Verve Spring 2017

Go Green

Bee Happy

SPRING 2017

Sustainability

London Met’s got talent CASS student art The art of the intimate

MAKE CASH

in your PJ’s

Your housing

horrors

Why I

Afro hair

S

Leanne Carr Journalist BA Journalism Second Year Alejandra Gasso Azanza Journalist BA Fashion Marketing & Business Management First Year Sylvie Carlos Journalist BA Events Management & Public Relations Graduate Noa Mokhnachi Journalist BA Fashion Marketing & Journalism Third Year Dominika Kubinyova Journalist BA Journalism Third Year Marina Mariano Graphic Designer BA Fashion Marketing & Journalism Third Year

It’s the last hurdle, with many of us moving on to greener pastures.

This is my last issue as editor before passing the torch on.

It’s easy to forget that London Met has several campuses scattered around the city. In this edition I’ve decided to incorporate the creativity of the Cass campus over in Aldgate, with some of the stuff that’s going on over at Holloway.

The planned closure of Central House and it’s relocation to Calcutta House will create another step towards the University’s One Campus One Community project. Therefore I thought it was important to dedicate a large section of the magazine to appreciating some of the talent at The Cass.

The Cass adds to the dynamic culture and business surrounding Whitechapel, however we should focus on the positive, and look towards a brighter future together eventually at Holloway.

Speaking of which, your future will look brighter when you plan your time efficiently. Your tutors might stress this, and we at Verve want to add that this doesn’t mean just mean academically!

As we enter the last few weeks of your last term, it’s important to stay focused - and this goes for your living situation too. For many students, particularly those of you in halls, your housing contract will finish shortly after you break for summer.

So if you’re planning on staying in the capital, get organised. It’s vital to do this to avoid sleeping on sofas or in some horrendous temporary accommodation until you come back in September.

We’ve provided a guide to help you take the necessary steps to hopefully set you on the right path and dodge this depressing situation. Have a look – and enjoy the rest of the magazine (while I sort out the rest of my post-graduation life!).

Patrice

PATRICE WINN EDITOR BA FASHION MARKETING & JOURNALISM

a em

gazine@lo n

JOIN THE VERVE TEAM

et.ac.uk nm

2

Gabi Sarpong, Scott Holloway, Sonny Barthley, Sterling Burke, Joanne White and Georgia Robinson.

Hello everyone, and welcome back to the final semester.

Hopefully you’re well rested after the Easter holidays, and are ready for more hard work before you break for summer.

do

Georgina Childs Graphic Designer BA Digital Media Second Year

HELLO! I’M PATRICE...

email: ve rv

CONTRIBUTO R

DISCLAIMER: All contributions included in this magazine are those of the writer ONLY and NOT those of London Met SU or its associated trademarks, websites and services.

London Met SU does not necessarily endorse, support, sanction, encourage, verify or agree with any comments, opinions or statements or other content provided by users.

IN THIS ISSUE

...

World On the cover: The History of the ss in Six Pictures, Creation Too by Ca e 4. student Andy Dickerson. See pag

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MEET THE CASS ARTISTS LONDON MET’S GOT TALENT

12 14

SUBTITLING THE EVERYDAY INTIMATE OBJECTS

16 27

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FAB FLOCKOMANIA INTERACTIVE EXHIBIT PATRICK BRILL OBE “ART MAKES YOU POWERFUL” CASS FASHION ARTIST SHOWCASE

ON TS’ UNI N E D U ST ERT UR INS O D A E R

www.londonmetsu.org.uk

30 31 38 39 40 41 42

32 34 36

WORK FROM HOME MAKE CASH IN YOUR PJS EMPOWERING WOMEN REINVENTING ONE’S LIFE BUYING ESSAYS DON’T DO IT! ODE TO AFRO HAIR I’M LOVING IT! HOUSING HOW-TOS LIVE WELL, RENT WELL HOUSING HORRORS YOUR STORIES HARDSHIP FUND GET HELP

BEING GREEN SUSTAINABILITY TIME TO TRAID HELPING OTHERS BEE HAPPY HERE’S TO HONEY

/LondonMetStudentsUnion

LondonMetSU

Meetthe Ar Ca ss

Curated by Joanne White and Georgia Robinson

3rd Year BA Photog raphy

Andy Dickerson

“My practice focuses on the way in which images communicate stories, and in particular how they shape our perception of fact. This image is from my current project, ‘The History of the World in Six Pictures’.

“In this series, I am ques tioning culturally accepted versions of our past by taking a sideways and hopefully entertaining look at events which shape the current narrative of today's society.”

4

rtists

Meet the Cass artists - a group of talented individuals who all have one thing in mind: creating the most innovative art work possible. Verve gets the stories behind the works “This painting [in the background] is entitled ‘Property Boom’. It is acrylic on canvas and was completed in January 2017.

“The idea behind the painting was to combine the images of the environment that surrounds me where I currently live and study: the East End of London.

“Along with this I took inspiration from photos reporting on the humanitarian crisis going on in Yemen.

I was attempting to reflect on how buildings are sprouting up at speed all around me, and dramatically altering the landscape.

“Simultaneously, in another part of the world, the landscape is also being dramatically altered and people’s lives are in chaos and ruin.

“I wanted to create a piece of art that could explore how we live in a world where these two events could happen at the same time.”

Josh Hill Walsh

3rd Year BA Fine Art

5 5

Constantine Elijah 3rd Year BA Fine Art

Laura

A

pplega 3rd Y te ear B A Fin Art e

“I have be centratin en working o n g on res earchin spells, consions of g protectiv d

e spells ifferent ver“There . are lots ments t of varie o spells d that are tect you . In this meant t eleo propiece, w named hich I h yet, I ha a v ve not e glued ing a pa ttern on o the bac n eyes form“In this k. da for more y and age I se e p a great ne tify with owerful women and can ed slow bu idenmy t positiv e chan work is g e , so kind to a tim of a link back e of th e stron being g o p p ressed, which happen ed a long tim e ago. I am trying to b ring tha t f o rward to today as a po sitive influenc e.”

“Whil e I wor my work k wit h pa is mainly a dia int lo a paint gue betw ing too. I bout film ings, s, o e ften en t t son f or my rying to u he films create nd an here b in ar eing an a erstand t d my t sch he re feren rtist a oo a t n to id shapes a l. These d why I a eas t m nd c objec ha o only t by th t have o lours are s, difc i r to ot her a nking but cured to elated me, rtists also ques no , a tio b piece ns. I hav sking the y speakin t m th e e sam g will b for my de not real ised gree e a fi my fi e lm sh Mayb nal e in th based o ow, but I n all pose think is I w m ill more it y tho ques find an a nswe ughts. tions .” r or ju st

Frederique Evans-Jeanrenaud 3rd Year BA Fine Art

“The video work provides an insight into the roots of the music created by and belonging to nomadic tribes of Southern Morocco. It aims to explore the sense of relief, metamorphosis and adventure the music emits.”

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“My project is a collection of contemporary portraits and archival material based on personal accounts from the Protestant community in Belfast, recalling their experiences during ‘The Troubles’. It reflects on changing attitudes of society in Northern Ireland.”

Louis Burrows

3rd year BA Photography

“This project is called ‘Bauhaus Stop Motion’. It involved making a set of two Bauhaus inspired stop-motion puppets. I animated them both so they would appear as if they were having a conversation with each other.”

Emeka Uzoh 3rd year BA Animation

“Layers of audio create a crescendo and multi-sensory experience, evoking the power and beauty of the Saharan landscape. An example is the Gnawa muisc that derived from slaves.”

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8

“Catacol Valley on the Isle of Arran is part of an ongoing project that documents communities and isolated life on several islands across the UK. It invites viewers to explore the remote landscapes but also to have an intimate look into the homes and the daily lives of the islanders.“

Louis Hull

3rd Year BA Photography

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“Fleeting Moments documents my home life, focusing on the poetic. The work addresses the significance of the often ignored in the everyday relationship between child and mother.”

Laila Halilova

3rd year BA Photography

Elisabetta De Guio 3rd Year BA Photography

“I have decided to do a study of how social media influences the way identity is constructed and disseminated, questioning whether we show our true selves online and what these images say about us. My work explores the limitations of a virtual experience.”

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“My work is mainly about the environment. Living in East London, I focus a lot on urban architecture and mixing that with sci-fi influences such as 1984, Blade Runner - very ‘dark urban’ environments. I started to merge those ideas with my own personal experiences so this work has become more personal. I’ve been messing around with found objects and actual materials and wood that I’ve made and cut out specifically and finding that juxtaposition between what is made and what isn’t. I don’t want subtle; I want something sharp and edgy.

“I am creating objects that are making these geometric abstractions and the viewer will move round the work and make their own interpretation. My influence is Rana Begum, who uses similar materials. She creates these amazing graphic pieces where she lines up metal poles, creating different images. I am now experimenting with different colours and working on my colour scheme. That is an important aspect of this work - not only how the materials are placed, but also where the colour will be placed.”

Samantha Dawn Copperwaite 3rd Year BA Fine Art

‘Being a R ock Chick ’ - 2016 “I have adopted the practice of being the subject of the image as well as the photographer. I embrace every moment of researching, creating and finally photographing, from the femme fatale of the film noir character to cross-gender roles, or as in this image, a 1980’s Rock Chick.

“I have a dual role the same way an actor enjoys acting, but may also have the desire to direct the function of acting; it is both challenging and thrilling to create a persona totally different from my own.

“In broad terms one could label this work performative. Most times wigs, make-up and sometimes elaborate costumes are involved. However, it is crucial for me to create an image which is totally believable. The person who looks out at the audience from the photograph has to be totally credible. If the viewer believes that they are looking at an authentic Rock Chick with tattoos on her arm and a studded Goth collar around her neck, then I have achieved my aim.”

Shanette Savage 2nd Year BA Photography

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12

S

ubtitling the Everyday

By Patrice Winn

Created by a team of international artists, the exhibition brought together Torgny Wilcke, Ninna Bohn Pedersen and Charlotte Thrane, who have all worked together on previous projects both in London and abroad.

Charlotte met Torgny through his partner Ellen Hyllemose, a Danish artist.

Ninna and Charlotte have both previously studied at the Slade School of Fine Art in London, although not at the same time.

Ordinary materials, fabrics and mediums were adjusted to give them new meanings, both figuratively and abstractly.

Using various techniques, each marking could be pinpointed out to establish how the piece had reached its final stage, revealing the hand that pieced them together.

After the three artists decided to be involved in the exhibition, Charlotte said that they would each respond to the space and make work specifically for it.

“The Cass is a very unique exhibition space; it is spacious and it is visible from the street and located in a busy, vibrant area,” she said. “There seems to be a vibrant group of creative talent at London Met.

The intimacy and honesty of everyday objects is explored in this exciting new exhibition launched earlier this year in The Cass Bank Space Gallery

“The space has raw character, which suits the way we all work, very directly and openly with various materials and processes.”

Supported by the Danish Arts Foundation, “Subtitling the Everyday” arrived in London after a successful run in Copenhagen.

Each piece of the exhibition was recreated on The Cass grounds, exploring the intimacy and honesty of everyday objects.

Currently, Torgny and Charlotte are curating a large exhibition in Denmark. Look out for news of their latest exhibitions.

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flockOmania

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A London Met alumna who believes “in the freedom to follow your own path” curates an interactive exhibition — twenty years after she graduated

By Patrice Winn

“It brought out my inner child, was fun and enjoyable”

Zoe Robertson, once a student in Silversmithing, Jewellery and Allied Crafts at The Cass, hosted flockOmania this January in the Aldgate campus. The exhibition challenges preconceived ideas about jewellery by exploring the relationship between the wearable object with the body, and performance.

“I was delighted to be invited to exhibit,” she said. “Reflecting back on my life as a student, I realise that the opportunity to develop fundamental skills such as design via making, challenging ideas, experimenting and problemsolving have been an essential grounding to help me establish a successful and enjoyable career as a jewellery artist.”

The inspiration for the theatrical-sized collection came from dance artists Dr Natalie Garrett Brown and Amy Voris.

Their background in contemporary dance, along with movement improvisation and site-based performance, helped create the pieces, which are made using traditional craft fused with industrial processes and new technology.

Speaking about the interactive aspect of the show, Zoe said the audience “were amazed they were allowed to touch and try on the jewellery objects as this is not normally allowed in exhibitions.

One visitor said: ‘It bought out my inner child, was fun and enjoyable’.”

If you missed the exhibition, visit www.flockomania.com. From concept to realisation, each circular icon on the page represents a different stage of the journey.

Follow Zoe on social media for updates on her next big project, Twitter: @_Zoe_Robertson Instagram: zoe_robertson

15

––

Patrick Brill, aka Bob and Roberta Smith, discusses influences, London Met, and the importance of art

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Patrick B rill

By Patrice Winn

In early 2017, Associate Professor in Fine Art at The Cass, Patrick Brill, received a prestigious OBE for his services to art. But how did he get to where he is now?

When punk really took off in London, Patrick, now 54, explains he was heading towards the end of secondary school. “It was a democratic time, everybody ought to have been making culture at that time,” he said.

“Some people picked up guitars, but I grabbed hold of a paintbrush and made a mess.”

Another important memory for Patrick was a visit to Whitechapel Gallery for a kids’ workshop, when he was still a secondary student. Inspired by painter Max Beckman, he created a huge abstract collage, and that afternoon he knew that he didn’t want to do anything else.

After studying as an undergraduate at Reading University, he committed to a scholarship in Rome. He noticed there how every surface was covered in decorative painting and this changed his ideas about painting.

Patrick went on to have a fruitful career teaching at Goldsmiths and Cardiff, and he also lived in New York for a while. Whilst in The Big Apple he saw that political text art was on the streets. It was around this time that he started making the conceptual art that he is famous for today.

Two things inspire Patrick on a daily basis. Firstly, other people’s work in museums creates interactions between human beings and the resulting finished object. Radio generates further motivation, he said.

“An awful politician would make me want to throw my radio across the room and inspire me to create a slogan,” he jokes.

Art is more central to people’s lives than they imagine. “When you put your clothes on in the morning you’re making a series of aesthetics,” he said, adding that even looking in the mirror is the work of a visual artist.

For Patrick, art is more central. His relationships, his friendships and even his work environment are all driven by creativity.

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Fashion

We’re raising £1,000 to fund...

CASS

Fine Art & Photography Degree Show .........

2017

Thursday 22nd June (PV) - 8th July 2017

Help us raise the funds to put on the best degree show in Cass history!

The students have to fund everything for their degree show, which can be very costly. Expenses include promotions such as flyers, posters and the catalogue, equipment and venue hire.

We hope you can help us to put on an exciting show to celebrate the hard work by all the fantastic students at The Cass!

This will be the very last degree show held at Central House and we would like to memorialise the place that has provided education, opportunity and value for the arts to many over the years.

See JustGiving to donate at www.justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/thecassdegreeshow-17.

The University ‘Vice-Chancellor’s Purchase Prize’ has generously supported us by match funding up to £500 for our Degree Show.

Photo: Abdiwali Samatar

Join us at the party on the 22nd June

.

election results - sports teams round-up - societies in focus - verve radio in conversation

www.londonmetsu.org.uk

/LondonMetStudentsUnion

- su awards nominees

LondonMetSU

ELECTION RESULTS! Suspense was in the air at the Rocket on the evening of Friday 10th March, with the declaration of the Students' Union election results. Votes were cast at polling stations based in the Learning Centre, Tower Building, Moorgate, Goulston Street and Central House. After a week of lively campaigning, discussion, debate, many a lecture shout-out and paintings of t-shirts, the moment had arrived!

Eddie Rowley, Student Voice Coordinator and Deputy Returning Officer, told Verve Media: “All our candidates did extremely well. It is no easy thing to put yourself forward and stand in elections such as this. The election was fought in a competitive but good-natured atmosphere. Congratulations to all candidates and thank you to all candidates and voters.�

8 1 / 7 1 0 2 s r e ic f f O d e t Elec

Full results: visit www.londonmetsu.org.uk/elections/

Tunde Toki

(President & Guildhall School of Business and Law)

Georgia Robinson

Florence Onwumere

(Computing & Digital Media and Human Sciences)

Mark Boansi

(The Cass School of Art, (Social Sciences & Architecture and Design) Social Professions) 20 T

DC in conversation with

ave

hawner

Verve Radio’s Sterling Burke interviews stand-up comic Dave Chawner, who talks about his ongoing ten-year battle with anorexia

U

pon meeting Dave Chawner, you cannot help but instantly like him. He has a schoolboy enthusiasm that is warm and infectious, which is aided by a quick but gentle wit. He is very much an accomplished standup comic and like so many in his trade, travels the lonely road touring up and down the UK.

He has Edinburgh shows under his belt and has made a number of national TV and radio appearances. Not all have been entirely about his career. Dave experiences anorexia and has done so since he was seventeen.

He was at university when symptoms started to appear.

Like many students, he was preoccupied with deadlines and assignments. He felt he was losing control, and that the only way to get it back was by not eating.

Ten years on, Dave still

battles with his eating issues. He has good days and bad days, and he is seeing a counseller and employing coping mechanisms to manage the root causes. He has written a set called Normally Abnormal, which discusses the condition with a frankness and honesty that can seem inappropriate but is more about empathy than shock humour.

Dave has also appeared on BBC Breakfast discussing the work he does to highlight anorexia amongst young men. In addition he works with the Maudsley hospital of King’s College, so that students have a support package in place should they be experiencing any mental health issues.

To hear more about Dave’s journey, go to the Verve Radio website and listen back to the full interview. Or visit http://www. davechawner.co.uk to get updates of his shows.

If you are affected by anorexia or any other mental health issue, contact the University Counselling Service, 0207 133 2094 On the right: Sterling Burke presenter of 'Burke and No Hair' Wednesdays at 10am on Verve Radio

Listen live on London Met's very own student radio station ververadio.co.uk

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MUN society MUN society MUN soc society MUN society MUN society M Model United Nations ciety MUN society MUN society MUN ety MUN society MUN society MUN s MUN society MUN society MUN soc society MUN society MUN society M ciety MUN society MUN society MUN ety MUN society MUN society MUN s MUN society MUN society MUN soc society MUN society MUN society M

MUN society

By Scott Holloway

By Scott Holloway

T

housands of students from all over the globe gathered in February for the 18th session of the London International Model United Nations in the iconic Central Hall, Westminster, where the first UN meeting was held in 1946.

Members of Model UNs from London Met and other universities around the country were in attendance, marching with flags representing their diverse attendance at the opening ceremony.

Other delegates included renowned guest speakers, including Mogens Lykketoft, President of the UN General assembly, Kate Gilmore, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights of the United Nations and also the former President of Slovenia, Dr. Danilo Türk.

A total of 35 committees debated and discussed a variety of issues over the weekend, each seeking resolutions to problems currently on the international agenda. London Met’s delegation, which acted for a variety of countries including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and

Jamaica, tackled pressing issues on health, the Olympics, refugees, technology, disarmament and international security, among others.

This was the first year that London Met took part, but despite its short tenure it represented a total of 15 seats, which is considered an outstanding achievement. “We all agreed it was the best experience during our studies so far,” said Klara Orackova, who was a proud London Met delegate.

Met students had their work cut out for them but it wasn’t all work no play. The weekend ended with a fabulous black tie ball, which provided an amazing networking opportunity for all students involved. The event has spurred the fairly new society, LMMUN, to similar ventures, with plans to attend the World MUN, the largest MUN conference in the world, next year.

Contact the MUN Society:

@ londonmetmun@gmail.com @LondonMetMUN /LondonMetMUN

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ciety MUN society MUN society MUN MUN society MUN society MUN soN society MUN society MUN socisociety MUN society MUN society ciety MUN society MUN society MUN MUN society MUN society MUN soN society MUN society MUN socisociety MUN society MUN society ciety MUN society MUN society MUN MUN society MUN society

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varsity L

ondon Met took part in its very first Varsity competition in February against neighbours SOAS. The event was incredibly well attended with over 500 students and supporters engaging in the inaugural event.

London Met as hosts (supported by OCOC) started well. But after Day One of the event we were only 4 - 2 ahead. SOAS started well in the football too and it was left to a late charge by London Met in the afternoon that allowed us to take a comfortable lead going into the basketball double header.

With a packed crowd at the Science

Centre and a very tense game it was left to a last minute flurry from the Reds to sneak home in the women’s basketball, leaving the men to seal a 15 - 5 victory.

London Met Sports and Activities D e v e l o p m e n t Coordinator Danny Baker was delighted with the event. "For our first varsity I think we have done really well,” he said.

“Every team was well supported, the University staff got behind their team and the atmosphere at the basketball was first rate.

“It’s amazing what we can do when we stick together.... bring on next year!”

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Photo: Mixed Badminton Team

Sports Catch-up

Marjan Jeddi finished third in the BUCS National Karate championships. Marjan is now ranked No. 1 in England and with a generous contribution from the University, she will be taking part in the European Championships in Portugal.

Mario Gjini has taken London Met football to a new level by being selected for the South England football squad in the National Football Championships. This is a grea achievement by the first year student. I selected, he could represent England universities in the “Home Nations�

University Championships.

LMU Cheerleaders finished second at the Legacy Cheer Championships at the Copper Box in the Olympic Park. The five months of practice paid off with a staggering /LondonMetSUSport display which saw us conquer a London Met LUSL team number of high profile universities. The romped their league, ably cheerleaders will now head off to organised by captain Jordan @LondonMetSport Telford for the Nationals Dixon-Walker. The University in April. have never entered the www.londonmetsu.org.uk/ LUSL league and have a chance of societies/sport/ being promoted to the top university league in London.

#seaofred

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‘

t c e j o Pr Red Curated by Patrice Winn, Georgia Robinson and Gabi Sarpong.

Photos by Stephen Blunt

Project Red is an annual institution at The Cass

Suaad Mohamed

Inspiration: “Blood circulation and the dress resembles blood flow.”

Muse: “Someone who likes to experiment and explore different styles. Someone who doesn’t care what others will say.”

Advice for London Met Students: “If you like to create and see your ideas come to life it’s exciting! You don’t have to follow what everyone else does, do your own work… that should be your aspiration. Also, time management is key. I had to stay disciplined to meet this deadline and I made sure I asked for help.”

This unique fashion event, first held three years ago, sees first-year students who are only 16 weeks into their course in Fashion BA design garments in shades of red. The participating students began their collections for the project just before Christmas.

Originally decided on by Aimee McWilliams, BA Fashion course leader, the recurring red theme is in homage to Sir John Cass, who famously signed his will with a red quill shortly before his death. By picking a colour as the theme, the students only have to concentrate on form.

Menswear and womenswear were paraded down the catwalk in the Atrium of London Met’s Goulston Street residence in February.

The Atrium was packed out with 200 attendees including industry VIPs and press. Students from Fine Arts, Photography and Film and Broadcast were also involved in the production.

Not only is Project Red a great way for these first-year students to start the first steps of their career, but the garments on show really exhibited the students skills, imagination and determination to succeed - in shades of red.

Paula

Barba Calzado

Daria Gerova

Inspiration: “Red Jellyfish and the movement of their tails inspired the chiffon ruffles on my jacket.”

Muse: “Lady Gaga, Beyonce. The theme is ‘A diva enjoys her day out’.”

Advice to London Met Students: “Keep pushing yourself… be excited to experiment with a lot.”

Goal: “I want to work with artists in the music industry.”

Inspiration: “Volcanoes because of their intensity and also the Spanish Flamingo. I used fabrics like chiffon, satin and feathers to make it look like a volcano explosion.”

Muse: “A mysterious person Advice for London Met Students: I’ve always wanted to study at London met so the advice I will give is to always follow your dreams.”

Goal: “I hope to do something in visual communication such as fashion photography. I’m not entirely sure but I’m interested in starting my own business too.”

We caught up with London Met first-year Fashion stud show. Find out what inspired their stunning work and

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Photo by Sonny Barthley

Leigh-Anne Simms

Inspiration: “My piece was inspired by the Chinese New Year envelopes so I used organza, satin and velvet to convey a luxurious Asian look.”

Muse: “Rihanna because she’s fashion forward and not afraid to be different.”

Advice for London Met Students: “If you want to study fashion you may find that the people in your class are friendly, down to earth and willing to help you out. It feels like a family.”

Goal: “I want to own a fashion house and work for myself.”

Matthew Robertson

Inspiration: “My dress is inspired by the fuchsia flower so I used different types of chiffon to create the drapes on the dress to resemble the petals of the flower.”

Muse: Mariah Carey Advice for London Met Students: “Be independent and manage your time wisely.”

Goal: “I want to start my own fashion company.”

dents just over a week before the Project Red fashion d what keeps them motivated when meeting deadlines

29

M

ake oney

in your pyjamas

By Alejandra Gassó Azanza

As students, we are used to having our restricted incomes flow from our pockets.

Some of us try to counteract this by getting part-time jobs. But others, who already have endless extracurricular activities, may find paid employment impossible.

But what if you could make extra money from home - whenever you feel like it?

At first it may sound an impossible dream. How can you possibly make money – legally - whilst watching TV or snuggling up in pyjamas? What about translation?

Truth be told, translating doesn’t usually bring in the same income as part-time jobs in bars or retail. But you can earn enough to cover all your leisure expenses – with a lot less effort.

On top of that, translating is one of the most flexible jobs you can find. Work twice as much and double your income, or take days off to focus on exams or go away for the weekend and earn less.

How to start? Endless online freelance platforms exist, so have a look. If you’re feeling a bit unsure, many firms look for native speakers to revise their employment contracts or instruction manuals.

International students: what could be easier than reading a text in your native language to see if it makes sense?

Other home-working options don’t involve being bilingual, such as:

•

•

•

•

•

Completing surveys for Amazon or ASOS vouchers Becoming a mystery shopper at your favourite store Online tutoring Writing content for niche websites Reviewing telly programmes

Remember, never share bank details with anyone, and don’t send cash or cheques to prospective employers no matter what. And have fun!

Disclaimer: The area of home working can be contentious and complicated, with many legal and health and safety issues to consider that are not covered in this article. Verve magazine recommends that students always seek advice from the University Careers and Employability Service. For any help with career planning, job search and vacancies, work placements and volunteering, please email careers.studentservices@londonmet.ac.uk 25

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London Met student Euphemia Chukwu has just published her first book - and hopes to eventually become a judge

E

Five years ago, Euphemia Chukwu’s relationship broke down, and she became a single mum to three young children. But the London Met student was determined to make the most of a bad situation.

Chukwu, now 40, finished a law degree and is now doing a Master’s in Health and Social Care Management and Policy. She has also set up her own media company, Fame Star Media, which has just published her first book, Sandra.

“There were a lot of obstacles when I said I was going back to school and study. My son was one, I was still breastfeeding, and people told me to wait. You get a lot of discouragers,” she says.

“But I was determined to do it, and not listen to them. My life in the past five years has been trying to encourage women that they can do a lot more than they think they can do.”

Chukwu came to the UK from Nigeria when she was nine, and was eventually put in the foster care system. “I am very passionate to tell people that your beginning does not determine your end,” she says, and “that is represented in my book”.

Described as a romance novel, Sandra is about a girl who “went through the system and tries to make it in life, and in the process finds true love”. It follows several children’s books Chukwu has written, which have not been published - yet.

“I am trying to encourage women, when they have the breakdown of a relationship or whatever, they can pick up themselves, be encouraged to achieve and not allow circumstances to determine or deter them from doing what they want to do,” she says.

She adds that she’d like to become a judge after she works more in the media field.

“Once I do my Master’s I would like to do more books, mentor more young people and empower young girls to become strong women, to achieve.

“I want to let all women know that there is no limit in this lifetime.”

g mpowerinwomen

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Looking after our environment is becoming an ongoing concern and London Met is doing everything it can to make sure our University is as sustainable as possible.

Being

Green at London Met

By Leanne Carr Don’t worry if you missed Green Week in March, as there are still loads of ongoing activities you can get involved with. Not only will you be helping the environment, but you can also learn about some great ways to beef up your CV. Under the guidance of Sustainability Manager Rachel Ward, London Met has met and exceeded its carbon reduction target of 50% by 2020, four years early.

If you want to get involved in any future Green Initiatives, email sustainability@ londonmet.ac.uk or find them on social media @GreenLondonMet

DON’T THROW IT, SWAP IT The Sustainability Team has teamed up with the Students’ Union to create a market where students and staff can bring their own items and exchange them for any other items on offer – anything from art, craft, jewellery, clothes, books to bags and shoes. Look out for the latest information on when the markets will take place.

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RECYCLE Recycling bins are dotted all around the University. Make yourself familiar with what goes in which bin. If you buy a coffee every day, why not use a London Met reusable mug instead - you’ll get 30p off every coffee if you do. Use your old cup to plant herbs and seeds in.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK London Met’s Sustainability Manager, Rachel Ward, recently won Energy Institute Energy Manager of the Year and the University was named as the Number One University for carbon reduction in England and Wales in 2015.

AUDITING YOUR LECTURERS You’re not the only ones who can do their bit around Uni. Lecturers will be challenged with ensuring lights and computer monitors are turned off to save energy along with a whole list of other environmentally friendly ideas. To make sure they’re doing as they’re told, you can volunteer to become an auditor and check out their progress. The volunteer programme will only use five hours of your time but will look great on your transcript. See right for details.

Learn skills in environmental auditing, teamwork and time management London Metropolitan University has opportunities for students to attend free environmental auditing training sessions. Green Impact is an environmental change and engagement programme with an awards element, run across the UK and now internationally by the National Union of Students. There are currently over 200 organisations on- and off-campus across the UK taking part in Green Impact.

Training You will receive a three-hour training session approved by IEMA (Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment), teaching you about the Green Impact programme and environmental auditing. You will then conduct a number of audits.

Training times are to be announced.

Skills that you will learn/develop include time management, teamwork and communication. You will also receive further resources including information on career development, further reading and a recommendation letter from NUS. The commitment One full day, comprising a three-hour training session, and at least two hours conducting audits Skills needed No technical knowledge is needed. Full training will be provided. To register interest, please email sustainability@londonmet.ac.uk and tell us in no more than 100 words why you would like to take part in the next academic year.

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Volunteering at TRAID Wood Green ŠKits Oates / TRAID

Rubia at the site of the former Rana Plaza factory with photos of her two sons who died in the factory collapse

By Patrice Winn

traid

Fair

Become a Sustainable Shopper When buying something, ask yourself if you really need it. Being able to identify between needs and wants is the first step to becoming a more conscious consumer.

Could you satisfy your needs by borrowing something, making it, or sourcing it from charity shops - and support a good cause at the same time?Â

Perhaps you have the skills to repair or alter clothes, and could set up your own free mending activist social to help others learn the skills and fix their own garments? Give it a try!

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Have you noticed the TRAID textile recycling boxes dotted around Uni?

Currently the fashion industry is the second largest polluting industry, after oil. Klymkiw said: “Sustainability and ethics in fashion As part of London Met’s Green Initiative, are incredibly important if we’re to preserve our Earth’s precious resources for future the University has teamed up with generations.” the second-hand clothing chain Everyone can make individual again to encourage students choices that can make a and staff to reuse clothes. collective impact, whether They’ve made it as easy Last year al o ne, it’s buying clothes that are as possible to do this made from sustainable London Met students with TRAID donation materials like bamboo, or points located around all and staff donated clothes that have been campuses.

115.8kg of clothing to manufactured in safe With various TRAID. working conditions with a branches around the paying living wage. capital, the brand offers a Last year alone, London Met sustainable approach to the students and staff donated 115.8kg production, consumption and disposal of clothing by turning your old of clothing to TRAID. Why not take TRAID’s garments into funds and resources.

Sarah Klymkiw of TRAID said: “In the #SecondHandFirst pledge to challenge UK we have an unhealthy relationship with yourself to source more of your clothes our clothes, we buy more than ever and secondhand, rather than buying new?

To take the pledge, go to www. throw away approximately 10,000 items oftraid.org.uk Images from clothing to landfill every 5-10 minutes, with traid.org.uk and sign up to their monthly the average item of clothing being worn only newsletter for information about events, workshops and projects. six times before being discarded.”

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Don’t worry...

B

ee happy

By Noa Mokhnachi

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Ever hear a happy hum at London Met? It’s probably not the contented sighs of industrious students, but the drone of busy bees. The uni has beecome a virtual hive of activity, thanks to a Staff Development Award...

Thousands of bees are currently living on London Met’s roof.

Before summer 2016, two beehives were installed of the roof of the Rocket, at the Holloway Campus.

After winning a Staff Development Award for the work they had done on reducing London Metropolitan University’s carbon footprint, the Sustainability Team decided to invest their prize money on a new sustainability project: beehives.

Barnes and Webb, a London-based beehive rental company, installed the hives.

Each has more than 40,000 bees in them.

The number of bees tends to increase over summer and decrease over the winter due to the weather.

“We had a few ups and downs last year with the bees getting a parasite and the queen bee not performing and needing to be replaced,” says Rachel Ward, London Met Sustainability Manager.

“The bees are still in their hive waiting for pollen to be out so they can start

feeding and making honey.”

With the queen bee being replaced and the bees being together for the first year, the production of honey was quite small last summer but should increase this year.

The University has a webcam on the bees which films them 24 hours a day. Follow it on www.londonmet.ac.uk/beecam.

Adventurous students can also sign up for bee maintenance sessions, where the beekeeper opens up the hives, via the Eventbrite page enviromet.eventbrite.co.uk

“We’re hoping to use the honey in some courses, such as those in the Science Centre, to get more detail on our honey,” says Ward. Bee-utiful!

HONEYBEE FACTS • Forty-four types of honeybee exist • An estimated 35 types of bees are under the threat of extinction in the UK alone • The study of honeybees is called, strangely, melittology • Honeybees have two compound eyes on either side of their head, each with thousands of lenses. And they have three “simple” eyes on the top • Their wings beat 200 times per second • They are the only insect that produces food we humans eat • A beebrain is the size of a sesame seed • Bees have two stomachs

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BuyingEssays d o w i n c a cr on

The government has announced that it will crack down on essay-writing mills, which it says are threatening to devalue UK degrees.

The Department of Education is considering various sanctions to stop this form of cheating and others, including plagiarism.

Sanctions could include expulsion, fines and even criminal penalties.

Essay-writing companies that predominantly advertise online are becoming common, charging £6,000 – or more – to write undergraduate dissertations. The Telegraph reported in February that about 20,000 students nationwide are using such services.

“I find it incomprehensible and disgusting that anyone would buy an essay. This negates the whole point of a university degree, which is to learn by going through a process of thinking and doing,” said VicEvidence that a toria Neumark Jones, student Associate Professor, Journalism. has used an “I despise cheating essay-writing service of any kind, and this is leads to a serious paying someone else penalty to cheat for you.”

Plagiarism software cannot detect whether a

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By Dominika Kubinyova

By Dominika Kubinyova

student has purchased an essay, but lecturers usually can spot the discrepancies in writing style and quality. Some companies advertise “plagiarism-free” essays.

The Quality Assurance Agency, or QAA, says about 100 essay mills currently work in the country. A parliamentary amendment is proposing making providing and/or advertising such services illegal.

Says Peter Evanson, Senior Assistant Registrar: “The University takes all academic misconduct very seriously and seeks at all times to rigorously protect its academic standards; it does not tolerate cheating of any kind. The use of professional essay writing services, essay banks, ghost-writing services etc. is seen as a particularly serious form of cheating and even evidence of a student contacting such a service may lead to a penalty.

“Evidence that a student has used an essay writing service will lead to a very serious penalty; for example, failing the module, the re-registered module being capped and a lower overall award. It could even lead to the student being expelled without any award.“

Profile of a scam artist

Tim, not his real name, is a university graduate specialising in essay writing. He started as a first-year student and now works for himself and an essay-writing service, writing on topics he has studied such as history and economics, and also astronomy and law.

“I set a rather high price for my writing, so anything below that price is rejected. Otherwise I almost always agree,” he says. Public opinion doesn’t bother him and he claims all his customers are satisfied.

What makes him angry is when students refuse to pay for his work.

“I once intentionally leaked information about one of my clients when they attempted to cheat me.” Buyer, you have been warned.

Buying essays is an offence. Don’t do it.

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o r f A HAIR

Ode to

s

By Sylvie Carlos

Dear Afro,

I don’t miss those weekly sessions. And even now, my mum and I have opposing views on cute Afro hairstyles.

Fast forward 10 years, and I’ve put my hair straighteners down and cornrows and braids have become my best friends. Before, they were the friend I had to pretend to like - but really didn’t.

Today, it’s refreshing to see more and more people embracing their Afro hair.

The natural hair movement is booming and I find it empowering.

I smile when I flick through magazines and see positive representations of Afro hair; either on a model or through hair tutorials I can actually follow.

I just wanted to sprinkle some Afro appreciation your way.

I’m just writing to say one thing.

I love you.

I love how some of my hairstyles can last weeks, and I love how versatile my hair is.

I’ll admit it though: you and I have had a love-hate relationship over the years.

I was extremely unhappy when I caught head lice at school, and even now, the thought makes me break out in itches. Note to head lice treatment companies: your combs are not compatible with Afro hair.

As an adolescent, I hated you. I wanted smooth, tamed, straight hair, but my dad refused to let me relax my hair and change its texture.

Looking back, I remember when ceramic hair straighteners became a thing. My mum saved up for them, and when she finally bought a pair, I naturally was the test subject. That was Love, when my weekly Sunday night obligation to sit and get cornrows and plaits in my hair came to an end.

Sylvie

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Housing how tos

By Leanne Carr

-

Uni is stressful enough without the added drama of moving house or finding somewhere to live.

Many students end up homeless over the summer and spend it sofa-surfing or move back home.

Follow these tips to avoid living out of a bag when you should be enjoying your time off...

Going from halls to a house Lots of students live in student halls the first year then move to a shared house in second and third year. Plan ahead and confirm the dates you have to be out of your halls. Is it the end of term or the end of summer? Different students will have different dates and if you’re moving in with friends you all need to make sure your moving days match.

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Don’t overstay your welcome If you have to stay on a mate’s sofa or crash for a couple of days/weeks, make sure you leave when promised.

Don’t say you’ll be there a week then stay a month as it can make things awkward. Offer to pay toward bills and clean up after yourself, and they should be more than happy to accommodate you.

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spareroom.com spareroom.com is a great website for finding other people to move in with or to find people with a room that needs filling. It’s a little bit like a dating app for flatmates. You can match with people that have the same interests as you and maybe arrange to meet them for a coffee to see if you get on before you set up house together. If not, look for new flatmates...

Don’t do it all in one day Having to pack, move and clean your old place all in one day is chaos. Try and give yourself a few days to do everything. Overlapping the day you can move in to your new house and the day you move out of your old house is very convenient. This gives you time to pack and have a clear out, move all your stuff and do the all-important cleaning. Remember you have to leave your ex-home Or.. exactly as you found it if you want all your deposit money back. It’s sometimes worth • Check if your hall offers a summer let period. paying a professional cleaner to do it, espe• Visit the Accommodation Service office cially when it comes to carpets.

(Learning Centre) or check their summer lets page (see uni website for details).

• Visit the uni database for private rentals.

See www.londonmetstudentpad.co.uk/Students

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your horror stories Martha Leah Braud-Bond 3rd Year BA Theatre Studies

“I had rats in my halls and the water went off for over a week so we had to use a kettle to wash.

There were a few people taking hard drugs and nobody clamped down on it.”

Tansie Swithenbank 3rd Year BA Theatre Studies

“There was a damp patch in the ceiling of the kitchen where the bathroom was leaking. Then I came home to a collapsed ceiling.”

Cara Curtis

2nd Year BA Journalism “I was having a cup of tea and I could hear running water. I went in to the living room and the shower upstairs was leaking through. As a result, now we can’t use the electrics.”

Brian jarman

Senior Lecturer Journalism “When I was a student in Cardiff I shared with eight people. There was a rubbish tip behind the house so we had rats in the kitchen.“

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Hardship Fund

By Patrice Winn and Georgia Robinson

Stuck in a cash crisis? London Met’s Hardship Support Fund might be able to help you out Being broke as a student is definitely something we can all relate to. The cost of living in the capital can leave you out of pocket when trying to balance it with your studies.

Last October, the University set up a fund to help alleviate some of your financial stress. Rob Everett, the Manager of the Advice, Information & Funding Service, whose team gives advice on the Hardship Fund, encourages all students to apply.

To qualify, students must be in receipt of Student Finance England (SFE) full funding support. But unlike Student Finance, the hardship fund is a little bit more lenient, in regards to the documentation.

Bank statements are required to prove your financial position to the Committee. If you’re sofa-surfing or need money for a rental deposit, you need to say this on your personal statement.

If you are contributing to bills whilst you’re stuck on the couch, you should also provide evidence of this in your personal statement.

Compared to SFE in which there is no discretion in the assessments, for the Hardship Fund around 90% of rules is laid down by central government for the University to follow, allowing the Committee to use discretion on certain

situations, i.e., sofa-surfing and extra costs.

Whilst the fund is not open to EU students, who only receive the EU Tuition Fee Loan, he recommends students in financial difficulty come in to discuss their circumstances and how they may get money through trusts, charities, third parties and external bodies. The team also liaises with an external debt adviser - book in to see them.

The closing application date for final year students was March 1st, but the uni “can make an exception for the hub to accept forms, if we felt a student was in severe financial difficulty”, Everett says. This information is good to keep in mind in case you experience financial difficulties in subsequent years whilst at the university.

Drop in for a chat with a funding adviser at the Hubs at Aldgate and Holloway Monday Friday 9:30 - 12:30 or Tuesday and Wednesday in Moorgate.

The Team also has booked appointments in the afternoons at the Student Services centres at Aldgate and Holloway, these can be booked by contacting your Student Hub.

Similarly, visit www.student.londonmet. ac.uk/fees-and-funding/hardship-fund/ for details on the Hardship Fund.

For full details of all the information and advice given by the team and up-todate contact details, visit http://student. londonmet.ac.uk/fees-and-funding/ money-and-financial-advice/

On the left: Rob Everett, the Manager of the Advice, Information & Funding Service 42

#OneCampus #OneCommunity

It’s exciting times at London Met, as the University looks to transform Holloway campus to create an amazing environment in which to study and socialise.

The Uni plans to open up its Holloway Road campus by creating a large courtyard space accessible from surounding streets.

The plans also include a two-floor extension to ‘J Block’ to create a new teaching and learning building, complete with a new refectory. A theatre and exhibition space are also in the plans, which aim to create an inspiring learning and social environment for all of the University’s schools.

Professor John Raftery, Vice Chancellor of London Met, said: “These plans are aimed at significantly enhancing the student experience at London Met, with the creation of new teaching and learning spaces and top class facilities here in Islington.”

Check out the proposals at londonmet.ac.uk/onecampus -

Access services from home

Thank you

London Met always seeks to make the student A big thank you to all of you who took the time to experience as enjoyable and hassle-free as possible. give feedback on the University’s plans for C Block, That’s why many of the services currently available which it is transforming into brand new teaching, in the Hubs or Student Services are also available learning and social spaces opening later this year. online. You can make fee payments, access health We know that our students will benefit from the and wellbeing support, or even buy merchandise via transformations the university is undergoing, and the Student Zone. Go online and check it out. look forward to it becoming a reality.