confined to certain months of the year! Let's continue to learn and strive for a better future

Our heart is with the people of Ukraine

As we're watching these terrible events unfold, we hold the people of Ukraine in our hearts and minds. We're also thinking about all the Ukrainian students here in Leeds and across the UK for whom this must be heart-wrenching to witness from afar. Millions of people's lives are about to be unjustly made unbearable, and many will be lost. Culture, history, and art will be erased.

Convenor Update - February

Leadership Elections #VoteTrees

In 2020, students at Leeds Beckett voted for the Students’ Union to work with our University to explore and implement rewilding opportunities across the University estate and work with the City Council in the wider Beckett Park area. So, this year, Leeds Beckett SU wish to promote participation in our democracy as a public good; an act of responsible participation in your student experience and the impact of students in society that everyone should feel duty bound to contribute to. By voting in

Convenor Update - International Community

2022 Leadership Elections Candidates

LBSU exists to support, represent and connect each and every one of the c.24,000 students that study here at Leeds Beckett. To do this effectively, we pride ourselves on having strong student leadership in place to influence and direct the work we do to improve the lives of students on campus, in the local community, and on a national level.

The Positive Effects Of Allotmenting

Back in November, the LBSU allotment volunteers delivered a TEDx talk highlighting the positive effects of growing your own. They have all worked so hard to develop the space over the past three years. We are looking for a new committee to take over at the end of this year so please get in touch if you would like to get involved.

Meet volunteer Nina Healey

During my time at Leeds Beckett, I was involved with a whole range of volunteering opportunities. I originally decided to explore volunteering opportunities in my first year as a way to add to my CV as I had some spare time alongside my studies. As I wanted to work in the heritage sector, I knew I needed to have as much experience as possible on my CV, as it could be very competitive even to get your foot in the door.

Volunteer with SNAPS

Help make the “impossible” possible for children with additional needs with SNAPS. SNAPS (Special Needs and Parent Support) Yorkshire is a Leeds charity that delivers crucial physiotherapy, swimming lessons, specialised activities, a football club and holistic family support for children with additional needs and their families. Our aim is to make the ‘impossible’, possible for children with additional needs.

5 ways volunteering boosts your employability

This Volunteering Week, Leeds Beckett Careers would like to tell you more about how volunteering is a valuable way to gain new skills that will benefit you in your future career. You can contact Leeds Beckett Careers to support you in writing CVs, developing a good online presence, helping with interviews, and searching for jobs! Here are five reasons whyLeeds Beckett Careers would recommend that you volunteer during your time at Leeds Beckett University

Convenor Update - January

Convenor Update - January

Become a leader at LBSU

Do you have the passion to make a difference for students? Could you bring your skills to a full-time paid role, starting in July 2022, dedicated to improving the lives of students at Leeds Beckett? Nominations are now open for the 4 full-time Officers at Leeds Beckett Students’ Union. We also have part-time Community Leader roles. Nominations close on 13 February. Start your journey with the Students’ Union

Zero Tolerance to Sexual Harassment

When a student asked for ''Zero Tolerance to Sexual Harassment'' on campus, and campaigned for a few weeks, the idea acheived enough votes. Because of this we’ve worked with Leeds Beckett University to ensure that appropriate reporting processes and support is available for victims of any form of bullying and harassment including sexual harassment and violence and the development of a new respectful culture amongst the Leeds Beckett community.

Creating more student jobs

When a student asked for ''Creating more student jobs'' on campus, and campaigned for a few weeks, the idea acheived enough votes. Because of this idea, we transitioned our 10 voluntary School Representative roles into paid part-time Academic Rep Assistant jobs for students and made our voluntary Student Community Leader roles paid positions, alongside offering paid student jobs on our Welcome Desk, our Hive venues and to support our Marketing and Events teams.

Better Faith Spaces

When a student asked for ''Better Faith Spaces'' on campus, and campaigned for a few weeks, the idea acheived enough votes. This resulted in the SU encouraging the University to improve the faith spaces on both campuses and plans for improvements are now being discussed at the University EDI Committee.  This showed us the power of having a platform where students could advocate for their needs. Have Your Say was designed just for this!

Microwaves on Campus

You asked, we answered! A few years ago, students submitted the idea of installing new microwaves on campus. This idea became extremely popular and resulted in microwaves being made available in the SU Hive venues, Rose Bowl and Headingley canteens. This showed us the power of having a platform where students could advocate for their needs. Have Your Say was designed just for this!

Discover Leeds Mencap

More than 65 years ago, Leeds Mencap was created with the aim of improving the lives of those with learning disabilities in Leeds.Though affiliated with the national Royal Mencap Society, Leeds Mencap is a completely independent charity offering important services and support to children & young people with learning disabilities and their families throughout Leeds and the surrounding area.

Be a Leader

LBSU exists to support, represent and connect each and every one of the c.24,000 students that study here at Leeds Beckett and we pride ourselves on having strong student leadership in place. If you think you have what it takes to lead LBSU in 2022/2023, nominate yourself now!

Volunteer for Scouts – it's Good for You!

Scouts is where young people aged 4-18 make new friends, have amazing adventures, and learn new skills.

Convenor Update - November

#BameOver, Mental health, and Wellness.

Convenor Update - November

What I have been up to…

Convenor Update - November

I have had a busy month but loved every minute of it. Read on to find out what I have been up to in November!

44th Reclaim the Night March

The march was for women and other vulnerable groups to be heard in relation to street safety, the night time economy and the spiking epidemic.

Celebrate what makes you unique

Happy Disability History Month! I’m Meg Darroch your Academic Experience Officer, former Disabled Students' Rep, and the creator of #DoItMyWay. If you haven’t already heard, it is currently Disability History Month and I knew I had to write a little something to highlight it. I hope you have refilled your mug and got your snacks ready!

Consent is Sexy Campaign

Hello, it is your new Welfare and Community Officer here! I am so excited for the year ahead and to meet you. Remember you can always come up to me for a chat or feel free to drop me an email.

BHM - Celebrating Yoruba Culture and Black History in Leeds

Leeds prides itself as a welcoming city and is rapidly growing in diversity, home to thriving Caribbean and African communities hosting an annual West Indian Carnival.

Convenor Update - October

Convenor Update - October

Convenor Update - October

Big Student Survey 2021

Leeds Beckett Students’ Union is currently collecting feedback to ensure that we continue to support you to the best of our capabilities this academic year. We want to find out more about the support you need now and going forward in areas such as student finances, your success and development, your sense of belonging at Leeds Beckett University and how supported you feel.

Transgender Day of Remembrance 2021

Trans Awareness Week is here, and we are proud to celebrate and support our trans students and staff who identify both within the gender binary and outside of it! Transgender Awareness week is an annual one-week celebration leading up to Transgender Day of Remembrance (held on 20 November), which memorialises victims of transphobic violence and those who died by suicide.

Meet your 2021/22 Reps & Convenors

Our Student Communities exist to empower different communities of students to self-organise and make decision on the topics that matter most to them. Each Student Community elects a Convenor, whose role it is to lead and coordinate the work of the Community, helping to facilitate discussion and to act as the key point of contact to work closely with the Students’ Union’s full-time Officers and staff.

Q&As: Coping with exam stress

If you need some help and advice the Students’ Union Advisers have answered some questions on where you can go for additional support if you are feeling stressed about your exams.

The meaning of Diwali

Diwali, or alternatively known as Deepavali, is the Hindu festival of lights celebrated across the states of India. The festival is symbolic for the victory of good over evil. The official day of celebration changes according to the Hindu calendar every year but usually falls between late October to mid November.

LBSU stands with the Black Lives Matter Movement

Leeds Beckett Students' Union would like to express our undying solidarity with Black people across the world as well those protesting the horrific human rights abuses by the US state on its own citizens following the racist murder of George Floyd by the police.

Top tips for studying at home

Times are strange, and the transition from face-to-face teaching to online classes and moving your studying sessions from the library to your home might be a bit difficult. To try and help, we’ve put together some tips to help you study from home. If you’re finding yourself struggling with this transition, have a browse and see what works best for you.

Leaving your property over the Winter Break

The first term has been hard and now that the lockdown has been lifted, we're sure most of you are excited about some much needed down time this Winter Break! Before you leave Leeds to join your family's bubble or travel within the UK, take a moment to make sure you’re leaving your accommodation, house or flat in a safe and secure state. Please see the following top 10 tips for keeping your property problem free if you’re leaving your property over the Winter Break

Sports bars in Leeds

If you’re a student at Leeds Beckett, you’re probably well aware that the uni prides itself on being a fantastic institution for sports! Luckily, Headingley and City campus are surrounded by amazing sports bars showing football and rugby matches. Support local teams like Leeds United and Leeds Rhinos from the comfort of one of Leeds finest bars.

How we’re keeping you safe at our events

The Government urged nightclubs and other venues with large crowds to now make use of the NHS COVID Pass, which shows proof of vaccination or a recent negative test as a means of entry. Following these new advice, we are putting additional covid-19 measures in place for your safety. In this article, we're highlighting how we will keep each other safe at our events this year.

Ready and raring to go?

Hey Everyone, Meg here your Academic Experience Officer for 2021-22. I am so honoured to represent you this year and can’t believe we have commenced another academic year! Where does the time go? I do hope you are settling in and a massive welcome to all new Leeds Beckett students. I really hope you enjoy your time here.

Statement from your Officer Team about student safety

The rise of drink spiking and spiking through injection in clubs across the UK is causing growing concerns about safety within our student community. Everyone should be able to feel safe when out in Leeds without the fear of something happening to them or their friends. This serious safety issue is tainting our students’ experience and we won’t let it be something that prevents us from having a great time!

LBSU Joins 'Ask For Angela' Safety Scheme

In light of recent events, it's never been clearer that more needs to be done to ensure that everyone feels safe in our city. Last week, Leeds City Council is re-launching the 'Ask For Angela' scheme across the city alongside Women Friendly Leeds and other participating partners & venues.

International Students Volunteering & Visas FAQ

Leeds is a fantastic City with so much to get involved in. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people and gain valuable employability skills. Each year hundreds of students get involved in volunteering around the city to make a difference during their time here. International Students’ have so much to offer. Your unique experiences as well as potential secondary languages can be a huge benefit to charities in Leeds.

Volunteering: Find out what you can do!

Did you know that you can gain valuable work experience whilst meeting new people and having fun? Leeds Beckett Students’ Union supports students into volunteering and there are loads of things to choose from. Take a look at the following for an idea of what we have on offer.

The Zero Tolerance Project

Leeds Beckett Students’ Union and Leeds Beckett University are committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of our staff and students and are working together to embed a culture of Zero Tolerance to sexual harassment, sexual violence or sexual assault in any form across our university.

Q&As: Appeals

Have you received your results on Results Online? If you feel that you have in some way been disadvantaged during your studies and this is reflected in your results then you may have grounds for an Academic Appeal. Read on for more information on appealing your results.

Managing stress during exam season

With exams just around the corner, student stress levels are at an all-time high. To help you cope during this busy period we’ve put together a guide full of handy tips to help you manage and relieve your stress so that you can #StressLess.

Our commitment to sustainability

LBSU are committed to sustainability and strive to make constant improvements for staff and students to reduce waste, increase recycling, and reduce our carbon footprint. Environmental sustainability is where the demands placed on our environment do not exceed its capacity for resources that last us into future. In other words, there needs to be a balance between what we take and what we give back.

What students wish you knew about Autism

We sat down with some autistic students here at Leeds Beckett and found out exactly what they would like Lecturers (and everyone here really!) to be aware of to make their time studying here more accessible and welcoming.

5 reasons why you should volunteer this year

You should volunteer, it's such a great way to meet new people! Try volunteering, it will add experience to your CV! I am sure you heard these arguments many times. In this article, we're saying pretty much the same thing BUT hopefully we can convince you to try it this year ??

Best vegan & veggie food in Leeds

Always wanted to try the whole veggie thing? In this article, we'll guide your hungry stomach around the best vegan and veggie joints in Leeds.

Villages To Visit In Yorkshire

Moving to a new city for uni is a huge milestone, especially to such an exciting and vibrant city like Leeds.

Shopping In Leeds

Leeds is really a shopaholic’s paradise! Here's a list of our favourite spots.