We’re heading into the last month of Term 3 and want to reflect on our favourite year yet (no... we don’t say this every year...). From your first day, first society mixer, first
sporting event, first night out at Sub and your first deadline - we’ve been with you every step of the way.

And we couldn’t end the year without saying a big thank you. For the 5th year running, the annual Whatuni Student Choice Awards ranked us as the 7th best Students’ Unions in the country! These awards are voted for by YOU, so THANKS!

Here’s 10 things we’ve achieved together:

1. INCREASED FINANCIAL SUPPORT

In a world where every thing keeps costing more £££s, we worked together with the University to make sure you had increased financial support. Raising the Hardship Fund
cap from £489k to £1.5m, opening up what it can be used for, how many times it can be used and simplifying the application process. The Hardship Fund has provided £50,000 in financial support to students weekly.

Find out more about the work related to the Cost of Living Crisis here.

2. REDUCED ESSENTIAL FOOD COSTS

Because all students should have access to affordable & nutritious hot food options, we partnered with the University to bring cheaper food options to campus. Including:

• Subsidised hot food at £2 per meal across all Essex food outlets. From a Canteen breakfast to daily subs in Zest and vegan options in Stem & Root, there's something to tickle every taste bud!
• Free food meet-ups - introducing SU Eat & Meet, your free weekly hot food meet-up. Every Tuesday between 5-6pm and 6-7pm in The Atrium, you had the chance to come together and enjoy a FREE home cooked meal (and a night off from cooking!) Hosted by your Sabbatical Officers who were on hand to answer any questions or concerns you have about the costing of living crisis uni life in general.
• Cheaper groceries through SU Basics: your pop-up market which ran in Term One and Two.

More on the Cost of Living Crisis here.

3. OUR BIGGEST HOLI YET

The sun was (finally!) shining for us as Holi: Festival of Colours took place, a couple of months late, in May. Over 700 of you (including Southend students ??) came together to
celebrate with a live DJ, drum performances, traditional drink, free t-shirts, and of course... LOADS of paint.

See the photos here.

4. SU FOOTBALL FEST 

For the first time ever, the men’s football World Cup fell during term time. This World Cup did not share our values many ways, so we created a football festival that did. You threw on your national shirts, grabbed some face paint and spread out across three venues including SU Fanzone (a huge heated tent, in case you missed it). Even if you’re not into footie, this was such a great way to celebrate our diverse international community ?? 

See the photos here.

5. SU EXAM MODE 

Exams are tough, but so are you. From SU Exam Angels passing you a hot drink, group study sessions with a twist, farm animals on campus, to someone to speak to when you need it most – we’ve all pulled together to get you through the exams period. 

More on Exam Support.

6. CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL DIVERSITY 

It’s very normal to feel homesick or experience culture shock when you move to a new place, so we brought your home to campus. 

This year we’ve celebrated: Black History Month, Diwali, Romanian Independence Day, Lunar New Year, Holi, Eid, One World Essex and hosted multiple Desi nights. From crafts to performances, food to speeches, we hope you’ve felt at home at Essex this year. 

Get to know other International Students through the International Students Association (ISA).

7. OUR BIGGEST WELCOME YET 

98% of you said you felt welcome in the first term of uni ?? With 64 events across 2 weeks, this year we introduced 5 massive NEW day time events to help you settle into your new home and make new friends. We had students guessing the flavours of mousses in The Great SU Taste Off, playing Binglow in Sub Zero wearing UV paint and winning prizes, competing in teambuilding games in Squad Games I and carrying on the competitiveness with Squad Games II: Faculty Face Off.  

Watch what happened during Welcome.

8. #BACKTHEBLADES 

It’s been a huge year for Essex Blades with a record number of BUCS points (1426), currently ranking 32nd, 12 teams winning their league, a 55% win rate (64% won at home), 700+ of you playing in BUCs matches and 3,150+ having Essex Blades membership! 

But how could we forget our epic win at Derby Day. With 626 Essex Blades athletes and  113 supporters travelling to University of East Anglia to compete for the varsity title. UEA may have won by the scoresheet but Blades definitely won in spirit. The sense of camaraderie was amazing. 

Explore Sport clubs.

9. YOUR STUDENT-ONLY NIGHTCLUB 

You helped the Subby Z team create an unforgettable calendar of events. Featuring FED Wednesdays, F*ck It, headline acts including Scouting for Girls, Jay-1, Swarmz and A1XJ1 and the 6am finishers; FED Rave, Royal Rave and Halloween Rave. With a total of 115 events and 63,662 ticket holders taking to the dancefloor. How many of you been to them all?! ? ??  

See your photos here.

10. THE BEST VENUES ON CAMPUS 

• SU BAR had a full makeover over the summer 

• THE IN-BETWEEN  more than a bar, but not quite a club. We started with quiz nights but soon learned you wanted this for your small community night outs 

• THE ATRIUM bean bags, giant TVs and loooads of seating. You’ve had meetings, creating things and celebrated awards nights 

• TOP BAR finally reopened after COVID and then an unforuntate flooring incident  

• COMMUNITIES COMMON ROOM The newest in a long list of common room spaces available to you. Created to support students and communities with a protected characteristic in having a comfortable place where they can connect with others. 

Explore SU Spaces.

Some of you have also been recognised nationally for your amazing work achieved through the SU ??... 

National Societies & Volunteering Awards (NSVAs):

• Wellbeing Award
  • Winner: Wellbeing Ambassadors
  • Runner up: VTeam Volunteering Café
• Extra Mile Award
  • Winner: Alfie Benson
• Community Award
  • Runner up: Cultural Welcome Project
• Committee Excellence Award
  • Runner up: Women In STEM Society
• The Collaboration Award
  • Runner up: The Charity Showcase

5 students and projects shortlisted in the National Queer Student Awards:

• Activist of the Year - Riley Iles
• Community Group of the Year - Essex SU LGBTQ+ Network Community
• Initiative of the Year - “Increasing POC participation” Essex SU LGBTQ+ Community
• Legacy Builder of the Year - Harry Morgan
• Role Model of the Year - LGBTQ+ Youth - Sam Temple

VTeam’s Animal Protection and Green Thumbs volunteer, Anne Bernard was awarded a Coronation Champion Award.

What a year! More of the same for 2023/24?!