THE SECOND (Rep update)
Bianca Holland
Hello again!
Welcome to the second update...for those who are just receiving this as their first update! Do not worry, I post all the updates on a blog here https://147414570.hs-sites-eu1.com/blog/the-first-course-rep-update so you can read that if you'd like!
These emails can get quite long, but I would really appreciate it if you could read them. (You will be receiving a lot of emails, some duplicates, from me as the course rep list grows and we gotta make sure everyone has the information!!!
Topics covered: Course rep training, Course rep accreditation, getting involved in local policy, getting involved in planning a local event, skill sessions & events coming up.
Course Rep Training
If you haven’t completed Course Rep Training yet, there is an online suite!
If you did not do in person or team training you need to do this!
Click all the way through to the end then DO THE QUIZ! If you don't it wont have you down as having done the training.
https://sway.cloud.microsoft/2MRyjsSAHgtp7mii?ref=Link&loc=mysways
Course Rep Accreditation
One of the things you can do as a Course Rep is sign up for Course Rep Accreditation.
What does that mean: Essentially, you get accredited for the work you do as a Course Rep. It’s proof that you have contributed, developed skills and taken an active role in representing your course.
It’s points-based, which means it’s extremely accessible and as a part of Course Rep accreditation, you’ll get access to specialist workshops with the Careers Team, where you can bring your CV and LinkedIn and work with them to make sure your Course Rep experience is actually reflected properly.
We want to make sure you can actually articulate those skills in an interview and on your CV , rather than just having “Course Rep” sitting there with no explanation of what you actually did.
A separate course rep accreditation email will go out to all those that sign up with the full details and processes of accreditation!
Local community involvement - 2 awesome opportunities to get involved in a local event & shape local policy
Event opportunity
CHISPA who operates with Guildhall in Gloucester is putting on a "SURVIVAL GAME: The Rave edition" is coming to Gloucester Guildhall on Wednesday 17th March 2027, and they want you to help build it. This one-of-a-kind event will transform the entire historic building into a giant, immersive escape-room style experience where players navigate themed rooms including Werewolf Mafia to unlock the finale: a rave with music and interactive performances.
They are recruiting student teams to co-create each room alongside professionals and their Youth Team at CHISPA, bringing your skills in drama, games, design, tech, engineering, psychology, and more to life in a real-world setting. It’s a chance to boost your CV, build a portfolio, network with industry creatives, and help put students at the heart of the city’s cultural scene. Minimum commitment once a month, this is flexible.
Join them for a tour, meet the team and explore ways you would like to be involved on Wednesday 4 November at 6pm.
There will be snacks.
Contact alice@chispa.uk to secure a place.
Local policy
Gloucestershire is working on a Spatial Development Strategy (SDS), a long-term plan that will set out how Gloucestershire should develop over a thirty-year period.
I think important y'all have a say, and so does the county council, so they are coming to campus on the dates below:
Please do book on using the link, it means we know how many people are coming so they can bring the right number of resources...and snacks...
This is a consultation, so you will get points towards accreditation!
They will ask you questions like....
- What do you value most about Gloucestershire?
- What should be protected?
- What needs to be improved?
- As things in Gloucestershire change, what opportunities would you like to see?
And here are topics they will want you opinion on - you DO NOT have to be an expert in any of these areas, I've added prompt questions in purple so you can think about how you would answer (Feel free to add questions on for people to think about!!)- this is not a test btw! Its literally getting your opinion... Come with questions and potential solutions!!
Climate: Related topics: greenhouse gas emissions, net-zero, climate change
Do you think the county has done enough to reduce co2?Are there enough people working on climate change in the county?
Economic Development: Related topics: growth, jobs, investment
Are there jobs worth staying in Gloucestershire for?Is the county investing in the right markets?
Environment: Related topics: biodiversity, green spaces
Is there enough being done to protect natural spaces?Is the county promoting use of greenspaces?
Housing: Related topics: renting, buying, flats, houses
Is it an affordable option to stay in the county long term?Do young pepe have the option to buy houses?
Geography &Population: Related topics: ageing society, moving away, rural versus urban
What is the incentive for young people to stay here?
Health & Wellbeing: Related topics: active lifestyles, mental health
Mental health services, there are so many that funding gets spilt between all of them, what's the counties plan to potentially merge them so they receive more funding and can help more people?How are they encouraging people to remain active?
Infrastructure: Related topics: energy, water, digital, hospitals, schools, libraries
Will there be data centres in Gloucestershire?Are they going to regulate use of AI?Healthcare opportunities?
Transport & travel: Related topics: private cars, buses, trains, roads
With petrol going up and public transport greeting more expensive how are they going to tackle people needing to get places?
There will be plenty more coming up, so keep an eye on your emails and make sure you’re engaging with these updates!
As always, if there’s something happening on your course that you think I should know about, please tell me. You are my eyes and ears across the University, and I can’t fix something I don’t know about!
Thanks everyone, and I’m looking forward to working with you all this year!!!