Robert Gordon University’s (RGU) Student Union (RGU:Union) has launched a new freshers’ welfare campaign to further support students at the start of university life.
The campaign brings a ‘RGU Freshers’ Welfare’ team to Aberdeen which has been established by RGU:Union to focus on the welfare of new students by providing a visible support network and promoting values of wellbeing and safety.
The new team will work at the RGU freshers’ events taking place across city centre venues over a two week period where they will promote safe drinking, provide water, answer questions and support Police Scotland with looking after vulnerable students.
They will also be on the streets at nightclub closing times, providing directions to halls of residence, taxi ranks and bus stops, as well as hand out maps, water and other materials to keep freshers safe.
Edward Pollock, RGU’s student president for communication and democracy, explains: This year, RGU:Union is introducing a new division of our freshers’ team with a focus primarily on welfare and support for new students.
“We’ve have a strong team of freshers volunteers who work to help students socialise, attend events and create a fun community, however we felt there was a need to provide more support at the end of the evenings when students are most vulnerable.
“Our new Freshers’ Welfare team will be specifically designated to look out for new students, making sure they are okay at the end of the night and directing them home.
“Our hope is that the new team will create a safer environment, where RGU:Union is visible in helping students stay safe, along with building a fun, dynamic and exciting community around the freshers’ period.”
Over the past few years, RGU:Union has been working hard to develop its freshers’ welfare campaign to provide a supportive atmosphere during the first weeks at university.
In September 2015, RGU:Union launched it’s Safe Taxi Scheme as an emergency welfare service to allow vulnerable students without cash from both of the city’s universities to get home safely by using their student card as temporary payment for a taxi.
The service has been used regularly, and over the past year has contributed to Aberdeen’s Purple Flag status for a safe nightlife and has won the National Union of Students (NUS) Scotland’s Campaign of the Year.
RGU:Union has also introduced new events to provide opportunities for students to socialise outside of an alcohol focused environment including its Freshers’ Film Festival at Vue Cinema.
It also organises ‘Living at Home’ and ‘College Entry’ student meet ups to allow students who are not in halls to socialise and help them engage with freshers’ events.
Edward, who spoke at Police Scotland’s Aberdeen freshers’ awareness launch last week, adds: “The freshers’ period is a fun, unique exciting time for new students starting university and often moving to a new city for the first time. While there are plenty of opportunities to have fun, this new experience can also be stressful, daunting and confusing.
“RGU:Union wants to make sure everyone who arrives gets a positive welcome, so supporting students welfare is a core part of what we do.”
For more information on the Freshers’ period, visit www.rguunion.co.uk/freshers