STUDENT Issue 2 NEWS 2016/17 THE UNIVERSITY OF CHESTER STUDENT MAGAZINE

Chester and gig guide p4

Mission Awards: Apply yourself Take part in the National Student Survey - It’s quick to complete and p8 you’ll be helping prospective students make the right choices of where and what to study. YOUR www.thestudentsurvey.comUNIVERSITY Can you If you are studying on a course leading to undergraduate credits or qualifications and are in your final year, you may be eligible for the NSS. kick it? Visit www.thestudentsurvey.com to find out. p16 NEEDS YOU! 2 SABBs speak up Take part in the National Student Survey 7 Cook up a CV winner

10 Your wellbeing

12 A global view

13 Cut-price cuisine p11 2 STUDENT NEWS Chester Students’ STUDENT Union NEWS Catch up

Student News is an official University of Chester with your publication, produced by SABBS the University’s Corporate AFTER successfully completing their first term as your Students’ Union Sabbatical (SABB) team, Student New’s Jaime Taws caught Communications Department, up with your reps to find out what their biggest achievements have been so far and discuss their aspirations for this year. to keep students informed of University news.

Any students who would like to write for Student News are invited to get in touch with the Corporate Communications Department on the email address below. Cherelle WHAT ASPIRATIONS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE

STUDENTS’ UNION THIS TERM? CONTACT Mitchell Ohh… Good question! There are many things I would LOVE [email protected] to do for students this term. But we have to think realistically…

bizarre I know, but sometimes I think money grows on trees! EDITORIAL TEAM YOUR POSITION: I want to keep working towards the points on my • Alex Candlin SU President. manifesto and ensure that I make an appearance at all my • Amy Owens CONTACT INFORMATION: appointed satellite Campuses: Queen’s Park, Warrington and • Charlie Bristow [email protected] Shrewsbury. Although I would love to be everywhere at once, • Cherelle Mitchell WHAT ACHIEVEMENTS WERE YOU MOST PROUD OF it can be a challenge to have a presence on each Campus. • Connor Ledsom IN YOUR ROLE AS SU PRESIDENT LAST TERM? But it is always exciting to see what the many talented students • Emma Leeming Despite having only completed one term, I feel that there are up to on the different Campuses and how they get • Ethan Wade have been many achievements already. The induction talks involved with the University and the Students’ Union. • Georgina Wilson presented by myself and the Vice-Presidents to over 1,000 DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR FIRST YEAR STUDENTS • Jaime Taws students were overwhelming, but incredibly beneficial for AS THEY BEGIN THEIR SECOND TERM AT CHESTER? • Jamie Brown Chester Students’ Union (CSU). This was a big achievement for I encourage all students to ensure that they live a healthy, • Jonathan Mountford me with regards to public speaking, as well as being important balanced life. Work hard, but also give yourself time to play. • Luca Fierro for encouraging students to get involved with our services. This is very important for the sake of your wellbeing, and to • Oda Karlsen Bekkestad The activities throughout Freshers’ Week were also a huge ensure that you maintain a happy University experience. • Oliver Barker success and CSU managed to encourage and engage many I also suggest you try something new and get out of your • Sam Mercer new students to come to our events. comfort zone; your older-self will most definitely thank you for it! • Sandro Salemme WHAT HAVE BEEN THE HIGHLIGHTS OF BEING A PART We pay a lot for our degrees, so why not take all you can from • Shannon Ali OF THE SABB TEAM SO FAR? your experience and use the University’s services that are free? I feel that being a part of a supportive team is incredibly Your Students’ Union works very hard to make sure there PHOTOGRAPHY important for this role. We work very well together and help are opportunities for every student. Your job is to make sure The University’s AV team, unless each other. Having increased the sabbatical team over the you get involved and let us know how we can make your otherwise stated. last few years, we are now able to engage with even more experience better! students and focus a lot more on their specific interests. ARE THERE ANY UPCOMING EVENTS YOU WOULD To obtain this information in – We have also had the chance to support each other LIKE TO REMIND STUDENTS ABOUT? large print, audio, electronic or through essential training procedures and National Union You might see me across all of our campuses trying to get other alternative format please of Students (NUS) conferences. Already, it has been good student feedback, so please come and say ‘hello’ and tell me to share this experience and work together at the trustee what you are all up to! I would love to get involved in as many e-mail: meetings for CSU. of the amazing activities that are going on, so feel free to let me [email protected] WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST LEARNING CURVE FOR know about them. Contact me on the social media listed below. YOU IN YOUR ROLE UP TO NOW? I am currently planning a Summer Ball, which will open The biggest learning curve for me has been the decision opportunities for students to volunteer. More details will be making within the Students’ Union and being the released when I know more about the financial circumstances spokeswoman for this charitable organisation. It can be a real and logistics behind the plan. challenge trying to please each and every group of students Please keep an eye out on out social media pages: we have at the University. Facebook “f” Logo CMYK / .eps Facebook “f” Logo CMYK / .eps My Facebook page: CSU President I think balancing the workload and student activities can be Facebook: Chester Students’ Union a challenge, but obviously speaking and listening to students is the highlight of my job. Twitter: @ChesterSU STUDENT NEWS 3

Sandro Salemme Ethan YOUR POSITION: Wade Catch up Vice-President, Warrington. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN YOUR Jamie ROLE SO FAR? YOUR POSITION: One of my biggest achievements so far has been the revival of Vice-President, Activities. Brown with your the Hall Championships on the Campus, which has built a sense WHAT ACHIEVEMENTS WERE YOU MOST PROUD SABBS of community and identity amongst students on the Warrington OF IN YOUR ROLE AS VICE-PRESIDENT LAST TERM? YOUR POSITION: Campus. This has included organising a sports day during Apart from a number of campaigns and events I’ve been Vice-President, Education. Freshers’ Week, 5-a-side football and dodgeball, along with party to, I still believe my biggest achievement to be WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST other activities. The Campus has also seen a rise in societies such twofold. Firstly, for Sports: starting up what I hope to be a ACHIEVEMENT IN YOUR ROLE SO FAR? as the Music Society, Nursing Society and the Cake Society this long and historic Varsity against Salford; the other being Revitalising the Student Council this year has year, as well as an increase in members with the already formed Society Showcase, giving our societies a voice and the been pretty special for me – seeing a bigger Photography Society and the LGBT+ Society. opportunity they’ve never had, to show all students what number of really passionate students, than in WHAT HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF BEING A PART OF they are about and have been doing all year. the previous few years, who are trying to make THE SABB TEAM THIS TERM? WHAT HAVE BEEN THE HIGHLIGHTS OF BEING A changes across the University is really great. It The highlight of being part of the SABBs team this term was definitely PART OF THE SABB TEAM SO FAR? leaves me feeling very optimistic about who’s attending the National Demo, an event organised by the NUS, The biggest one for me is the energy generated by the going to follow me into this job and maybe do down in London. This showed true solidarity and unity amongst new SABBs this year. It’s kept me focused and striving to an even better job next year! my team and the students who came along. As a sabbatical team, better myself for our students. The range of opinions and WHAT HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF BEING I feel this is what our students need to see; us being proactive, experience in different areas has helped massively when A PART OF THE SABB TEAM THIS TERM? and engaging with students on a local and national level. This looking to engage all students on emerging national matters. I think the team has gelled together a lot faster experience provided both, by allowing our students a voice and WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST LEARNING this year. We’ve all been part of a solid team platform to be heard on a much larger scale. CURVE FOR YOU IN YOUR ROLE UP TO NOW? since more or less day one and that makes the WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST LEARNING CURVE FOR Learning about what this job ‘really’ is. Before the job, job so much easier. YOU IN YOUR ROLE UP TO NOW? you have a preconceived idea of what the role entails. WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST LEARNING The biggest learning curve I have had is finding a way to engage During the first year of the job, you learn and explore CURVE FOR YOU IN YOUR ROLE UP TO NOW? with all students. It is relatively easy engaging with students who what greatness can be accessed through the role. Now Definitely public speaking. It used to be the belong to sports clubs and other societies. However, engaging halfway through my second year, I question decisions thing I hated most in the world, but at this point with off-campus and commuting students has been more I make, with the knowledge and experience gained, to I really don’t have any issues standing in front challenging. This has allowed me to look for alternative ways to ask myself, “how does this benefit students?” or, “Is this of a room full of people and talking away (and engage with them, and discover which communication platforms a good use of my time?” The role can be whatever you anyone who knows me, knows I have no issues are the most effective. make it (within reason), so my learning curve has been talking usually…) WHAT ASPIRATIONS DO YOU HAVE FOR THIS TERM? finding what both myself and my students are passionate WHAT ASPIRATIONS DO YOU HAVE FOR Following on from my comment regarding commuters, I am about and looking to better them and me. NEXT YEAR? hoping to accommodate them even more on Campus, while they WHAT ASPIRATIONS DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUR So far this year, I’ve already achieved more are between lectures for example, by providing things such as STUDENTS’ UNION THIS TERM? than I had aimed to for the whole year, so to a microwave, so they can reheat their own food. Furthermore, I My aspirations for this next term are: to build up the be honest everything else is just a bonus! I hope to continue strengthening student engagement and get more energy and passion towards Society Showcase and want to keep looking at student processes that societies running on the Warrington Campus. Additionally, I hope Varsity, as well as building up the profile of my role, in students don’t necessarily know about (eg. to continue the positive effect of the Hall Championships through order to highlight it to passionate students who will take Financial Assistance Fund) to make sure that arranging more games throughout the term. over from me. The Sabbatical Officer Elections will be a more people hear about the support available ARE THERE ANY UPCOMING EVENTS YOU WOULD LIKE massive part of next term. in the University. TO REMIND STUDENTS ABOUT? ARE THERE ANY UPCOMING EVENTS YOU ARE THERE ANY UPCOMING EVENTS YOU I would like to encourage all students to keep an eye on our WOULD LIKE TO REMIND STUDENTS ABOUT? WOULD LIKE TO REMIND STUDENTS ABOUT? social media channels and advertising around Campus regarding At the start of each month look out for our ‘Question Last term, the StARs training event was an events taking place through the Students’ Union. That’ll include of the Month’. Also, keep an eye out for the Society incredible success, with the highest number the Hall Championships, and other events hosted by the different Showcase (February 16), the Elections and Varsity of StARs turning out ever. This term, we’ll be societies. Additionally, I am hoping to promote a ‘We Are (March 22). launching the Above and Beyond Awards Wazza’ campaign that promotes the togetherness and community DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR FIRST YEAR STUDENTS again so keep an eye out for those. feel of the Warrington Campus, encouraging students to promote AS THEY BEGIN THEIR SECOND TERM AT CHESTER? DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR FIRST YEAR positive stories of their time on the Campus so far at University. Yes! first term always flies by and suddenly *snap* we’re STUDENTS AS THEY BEGIN THEIR SECOND DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR FIRST YEAR STUDENTS AS running through second term. Just take a second to look TERM AT CHESTER? THEY BEGIN THEIR SECOND TERM AT CHESTER? how far you’ve come as a person already after starting Just enjoy it. I don’t tell people to “make sure I found that the second term gets a lot more intense. The first term is this year. Make sure you are taking care of yourself and they get involved” or anything like that, because very much the lecturers letting you find your feet, however, second your friends as, although assignments get tough, you still I wasn’t great at that as a student and still had term is where the hard work starts. I encourage you to balance need enjoy yourselves. This is the term to try something the time of my life. No matter if your idea of a your time as best as you can. Also, make yourself aware of all the new, break up the routine and explore the city and what good time is sitting at home watching TV, playing support services that the University provide and take advantage of it has to offer. I hope you’ve all had a lovely time off football seven days a week or walking 10 miles a them. They have some great facilities at your disposal! seeing family, but we’re glad you’re back with us now. day, just enjoy it. It’ll be over soon, so make sure CONTACT: [email protected] 01925 534375 Term two: LET’S SMASH IT! that your time at Chester is the best it can be. 4 STUDENT NEWS Hidden music scene in Chester and Warrington

Turbulence. Billy Bibby & The Wry Smiles.

Intro: Other than an occasional visit from to Warrington’s Parr Hall, it’s rare you’ll see the very biggest artists in Warrington and Chester. But that is why Warrington and Chester aren’t your normal places when it comes to music. Instead, they have to be different, in order for their music scenes to stay alive.

Chester Music Venues music events throughout the week from Chester bands to watch formed by the former lead guitarist of Catfish Chester, once occupied by the Romans, is open mic nights to straight-up gigs, and out for… and The Bottlemen! Give their song Are You now a bit more tourist friendly. But what’s everything in between. One thing that is gave birth to , The Ready? a listen to on SoundCloud. there to see and hear beyond the walls and universal between all three of these venues Wombats, Echo and The Bunnymen, Continuing with the theme of rock, Sundown the amphitheatre in this historical city of ours? is that they all have a warm and homely Frankie Goes to Hollywood and so much caught my attention some time ago. Formed in Indeed, Chester is full of quirky, feeling, which is something the likes of the more; Manchester, at one time known as early 2014, they combine a mix of blues, rock, independent bars and restaurants that not sticky-floored 02 Ritz in Manchester doesn’t MADchester, gave us The Stone Roses, The funk and metal into one, appealing to a more only have great edible delights, but also quite offer you. Smiths, 808 State, The Chemical Brothers youthful audience. If you like The Stone Roses, host music events throughout the week too. Yes these venues don’t attract the biggest and, unfortunately, Oasis. But what has Deep Purple and the more psychedelic riffage Just an example of a few of these venues names in music, but if they did that would Chester given us? Yes, that city slap bang in of the 70s, then give their song Get it On a are The Commercial, Alexander’s and take away from the warm atmosphere the middle of the two most important music listen (also available on SoundCloud). Telford’s Warehouse. that’s created as they would just become scenes? While not on the same scale as If you’re into indie-rock, then Turbulence Take The Commercial and Alexander’s, uncomfortably busy. those cities, the underground scene here is are a great place to start. This 3-piece outfit both situated in courtyard areas with But if you’re after a straight-up music thriving with artists that are just waiting to get started gaining traction back in 2015 with cobblestones in the city centre and both venue and nothing else, what can Chester the exposure they need. their self-titled debut EP. This year, their with excellent music throughout the week. offer you? That’s where The Live Rooms The first band to kick off with has a rather latest single Residence (released a month They also hold festival-styled events comes in. Arguably Chester’s only interesting catch. Billy Bibby & The Wry ago) showcases their potential with catchy throughout the summer, an annual date in dedicated music venue, it’s situated right Smiles are a local Chester outfit that made bass-driven riffs, pounding drums and any Cestrian’s diary. near the train station too. It holds gigs their way onto the scene in 2014. They have driving guitars. James Smith’s vocals add a Located next to one of the city’s canals, throughout the week from touring bands to that classic British rock sound with a nod to warmness to each song, taking inspiration Telford’s Warehouse is probably the most local artists, and has everything you’d want some American influences… actually, that from the Liverpool indie scene whilst picturesque venue in Chester. It also hosts in a music venue. may come as no surprise as this band was maintaining a more aggressive delivery. STUDENT NEWS 5

SunDown. Billy Bibby & The Wry Smiles.

Warrington Music Venues Friars Court, an indie club hidden away Warrington music fans of soul and Motown to enjoy nights that behind a 10 foot gate. Just on approach, rekindle 1970s Detroit and discos, ranging Nestled in the heart of the North-West, the sound of The Smiths can be heard From to Starsailor, Warrington from covers from popular soul stars of times Warrington may not immediately strike and the line of indie-Cindys and mod has always had a decent music scene, gone by to more recent pop groups. Blue you as the obvious place for a good night, lads flows down the street like a river with indie band Viola Beach arguably the Suits Big Band also throws back to the times especially considering it only takes five quid of subcultures. Although it might not largest band to emerge from its suburbs. of disco with a unique range of covers of and an hour to get to the busting centre of have the biggest dance floor, you’ll still Viola Beach were, of course, tragically soul and RnB tracks. both Manchester’s Northern Quarter and have plenty of space to yodel along to killed in a road accident in February. Warrington undeniably has a Liverpool Concert Square. However, young Mozza or dad-dance to Come on Eileen. Aside from Viola Beach, however - whose wide range of rock and indie bands Warringtonians seem to be bucking this If dancing ain’t your thing join the chat music is still played frequently in local bursting with talent simply waiting to be trend. And it’s easy to see why, once you on the extensive smoking area and make indie establishment, Friars Court - the discovered – you’re well covered if this actually get out in Warrington, with good some friends! vibrant town has a large variety of bands is your kind of music scene. Look out for clubs and decent music. Warrington also has some more and tribute acts. local rock band Just Francis who, as well Popular with the students of Warrington secret, low-key locations, once you It has to be said, seeing a cover band as their own material, include in their sets campus is Showbar. Here, songs can scrape a little beneath the surface. The is a great experience. Singing to songs more commonly known indie and rock change from indie floor fillers to bass independent record store Lizard Inc. you know and love as well as being a tracks from the like of Arctic Monkeys and heavy house quicker than you can finish (opened a couple of years ago) now cheap night out, everyone wins there . your drink. Although at face value it looks has its own club space – The Auction surely? Bands from the local area include very much like every small club in every Rooms – which operates around once a The Original Replica and The Retrobeats Outro: small town, the people in the club bring month… definitely worth seeking out for who can be found around Warrington and Both Warrington and Chester make a it to another level and make a refreshing new DJ talent. Cheshire performing hits from the 1950s very lovely kind of racket. And what about change - at least for me, that is - coming No matter how many words you and 60s. the bands that form at the University itself? from a world of stroppy middle class write, there’s only one proper way to Moving away from the rock and indie For the next big thing, keep an eye out for teens that frequent London clubs. experience Warrington… by coming here. scenes, several other genres of bands are the Aspiration Live event, taking place at However, my personal favourite is See you on the dancefloor! out there for all to witness. RewindHQ allows Warrington Campus in May 2017.

Written by: CONNOR LEDSOM, JONATHAN MOUNTFORD, LUCA FIERRO AND CHARLIE BRISTOW 6 STUDENT NEWS

Do you have a business idea? COLLABORATE Monday and Tuesday, June 12 and 13, from 4-7pm, Churchill House, Queen’s Park Campus

YOU have an idea niggling away at the back of your mind, you’ve thought about freelancing or you’re curious about how you can commercialise your skills and enter self-employment. Perhaps you need a little bit of guidance, or a steer in the right direction? Perhaps you don’t actually know what you should do, or need to do, now? Our Collaborate events are designed to help you take the next step by introducing you to people dedicated to supporting you; who can listen to you, one-to-one.

Book on CareerHub: careers.chester.ac.uk Aspiring entrepreneur, Terri, receives advice at a Collaborate event.

March and Chester Internship Programme

2016/17 MARKS the launch of the employer so potential interns get the April Events Chester Internship Programme. This valuable experience in taking part in Enhance Your Employability exciting and innovative initiative recruitment situations. gives students exposure to graduate The Chester Internship Programme (EYE) training sessions: level experience with a wide range is simple. If you are an undergraduate of industry sectors to choose from. student, you are eligible! Final year Organising Your Own Work Shadowing Visit We have part-time options available students will be able to apply for Tuesday, March 7, Warrington Campus so that you can gain experience whilst internships until September 30, 2017. Communication Confidence completing your studies, with internships As well as the invaluable experience, Tuesday, March 7, Kingsway Campus from four to 20 weeks. We will also completing an internship can also get Introduction to Event Management have full-time opportunities which can you up to three points on the Chester Wednesday, March 8, Kingsway Campus be carried out during the summer from Difference Award. CVs, Cover Letters and Applications two to10 weeks. This gives you a great If you want to find out more Wednesday, March 8, Parkgate Road Campus and Warrington Campus opportunity to work in environments about the internships, and see what Networking Skills where your contribution makes a opportunities are currently on offer, Tuesday, March 14, Kingsway Campus difference and enhances your CV and log in to CareerHub and search CIP in LinkedIn future employability. Not sure if you are Opportunities. You can also sign up to Tuesday, March 14, Warrington Campus ready for the challenge? Just remember receive updates directly as soon as new How to Get a Part-Time Job that every expert was once a beginner! internships become available. Wednesday, March 15, Warrington Campus Our 2016/17 opportunities to Careers and Employability has a date have included positions in digital dedicated Employment Opportunities LinkedIn Wednesday, March 15, Queen’s Park Campus marketing, product marketing, healthcare Team devoted to working with promotion and support work, and we employers, and which manages the Upgrade Your Part-Time Job have a growing list of roles, not only in Chester Internship Programme. If Wednesday, March 22, Parkgate Road Campus Chester but in the wider North West area. you have any questions, please do Warrington Career Blast To make the most of the experience not hesitate to contact Careers and Wednesday, March 29, Warrington Campus and skills gained, parts of the recruitment Employability on 01244 513066 and Confidence for Success process are managed by the host ask for a member of the team. Wednesday, March 29, Parkgate Road Campus Brand You Wednesday, March 29, Kingsway Campus The Practicalities of Freelancing Thursday, March 30, Kingsway Campus Chester Difference Award Stress Management Wednesday, April 5, Parkgate Road Campus Induction at Parkgate Road Campus: Wednesday, March 8 Thursday, March 9 Book for these and other events via CareerHub: careers.chester.ac.uk STUDENT NEWS 7

Recipe for a stand-out CV

A step-by-step guide for creating a master CV for graduate jobs. This master CV should be tailored for each application. Slow cook until full of flavour Serves one (you should adjust the recipe each time, to suit the taste* of the different recruiters).

Ingredients** There are a number of different ways Two pieces of A4 to serve your CV. We have chosen a traditional chronological layout. However Four pieces of contact details you can also choose a skills-based or 50g personal profile (optional) functional CV layout. Find out more about 100g education and qualifications these layouts in the CV and Cover Letter 250g work experience (include a mixture of paid and voluntary guide which you can collect from Careers work experience) and Employability. 50g language and IT skills (optional) A large handful of skills A pinch of interests and activities (optional) CV and Cover Letter Guide (available for collection from Careers and Employability)

Method 1. Break four pieces of your contact details (name, address, phone number and email address) into the first page of A4. Select a larger piece for your name. 2. (optional) Gently fold in the personal profile. The personal profile may contain skills, experience or education. Use sparingly to avoid overpowering. 3. Mix your education and qualifications into the first page of A4 keeping your most recent experience near the top. Only include the most relevant modules from your degree and sift earlier education to avoid lumps of GCSEs.

4. Mix in work experience. This section will probably be split across Careers and the first and second page of A4. Keep any mixture relating to CV andEmployability Cover Letter Guide • 1 one example on the same page. Fold skills into your CV throughout sections. 5. *Taste refers to the job description and 6. (optional) If suited to the recruiter’s tastes* add in languages and person specification for the role you are IT skills. applying for. You should tailor your CV for 7. (optional) Dust the second page with a light pinch of your each role. interests and activities. **Quantities can vary and should suit 8. Transfer your prepared CV into a PDF. your experience and preference. 9. Before serving your CV to the recruiter share it with us here in Careers and Employability at a drop-in session. We would be happy to give you feedback on your CV. 8 STUDENT NEWS

Making positive contributions through the University Mission Award

BY JAIME TAWS

DESPITE developing and diversifying to take part in projects and activities Mission, Vision and Foundational Values. http://www.chester.ac.uk/about/the- in response to the changing needs of consistent with the University’s Christian They will be looking for students to pitch new university/our-mission-values society, the University still maintains values, such as community projects, ideas to the award committee. These can be Last year, the University Mission Award close contact with the Church of voluntary work and sporting activities for work based learning or other projects enabled students to participate in a variety England and actively encourages at a national or international level. that incorporate experiential learning. of programmes across the UK, Israel, Costa students to reflect Christian principles in This year, the University Mission Awards To help you decide whether your project Rica, Nicaragua, Philippines, South Africa their life and work. One of the ways it (UMAs) are looking for a student, or group could be eligible, you can read more and Uganda. Here are some highlights does this is through its Mission Award of students, who wish to embark on a new about the University’s Mission, Vision and of the experiences from a selection of grants, which assist students wishing project that reflects the University’s core Foundational Values here: successful students.

Hannah Shaughnessy (far right on back row) in Uganda. STUDENT NEWS 9

Emily Dinsmore had a life changing local community, due to an increase experience volunteering for events in ecotourism. The experience of management and community projects participating in work that directly impacts in Knysna, South Africa. upon people’s lives has had a great effect “Volunteering in Knysna has been on me. I have developed both personally one of the best experiences of my life. It and academically through this experience. opened my eyes and made me realise I have become more confident, better that I need to stop taking some things for at working as part of a team and have granted. During my time there, we hosted developed my independence.” free events, such as a talent show that Hannah Shaughnessy discovered brought the local community together. the true meaning of being a global This put my event management skills to citizen in Uganda. the test, as we had to achieve something “The money awarded to me went that would usually take a few months to towards my work with an organisation organise in such a short space of time. I called Teams4U which works in the district learnt that when you put all your energy of Kumi. The organisation helps a total of Emily Dinsmore. and heart into something, you can achieve 120 schools and thousands of children by it, regardless of the hurdles that may be running sports, dignity and sexual and HIV thrown at you. It also reminded me of why awareness programmes. Money collected I wanted to go into the event industry in the from volunteers and donors creates a first place. Despite all the stress, seeing the variety of opportunities for children in end result and how happy it made people Uganda, such as participating in sport made it all worthwhile. (many of the children at the schools in “One of the community projects I took which we visited had never seen a football part in involved teaching young adults in before), as well as providing a number a local high school about HIV. I felt proud of jobs for paid Ugandan staff within the knowing I had helped raise awareness of organisation. the disease and how it affects people’s “During my placement I assisted with a lives. We taught people how to protect sports programme and the Develop with themselves from getting it and why they Dignity programme (which teaches girls shouldn’t discriminate against people who about menstruation and sanitation). As may have it already. part of our trip, we were also able to visit “After studying Ethics and learning orphanages who cared for babies that had about how volunteering isn’t always been abandoned (sometimes due to HIV good in my Tourism lectures, I was a little diagnosis or kidnapping) or whose mothers sceptical of doing community projects, as had passed away during child birth. These I didn’t want to have a negative effect by organisations fully embody the University’s taking jobs. However, all of the projects Mission, by representing the worth of every I experienced focused on assisting and child they look after and endeavouring to educating the local community. The reunite them with family members, where bursary I was granted went towards the possible. My experience made me realise cost of the programme run by Edge of that it is hard to appreciate the true extent Africa, which also employs local project of poverty simply through what we see on coordinators, cooks and cleaners, which I the TV back home. liked, as it meant my money would stay in “The Develop with Dignity programme the community.” has so far enabled an increase of 30% Megan Gunell became part of in girls’ attendance at school, through Data collection, Philippines. an environmental research team providing them with sanitary essentials on the island of in the that reduce the risk of infection and Details will be published on Portal later this term on how to apply for Philippines. prevent them from having to miss school this year’s scheme. “Being given the opportunity to during menstruation. The programme also undertake a project of this nature has emphasises the worth of every individual, been an incredible experience. Working including girls, and encourages them to alongside esteemed researchers carrying stay in school longer. out meaningful work has given me a new “At the end of our visit, we were understanding of the importance of my awarded African names in a ceremony degree in Animal Behaviour and fuelled carried out by the local Priest. The naming my passion for it, as well as giving me was for being valuable to the community great respect for the University and the and embracing the culture, in which we Mission it stands to uphold. had lived in for five weeks, reflecting “The data sourced from this assessment the Mission Award’s goal: to create will be given to conservation initiatives impact internationally. By definition a for the protection of species and habitats global citizen is one who has embraced in the bay. The importance of our a different culture openly, so when we research on the island also benefits the received the naming, I felt very rewarded.” Uganda. 10 STUDENT NEWS

Are you getting the most out of University? Support is Want to feel more equipped to deal with everyday stresses? Do you want to find ways of winding down? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of those questions, A copy of the new programme is now available look no further! Student Support and Guidance on Portal. on hand is offering a variety of wellbeing sessions Attending two or more of these sessions also gives designed to enhance your experience at you one credit towards the Chester Difference Award. STRUGGLING with university? University, increase your confidence and If you have any questions, just contact Finding deadlines too much, resilience and develop further essential life skills. [email protected] home too far away or you simply feel like you don’t fit in? Ever considered seeking help with these issues but feel like you are just being ‘stupid’ or GP service online ‘things will start getting easier soon’ but they’re just not? It A NUMBER of GP practices in West Cheshire are and productive. BY OLIVER BARKER may be time to stop considering trialling a new online service, which enables more The West Cheshire GP Practices now offering and start doing something about it; the University’s Student patients to access the advice and treatment they eConsult on their practice websites are: Support and Guidance team is a highly qualified group of need without having to visit their doctor. • Boughton Health Centre – individuals, ready to help you with your troubles. eConsult offers patients, whose symptoms are not www.boughtonhealthcentre.co.uk With perpetually rising tuition fees and daily stress from your medically urgent, a wide range of self-help information, • City Walls Medical Centre, Chester – studies and personal life it is no surprise to hear that approximately including symptom checkers and useful videos. It www.citywallsmedicalcentre.co.uk 30,000 university students dropped out in the UK last year. One of also signposts other local health services, such as • Garden Lane Medical Centre, Chester – the leading factors to these withdrawals that has arisen is that an pharmacies and NHS 111. www.gardenlanemedicalcentre.co.uk overwhelming number of students admitted to lacking, or did not In many cases, the eConsult service can be used • Great Sutton Medical Centre (McAlavey) – seek, sufficient support when they needed it before they left. The as an alternative to a traditional GP appointment or www.greatsuttonmedicalcentre.nhs.uk first and most important step is not to suffer in silence, but how do telephone consultation. • Great Sutton Medical Centre (Wearne) – you find support, and how do you know if you need it? eConsult has been introduced at 12 local practices. www.greatsuttonmedicalcentre.nhs.uk Catering to a variety of issues, you do not need to worry Registered patients simply visit their GP practice website • Great Sutton Medical Centre (Wood) – whether your problem is big or small. The Student Support and and click on one of three main options: ‘I want help www.greatsuttonmedicalcentre.nhs.uk Guidance Department can assist in any welfare concern, providing for my condition’, ‘I want general advice’ or ‘I want • Helsby Health Centre – stress management, resilience development and helping to achieve administrative help’. www.helsbyandeltonpractice.nhs.uk a healthy study - life balance. The length of the Department’s Patients who are unsure if they need a GP • Kelsall Medical Centre – care does not stop there however, as they also offer support appointment can also complete an online questionnaire. www.kelsallmedicalcentre.org.uk on issues, such as academic questions and concerns, problems The GP practice will then get in touch with them by the • Laurel Bank Surgery, Malpas – with settling into university life, money matters and problems with end of the next working day, to advise of the next step. www.malpassurgery.co.uk accommodation, whether it’s university-owned or private sector. This might be a telephone consultation, a face-to-face • Northgate Medical Centre, Chester – Regardless of the matter at hand there continues to be streams appointment or a prescription for the patient to collect. www.northgatemedicalcentre.nhs.uk of networks that are available in addition to the Student Welfare Where an appointment is required, GPs have the • The Health Centre, Tarporley (Adey) – team. Your faculty, whether it be your head of department, subject benefit of more information, courtesy of the patient’s www.tarporleydoctors.gpsurgery.net tutor or PAT, will all take an outstanding level of duty of care responses in the symptom-specific online questionnaire. • York Road Group Practice, Ellesmere Port – towards any issues you bring to them; being able to offer personal This enables consultations to be more informed, focused www.yorkroadgrouppractice.co.uk advice or point you in the right direction of where you need to go. With mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, on the rise, especially amongst 18 to 25-year-olds, it is imperative that anyone who could possibly struggle with these issues should not feel alone anymore. Student Welfare can offer face to face appointments, a simple chat on the phone, as well as email advice. On a personal level, these are issues that I have struggled with myself, reaching out to these aids was one of the best things I have done, releasing a great deal of stress and helping rebuild my university career. If you struggle with any of these matters mentioned or fear that someone you know does, feel free to contact Student Support and Guidance’s Hub, either through Moodle or dropping into the office based on Parkgate Road Campus in Binks CBK113 on weekdays between 8:30am to 5:30pm (4:30pm Fridays), emailing at student. [email protected], or phoning on 01244 511550 between standard office hours. The team also have a presence at Kingsway, Thornton, Queen’s Park and University Centre Shrewsbury. It’s OK to not be OK all the time. Don’t suffer in silence any longer. STUDENT NEWS 11 Your University NEEDS YOU!

IT only takes a few minutes to fill in the National satisfaction at the University and your satisfaction with Student Survey (NSS) and your feedback will the Students’ Union. make a real difference to your fellow and future The NSS is just one of many tools used to collect students – plus you’ll be in with a chance to win a student feedback, so that the University can make top prize! decisions about what needs improving on a course and By simply filling in the online Survey and sharing your institution level, based upon what students have said. views about your course and your time at the University – Many changes occur within programmes each year, to both what you liked and what you think could be reflect the students’ views, some of which have included: improved – you could be in with a chance to win one of 60 • Changes to modules prizes! There are 50 £50 Amazon vouchers and 10 STA • Changes to assessments vouchers, worth £300 each, available in the prize draw. • Changes to timetable Available essentially to final year undergraduates, • Changes to support provided the NSS is run independently by Ipsos MORI and asks • And much, much more! a series of questions relating to various aspects of your On a University-wide level, significant developments learning experience, including those about your overall have taken place in response to student feedback. You said… This is what happened…

There weren’t enough computers or space in the We invested over £2m in 2015/16 to extend and Seabourne Library for the number of students improve the provision offered by the Library on accessing the facility Parkgate Road Campus

There weren’t enough space and resources to We invested in a project to create a bespoke Learning study at Kingsway Campus Resource Centre, just for the Kingsway Campus

Improvements needed to be made to some Major works have taken place to improve University University accommodation accommodation in Chester and Warrington

Electronic submission of work should be universal Electronic submission has been implemented across the University across the University, to ensure you have the same submission system across all courses

The University should continually strive to reduce Green Chester has been working with teams in its carbon footprint Hospitality and Residential Services, to produce eco cups to reduce the amount of waste consumables. Remember: There are a number of ways to make your A number of solar panels have also been fitted, to voice heard at the University of Chester in addition improve our energy management. to the NSS. Every module has a Student Academic Representative for students to contact, not sure who yours is? Contact [email protected] to find out. You can also The NSS is now live and all eligible students should or telephone. You’ll no doubt see the survey being talk to your PAT, staff in your department or your Students’ have received an invitation by email, to complete advertised around the various University campuses, Union. If you have a question about student voice or the the Survey from Ipsos MORI. If you have missed and you can complete the NSS online or via a mobile NSS get in touch at [email protected] the emails, then you might be contacted by SMS device at www.thestudentsurvey.com at any time. 12 STUDENT NEWS Student politics after Thoughts of an Brexit and Trump and exercising your democratic right to International first vote as a UK citizen.” On the disaffected youth of Bernie Sanders’ campaign who refused to vote for Hillary Clinton, Michael Arceneaux of year student asks furiously that they “Do something besides pretending that your lack of vote does anything but suit your own moral BY ODA KARLSEN BEKKESTAD FROM NORWAY superiority at the expense of others.” Government officials, journalists and thing by giving us a chance here. And most even student political representatives see importantly; show yourself, that you did the answer here in a greater mobilisation the right thing, by believing that you could of privileged or ill-informed students and really do this. young people to the ballot box. There However, getting through these three is an assumption that if only we had years is not going to be easy. It’s going turned out, we would have made the to be a lot of hard work. And maybe we ‘correct’ or ‘sensible’ decision. But whilst will doubt ourselves. Maybe we’re even the establishment is frantically searching going to consider giving up at some points. BY SAM MERCER for answers for the wider electorate’s That’s when I want us to remember all of THIS article comes to you in the disillusionment, they have passed over the reasons why we moved here. Write a wake of what is shaping up to be ours, putting it down to laziness or privilege list if you like. Write down your goal, and considered nothing less than the alone. We should reject this notion entirely, the ways to get there. And figure out why apocalypse of liberal democracy, and make this rejection the focus of our that goal is worth leaving your friends and of which our Brexit decision here in political action as students. family for. the UK and the election of Donald The establishment is seriously invested in To be honest; being an international Trump in the US are the first of the the investigation of people’s disillusionment, student doesn’t make the university horsemen. With Marine Le Pen’s in order to avoid any further democratic IT’S been a term since I set foot on the experience any easier. It is going to be election in France in 2017 and the blows in the future. As a student body, grounds of University of Chester and tough being all those thousands of miles possibility of a Jeremy Corbyn now is precisely the right time to put since I moved about 1,300 miles away away from everything thing you left back victory in the 2020 British elections on our politicians and student from everything I know. It’s been a home. Maybe you didn’t go home for looming, the establishment is political representatives to have our apathy challenge adjusting to a brand new Christmas, and maybe you won’t see your scrambling to explain this recent anti- included in this investigation. No longer environment, new people, and a new family until next summer. Maybe the sounds establishment turn before it loses its should our apathy be treated as privileged culture. And even more challenging of the crowded park in your hometown are grip on power for good. laziness, but it should be seen for what it leaving everything I know behind. just a distant memory for you now. And the Problematically, students and young always was; namely, a recognition that the So this is for the students that are feeling you get when your mom is hugging people have been implicated in this decisions on offer to us do not adequately currently adjusting to living in the United you good night in the evening is something scrambling for answers, perhaps more so represent our demands. Kingdom. The students who wish to pursue you have already started to miss. When the than any other electoral demographic. For example, does the UK government’s their dreams in a new environment, with thoughts of these things starts popping up In the EU Referendum, turnout amongst Brexit plan have anything to say on our likeminded people. This is for the small in your head, I want you to think of all the the 18-25 age group is reported at 36%, wish to study, speak and research in percentage of the 19.000 students here reasons why you came. I want you to think despite opinion polls regularly putting educational institutions across Europe? at University, who travelled half a world to about the certificate that you’re going to this age group as the most in favour Does Donald Trump have any answer get here. show your future employers. I want you to of EU membership. Similarly, in the for the extortionate tuition fees facing US In three years from now we are going think about the benefits of studying abroad. United States the failure of young voters students? Of course not. But this is precisely to walk out the doors of Chester Cathedral And I want you to think about all the great mobilised by Bernie Sanders to pledge why we are apathetic. in black gowns, and those little hats we knowledge you have gotten this far. similar support for his Democratic rival The establishment desperately wants have only seen in movies. So, to all of my fellow international Hillary Clinton (the so-called ‘Bernie or to find reasons for this anti-establishment For some of us, that day in three years, students; Bust’ group), is being blamed for the turn, and we have to insist that students and means going home. Going home to what Focus on the positives, rather than election of Donald Trump. young people are not excluded from this we used to know. For others, this will be a the negatives. Focus on you instead of This has prompted a backlash from investigation because they didn’t vote, but day that marks the start of a new chapter everyone else. Work hard, be proud of Democrats in mourning. One article in included to precisely understand why. in our new home; the United Kingdom. your achievements, and have a lot of fun. The Independent just four days after the Our student political representatives Wherever we decide to go when this This is the place to find you. And don’t EU Referendum lambasts young people must reject any insistence on our ‘better day comes; let’s be proud. Let’s show forget, you’re not the only one that had to following anti-Brexit demonstrations outside education’ by governments or journalists, our friends and family that we were right board two aircrafts, and had three train Westminster, advising that “If you want to as it will undoubtedly be asked. Instead, about moving half a world away, to study rides to get here. We are in this together. secure your own future, you know what we need them to work to put words at the University of Chester. Let’s show the From one international student to all of would be a good idea? Actively leaving to that which the ballot box has so far admissions office that they did the right the others: GOOD LUCK. your house, heading to the polling station proved inadequate in voicing. STUDENT NEWS 13

Cooking tips on a budget ADMITTEDLY, it has taken until the second term of my final year to wean myself off the notorious student dishes of beans on toast and microwave meals, but I have finally broken through it – into the land of sophistication and adulthood, where it is unheard of to order a takeaway or microwave a Rustler’s burger to save using a pan. I’m far from a culinary expert, and wouldn’t say I necessarily have an affinity for cooking, but I much prefer to make my own meals than BY EMMA LEEMING spend 10 times more to be brought something fried.

The first is a good old pasta dish, a classic among students. Ingredients Affordable, filling and versatile, pasta is a life-saver when on a • One boneless, skinless chicken breast student budget. For this recipe, it is combined with cheese, chicken • Two tbsps mango chutney and mushrooms. Despite pasta often being seen as the pinnacle of • ½ tbsp grainy mustard student meals, this dish makes me feel that bit more accomplished • Two tbsps olive oil than when I use a standard, ready-made tomato sauce. Method Ingredients 1. Mix the mango chutney, grainy mustard and oil together into • 350g pasta shells a sauce. • Two tbsps olive oil 2. Put the chicken in a roasting tin, cover with the sauce. • 350g diced, boneless, skinless chicken breasts 3. Cook at 200 degrees for 25 minutes. • 175g mushrooms, quartered 4. Serve with rice. • Four tbsps tomato puree • 80g garlic and herb soft cheese The next is a beef stir-fry. Not so much a home-comfort • 284ml single cream perhaps, but it’s something different and isn’t too difficult to make. I like that it mixes things up a bit, and provides some Method variety and relief from the usual meals. If you don’t have 1. Heat the oven to 190°C and cook the pasta for 12 minutes until noodles in, it would work just as well with pasta, or even softened. Drain the water, then transfer the pasta to the pan. rice! A nice, easy way to go Oriental without forking out for 2. Heat the oil in a pan, add the chicken and fry until it is browned. a Chinese. Add the mushrooms and fry for a further minute. Stir in the tomato puree, cream and soft cheese. Stir until the sauce has thickened. Ingredients 3. Add the sauce to the pasta and mix well, then grate cheese • Two tbsps vegetable oil over the top. Put it in the oven for 15 – 20 minutes until the • One pound of beef, cut into strips cheese melts. • One red bell pepper, cut into strips • Two carrots, thinly sliced If you’re sick of having pasta with various sauces every day, • ½ onion, chopped then you may be more inclined to try this next recipe. It was one • Two tbsps soy sauce passed down to me from my Grandma, and in my wholly non- biased opinion, she is one of the best cooks I know. Perhaps not Method on Mary Berry’s level, but then who is? 1. Heat the oil in a wok (or a pan) and cook the beef strips for three-four minutes until browned. Move the strips to the side Anyway, the second recipe I have found to be a lifesaver, as a of the wok and add the vegetables to the centre. student, is mango and mustard chicken with rice. Despite trying 2. Leave to cook, stirring the vegetables, for two minutes. my utmost, it definitely does not compare to how my Grandma 3. Mix the beef with the vegetables, add soy sauce and cook makes it, but it’s good enough for me! With four ingredients and for a further two minutes until the vegetables have softened. three steps to the method, it’s too easy not to make. 4. Serve with noodles. 14 STUDENT NEWS

A marathon challenge The Ultimate battle BY JAIME TAWS Chester’s Ultimate team started of double second round wins against GRADUATING from an overseas Thoracic Aortic Disease (TAD). TAD is a more or less afresh this year, with Birmingham (4-2) and Liverpool (5-2) university and uprooting once again to condition that affects the portion of the aorta only four players returning from the and an impressive third round for the First the Big Apple, for an intensive internship (the body’s largest artery that extends from 2015/16 season. team, set the teams up for a successful with The Mountbatten Institute, was not the heart to the abdominal region.) The After only two weeks of training, the weekend of games. enough of a challenge for 24-year-old charity also raises funds to support education team set off for its first tournament of the First team members were thrilled to postgraduate Antonis Stylianou. The and research, in collaboration with the year, having entered two teams of new find that they had finished in 7th place, International Business student, originally American Heart Association. players in the beginner’s division of B ‘n’E with Team A in a solid 12th position. from Cyprus, set himself yet another He added: “It was a physically painful (Beginners and Experienced Tournament). James Bullen, Club Captain of Team challenge: to conquer the annual New experience, but one that was totally worth Ultimate, originally known as ‘ultimate Chester Ultimate, said: “The weekend York City Marathon. it. The reward was not just waiting for Frisbee’, is a fast-growing, non-contact was just incredible really. It is a very Antonis said that living in New York as me at the finish line, but was evident with team sport, played by players with a proud moment when you take near on part of his studies with Chester constantly every mile I ran. The atmosphere and flying disc. With the help of only one 20 new players to their very first taste causes him to stretch the limits of his comfort people around me were so amazing. experienced player per team allowed of competitive Ultimate and every single zone through facing unfamiliar situations and People came out of their houses to offer us on the pitch per game, the tournament one of them progresses immensely. challenging cultural stereotypes. However, he motivation and provide us with everything was the ultimate test of fire for these “Ultimate is a sport that you can feels the Marathon (which stretches across from encouraging words, to bananas and beginners – for all of whom it was their progress in very quickly, due to its nature five boroughs of New York City) was one of chocolate. It was an event that brought the first experience of competitive Frisbee. being very similar to other mainstream the hardest challenges of his life. whole city together, which is so important Having been split into two teams of sports. Not only am I seeing progression He explained: “Preparation was crucial, during this challenging time.” approximate ability at training sessions in my players, but they notice it themselves both with my physical training and diet, but also Antonis completed the Marathon, which leading up to the tournament, the too, which makes our optimism and team to my fundraising. Taking part in the Marathon was his first, in an admirable 4:40:46. beginners formed two teams, Chester spirit beam around the North-West.” provided me with the chance to make a real He has pledged to raise the target of First and Chester A teams being seeded For Ultimate newcomer, Neil Fox, 23, difference through supporting a worthy charity, $3,255 dollars for the John Ritter Foundation. 19th and 20th respectively. from County Tipperary in Ireland, this but I couldn’t have done it alone.” Antonis is continuing to collect funds, please After an opening 10-1 win against was his first experience of an Ultimate Running in honour of his father, who suffers visit either of the following links: Keele for the First team, and a narrow tournament. He said: “Ultimate is all from a long term illness, Antonis partnered https://www.crowdrise.com/ 4-5 loss for Team A, it was clear that about enjoyment and improvement rather with the John Ritter Foundation for Aortic JohnRitterNYC2016/fundraiser/antonisstylianou both teams were more than capable than just winning, and there’s a really Health, an official charity of the Marathon, https://www.facebook.com/donate/ of proving the naysayers wrong. A set good social aspect to the game.” whose aim is to increase awareness of 10154903720643352

Fancy getting involved in Team Chester Ultimate? Get in touch with Club Captain, James Bullen - [email protected], or Social Secretary, Jonathan Hay - [email protected]

Antonis running the New York City Marathon. Team Chester Ultimate. Words of welcome UCVolunteers Entrances to the main campus buildings now have a framed summary of the University’s Mission and Foundational CHESTERTOWN Values on display. GO GREEN & As part of the University’s 175th Anniversary activities, the GOWN Mission Committee was set the task of raising the profile of these The Volunteering Department within Student Support and important statements about the ethos of the institution, which are Guidance has developed a number of one off conservation 2017 intended to inform and underpin the work of staff and students. volunteering days, “Welly Wednesdays”, open to student Working with the Committee, which comprises staff, students, volunteers. Last term, it ran two Welly Wednesdays, one governors and external representatives, Tabitha Meadows, a with the RSPB and one with Cheshire Wildlife Trust. Theology student, devised a diagram, whose working title was The team visited Burton Mere Wetlands, an RSPB reserve Be a part of it the ‘roundel,’ to depict the way in which the different aspects close to the University and ten students came along to help with BY SHANNON ALI of the Mission Statement are interlinked. This also demonstrates the management of this site, on a rather wet and windy day! how integral the Foundational Values should be. Later that month six students signed up to help Cheshire THE ‘Town and Gown’ run has been a Committee Chair Christine Allen, from the University Council, Wildlife Trust cut down invasive plants at Dukes Drive, a small much loved tradition in historical cities, said: “The University’s Mission and Foundational Values make an woodland area close to Chester city centre. such as Oxford and Cambridge, for important point about the kind of institution we are. If you would be interested in joining the Volunteering over 30 years. It is now Chester’s turn to “Now, there are 22 ‘roundels’ across all University sites, Department on the next Welly Wednesday, please email join in the fun! to set the tone and introduce newcomers and visitors to the [email protected] for further information. ‘Town and Gown’ are the two aspects of thinking behind our way of working and to remind those already These opportunities are a great way to try out a community that make up a university city, connected with the University that the Mission and Foundational volunteering; make a difference to the local community and the ‘town’ aspect being the non-academic Values are there constantly to guide us in our daily business.” to the environment. So why not give it a go! residents of the city and the ‘gown’ aspect being students at the University. Town and Gown runs prove to be a successful way of bringing together a community. Having been extremely popular in other parts of the country, the event will be coming to Chester in March and will be opened by one of Great Britain’s most successful female Olympians, Beth Tweddle (who is also an honorary graduate of the University!). It is hoped that the event will not only Tabitha Meadows with the University’s Mission and Foundational Values. UCVolunteer encourage a real sense of civic pride throughout the city, but that it will also help foster good relations between the University and the local community. The 5k run aims to raise money and Thespian Society’s Play in a Day awareness for the local charity C-R-Y (Cardiac Risk in the Young) - a charity which A TEAM of writers, actors and directors three years, since one of the and incredible for the writers to see something should be close to all of our hearts as many from Chester University Thespian founding members, Kerrianne Maloney, they had created brought to life so quickly. UCVolunteer young people of university age may be living Society (CUTS) created, rehearsed and began raising money for them personally by Seeing everyone’s hard work come together with a heart problem, and not know about it. performed a series of plays within 24 completing three challenges (shaving her on stage made it all worthwhile.” As it’s a distance of 5k, it is not a marathon hours to raise money for Mind, the head, doing a tandem skydive and running To watch CUTS perform their short plays run, and is a perfect opportunity for students mental health charity, who provide a half-marathon). Since then, we have given please visit: https://www.youtube.com/ who would like to try and improve their advice and support to empower all the money we raise to Mind. It is a charity watch?v=vRFsh8c3r5s&feature=youtu.be fitness in the New Year. There will be training anyone experiencing a mental health that is close to us all, as mental illness affects CUTS members are currently rehearsing programmes in place for participants in the problem. Writers were given different everyone, whether directly or indirectly.” A Midsummer Night’s Dream which will run up to the event. Keep an eye out for more cover versions of the song All Along the Despite battling with a lack of sleep be performed from Thursday, March 16 to info! For those struggling to get motivated Watchtower by Bob Dylan as a stimulus and rehearsals that kept being put on Saturday, March 18. Keep your eyes peeled for a New Year resolution fitness regime, the for their scripts, which were then hold for nap breaks, Natalie described for ticket information nearer the time. Chester Town and Gown 5k run is for you! performed later the same day in front of the experience as rewarding, due to the The run will take place on Sunday, March a paying audience. positive response received from members 19, 2017 at 9am, starting from Riverside CUTS successfully presented four short of the audience: Campus. The route will pass through University plays ranging from10 to 20 minutes in length. “At first, we weren’t expecting many sites as well as Chester’s historic city streets They raised £135 from ticket sales, the people to show up, seeing as they had no and is open to anyone aged 11 years and proceeds of which were donated to Mind. idea whatsoever of what they were going over. There is a £15 entry fee which includes Natalie Webster, the President of CUTS, said: to be watching. But we were given some a t-shirt for each runner and a goody bag. “We thought Play in a Day would be a brilliant feedback - some audience members For more information or to enter, visit brilliant way to get a lot of people involved, even doubted we had actually managed http://www.chester.ac.uk/town-and-gown-5k as you only have to commit to the 24 hours. to write and rehearse it all in the limited or follow the event on Twitter: @gown_chester We have been supporting Mind for the past time frame. But believe me, we did! It felt Members of CUTS. or Facebook: Chester Town & Gown 5K Fun Run 16 STUDENT NEWS STUDENTNEWSSPORT

The power of Martial Arts Kung Fu Champs THE University’s Martial Arts clubs cover a wide range of fighting THE first few months won their first fight, making it to the styles, including Hung of the new academic semi-finals, but both failed to get Kuen Shaolin Kung Fu year have been a busy through. However, Georgina’s fight (Traditional Striking); one for the University’s was so close that the first round was Jujitsu, Street Survival (Self Hung Kuen Kung Fu a draw and an extra one-minute round Defence) and MMA (Mixed Club. With the task of had to take place to decide the result. Martial Arts). These three training new members, A very close call, but unfortunately not clubs cover and combine getting them ready to in Chester’s favour. the striking, grappling grade and preparing A number of medals were also won by members and wrestling elements for the annual Hung competing in Tantui forms, with all who competed into their training, whilst Kuen Competition in gaining a first, second or third place. A fantastic effort offering a welcoming December, the heat in Dragon form and Tiger form gained the Club first, BY GEORGINA WILSON atmosphere for everyone was on. second and third place across the board. Only one to gain confidence and In November, the Club held two gradings. The first student from Chester competed in the weapon form skills that can be applied to grading saw four of its members achieve 1st Brown, and round with her performance of the Fan, for which she BY ALEX CANDLIN real life situations. three members achieve 1st Blue. The second grading achieved second place. Outside the clear benefits of self-defence and fitness, Martial saw one member achieve 1st Brown, three achieve 1st Not only did the Club achieve a huge number of Arts provides benefits and knowledge that go way beyond the Blue, one achieve 2nd Yellow, and seven new members medals, it was awarded Student of the Year trophies, throwing of a punch or kick. Learning the simplest adjustments of achieve their first yellow. A great result for the Club. that went to Sunny Sheard and Jack Dean. Georgina how curling your fingers to make a fist, or throwing your hip into Focus turned to the upcoming completion. Since the Wilson gained the trophy for Best Overall Female rotation for an effective kick, can result in an almost immediate Club began in 2014, Chester has improved year on competitor, and James Barber claimed Best Overall boost of power into your technique. Although it may seem anyone year, with 2016 being no exception. Seventeen students Male competitor. can throw a punch, seeing how something you’ve known how to took part in a number of events, including Individual This success would not be possible without the do your whole life maximised by a few very simple adjustments to and Open sparring, Animal Forms, Weapon Forms and hard work of all its members, as well as the excellent your footwork or the position of your shoulder is very satisfying. Tantui Forms. In the women’s individual Sparring, the support and teaching from Instructors Jon Wood Everyone and anyone can train in any Martial Arts style. University came away with three first place medals, one and Master Ang. As a Club we hope to continue this The discipline involved in Martial Arts highlights your second place medal and one thrid place medal. The success and improve on it to become even better at the strengths and weaknesses. Lack of preparation can promote men were equally as successful, with three first place next competition. an unsuccessful sparring session; failure to listen to advice on medals, three second place medals and one third place If you’re interested in joining Kung Fu, please contact technique may result in an imperfect round-kick, yet practicing medal. The open sparring, which is always a highlight the Club Captain Georgina Wilson on 1401852@ repeatedly the skills taught and understanding the knowledge of the competition, saw two of the Club members chester.ac.uk or search for our Facebook Page: base behind them can become noticeable in every aspect of compete. Georgina Wilson and James Barber both University of Chester Kung Fu Club. your daily life. Attending lectures and studying hard, knowing that you have the resilience to protect yourself from any problem, whether physical or mental, helps you strive to keep going at whatever it is you’re doing. It is possible to be humbled by the strengths and accomplishments of others - a martial artist looks no different to any other person, but inside there is the desire to achieve perfection in their training, their work and their lives. After success, a student can walk out of the dojo or the contest area and reflect on what they did well that led them to victory or after defeat what they would do differently in the future to perfect their technique. A martial artist will always do better next time because there will always be a next time. After experiencing the result of mistakes, lessons are learnt as to how to correct them. The discipline involved in Martial Arts training forges a mentality that takes form across your whole life, including studying, relationships and all social interactions. A chance to blow off steam, meet inspirational people and excel in ways you never thought you could, Martial Arts provide the opportunity to live the biggest metaphor for life; practise makes perfect.