Platform Magazine Fresher's Edition 2021

NTU’S AWARD-WINNING MAGAZINE FRESHER’S EDITION 2021

ISSUE 24 FREE

5 Must Have Student Apps Healthy Student Recipes Ultimate Notts Sporting Guide

Editor In Chief

Matt Lee

Deputy Editor

Katie Green

Treasurer/Marketing

Scarlett Acres

Design Head Of Design

Sophie Puffett

Deputy Head Of Design

Karima Morsli

Editors Creative Corner Editor

Helen Barber

Sport Editor

Alex Brinton

Fashion and Beauty Editor

Ellie Daglish

Travel and Lifestyle Editor

Helen Dubber

Music Editor News Editor Culture and Entertainment Editor

Will Hugall Rucsandra Moldoveanu

Jack Proverbs

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News Music Creative Travel & Lifestyle Culture & Entertainment Sport

5 Must Have Student Apps

Ultimate Notts Sporting Guide

Healthy Student Recipes

A NOTE FROM THE

Hello!

As I sit in the living room of my non-term time house in order to write these notes, my mind takes me back a good few months when I was writing about taking over from Faith Pring as Platform’s Editor-in-Chief.

My notes back then refer to the gradual reopening from lockdown; shop doors were being reopened, pints could be poured in pubs again and the gym buffs among us could return to the treadmills.

This edition of Platform Magazine is by no means a tribute or memorial to those whose lives we have lost - if anything, it is a celebration of the freedoms that have since been returned to us.

We must remember, however, that we are far from the end of this pandemic and that it can continue to take the lives of our close friends, family friends and relatives.

And now, thanks to the incredible efforts of our wonderful NHS, other key workers and the general public, we have the ability to return to a ‘new normal’.

“Be thankful for the liberty in which we have once again.“

Unfortunately, it is possible that many of you will have lost somebody close to you to coronavirus.

A global study by YouGov in January of this year found that in Britain, 13 percent of people know someone whose life has been taken by the disease.

So if you read our magazine and use it to try something new, like visiting one of our favourite nightclubs or one of our top takeaways, why not take a moment to remember the lives of those lost and be thankful for the liberty in which we have once again.

EDITOR

MATT LEE

As we enter a new chapter - the start of a new year or beginning of life at university for many of us - this edition will hopefully provide you with some key tips and tricks as you embark on life in Nottingham.

From the best film and TV to binge in between lectures, which sporting venues to visit at the weekend and the key apps to download whilst in the city; I hope that you enjoy the hard work put in by our excellent team of writers.

If you’re reading this and think you would like to get involved, do feel free to contact us on Twitter, Instagram, the NTSU website or through our own website - we would love to welcome you to the team!

I hope you have a great first term and wish you the best of luck!

Matt, Editor in Chief

PRESIDENT

CONOR NAUGHTON If you are reading this you are almost certainly a new or returning student at Nottingham Trent University. Let me begin by welcoming you to one of the most exciting chapters of your life, if you are a returning student, welcome back, I hope you had a fantastic summer!

FROM

THE

SU

I’m Conor Naughton and I am President of Nottingham Trent Students’ Union or NTSU for short.

Whether you are a new student about to start, or a returning student ready and rearing to go for a new year, I’ve been asked to share my ultimate guide to studying and living in Nottingham, the best student city in the UK (but some may say I’m biased!).

A

NOTE

Dive in and never stop exploring!

Nottingham is a student city that really has it all from world class music venues, top sporting arenas, independent shops, delicious food and everything in between. No matter which campus you’re studying at, make use of Nottingham’s excellent transport connections and get out and explore every corner of the city, enjoy some cocktails at coco tang, go crate digging for records

at rough trade or walk around Batman’s house at Wollaton hall.

University is also a great chance to meet new people and try something you have never done before. No matter what year of study you are in, attending an event or joining a society at your Students’ Union is a fantastic way to make new friends and meet like-minded people at university, and here at NTSU we have over 100 societies to choose from.

“Dive in and never stop exploring” Get the most out of your studies, make the most out of everything on offer to support you with studying at NTU, from the courses and support on offer at the library, student mentors, NTSU course representatives and much more it’s all there for you so don’t be afraid to use it. If you like studying away from the library, explore some of Nottingham’s amazing coffee shops that make a great place to work and there are loads of unique study

spaces around campus from the Students’ Union spaces to spots like Dryden and the Boots rooftop garden on City campus.

Talk to your Exec Officers.

My final piece of advice is to not be afraid to ask questions. If you see your Exec Officers in our bright purple tops, please don’t be shy in saying hello and asking us any questions.

Our fantastic free, confidential and independent information and advice service are also on hand to support you with everything during your time at NTU – trentstudents.org/ias.

If you want to know more about Nottingham, making friends, NTSU or anything in between, let one of us know. Our contact details are on our website www.trentstudents.org/ yourreps.

On behalf of myself and all the Exec team at NTSU, I look forward to welcoming you to your Students’ Union this September.

Conor Naughton NTSU President

NEWS

The five apps every student must have As a student you will almost certainly have your phone on your everyday, here Kieran Burt looks at the apps you will need to have installed.

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here is no doubt that our phones are more important than before. From buying bus tickets and accessing lectures to keeping up with the news, this can all be done through the little screen that we all stare at for countless hours every day.

These are five essential apps for all students studying in Nottingham.

MY NTU

This app is an essential for all NTU students as several uni-related services are accessible through it. The most important one is probably the timetable, which will display when and where lectures and seminars will take place.

The app gives students access to their student email, the NTU NOW platform, and lateral flow test bookings.

Besides being able to book a study space in the library through the app, My NTU is also the only way you can check in your attendance by scanning the QR codes displayed by lecturers.

MICROSOFT TEAMS

Teams can be used to communicate with lecturers, either through the chat feature or by organising a video call.

Students can also use the app to access shared files. You can even find out about events going on during freshers’ week. Even during the post-pandemic world, Teams will be vital to students’ education going forward .

THESE APPS WILL HELP YOU IN NOTTINGHAM (CREDIT: JAN VASEK / PIXABAY)

FATSOMA

Co-founded by a former NTU student, this app is vital for those wishing to party across various venues in Nottingham. The app is easy to use, filtering by dates, venues and type of events too. As nightlife returns post-pandemic, the app will be flooded with events and deals that you do not want to miss.

NCTX BUSES This app allows students to access bus timetables, pay for tickets, and to check for service updates. It is vital for all students who commute to Clifton or Brackenhurst. You can also save money by buying bulk tickets, instead of getting individual ones.

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BBC NEWS One of the best ways to stay up to date with the latest news is by downloading the BBC News app which lets its users keep updated.

You can turn on breaking news alerts so that you never miss anything important happening around the world. It’s an easy way to stay up dated with news at home and abroad.

NEWS

changing health care due to covid The Covid-19 pandemic has seen unprecedented change, Will Hallowell has looked at how healthcare has transitioned online due to coronavirus.

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oronavirus has forced change over all aspects of life. Not just for society, but in health, and the delivery of care services by the NHS. Whilst for some it has been the worst period of their lives and for their careers, there have been some positives which will transform how GP surgeries consult their patients across the country for good.

Before Covid, GP surgeries either mostly or completely delivered primary care to their patients via face-to-face appointments; some, however were beginning to use over-the-phone consultations. Due to the first lockdown, and subsequent second and third ones, surgeries have become almost entirely reliant upon having appointments over video calls, online consulting, and overthe-phone.

‘AccuRx’, is one clinicly designed system that enables easy video consultation, whereby GPs can send a link to their patients to facilitate an appointment.

Though it has not been deployed nationally, surgeries have had the option to use it at the expense of their respective clinical commissioning groups (CCG).

The system is NHS Digital approved and conforms to data protection. Whilst it is not used by all practices, there is pragmatically

no reason why it cannot be moving forward past the pandemic.

This will essentially evolve the delivery of primary care services indefinitely because it cuts out time delays.

Discussions over whether to implement such systems across the NHS have happened for years, but it had not been enacted upon until Covid-19 forced it.

Various wars throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries have been revolutionary in assisting the progressing of science – this pandemic is merely a contemporary example. From both the GP surgery and the patient’s point of view, it seems practical to implement such technology nationwide – at least for less serious cases.

Another tool that has been used

by GP surgeries is ‘eConsult’ – an online system which allows patients to contact their practice regarding pre-existing illnesses/conditions and find advice about new ones.

CCGs have been encouraging practices to use it and the pandemic has forced practices and patients to become more reliant upon it and, like AccuRx, it is a third-party software paid for by CCGs. Though only a small sample, this is evident in Hampshire – Ringwood Medical Practice, which has 11,200 patients – that received less than 10 eConsult forms a month prior to the

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pandemic; now they receive 80-100 a month.

Whilst other surgeries across the UK may use different systems, the concept of video and online consultation allows for more time and fiscally efficient delivery of primary care.

N T U s e c o n d - ye a r s t u d e n t Will Simpson is sceptical about GP surgeries continuing online consultations after the pandemic.

He said: “I feel my enquiries aren’t taken as seriously over an online consultation, it’s easier for a doctor to dismiss issues… though I can see how it makes it more efficient.

“They should find a way of combining the two, maybe keep online for more general issues and then face-to-face appointments for more worrying concerns.”

Ultimately, these changes to primary care at GP surgeries are inevitably indefinite. For appointments that may take less than or up to five minutes, it seems impractical for patients to travel to their surgeries when a simple video consultation can be arranged.

Going forward, there’s no reason why online platforms cannot be brought to the front of how GP surgeries deliver their care services – concepts which have proved transformative in times of crisis, and that could prove to be beneficial to the NHS in the foreseeable future.

NEWS

Mental Health AT NTU Starting university can be a daunting prospect. In a new environment and having to balance a new workload, it is easy to put your mental health and wellbeing aside.

Yasmin Turner interviewed Leah Wareham, the NTU Student Health and Wellbeing Project Officer, to ask about her role and the support NTU offers for students.

What is your role as a Student Health and Wellbeing Project Officer at NTU? Much of the work we do is raising awareness around what you can do to look after your mental health and wellbeing, as well as helping our students find out what support is out there. We do this through our Healthy NTU programme. Through this we offer training sessions, run awareness events and campaigns, linking with external services and charities as well as departments within NTU. Also, we run lots of different wellbeing activities throughout the year such as mindfulness walks around the Arboretum!

Where can NTU students go for support and what support is out there?

Early intervention is important, so if you’re starting to struggle, please do reach out. There’s lots of support at NTU, from self-help such as SilverCloud (an online CBT programme) and our Healthy NTU programme (found on the StudentHub pages), through to 1-2-1 wellbeing support from our mental health team, student support advisors, counselling team and wellbeing advisors. You can access support by filling out our NTU Wellbeing form found on the StudentHub. If you have any general questions, you can also get in touch via email at student. support@ntu.ac.uk.

“TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF SHOULD BE YOUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY”

Image Credit: Sophie Puffett

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Are there any campaigns to raise awareness around mental health?

We run lots of campaigns throughout the year around mental health, including University Mental Health Day, Time to Talk Day and NTU Wellbeing Week, as well as different activities that students can get involved in which include free mindfulness sessions, running Student Minds Look After Your Mate training sessions, and life drawing classes.

Are there any health and wellbeing events I can attend during freshers’ week?

This year our wonderful Student Mental Health Champions will be helping to support many of the more relaxed freshers’ week activities, they will be wearing teal lanyards or t-shirts. We are also planning activities to give yourself some time for some much-needed self-care during Freshers’ such as mindfulness walks and rock painting sessions. Many of our Student Mental Health Champions will also be sharing their advice and tips on settling in at university on our Healthy NTU blog - healthyntu.blog - and through NTU’s Instagram so do keep an eye out for that too.

NEWS When is the first awareness day/week going to be?

At the start of the academic year, we mainly focus on helping students settle in at university, as well as raising awareness around meningitis and how to get the vaccine. After that, the first mental health awareness day we will be focusing on will be World Mental Health Day on October 10.

What are the signs that a friend might be struggling?

Key signs that someone is struggling could include: being more withdrawn than usual; avoiding social interactions or events; being more tearful or snapping a lot more; not taking care of themselves; changing the way they speak or saying things like ‘I can’t go on like this’.

If you think a friend is struggling, reach out and ask them how they are doing. Often, we say we are fine when really, we are struggling, so try asking twice if your friend says they are okay but don’t seem themselves.

But, remember not to push the conversation as they may not be ready to talk. We also run Student Minds Look After Your Mate training throughout the academic year, so if you’d like to learn more about supporting a friend and looking after your own mental health, please email healthyntu@ ntu.ac.uk to find out what dates are available, you’ll also get a certificate of attendance!

How do I respond to a friend who asks for support?

Let them know that you appreciate them opening up to you and show empathy through validating their feelings. Ask them if they have reached out for any support, and perhaps if they would like any help in figuring out what support is out there. Try not to be a fixer i.e., jumping in with what you think the problems are and how to fix them. Instead, just giving them the space to talk can

be valuable. When supporting a friend who is struggling, make sure you also have boundaries in place to protect your own mental health and wellbeing.

What if I am worried that my friend is self-harming?

For many, self-harm is a coping mechanism for overwhelming emotions or distress. If someone you know may be self-harming or tells you they are self-harming, try not to panic or overreact. Make sure to try to be non-judgemental in your conversations, to show empathy towards the person, and to ask them how they would like to be supported. It’s also important to make sure the person feels in control of decisions so make sure you are not threatening to take that control away. Encourage them to seek wider support (such as their GP) and if the person requires urgent medical attention or is at immediate risk to themselves, contact the emergency services. For further information on self-harm and support available, go to harmless.org.uk.

How can I improve my mental health and wellbeing whilst at university?

Make time for self-care, don’t overlook the importance of taking some time out to look after yourself. Try and get into a bit of routine, but make sure it’s flexible enough to live in.

Although you may feel alone when you’re struggling, there’s always someone to talk to. Whether that’s NTU’s Student Support Services or a mental health helpline or reaching out to a friend. Try and get into healthy habits with eating, sleeping and exercising early on.

new people at university, such as joining a sports club or society, checking out the Global Lounge, or joining the halls and course Facebook groups. Everyone is different with how long they take to make friends so if you don’t click with your flat mates straight away don’t worry, try another avenue to meet others.

I’m feeling hopeless and a danger to myself, is there someone I can call?

Data shows that 1 in 5 people have suicidal thoughts, always remember you are not alone and talking to someone can make a massive difference. Reach out to a 24/7 helpline like Samaritans on 116 123 or text SHOUT to 85258. You can also call 111 if you need medical advice but it’s not an emergency. If you are an immediate risk to yourself contact the emergency services on 999 and if you cannot do this yourself ask someone to help you.

For any questions about the Healthy NTU programme, training sessions, or events get in touch via email at healthyntu@ntu.ac.uk and make sure you check out the Instagram @ntustudentservices for updates! Taking care of yourself should be your number one priority so, in-between club-nights and piles of laundry, take some time out for yourself and your mental wellbeing.

What if I am struggling to make friends and fit in?

Coming to university is a big change and it’s understandable to struggle with making friends.

There’s lots of ways you can meet Issue 24 I Platform Magazine I 9

Image Credit: Unsplash

NEWS

WHat iT’s Like to be An International Student Travelling to another country can be a daunting experience in itself, but imagine settling down in another country to study. This is the reality for international students at university. Rucsandra Moldoveanu tells us what it is really like to be an international student at NTU...

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he UK has always been an academic hotspot for international students, with 485,645 pursuing their degree in the UK in 2018/2019, according to the Higher Education Statistics Agency. With universities offering highly valuable degrees in a culturally diverse environment allowing you to start developing your dream career, moving abroad by yourself may not be the easiest.

There are many obstacles that stand in the way including high tuition and accommodation fees, as well as homesickness and a culture shock.

Firstly, you don’t pay thousands of pounds every year just for that piece of paper with your name on it. Yes, gaining as much academical knowledge and professional experience should always be your top priority. However, those are not

Rucsandra on the train from Luton to Nottingham as she set out to begin the next chapter of her life

the only things for which you pay all that money.

Go out and discover your new city. Get to know new cultures and customs, make friends, try new food, travel to other cities and even other countries in Europe as the plane tickets for flights provided by companies like Ryan Air or EasyJet can be quite cheap. It would be a shame not to make the most out of your time here.

Go to the pub with your British mates, no one will care about your accent. If they do care, they are probably not your people.

The chances are that after a couple of drinks, your British friends will not be the most coherent people either.

Another great way to socialise is by joining societies. Whether it’s a society that is linked to your

home or religion, your favourite sport or hobby, or just something random that you have always wanted to try, just join it! Societies are a great way to meet new, like-minded people so why not go for it?

Just because you are an international student doesn’t mean it will be harder for you to get to grips with your course.

Everyone is going through the same feelings as you, so do not panic if you are feeling a bit lost or out of place at the beginning, everyone does.

Don’t be afraid to answer questions in lessons just because your British course mates seem to not know the answer.

Countless of times (especially during term one, before I got my grades for any of my modules) I caught myself knowing the answer to a question, but decided not to give it because none of the people in my group seemed to know it so I always thought to myself “if my British course mates don’t know the answer, then I probably got it wrong as well”.

I got my grades and deeply regretted not putting myself out there earlier on.

So, engage with your tutors as much as possible. Just because English is not your first language, it doesn’t mean that you are any less smart.

You may experience a culture shock.

From the famous, overly polite “thank yous” and “sorrys” and people going out almost every night, to your tutors not being as strict as you thought they would be and the shops closing early (especially on Sundays!), some aspects of your life will undoubtfully change.

You will be surprised to feel even

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NEWS

more out of place when you go back home to visit your family and friends. This is called a reverse culture shock.

The most annoying thing about going back home is probably the decrease in your independence and feeling like you are treated like a child all over again. Living with your family again for a few weeks after you have lived all by yourself in a foreign country, having complete control over all your actions, can be quite daunting so try to think about the fact that you do not get to see them often as a coping mechanism.

You will also feel the urge to tell everyone from back home about your new life. However,

Rucsandra and the friends she made in her first year of university at NTU

they will not always be willing to listen to all your stories from various reasons. This could make you feel isolated from the place and people that you used to be familiar with, especially because their lives kept moving forward as well after you moved away.

Therefore, to make this back and forth between home and university smoother, you could try keeping up with what your family and friends are doing regularly, rather than accumulating a couple of months’ worth of new experiences, people, and places to talk about.

Nottingham has endless attractions and events going on, so it won’t be difficult to

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get used to the city. It will be hard getting used to the idea that you have moved abroad, having your life basically split into two pieces that you have no idea how to balance. No one will get exactly what you are going through. Not your parents who go left and right telling everyone how their beloved child made it to the UK and think of the worst possible scenarios when you do not pick up your phone.

Not your friends from back home whom you know envy you even a tiny bit. Not all your acquaintances who heard about you moving abroad to study and are dying to know all about you suddenly. Not your new uni friends who have lived in the UK their whole lives but try relating to you by saying “oh, I miss them as well, it’s so hard being so far away”. And not even yourself.

For some reason everyone will rub it in your face any chance they get that you moved abroad and try to link everything you do and everything that surrounds you to that. Deep down, you know you have made it to a (probably) better place, you know too well about all the new opportunities that you can get here compared to your home country. But for some reason you cannot quite (fully) enjoy it yet. And you do not understand why.

And it will perplex you for a while, but nothing compares to the pure joy that you will feel after you have gotten used to your new life. So, hang in there. You have just embarked into one of the best journeys of your life.

FEATUREHEAD

More and more students are turning to sex work whilst at uni (Pic: Pixabay)

Life as part of the sex industry at Uni With one in 20 university students having been involved in the sex industry, Shannon Samecki finds out what the attraction for young adults is...

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ndertaking sex work as a student is still seen as a taboo topic that is surrounded by shame.

However, the reality of sex work is that it is becoming increasingly common for students to get involved in this industry for ‘easy money’ around their hectic study schedules and raving nightlives.

In 2015, a UK-wide study conducted by Student Sex Work found that one in 20 university students have

been involved in the sex industry.

Motivations for working in said industry are extensive yet varied – the Student Sex Work Project found that 63.5 per cent of the subjects said they were involved in the industry to fund their lifestyle, 56.3 per cent said the working hours suited their studies, and 45.1 per cent said it was to avoid debt.

The most common sex work method among students is setting up an

“SEX WORK AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE HAS RISEN DUE TO COVID”

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Only Fans account where people sell pictures online for a certain amount of money as users can subscribe to their content.

One NTU student, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I wasn’t earning much money and student life can be tough, so I needed an easy income.

I saw it on social media that you can earn easy money on Only Fans by posting photos in swimming costumes, so I set one up.

“I don’t earn any money from it though as I haven’t actually put any content on there.”

There is a huge stigma

NEWS

surrounding sex work in general but as a student you have to deal with other people’s opinions: “My friends were supportive as it is common among young people to have an Only Fans account.

“However, I learnt to forget the negative opinions as it’s my own life and I can choose what I want to do.”

The voluntary organisation POW Nottingham have started offering specialised support for 18-25-year-olds and students in the adult entertainment industry with an increase in those involved due to the pandemic.

They have supported the rights of sex workers and those at risk of being exploited since 1990, aiming to preserve and protect good health within the sex worker community whilst ensuring appropriate services are accessible.

Holly Slater, a POW volunteer adviser, said: “In the past year we have set up a specialist project for students who are engaging more in sex work and with online sex specifically. We offer confidential advice around sex work for all genders and we’re a non-judgemental service.

“You can just have a chat with someone who gets it, or we can offer safety advice for those who work within indirect sex work such as Only Fans and webcamming, as well as sexual health screening and free condoms for those involved in direct sex work from sugar babying to escorting.”

She continued: “POW worked with other national organisations on some research published in 2015 that found 1 in 20 students have been involved in sex work and it is thought to have increased within the past 5 years, particularly this past year. We set up our Student Sex Worker Project at POW as we recognised the increase in student sex work, but that student sex workers

weren’t engaging in any support.”

Sex work is often portrayed as a female-only industry; however, male students are as likely to work in the sex industry as females, according to the Student Sex Work Project.

One male NTU student, who wished to remain anonymous, considered joining Only Fans whilst at university.

He said: “I had an Only Fans account that I followed several male and female creators on, I did a bit of research and realised I could actually make quite a lot of money on it.

“I got very close to creating one but after speaking to some friends I realised it could jeopardise my chances of getting a ‘proper’ job later down the line because if employers do a background check on me, they will see I had an Only Fans account and it might look poorly on me.

“Although, as a university student I have a lot of expenditures such as going clubbing, eating out and, of course, buying things, so I think it’s a good opportunity to get extra cash for doing very little, I wouldn’t even have to leave my room.”

The student also said that he believes that being a male student sex worker is “frowned upon even more so than if I was a female”.

He continued: “I think if certain people knew about me considering creating an Only Fans account, then they would tease and make fun of me, a lot more than if I was a female because I know some girls’ friends who are more supportive of their decision.

“It’s a lot to do with the ‘macho’ nature in men which I think is why everyone is a lot less accepting of it.”

Regarding online safety in the Issue 24 I Platform Magazine I 13

event of running an Only Fans account, Holly suggested: “Use a fake name, create separate email accounts, use a different phone number and social media accounts as algorithms can suggest private accounts to friends and family if any of them are linked.

“If working via webcam or Only Fans, hide any identifying information or objects that may be in your background and give away the university you are studying at, your real name, photos of family etc.”

One worry for students is that they will be shamed for their work by others.

Holly added: “People often think that sex work in the UK is illegal but in fact most sex work in the UK is legal. Educating friends and family about this as well as the reasons people get involved in sex work, can reduce some of the stigma.

“Students can speak to us about how to approach these conversations with friends and family if they want support with this. University staff can get training from us around sex work for a better understanding.”

If you are a student or a young adult currently involved in sex work, then POW Nottingham is available for free advice and sexual health screenings.

You can contact POW for support on 0115 924 9992 or by emailing: admin@pow-advice. co.uk. Alternatively, you can contact POW Nottingham on Facebook or Instagram for advice and support.

FEATUREHEAD

The death of Sarah Everard has sparked outrage against sexual harassment (Pic: Tim Dennell)

opinion: it’s not ‘just a joke’ to us The Government have proposed that public sexual harassment is made illegal, Megan Lewis looks at whether it will actually make a difference.

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ublic sexual harassment is likely to be criminalised with a new law being put forward as part of the Government’s strategy to tackle violence against women and girls.

The safety of women has now become a priority for the Government after the highly-publicised case of Sarah Everard, which has changed the perspective of women’s safety in the UK forever.

MPs are calling for tighter regulations regarding street sexual harassment and a crossparty alliance was set up to encourage these new restrictions.

According to Citizens Advice, the definition of sexual harassment is unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature which violates your dignity, makes you feel intimidated, degraded or humiliated, or creates a hostile or offensive environment.

FOR MOST WOMEN, IT IS A DAILY STRUGGLE THAT HAS BECOME ACCEPTED.

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The new bill aims to make a long-term change as well as an immediate effect on the safety of women.

For most women, sexual harassment is a daily struggle that is accepted and normalised.

From a wolf whistle to being groped in a nightclub, sexual harassment is something many girls and women will experience during their life.

It happens everywhere; however, the experience of young women at university can be massively affected by the quantity of unwanted attention received on or off campus.

So, is enough being

NEWS

done to stop harassment?

A poll created by the UN showed four fifths of young women in the UK have been subject to sexual harassment.

Many sexual harassment and assault cases go unreported due to how normalised it has become in many women’s lives.

We are taught to deal with it in a kind and caring way due to a fear that the perpetrator may turn violent or follow them home.

Psychology and Criminology student, Angelique Monigold said: “Several times when I have been walking to class or walking to my room in halls, I’ve been catcalled.”

“When you respond badly, you’re told that ‘it’s just a compliment’ but let’s be clear - it’s not a compliment, it’s harassment.”

It’s horrifying to know that no matter where you go - even when you’re supposed to feel safe – sexual harassment will always shadow you.

The website Everyone’s Invited has forced some change after more than 100 English universities were listed as having been locations of sexual harassment.

With countless

i

A total of 32 testimonies involving NTU were submitted to Everyone’s Invited in just one week.

BEING GROPED AT A CLUB NOW JUST SEEMS NORMAL.

testimonies, universities have been forced to do more to prevent sexual harassment on campus as students begin to stand up to this behaviour and prevent it from happening to others.

Sexual harassment can begin from a young age, walking home from school, leaving girls feeling vulnerable.

It gets worse as girls get older, as they are taught boys will be boys and that they should just stay quiet and not make a fuss if boys are making them feel uncomfortable.

When young women get to university, they will likely have already experienced sexual harassment.

It makes being groped whilst clubbing or shouted at across the road by a group of drunk boys seem normal.

The 2018 Girl’s Attitude Survey found 63% of girls aged 13 to 21 have experienced or know someone who has experienced feeling unsafe while walking home alone.

Women deserve to feel safe, therefore the new law could be one step in the right direction to end sexual harassment in the UK. It should give all women the confidence to report

incidents knowing that their concerns will be heard.

The new strategy created has been welcomed by many women and girls in the UK. However, it has been criticised for not including wider societal issues surrounding misogynistic violence.

The strategy should give universities clear guidance on how to deal with sexual harassment cases and the safety of all students, including women, should always be a priority.

After a year with women’s safety being the forefront of the media, the Government have taken a positive step forward in seeking safety for all women.

If you or someone you know has experienced any type of sexual abuse, you can get help by calling the Nottinghamshire Sexual Violence Support Services helpline at 0115 941 0440.

THE STEPS THE GOVERNMENT ARE TAKING TO ENFORCE IMMEDIATE CHANGE INCLUDE:

- A new national policing lead on Violence Against Women and Girls has been set up. This will report to the National Policing board, which is chaired by the Home Secretary, Priti Patel.

- A review of the use of non-disclosure agreements in cases of sexual harassment in higher education.

Safer Streets Fund round three, which focuses on preventing violence against women and girls at night.

- Criminalising virginity testing - Appointing new Violence Against Women Transport Champions to help tackle the problems women face when using public transport.

- Appointing new Violence Against Women Transport Champions to help tackle the problems women face when using public transport.

- This follows on from other measures taken this year, such as the £25 million investment in the Safer Street Fund which focused on the safety of all in public spaces but with a particular focus on women and girls.

- A £5 million Safety of Women at Night Fund, as well as the £25 million

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notts gigs to go to later this year After a year without gigs, Nottingham has been blessed by the return of live music this summer. Will Hugall looks at what is to come this year.

I

t has been a long time since we could gather in large crowds to attend festivals and concerts.

With the likes of Yungblud and Arlo Parks having already kicked things off in style, we look ahead to the other events you won’t want to miss in the next year.

OCTOBER 2021 With the first week of Freshers events finished, plenty of us will be looking at where to get our next fix of reasonably priced fun. A stacked line-up at Rock City will offer you exactly that.

Indie rock fans should look out for rising stars The Lathums (2nd), Grammy-nominated Fontaines D.C. (12th) and Kasabian (20th), while house anthems will be provided by Becky Hill (7th). Rapper Nines will also be appearing on Monday 18th.

Elsewhere, The Reytons (9th) will be the standout act at Rescue Rooms, and Nottingham’s very own Cucamaras will be performing at The Bodega on October 8.

On the city’s biggest stage at the Motorpoint Arena, Nothing But Thieves bring their ‘Moral Panic’ tour (16th), and for something a little different, The Level plays host to legendary Vietnam-era rockers Creedence Clearwater Revival (29th)

GIGS WILL RETURN TO ROCK CITY THIS YEAR (PIC: KIERAN BURT)

NOVEMBER 2021 As the nights draw in, Nottingham certainly won’t be falling quiet in late autumn with a series of outstanding gigs catering for all tastes.

A brilliant range of genres is perhaps best displayed at the Motorpoint, where London Grammar (2nd), JLS (17th / 18th) and Sleaford Mods (27th) all perform.

Between indie pop masters Glass Animals (15th), the frantic rock of Sports Team (17th), and cutting-edge rap from Headie One (23rd) and Bugzy Malone (30th), you’ll also be spoilt for choice at Rock City.

The city’s smaller venues boast a great set of gigs, with Rescue Rooms welcoming Holly Humberstone (10th) and Pa Salieu (30th), and The Bodega hosting Porridge Radio (26th). Dappy also plays the Nottingham leg of his ‘Duki’s Playground’ tour at The Level (6th).

DECEMBER 2021 Don’t be so hasty in leaving the city early for Christmas! Lockdowns won’t be a thing (we hope), and an advent of amazing treats is on offer, mixing legendary acts and upcoming talents.

At Rock City, outstanding live performers The Hives (1st) are

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MUSIC

followed by the outrageously talented Little Simz (6th).

Later in the month, Talbot Street’s same legendary venue welcomes the equally prodigious The Darkness (13th), The Libertines (14th) and The Charlatans (16th), followed by a double header from Enter Shikari (20th / 21st).

Elsewhere, Rescue Rooms hosts an unmissable gig from Unknown T (9th), and closes the month with a triple-header of tribute acts; The Antarctic Monkeys (17th), Ohasis & A Band Called Malice (18th), and Fleetwood Bac (21st).

JANUARY 2022 The post-New Year’s blues always hit hard, with poorly planned resolutions on the mind and a little less change in the pocket. Fear not, though. If it’s an inexpensive gig experience you’re after, January could have the perfect night out.

Admittedly, with Rock City and Motorpoint yet to fill most dates, big names may be short on the ground. But why not sample some lesser-known acts?

Rock City welcomes Swedish heavy metal band Avatar (8th) and New York punk rockers Every Time I Die (28th), while Rescue Rooms’ highlights include Brighton band Blood Red Shoes (19th) and Wolverhampton rapper S-X (27th).

FEBRUARY 2022 It might be the shortest month, but February certainly packs a punch with its musical offerings.

A top-quality indie line-up is headlined at Rock City by Pale Waves, who provide a melancholic Valentine’s Day build-up on Sunday 13th.

There’s the alternative of Dutch indie band Pip Blom on the same date at Rescue Rooms, while Dry Cleaning are also at RR on Sunday

27th and Leeds’ Yard Act bring their unique social criticism to The Bodega (23rd).

If the winter’s getting you down, then there’s the opportunity to cry along to hits by James Blunt (12th) at Motorpoint, while a nostalgic night of Soul II Soul at Rock City (26th) could also be the tonic.

MARCH 2022 As we enter March and the flowers begin to bloom, signs of spring pop up all over the city.

Rock City hosts an awesome foursome of Tom Odell (5th), Gabrielle Aplin (19th), Slowthai (24th) and Jake Bugg (30th), with the venue likely to be absolutely bouncing for each.

Of the remaining gigs elsewhere, I’d strongly recommend Alfie Templeman (9th) and Dream Wife (19th) at Rescue Rooms, along with the obvious; Royal Blood and their collection of thrashing rock anthems at the Motorpoint (29th).

summer 2022, there’s still plenty to get excited about if you need a distraction from exam season or are planning post-dissertation celebrations.

Little Mix bring their ‘Confetti’ tour to the Motorpoint for a sureto-be memorable double-header on Monday 9th and Tuesday 10th May. Meanwhile, Iceland’s towering talent of the last two Eurovisions, Daði Freyr, comes to Rescue Rooms (12th). With smash hits ‘Think About Things’ and ’10 Years’ just the start of his discography, it promises to be a special gig.

Whether it’s your first gig or the next in a long list, I hope it’s a wonderful year of live music for you!

APRIL 2022 Superstar alert! Arguably the biggest name in pop anywhere in the world right now, Dua Lipa makes her long-awaited visit to the Motorpoint Arena.

That is no April Fools, either.

After providing the world with all the disco bangers of ‘Future Nostalgia’, Lipa finally gets the chance to perform her endless list of hits live; Tuesday 26th is your date to look out for.

Elsewhere, Rock City are rolling back the years with The Fratellis (4th), Rescue Rooms offer us the effortlessly cool Irish band The Academic (17th) and The Bodega have gone for TikTok stars Max & Harvey (7th).

MAY & JUNE 2022 Whilst most bookings are still in the works for the start of

DUA LIPA WILL SING AT THE MOTORPOINT (PIC: HUGO COMTE)

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festivals return to nottingham The last 12 months have seen the Nottingham festival scene decimated, Will Hugall looks at what the imminent future holds...

M

ost events were rescheduled for this summer, but with uncertainty over COVID-19 restrictions, organisers have largely opted to postpone once more.

With music fans desperate for their return, here’s how the planning of Notts’ biggest festivals currently stands

SPLENDOUR FESTIVAL

Nottingham’s largest singleday festival, Splendour, usually welcomes up to 25,000 people to Wollaton Park, but this year that proved impossible.

Very few performances of that scale have been able to go ahead, whilst those that have were generally part of the government’s Event Research Programme.

Splendour organisers, the DHP Family, ultimately decided that the delay in lockdown relaxations this summer meant they could not stage the event for a second year in a row.

DHP has, however, been able to provide Nottingham’s music lovers with other events this summer, in the form of Arboretum Sunsets (25 June – 5 September) and Dot to Dot Festival (Sunday 26 September).

Planning is well underway for 2022 as well, with headliners

Supergrass, Belinda Carlisle and Becky Hill confirmed to return on Saturday 23 July.

RIVERSIDE FESTIVAL

Proudly advertised by Visit Nottinghamshire as ‘the East Midlands’ biggest free festival’, the Riverside Festival on the banks of the Trent hosted a whopping 220,000 visitors in 2019.

Live music, firework displays, fairground attractions and all kinds of pop-up stalls would have drawn in crowds from 6-8 August this year, only for Nottingham City Council to cancel.

It meant the festival missed the chance for a belated 40th birthday celebration, while many local acts that were set to perform have lost vital income.

The event is also an important charity fundraiser, with features such as the Duck Race – which has been running since 1998 – providing thousands of pounds to local causes every year.

Plans are already underway for the 2022 edition, set to take place from 5-7 August.

NOTTINGHAM CARNIVAL

Started by the city’s Caribbean community in 1970, Nottingham Carnival truly took off in 1999 and has only grown since.

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Crowds of over 30,000 regularly attend, but organisers postponed this year’s event, citing “the increasing number of people being tested as positive for COVID 19 and having to isolate as a consequence.”

As a largely volunteer-run festival, this was always going to be a factor.

It’s arguably Nottingham’s best celebration of its brilliant multiculturalism, and Carnival’s return in 2022 will be a hotly anticipated date in the city’s calendar.

A POSITIVE FUTURE

With plenty of events having recently made comebacks or certainly planning them, momentum is returning to the city.

Here’s just some of what we have to look forward to!

Hot on the heels of Nottinghamshire Pride (11 September), another unmissable event will be the Bands in the Park at the Arboretum (19 and 26 September) and Victoria Embankment (12 September).

Hockley Hustle takes place on 24 October, while events such as Waterfront Festival (at Canalhouse) and Forest Live (at Sherwood Pines) should be returning in 2022.

Design by Tara Thomas, Words by Katie Green

MUSIC

Ultimate Freshers Playlist Being a Fresher at university, one of the many highlights in your first few weeks there is going to of course be Freshers week. With Freshers week comes partying, and with partying comes music. Here is the ultimate Freshers music playlist to get you excited for the university year ahead and have the best year of the next chapter of your life…

Good 4 u – Olivia Rodrigo

The 18-year-old stormed the music scene this year with her chart topper Drivers Licence.

However, this is Freshers, and we need the pumped-up jams going into the night, so Olivia’s third banger Good 4 U will provide this. The single has a pop-punk vibe to it, and it is easily a track you can bang your head to and dance around your university kitchen to. A tale of an ex moving on quickly and you still recovering from the heartbreak also makes it the perfect break up anthem to rant to.

Kiss Me More – Doja Cat

Any fan of TikTok will of course know Doja Cat, with some of her fan favourites in the past year or two including Say So. However, a more recent hit from the American singer is Kiss Me More. Once again, Doja Cat provides a dance banger with a memorable chorus that may have some lyrics you may not want

to blurt out if there are any under 18s in the room, but as this is university, it’s time to crank up the volume.

Montero

(Call Me by Your Name)

– Lil Nas X

Once again, TikTok has made a song popular and leaves it stuck in the heads of millions. Lil Nas’s Montero (Call Me by Your Name) is an addictive listen with an addictive and memorable chorus. The song title is the birth name of Lil Nas, with the rest of the title a reflection on the same titled 2017 film Call Me by Your Name.

Delving deeper into the song, the song talks about not the artist himself, but his love interest. However, once you have consumed some alcohol and turned up the volume, then the only thing you will be focused on is getting the repeated chorus lines right “Call me when you want, call me when you need, call me in the morning, I’ll be on my way.”

Heat Waves – Glass Animals

Perhaps one of the more alternative songs on this list, Heat Waves by Glass Animals in its premise is not the most uplifting song, but it is the tone and rhythm that makes it a slower yet still bouncing song to dance to. When looking behind the lyrics, it is about longing for someone that is never coming back, and it was a song released into a summer where people didn’t know whether life would get back to normal or not, so it was or still can be relatable. However, as September approaches this will definitely be an essential to add to your fresher’s playlist.

Wellerman (Sea Shanty) – Nathan Evans, 220 Kid, Billen Ted

Any Freshers playlist needs a cheesy hit that someone of any age will dance to, and on your playlist will be Nathan Evans’ Wellerman (Sea Shanty) hit. TikTok again took this song to number three in the charts, with its

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lyrics telling the story of a group of hounded whalers who look forward to their life on shore. The simple drumbeat provides a breather in between the faster songs, but one you can still belt out to once the chorus approaches.

Levitating – Dua Lipa

A modern playlist wouldn’t be the same without a bit of Dua Lipa, and this year’s banger from her is of course Levitating from her Future Nostalgia album. Another famous TikTok trend came from this song using the “You want me, I want you baby” lyrics, making this seem the only lyrics people tend to know from the song. It is a song that merges noughties and 80s electric music to guarantee a dance vibe for your playlist. The juxtaposition of the nostalgic yet futuristic tone is definitely one that will take you dancing into the night and into the early hours of the morning.

FEATUREHEAD

Nottingham’s music scene The Nottingham music scene has many venues on offer, for all lovers of different genres of music to enjoy. Ellie Moylan gives us an insight into the vital venues that freshers need to check out.

N

ottingham has a thriving music scene, with affordable venues which are perfect for students looking for a fun night out.

The city’s music venues are mostly on the smaller side, but they more than make up for this by providing an intimate music experience with unparalleled acoustics!

Rock City, a favourite venue amongst students located on Here’s Platform’s guide Talbot Street. Image Credit: Katie Ansell to the best music venues in Nottingham…

Rock City, the venue was known as The Heart of The Midlands and in 1978, it hosted the first-ever BDO Rock City World Darts Championship, which was televised on At number one we have the the BBC. The event was successful, but the BDO legendary Rock City, which nonetheless upped sticks in 1979 and moved to Jollees has hosted many big names Cabaret Club in Stoke-on-Trent. since it opened its doors in Another fact about Rock City is that the venue’s 1980. first gig got cancelled!

This is probably the In December 1980, Iron Maiden was booked to most surprising venue on be the venue’s first live music performance. This was the list, as it has the most at the beginning of the band’s career – they had interesting history predating only just released their first album – so it wasn’t its establishment as the music as hard to arrange for them to play. However, venue Rock City. the venue ended up not being ready on time and Before it’s renovation as

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the performance had to be cancelled. The venue found a replacement band, The Undertones, whose performance helped to establish Rock City as the wellknown venue that it is today!

Over the years, Rock City has changed quite a bit. Its main development will always be perceived as the addition of the Black Cherry Lounge in 2011. Black Cherry Lounge is an important part of Rock City, so it’s weird to think that it wasn’t always there. Black Cherry Lounge is a more relaxed space in Rock City that hosts some club nights.

The last fact about Rock City is that it is the only venue in Nottingham which has hosted David Bowie!

In 1997, Bowie announced that he would play Rock City as part of his eight-date tour of the UK. Tickets cost £15 and sold out within a few hours of him announcing the date, which has since gone down as a legendary Nottingham gig.

MUSIC

The Bodega

At number two we have The Bodega, which first opened its doors in 1999.

The Bodega has welcomed some of the world’s biggest names, from Sam Fender to Wolf Alice, Anne-Marie and Whitney.

And that’s only within the The Bodega, home to last few years. Over the Indie music venue’s entire 22-year history, Nottingham’s scene on Pelham Street. it has developed a great Image credit: Will Hugall reputation for welcoming amazing talents before they get their big breaks.

For example, before they released their debut albums, Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes, Lewis Capaldi, Coldplay, and The 1975 all played to sweaty rooms full of extremely lucky audiences.

Check out the site on Pelham Street, where the iconic red neon lights and big crowds on gig nights will be a The Level, one of the telltale sign that you’ve found largest venues at the Nottingham Trent the right spot.

Metronome

At number three we have Metronome, which is Nottingham’s newest centre for cross-media performances.

The venue, which opened in 2018, hosts events dedicated to music, moving images, video games, live performance and even spoken word performance.

With an ethos that focuses on contemporary and

Student Union.

Image credit: Kieran Burt

Below: The Metronome, a national centre for music, film and live performance on Huntingdon Street.

Image credit: Kieran Burt

ambitious art, Metronome welcomes local, national and international events in which people from many different walks of life take part – from makers to thinkers, to artists.

The venue has a capacity of 400 and is situated on Huntingdon Street, in the heart of Nottingham’s Creative Quarter.

There is a fully licensed bar, an exhibition area and a social space in the venue, along with gallery areas. It also boasts world-class recording studio facilities, including fourteen rehearsal spaces.

The Level

At number four we have The Level, which is one of the largest and most versatile venues in Nottingham.

For those based at City Campus – right opposite Boots Library – it’s likely to be your most accessible night out as well!

Based on Shakespeare Street, its building combines three spaces; the main venue itself, along with The Landing and The Loft, which are all part of the Student Union.

Since moving to its current site in 2013, The Level has welcomed acts such as Dua Lipa, Rudimental, Tinie Tempah and Saint Raymond.

Most importantly, it’s the perfect space for a wide range of student events, from gigs, club nights and conferences, to balls and awards ceremonies.

Rescue Rooms The final venue on the list is Rescue Rooms, which appeared on Nottingham’s music scene in 2003.

Similar to Rock City, which

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is RR’s sister venue, Rescue Rooms has a rich history, with acts from The Killers and Calvin Harris to Ellie Goulding having performed there.

Based on Goldsmith Street, the venue only holds a capacity of 450 visitors but is perfect for intimate gigs from acts that are on their way to arena status.

Its draw for music fans is undeniable, and it’s a must for all students if they want to sample the essential Nottingham night out.

This is only a small look into Nottingham’s diverse music scene, with many other venues hosting gigs and club nights throughout the year.

If there are any venues that you would like to be added, please do not hesitate to let us know. In the meantime, have a great year of trying out, or returning to these venues!

Rescue Rooms, located opposite NTU’s Newton Building on Goldsmith Street.

Image credit: Kieran Burt

Design by Marina Garcia Salcedo, Words by Lilia Hadj Said

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BEST ARTISTS

Photography Credit: Phoebe Fox @shotbyphox

Photography Credit: George Hutton for Checkout Magazine

IN NOTTS

Nottingham’s world-class venues have made the city a real cradle of musical talent over the years. For a quick-fire guide to the definitive sounds of the city in 2021, look no further than our list of the following five acts.

1. Jake Bugg - Yes, our favourite boy with a guitar is actually from Clifton in Nottingham. The 27-year-old has been making music since his teenage years, focusing on a whole range of personal experiences. He combines honest lyrics with first-class indie sound, with a fantastic example of this in the 2012 single ‘Trouble Town’.

Moreover, Bugg was discovered by none other than The Bodega, who gave him his first gig when he was only 16 years old. Even though the singer is now known all over the world, we still remember this young boy who rocked the Nottingham music scene 10 years ago and his first, truly great album ‘Jake Bugg’ which opened the door to his career.

2. London Grammar - The trio consisting of Hannah Reid, Dan Rothman and Dominic Major was formed in 2009, meeting at the University of Nottingham. Songs such as ‘Hey Now’ and ‘Wasting My Young Years’, both from their debut album ‘If You Wait’, brought the band great fame in the early 2010s.

Their popularity, of course, has been achieved thanks to the soulful voice of Reid and some experimental instrumentals, which the band is not afraid of. Their electronic pop sound and interesting approach to writing make London Grammar a one-of-a-kind band – if you want to see them live, they play at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena on November 2. Oh and by the way, have you heard their new album ‘Californian Soil’? It’s a bop.

3. Holly Humberstone - I know, she’s not originally from Nottingham, but 40 minutes by car is pretty close. Grantham’s Holly Humberstone is the ‘it girl’ of our times in indie pop. The singer is an incredibly talented singer and songwriter, already appearing on the Late Late Show with James Corden and Jimmy Kimmel Live. Holly does this wonderful thing, which is to combine live music with depressive lyrics and let us dance and cry at the same time. You can find a review of her single ‘The Walls Are Way Too Thin’ on our website.

4. Do Nothing - This Nottingham based band produces indie rock at its absolute best. The members of Do Nothing share not only a musical passion but also childhood memories, because they have known each other for so long.

Their music reflects their private lives, but also takes inspiration from authors such as Kurt Vonnegut and Albert Camus.

They can be found frequently in Rock City and The Bodega, and are set to play the 2022 Y Not Festival as well. Listen to the single ‘LeBron James’ for a great example of their style.

5. Cucamaras – Last but not least, fresh blood, a young band from Nottingham, with whom you can find an interview on Platform. Even though they are at the beginning of their musical path, I have decided to put them here because I know they will be at the top of the alternative music scene in no time. Cucamaras is a post-punk band with original sound and strong lyrics. Their latest single ‘Safe Bet’ is now available on Spotify.

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Design by Hollie Sayers, Words by Iwan Hughes A gentle breeze across the Trent, As you ponder how your fresher’s week will be spent.

A late-night kebab, or a scenic view?

The experiences of a lifetime that are waiting for you.

So ‘Aye up me duck’, here is my overview Of the life to expect here at NTU.

CREATIVE

LIFE on the Trent

Lecturers filled with experience and knowledge With specialist buildings from the arts to a medical training college.

Libraries filled with resources and open late So, you can get work done at the required rate.

Finding out things you’ve always craved to know As your intelligence expands and you personally grow.

Student services ready to deal with your every need.

Learning rooms informing you what you need to read.

It’s easy to think your life will be full Of studying that would make even Einstein tearful.

But… You’ll make new friends, while reciting your biography As you join plenty of societies from belly dancing to astrology.

Deliberating whether yours and your mates’ outfit clashes Then trying to recall conversations on post Ocean 9AM dashes.

In a city divided by a Magpie and a Tree How about going to listen to some tunes at Rock City?

An adventure to the Castle, that’s newly restored.

Or a drink at the Alchemist if that’s what you can afford.

The SU thrives, and jives on a Saturday night Followed by a much-needed Sunday lunch at ‘The Playwright’.

Robin Hood once ruled these lands but now it’s your chance To live your life and ensure it is fully enhanced.

There’s so much to learn and plenty to see As we welcome you to life at Nottingham Trent University.

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Design by Sophie Puffett, Words by Helen Barber

The Tram line

CREATIVE

To me, routine is of utmost importance. I wake up at six o’clock on the dot every morning and I don’t stop until midnight. The only exception is Sundays, where I retire at eleven p.m., but I allow myself this extra hour as rest is of second-utmost importance to ensure maximum level performance. My job is simple- keep moving and always be on time, which means that tiredness, illness, or a regrettable hangover are never reasons to call in sick. There are lots of people whose own routines rely on mine and like I said - routine is important to me. So every day, like a flick of a switch, I awaken and feel the electric buzz of morning energy run through my veins and prepare for the long track ahead of me.

My journey starts with a hectic rush of passengers who are eager to get to the city centre. The crowds ooze through my open doors and congregate in a dense mass, congesting my insides. Strangers stand shoulder to shoulder with their heads turned away from each other in an effort to avoid sharing the same breath, and it gathers in the air causing the temperature to slowly creep higher. The commuter’s movements are continuous. I hear the dull thud of their footsteps- in and out, in and out- ticking like a clock in my mind. Each day repeats- intermittent waves of people come inside, filling my stomach and moving along my intestines to find a place to settle before dispersing, like parasites invading a host. It can feel quite unbearable at times, but all these people rely on me and I can carry their weight easily, as I’m designed to. So I keep moving.

I’ve noticed that some stops along the line are more popular than others. In the summer months, groups of friends will depart at “High School” and I watch as they cross the road to bask in the sun at the Arboretum or kick a football at Forest Recreation Ground.

Further down the track, students hop off at the NTU City Campus armed with their swipe-card and notebooks, walking briskly so that they don’t miss their lectures.

Towards the end of the week, the same students use this stop for the opposite reason, as they stride up the road to join the babbling queue at Rock City.

My routine keeps the city in motion, but I suppose I can’t take all the credit. As I pass the stop next to the Theatre Royal I see them- the colourful cuboids of metal that trudge along the tarmac. There are always so many along Upper Parliament Street. They get in each other’s way, and their thick black tyres squeak from the constant stopping and starting. I look down at my own wheels, comfortably nestled between the parallel beams of my track, and feel thankful that I’m ensured a smooth ride. I feel a strong sense of pride knowing that I’m the more efficient mode of transport, however, I see that through their grey-tinted windows these vehicles are full of passengers and they carry them down roads that I’m unable to access. For that, at least, I give my respect.

Continuing my route, I descend to my favourite destination- Old Market Square.

As always, the bustling crowds move along the pavements and stragglers cross the road. I honk my horn, causing them to scatter. The pleasant aroma of various cuisines drifts through the air from restaurants and takeaways. Children splash excitedly in the water fountain and the echo of hundreds of conversations bounces off the surrounding buildings. Skaters jump mid-air, followed by the sharp smack of wheels hitting the pavement then a rumble along the concrete. Here at the centre, I feel the heart of Nottingham and appreciate that we- the trams, buses, taxis, and scooters- are the transport whose tyres and wheels carry the blood through the winding veins of the city.

This is where I belong- just a part of the everyday routine.

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Design by Sophie Puffett, Words by Marta Tavares

CREATIVE

A NIGHT IN

I lost Sarah while waiting for my double vodka lemonade, Rose just disappeared on her way to the toilet and I haven’t seen Sofia since we entered the club tonight.

I must confess, not like Britney Spears though, that I missed this feeling, clubbing in general, but here in Notts, I missed it here. Rock City is as lit as always, and this feeling... oh god! But okay, focus, I can’t find any of my friends and I have a drink in my hand, time to move on and do what I do best (or worst)- make new friends for the night! Up a floor, down a floor? Smoking area maybe? To be fair, the girl’s toilet is where you always end up receiving compliments, taking pictures with random strangers you most likely will never see again, and having some badass laughs. But wait, let me start from the beginning cause right now you must be wondering how I ended up in this situation.

One hour ago we were back in Sofia’s flat starting pres. Speaker on, drinks on the table along with the cards (ready to get both lit and ruined with Ring of Fire), and the most essential thing that couldn’t be missing, happiness and excitement to be back! Some of our friends from uni and a different flat or two joined us, the night is on. Me as the bartender could only mean one thing: everyone will be laughing more than expected before leaving this flat.

An hour later, we were on our way to Rock City, also known as the biggest venue in Nottingham. The queue was massive as it’s Thursday, and you know what that meansdrinks are two for one. But before

NOTTINGHAM you think I might drink too much, I just like good deals and I would be just as excited if someone was selling cacti two for one. We met some really cool people whilst waiting.

Ryan was from Portsmouth and was studying international business, Alexa was from Carmarthen and was studying Agriculture which was just wow because that was a first for me! We met some more people but those were the ones that I had the most fun with.

WE FINALLY ENTERED ROCK CITY!! One, two, three… breathe!

We rushed to the dance floor that was packed with people moving from one side to the other, jumping, shouting the lyrics to the songs, and simply glowing. Not even 10 minutes in we made our way to the bar, cause enough is never enough. Oh no, Mr. Brightside by The Killers has just started playing. This is my song.

“Guyssssss let’s go to the dancefloor, this is my song!!”

And as soon as we got the drinks we ran, trying not to spill them on anyone and leaving a swimming pool everywhere we walked as we tried to reach the perfect place. One sip, one word, one laugh, one sloppy jump. By the end of the song, I was thirsty and in need of a drink after so much screaming. Sarah decided to come along, Rose needed to go for a wee and Sofia, where is she?

I haven’t seen her since we entered the club! At the bar, double vodka lemonade for me and wait- where is Sarah now? Oh no, here we go again! With a drink in my hand, I tried to find Rose but she just

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vanished somewhere in the toilets.

AND WE’RE BACK TO THE START AGAIN. What do I do now then? Enjoy the rest of my night because I’m sure everyone will just show up when I least expect it. I recognise this song from TikTok, oh I’m ready for everyone to do the little dance! Five minutes later, I was already dancing along with some new people I just met. Why is it so easy to find and meet people on nights out? I love this!

Time to head up to Mojo where the night doesn’t stop until 4am with some great rock classics to scream at the top of my lungs on top of the tables- yes, you can actually go on top of the tables! But not before going for a Trent Kebab just outside Arkwright Building, however, I was kind of feeling some Maccies, but c’mon, it’s the first night back and we need to honour it with some Trent Kebabs to keep the tradition going!

What a night! I’m happily exhausted! Sarah just messaged me saying she found one of her flatmates and ended up going to Pryzm because it was someone’s birthday, Rose met a boy and Sofia, where is Sofia? Asleep on my couch the moment I get home.

I must just say once again, what a night! Tomorrow uni is gonna be memorable! Sweet Dreams.

TRAVEL AND LIFESTYLE

five drinking games to try out Pre-drinks is the perfect way to kick-off a night out, Scarlett Acres suggests five drinking games to try out in Freshers Week.

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rinks (pre-drinks for those not familiar with it) are arguably one of the most important aspects of Freshers week - they help with getting to know your flatmates while allowing you to drink on a student budget.

For any non-drinkers out there, all of the games listed above can easily be done without alcohol. The main thing is to stay safe and have fun!

Here are five ways to pre-drink this Freshers.

TASK MASTER This is the perfect way to break the ice with your flatmates and works best when played in student accommodation.

‘Rock, paper, scissors’ determines the first person to be task-master and they must choose someone to give a task to.

The task must involve someone who doesn’t know that the game is taking place and this is where it gets fun.

You could be tasked to go ask your neighbour for something, or possibly a random person in a pub, the possibilities are endless.

If you refuse to do the task, you must drink; if you pass the test, everyone else must drink; if you fail the task and the person finds out about the game, you must drink half your drink.

This game is perfect for any amount of people and all you need is a drink!

CARD GAMES A quick internet search will uncover plenty of amazing and funny games to play which follow along the lines of ‘Who’s most likely to...’ or ‘Truth or Dare?’.

A few other examples available on Etsy are: Original Party Pack (ShotorNot02), Deck it (deckitdrinking) and Sip & Spill (MBDESIGNGB).

These card games follow the rules of drinking if the card you pick correlates to you (e.g. biggest lightweight drinks, blondes drink, youngest drinks) as well as having a few other fun cards in the mix.

FLIP CUP If you’re looking for a competitive team game, this is the one.

For this you will need a long table and to have the same amount of cups on each side of the table filled with the drink of your choice.

The idea is the first person on your team quickly goes to the table and drinks the first drink in the row.

Once you’ve drunk it you must flip the cup from the side of the table by flicking it until it lands upside down. Then the next person goes

28 I Platform Magazine I Issue 24

and it’s a race to see which team finishes first.

DRUNK UNO You can buy a version of Drunk Uno or you can easily use a pack of Uno cards but change the rules.

Play the game as you normally would, but the rules have changed for the + cards, wildcard, reverse and skip cards; If you pick up a draw 2 card, you must take a shot (or sip!); If you have to draw 4, you take two shots/sips; If you are reversed or skipped, you must take a drink A false Uno call is where it can be game over because you must take 3 SHOTS (or sips) DRUNK DIY DARTSBOARD TikTok is where it’s at to find fun and innovative ways to have a blast and get drunk.

One idea is to create your own dartboard by painting each section of the board and adding prompts to each section. A few prompt ideas could be: take a shot, truth or dare, never have I ever, show your search history, reveal a confession and so many more!

The rule is to throw the dart and whichever section it lands on, you must do the prompt. All the different prompts mean this game will never get boring and you’re sure to have a great time with your friends.

TRAVEL AND LIFESTYLE

NOTTS takeaways TO ENJOY AT UNI The likes of Deliveroo, Uber Eats and JustEat makes choosing something for dinner incredibly difficult. Helen Dubber looks at the best options...

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rom Italian to Chinese, a light salad to an indulgent dessert, the options are endless, and you can often spend more time scrolling through your phone deciding what to have than it takes for the food to arrive!

POKEWAVES If you’re looking for something light, perhaps for a quick lunch break in-between working, this Hawaiian-inspired food bar is the perfect option. You can try one of their many signature bowls which include a variety of marinated fish layered on top of rice and a selection of healthy salad toppings. Or, I would recommend opting for the ‘Design your own bowl’ option where you can customise each layer of the bowl (base, protein, toppings, garnish and sauce) as you please. Most of the dishes served here are dairy free, with plenty of gluten-free and vegan options too. If you have more of a sweet tooth, they also offer a selection of acai and smoothie bowls which are presented beautifully and are bursting with flavour.

ANNIE’S BURGER SHACK As far as burgers go, this is definitely the place where you can

find both taste and variety. With over 15 different burger choices on their takeaway menu, which can be served as either vegan, vegetarian or meaty, there really is something for everyone. Each burger meal comes with a choice of skinny fries, curly fries, onion rings, or sweet potato fries, and you can choose anything from a simple cheese burger, to one of their more unique options – ‘The Elvis’. This half a pound burger smothered in peanut butter and raspberry jelly is absolutely delicious and unlike any other burger I’ve tried before. It sounds unusual, but you have to trust me when I say it is unbelievably brilliant!

ADAM’S FISH AND CHIPS When it comes to British takeaways, there’s nothing more traditional than fish and chips.

This fast food restaurant is one of the best I’ve experienced in Nottingham and serves all of the fish and chip shop classics including burgers, wraps, pies, kebabs, fried chicken, and of course, fish and chips. The fish is deliciously tender, wrapped in a crisp batter and served alongside the chips which are golden, fluffy and plentiful.

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If you’re wanting something a little different than the usual, the mixed kebab, including both chicken and lamb doner on a bed of chips, naan or salad, is definitely worth ordering! Priced at £7.85, this kebab comes in a huge portion and is absolutely delicious.

THE PUDDING PANTRY Not only is this popular brunch spot the perfect place to enjoy a catch up with friends, it is available for delivery too. On the menu there is a huge variety of both sweet and savoury options to pick from including the impressive Full Pantry breakfast, and their extensive selection of pancakes and puddings. The Loaded Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownie Pancake is a personal favourite of mine and is an absolute must-have if you haven’t tried it before!

The café also makes some of the best hot chocolates I’ve ever had, including Biscoff and Salted Caramel Brownie flavours, topped with whipped cream and sauces.

With most brunch options priced under £10, and a lengthy list of vegan options, The Pudding Pantry is the perfect takeaway choice for everyone.

LIFESTYLE

Student Food with The Starving Student Since I started my brand The Starving Student back in 2017, I have made sure that the recipes I share are all in line with my simple ethos - easy, low waste, and on a budget.

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’ve had student cookbooks before and know of some companies that have drifted from ‘real’ affordable food, to now using unusual, inaccessible and sometimes expensive ingredients I have always loved a wide variety of food. So, the recipes I create now include meat, fish, vegetarian and vegan options.

Receiving recipe requests from my followers has also been great to get even more inspiration about the types of healthy dishes that students crave.

Image credit: @the.starving.student

‘A huge part of my ethos is being lowwaste and encouraging people to live more sustainably’

Now, it’s time for some of my best tips!

Before going for your food shop, decide on some meals you will cook up and write a shopping list (even if it’s on your phone).

It is such a simple job to do and it means your food shop will be much more efficient and you’re less likely to hoard unhealthy snacks.

Secondly, do not shop when you’re hungry… it leads to cravings, impulsebuying and inevitably leads to unnecessary (and potentially expensive) purchases of sugary snacks.

Image credit: @the.starving.student

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Another handy tip is to bulk buy dry ingredients and tinned foods because they are very budgetfriendly and they last for a very long time.

Examples could be: rice, oats, pasta, lentils, tinned tomatoes, tinned coconut milk and tinned pulses (e.g. butter beans, chickpeas).

These are a few examples of ingredients that I always have in my student kitchen and use them in so many recipes.

Another great point about these foods is that they can be stored in your bedroom to save space in

LIFESTYLE

encouraging people to live more sustainably.

This summer I launched The Sustainable Box which is a box full of sustainable products, aimed at students and young professionals.

The aim is to provide students with some key kitchen supplies that can drastically make their daily living more environmentally friendly. I was so excited to finally launch a sustainable product and can’t wait to share more future projects.

If any of you would love to become more sustainable, you can grab The Sustainable Box by visiting my website.

My main aim is to inspire students to cook healthy food from scratch whilst trying to reduce their environmental impact, and I hope I have inspired you to do so.

Written by: Lauren Leyva (The Starving Student) Designed by: Emily Houghton

your kitchen cupboard, very handy for those with small student kitchens.

One of my biggest tips is to be organised and cook in batches. Batch cooking is perfect for lunches (to take into university or work), and for dinners. Making several portions at once allows you to quickly heat up one serving at a time, giving

Image credit: @the. starving.student

you much more time each evening to study or relax.

Not only does batch cooking save time, it also is very likely to save you money. Bulk-buying essentials saves money in the long run and reduces the number of supermarket visits you have to make.

A huge part of my ethos is being low-waste and

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Image credits: @the.starving.student

TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE

A FRESHERS GUIDE TO NOTTS’ NIGHTCLUBS As you approach freshers week, the question on the tip of your tongue will be what are some of the best nightclubs to go to in the city of Nottingham. Katie Green shows us the best nightclubs to check out within Notts...

PRYZM, Nottingham’s

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or any fresher at university, one of the first things they will be wanting to know and eventually try is the best nightclubs across the city they are going to be living in for the next three years.

Here in Nottingham, there is an array of nightclubs for all of you freshers out there to go to. Here is the ultimate freshers guide to the biggest and best nightclubs in Nottingham…

The main hall will play more of the mainstream tracks which everyone is more likely to know, so if you associate your music more with the top 40, then stick here. If you are looking for the best tracks in hip hop, rap and grime then make your way to the Black Cherry Lounge, which is more of a chill vibe as you can sit in the cushioned booths. However, if you are looking more for alternative anthems or poppunk music then there is the Basement room.

Rock City, a nightclub that For freshers, the best day has been host to some of the for those at NTU is to go world’s favourite music artists on a Tuned Thursday, where for the past 40 years, as students will be able to get well as to university freshers 2-4-1 drinks all night. There from far and beyond. This are some other great nights nightclub tends to be a for students at the club fan favourite as it offers all including Get Lucky Fridays types of music so anyone and Rebel Rebel Saturdays. and everyone feels happy to Entry for Rock City dance the night away on the averages at £5, but if you Rock City floor.

Rock City

largest nightclub located on Lower Parliament Street.

Image credit: Elliot Ball

book tickets on the Fatsoma app asap for a Thursday, you will be able to get free entry tickets.

Pryzm

Just like Rock City, PRYZM caters to all music tastes with four rooms of different music types on offer. In terms of size and capacity, PRYZM Nottingham is the biggest club in the city.

There are four themed bars on offer for people including the popular vinyl room where students can dance to some classics on the multicoloured disco floor.

For students, the regular nights held by PRYZM include Quids In Mondays, where drinks start from £1.50 all night. Then there is FIX Fridays where you can enjoy music from local Notts DJs, playing the songs topping the charts, Pop, RnB and some club classics. Finally, there is Lyfecode Saturdays where you can enjoy three rooms of music.

For all these nights, entry starts from £1.50 for entry before 10.30 pm and up to £7 for entry before 1.30 am.

Ocean The infamous Rock City, located on Talbot Street.

Image Credit: Katie Ansell

As a student here at Trent, you will become familiar with the famous Ocean Wednesdays.

This is where societies get out their best fancy dress (depending on what the theme is for the

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week) and make their way to the Ocean nightclub to enjoy some of the cheesiest hits around.

What makes Ocean special is that it is 100% a student nightclub, as it is only open during term time and only open twice a week. First up we of course have Wednesdays for the Trent Army, and then on Fridays, it is the night for the University of Nottingham students.

To get a ticket to Ocean, it is a very exclusive process as you can only access them through a society through the Nottingham Trent Student Union. When you do get a ticket for Ocean, you can expect to pay around £5 for entrance.

As a student, it is a given that you experience Ocean at least once, so if you are a fan of fancy dress and you want to experience a very messy and chaotic night, then Ocean is the club for you.

Image Credit: Pixabay

Stealth

The Bodega, the best nightclub for Indie music lovers, located on Pelham Street.

Image credit: Will Hugall

Love? on a Saturday night. Indie Wednesdays, as you expected, plays the best of what Indie has on offer from 11 pm until 2 am.

When you purchase an advanced ticket, you will also get a free shot on arrival.

At the Pop Confessional on a Friday night, you can enjoy If you consider your music taste less some of your favourite guilty mainstream and more alternative/indie, then The Bodega nightclub in Pelham Street pop pleasures and not feel judged whilst you throw shapes is the place for you. Like Rock City, The on the dance floor. Just like Indie Bodega here in Notts has played host to Wednesdays, you will get a free some of the world’s dominating Indie acts including Coldplay in 2000, Arctic Monkeys shot on arrival.

Finally, Saturday nights are host in 2005, Paolo Nutini in 2006 and Florence to ‘What is Love?’, where hours of & The Machine in 2008. throwback anthems will be played.

The three main club nights on offer for Whether you were born in the 90s students is Indie Wednesdays, The Pop or not, you can live vicariously Confessional on a Friday and What is through the music including classic dance, disco, hip-hop, pop and Ocean, Nottingham’s R&B from the last 30 years. Once student only again, you will get a free shot on night club on arrival with an advanced ticket.

Greyfriar Gate.

Image credit: What makes The Bodega Shannon even better for students is tickets Samecki average at around £3 for these club nights, so it won’t break the bank too much for you to dance to some of your favourite music.

The Bodega

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Finally, we have Stealth, a club often credited for being one of the best nightclubs here in the Midlands. Open since 2004, Stealth has featured many well-renowned DJ’s in its past including Annie Mac, MK and Disclosure. If you are a fan of Drum n’ Bass and hip hop, then Stealth is the place to be.

Situated right on the doorstep of Nottingham Trent as you can find it opposite the Newton building entrance, Stealth is also popular with students from the University of Nottingham. Students can enjoy their dedicated club night on a Tuesday, however now you can enjoy club nights on a Friday and Saturday with a £5 entrance fee.

So, as you approach Freshers week and you are starting to discover what nightlife Nottingham has on offer, then you can begin with some of the best nightclubs across the city.

Stealth, voted the Midlands best nightclub, located on Goldsmith Street.

Image credit: Kieran Burt

ENTERTAINMENT & CULTURE

five games to take to university Video games can be a great way to kill time between lectures and seminars, Kieran Burt and Jack Proverbs suggest five to bring to uni...

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laying video games is a great way to get to know your new flatmates. Here are five of the best.

Mario Kart is the classic racing game. The excitement of winning a stage against friends has never gotten old. It is a blast to play with friends and is a great way to make with new ones. The combination of tough as nails tracks and strategic item use will always be enough to bring howls of laughter.

This beloved game has been adapted throughout so many gaming consoles. Nintendo’s most recent release is Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – which is available on the Nintendo Switch. It has the most pristine graphics to date and a huge range of 48 courses! If none of your flatmates have brought a Switch to uni, then head over to Facebook marketplace and get split between yourselves a second-hand Nintendo Wii along with Mario Kart Wii, the most popular version which we all spent hours and hours on.

Sims is a must-have for university.

A single-player experience where you can binge hours on customising characters while living an alternate life on your laptop screen. What makes this shine is how it can be enjoyed with other people without being a multiplayer game itself.

You could even get creative with your flatmates and create yourselves,

PLAYING MARIO CAN BE GREAT FUN TO PLAY (CREDIT: PIXABAY)

especially with the updated custom Sim content online as well as the incredible features on the Sims 4.

Why not create your uni house on Sims and live another life as well as your own?

Just Dance is a game which everybody has a soft spot for in their hearts. It can provide a laugh with newfound friends, or even a pre dance workout at pre drinks before heading on out to the main dancefloor.

There are multiples games in the franchise to have a boogie with, we strongly recommend checking Facebook Marketplace for a second-

hand Nintendo Wii which you can split with your flatmates and have a right good laugh and dance to some iconic hits (“Rasputin” might be best for your own time though as you don’t want to be a sweaty mess when you’re heading out into Notts!)

Among Us saw a prominent revival last year and is still a great way to get to know flatmates. It can provide a lot of laughs, as the players try to figure out who the imposter is before they kill all the crew. The crew also have to complete tasks scattered around the map, as another way to win.

This game is only getting stronger, with a recent update introducing an entirely new map and tasks to complete. Among Us is easy to access, as it is free on both the App Store and Google Play.

Games can be both a communal experience or an easy way to relax at the end of a long day. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is a perfect way to unwind, offering a huge amount of story to dive into.

There is more coming, with Ubisoft stating they will support the game through a second year.

Players will experience Viking England as Eivor as they uncover the Order Of Ancients, a precursor to the modern Templar Order.

This game can be played on the Xbox One & Series X, the PS4 & PS5 and on PC.

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ENTERTAINMENT & CULTURE

COVID AND THE THEATRE INDUSTRY Theatres have been affected hugely by the coronavirus pandemic. Katie Green found out how the Bonnington Theatre in Arnold has been hurt.

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uring the tough times of Covid, the arts suffered just as much as other sectors. For theatres, they were one of the most at risk as they couldn’t host shows for audiences. This proved an even tougher battle for the independent theatres and cinemas, the ones that bring a community together.

We spoke to Theatre Duty Manager, Jeremy Arblaster, to get his thoughts on what the arts industry will be like post-Covid.

How important are independent theatres and cinemas?

I think they are hugely important. These venues provide vital access to the arts for all sorts of communities across the country.

Not only this, but these venues are often at the heart of a community, a special place for people, no matter their age or background, to use and enjoy.

We all grow up with independent venues around us whether we realise it or not, and some of our most cherished memories will have come from days or nights out watching a film or seeing friends in a small coffee shop. It’s vital we support independent venues where we can.

How does Bonnington reach audiences across Nottingham?

We attract customers from all over Nottinghamshire and beyond.

We connect with our audience in a variety of ways, including regular email bulletins, our social media channels, and advertising. But sometimes you can’t beat a bit of word of mouth!

What did you do during the pandemic?

We closed at the beginning of the first lockdown in March 2020, but we were able to open, at a reduced capacity, in July 2020.

We remained open, with only a few seats on sale for each film throughout the summer screening films like Parasite, Tenet and Onward, until the lockdown in November.

As soon as we could reopen in May, we started showing films again, and our doors have been open since, but with safety measures in place for our customers, including reduced capacities to enable social distancing.

We launched a young person’s membership scheme for when we re-opened in May and planned lots of great events.

Do you have any events coming up?

We’ll be running a special screening of Summer of Soul with some free soul food from Momma Mary’s Soul Food Kitchen on 21 August. It’s just £4 if you’re aged 16-25 too!

We recently had The Nottingham School of Boxing in to run free beginner sessions for people, to coincide with the release of One Night in Miami, and had the local men’s basketball team, Nottingham Hoods in shooting hoops with customers only last week, to accompany the start of our Space Jam screenings.

What do you have in store for the future?

We’re finally back running at full capacity so are looking forward to be able to see many more new and returning customers coming through our doors.

We’re really glad to be running our 16-25 membership scheme, which is free to sign-up to. Hopefully we’ll be putting together more events later this year, with the funding we’ve received from the BFI. I’m also looking forward to the long-awaited return of some live music here at the theatre, with our regular jazz promoters Jazz Steps returning in August.

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ENTERTAINMENT & CULTURE

MENTAL HEALTH AND THE CINEMA

Starting university can prove to be a stressful times, so to ease your stress levels, Scarlett Acres shows us how the cinema can help.

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inding ways to support your mental health is a necessity, and going to the cinema with friends, family or by yourself can be the perfect escape to help you feel a bit better, even if its only for a few hours.

Going to see a film is amazing escapism from everyday life. For a few hours you can go see a film you’ve been looking forward to see and enjoy yourself delving into a different world.

Grab your snacks and your ICEE (Tango Iceblasts are no more!), settle down and enjoy yourself.

Medicinema, an independentlyfunded charity, installs cinemas in hospitals and places of care to provide patients and their families the joy of watching a movie.

They do this in hospitals, and according to research it has found that to improve emotional, mental and physical health. This is done by reducing feelings of isolation, anxiety and stress and increasing patient resilience.

Cinema trips could be a helpful hand for university students, a way to get close with your new flat mates by having a mutual interest in seeing a film together. Hanging out in an

easy way like this can hopefully help you make news friends and also give you something to talk about to one another.

Starting university can be extremely hard and even challenging at times.

Having to learn to live by yourself with cooking and cleaning, as well as the added struggle of uni work and trying to make new friends can be extremely challenging.

You have to remember that everyone’s experience is different.

But going to the cinema would help relieve the stress and loneliness of uni as you have fun watching a movie with new friends or a break by yourself to escape in a movie.

Films help us express our emotions and if you feel the need to sob to a sad film, laugh at a comedy or have you heart racing with an action movie, the cinema can help you do this.

The two-hour escape from reality can take your mind off any worries and the stresses of university life, it’s the best way to sit back and relax and immerse yourself in some brilliant entertainment.

Cinemas and Films to see in Nottingham Cinemas: • Showcase Cinema De Lux – NG7 2UW • Cineworld - Nottingham Cornerhouse – NG1 4DB • Bonington Theatre and Cinema – Arnold – NG5 7EE • The Savoy Cinema - NG7 1QN • Broadway Cinema - NG1 3AL Films out soon...

• 3/9 – Shang-chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings • 17/9 - Dune • 20/9 – No Time To Die • 8/10 – Hotel Transylvania: Transformania • 22/10 – Dear Evan Hansen • 5/11 – Eternals • 12/11 – Ghostbusters: Afterlife • 19/11 – Top Gun Maverick • 10/12 – West Side Story • 17/12 - Spider-Man: No way Home

The Savoy Cinema, an independent cinema located on Derby Road.

Image credit: Katie Green Image Credit: Pixabay

Image Credit: Pixabay

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ENTERTAINMENT & CULTURE

BEST WAYS TO WATCH FILM & TV AT UNI

There is no denying it, university life can sometimes be stressful. So, getting away to relax by watching TV or a film can be a great way to relax.

Kieran Burt shows us the top five streaming sites to catch up on some of your favourite TV and films whilst at university.

Netflix

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etflix is one of the best ways to catch up on the latest TV and films.

With hit TV shows and films debuting regularly, there is always something to watch. Upcoming shows include season three of Sex Education, Lucifer season six, and in December season two of The Witcher. Upcoming films include Kate and much more.

Then we have some classic TV and films to binge such as Friends and Stranger Things. Some older films include the comedy Death of Stalin, Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige and Enola Holmes (featuring stars like Millie Bobby Brown). It is cheap to stream too, with the cheapest option only being £5.99 a month.

Disney Plus

Disney Plus is still a relatively new streaming service on the block. Despite this however, it has a rich amount of content to offer its audiences. It offers full access to all the classic Disney shows and films, like its animated films, Pixar and much more. It has also got access to Marvel and Star films and shows. Disney has ramped up production of its own new content, with WandaVision, Loki, The Mandalorian already on the site and much more releasing down

the road. It costs £7.99 per month, however that will allow for 4k streaming.

Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video is an amazing streaming service. Not only does it give users access to Amazon’s original content, but it also means that students will be able to use other Amazon services, most notably Amazon Prime. This is included in the monthly cost of £7.99. Students are able to get a discount for the first six months of use, making it only £3.99.

Original films and series include The Tomorrow War (starring Chris Pratt), Clarkson’s Farm and Good Omens, A Lord of the Rings prequal series is also in development, and is set to debut on the platform.

Amazon Fire Stick

There are some gaming apps on there too. However, some of them require the dedicated Amazon Fire TV Game Controller, which is sold separately by Amazon.

Google Chromecast

Another excellent way to watch these series is through Google Chromecast. This is a device that allows for wireless connection between other devices, like a laptop or a phone to turn the TV into a smart device. A third generation Chromecast will cost only £30 on Amazon, however streaming service subscriptions will have to be bought separately. This makes it a relatively cheap option to watch streaming services on a bigger screen, without having to use a games console. Many services can be watched through Chromecast, such as Netflix, Disney Plus and YouTube.

The Amazon Fire stick is a black stick similar to a memory stick, but it also comes with a remote. However, its use is very different compared to a memory stick. It allows for easy navigation between the various streaming sites in high quality. It has its own dedicated app store, and there are a variety of different apps that can be downloaded onto the stick.

Image Credit: Pixabay

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FEATUREHEAD

Uni life and Love Island are more similar than you may think (Pic: ITV)

freshers share love island vibes You may not associate popular reality TV show Love Island with the student experience of Freshers Week, but the two are similar says Katie Green...

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f you are familiar with Love Island, then you will know when the contestants first enter the villa, they do not know each other. They are complete strangers to one another going into this luxury villa.

This is just like being a fresher at university.

The chances are you may have spoken to your new flat mates in a group chat on Facebook or Snapchat, but have never met them face to face.

As you move in, you are meeting strangers for the first time. All of a sudden, you are living with each other for the rest of the academic year.

In the first episode of Love Island, we see the girls introduced to the boys.

There’s a bit of chit chat and they decide who to couple up with.

In terms of your first day at your new home, it is that initial walking in, meeting your flat mates and introducing yourselves

“Coupling up with your flatmates can be stressful”

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to them. This not only works for your new flat mates but also your course mates.

Compared to Love Island, they are only going to be living and getting to know these people for two months of their lives.

The difference with course mates is these are the people you are going to be working and studying alongside for the next three years.

So, now you’ve met and your new flat mates. It’s time to REALLY get to know them.

Just like Love Island, it’s time to pull them for the chat. Maybe take them to the terrace, the firepit or if you are feeling extra

ENTERTAINMENT & CULTURE special, the swing chair.

Wait though, we need to flash back to reality and remember we are freshers at university! If you are going to pull someone for a chat, the only places we can most likely take them is the kitchen table. If we are lucky, then the sofa in the communal space of your accommodation.

Love Island contestants will be wanting to know what the others are looking for, what they like out of relationships and anything else they are dying to know.

As a fresher, you may want to know where your new flatmates are from, what they are studying, what they like, what they don’t and anything else.

Everyone knows that being a fresher at university - especially in a big city - will be party central for the next week, before the hard work begins… As nightclubs are open once again, freshers week this year will most likely be back to normal. This means there will be plenty of club nights for you!

For the guys, it’s time to get out your finest shirts and jeans, and for the girls its time to pull that one dress out the wardrobe that has been collecting dust for the last year and a half.

Before pres, you need to allow yourself time to get ready. For the girls, its all about perfecting your make up (Warning! This will most likely be off within 10 minutes once you step into a club due to excessive sweating).

For the guys, it’s as simple as showering, perfecting the hair and maybe even splashing on some aftershave.

If we are comparing this to Love Island, then this is just the same. The first few days in the villa (and every night in the villa, lets be honest) will involve day of relaxation by the pool and chatting with their fellow singles ready to mingle. Then, as night approaches, it’s time to spruce up.

With so much choice for clothing (mostly from the Pretty Little Thing collection), they are there to dress to impress and begin

their pulling game over a few glasses of wine.

Now, on paper the recoupling on Love Island is very different to being a fresher at university, unless you look at the situation in very differently… The Love Island recoupling involves the contestants deciding whether they want to stick in a couple they are currently in or move on to crack on with someone else.

In the eyes of being a fresher, this is something you may be looking at something a few months down the line when you are deciding who you want to live with next year. In a way, it is a recoupling but in a longer time.

For a fresher, this will be deciding whether they want to keep with their current first year flat mates for the next year maybe in a house or another type of student accommodation. Or they may be thinking they are not feeling the ‘vibe’ anymore (or may have not felt it at all) from their firstyear flat mates and they want to decide to live with someone else the next year.

So many Love Island contestants talk about ‘tests’ (a word which seems to be Toby in this years Love Island’s favourite word). This is a test of someone’s feelings towards someone they may be coupled up with or their loyalty (flashback to 2018’s Love

Island and Georgia’s favourite word).

Being a fresher at university, the only way you can sort of relate this ‘test’ nonsense is how good or bad your new flat mates may be to live with, which will make your decision whether to live with them next year that much easier. You’ve heard about the flat mates from hell. They may leave washing up on the side, use your kitchen stuff and the biggest bane of your life, using your milk! As a fresher, this test will not be deciding how much you truly like someone but determining how much you can really take from your messy flat mate before you want to scream and rip their head off…

So, it is a combination you would never think to put together but when you look at it more in depth, there is more similarities than you would think. Kust remember being a fresher at university is just like being a contestant in the Love Island villa, except the brand deal and increase in followers on Instagram at the end of it…

THERE ARE PLENTY OF PARTIES DURING FRESHERS (PIC: PIXABAY)

Issue 24 I Platform Magazine I 39

ENTERTAINMENT & CULTURE

BATTLE OF THE FROZEN CINEMA SLUSHIES The best thing about going to the cinema is not to simply watch the film, but it is purchasing the slushy drink to get us through the film. Jack Proverbs answers the question we all have on our minds, Ice Blast or ICEE?

ICEE, an underdog in the slushy drink battle.

Image credit: Jack Proverbs

W

hat’s the best part about going to the cinema?

The film? The company?

Nope, it’s the loveable expensive frozen drink which we decide to treat ourselves to now and then at the cinema. However, after a shocking change in the statement cinema drink, which one will win the ultimate slushie war?

For many years, Tango Ice Blast dominated the main cinema chains such as in Showcase Cinemas and Cineworld Cinemas, with its delicious sugary drink and established flavours of blue raspberry and cherry (the mix of both flavours has always been my favourite, much to the distaste of my wallet!)

However, the unexpected twist of removing the established Tango Ice Blast took place in 2019 left many cinema fans in shock and somewhat despair, as their beloved drink would shortly be made unavailable at their local cinemas. But it’s not all bad news. Its replacement comes on a first-class flight from America – the frozen slushie ICEE. This first-world problem needs to be debated and after much taste testing over the years, here is the ultimate decider on which frozen slushie deserves its rightful place in the heart of our cinema experience. These three rounds will ultimately determine the outcome of which I’d rather splash a fiver on, even if I drink it all by the end of the trailers at the start of the film.

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Round 1 - Design

Tango Ice Blast – The explosive design by Tango stands out in this frozen treat, as the emphasis of the bright splash of colours entails you into the drink itself. This works extremely well when the blue raspberry and cherry flavour are mixed together; its combination with the logo makes you want to “feel the blast.

ICEE – Branding for ICEE is clearly a staple in the frozen drinks industry. The ice melting on the logo along with the strips of typical slushie colours on the drink, making it recognisable in a marketing aspect. Although, in comparison to the Tango Ice Blast branding it doesn’t hold up. This could be due to lack of fun and exciting colour combinations, as the red and blue colours are associated with the standard slushie, rather than the staple cinema flavours.

Round winner – Tango Ice Blast

Round 2 - Taste

ICEE – When it first arrived at cinemas in the UK, hesitancy was the first thought on the mind.

Worrying about how it would

taste, debating if it would taste nice and whether it would live up to the taste of the Tango Ice Blast. Well, the answer to that question is, yes, it lives up to it and exceeds it by miles.

The delicious flavourful taste of this drink makes it an amazing treat at the cinema. It has even more flavour than its previous competition and it melts less towards the end making it a fantastic beverage from start to finish.

Tango Ice Blast – From the moment you drink this brain freeze blast, you instantly love the sugary flavours and want to carry on drinking it till the end. Unfortunately, with this drink once you get halfway the drink itself just melts into the bottom of the cup. The flavour becomes lost, and you’re just left with a bizarre flavourless ice mess.

Round winner – ICEE

and delicious, but it was always only these two which stayed as the others never lived up to expectations. These factors add up to ICEE taking the last reaming point, as all three of the flavours stand out for various reasons.

Round winner - ICEE After three rounds of careful analysis, the rightful crown of the best frozen cinema slushie belongs to…ICEE! Congratulations to the addictive American frozen treat which will hopefully remain for many years to come.

Image Credit: Pixabay

Round 3 -Flavours

ICEE – The trio of flavours for this drink are Blue Raspberry, Cherry and Vimto.

All of which are brilliant with the taste buds and can be mixed in perfect harmony.

The standard blue raspberry and cherry are indulging with flavour; but what stands out is the unexpected addition of the Vimto flavour. It just brings this drink full circle and provides some variety which makes sense.

Tango Ice Blast – The original Blue Raspberry and Cherry flavours were in cinemas across the UK for over a decade. Some flavours came and went as quickly as they had arrived, however the staple duo always remained.

Both flavours are remarkable in always remaining untouched

Issue 24 I Platform Magazine I 41

Tango Ice Blast, a favourite slushy drink chose by many Image credit: Jack Proverbs

FEATUREHEAD

NTU Rugby captain Tom Miller passed away in December 2020 (Pic: Nottingham Trent Uni)

new scholarship in memory of tom In memory of Tom Miller’s death in January 2020, Nottingham Trent University have revealed a new sports scholarship. Matt Lee finds out more...

N

ottingham Trent University (NTU) have announced a new sports scholarship in memory of former rugby captain Tom Miller. He was loved for his bubbly character and sporting ability.

Captaining the university’s men’s first team, Tom devoted his life towards sports, his friends and helping others.

His commitment, passion and sportsmanship spread

throughout the student community and his legacy since passing has raised thousands of pounds for charity.

The new sport scholarship in memory of Tom will be given to an NTU student who is continuing their studies at Masters level and displays the sporting values and behaviour that Tom was so well known for.

Head of Rugby at NTU, David Ross, said: “I am over the moon that the university and the rugby programme

“I will try to be more like Tom in everything that I do.”

Luke Bouchier

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have come together to honour Tom’s memory and legacy in this way.

“He was an outstanding person, player and captain of our group, and we miss him every day.”

Luke Bouchier, a sport and exercise science graduate, will receive the scholarship for the 2021/22 academic year as he begins a master’s degree in Sports Science.

Luke said: “It’s a huge honour to receive the Tom Miller Scholarship Award and I thank the university for this opportunity. This means so much to me, especially as Tom was not only a close friend but someone I looked up to.”

Emily Lewis competed for Team GB at the Olympics Games this summer in Tokyo (Pic: Nottingham Trent Uni / A Edmonds)

FEATUREHEAD

swapping studies for the olympics

This summer has seen a number of Nottingham Trent students and alumni competing for Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics. Matt Lee takes a look...

I

t must be quite a challenge to balance your studies as well as playing in a competitive sport. Try telling that to a number of Trent students, however, who spent some of their summer competing for Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics.

Emily Lewis, a Forensic Science student, represented the home nations in the canoe K-1 200m sprint.

The NTU student was not able to make it into the

final in Tokyo, exiting at the quarter-finals stage, but reaching the Olympics was a success in itself.

Speaking before the summer Games began, she said: “I had taken a break from my studies this year to focus on this goal but I’m looking forward to coming back and picking it back up again in the autumn.”

Along with Emily in Japan was NTU alumnus Paul Ratcliffe, the British Canoeing Performance Director.

Paul, a Maths and

Chemistry graduate from NTU, won a silver medal at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.

He said: “Nottingham has a rich heritage of canoeing and it’s great to see NTU represented at all levels “Nottm within the canoeing team.”

Prof Cillian Ryan, Prohas a rich Vice Chancellor with responsibility for sport at heritage NTU, said: “NTU recognises the enormous benefits that of sport brings to our students’ and the lives canoeing” development of our staff.

“Our Olympians are at Paul Ratcliffe the pinnacle of professionalism in their sports and are an example of how we can be ‘faster, higher, stronger together’.”

Issue 24 I Platform Magazine I 43

SPORT

YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE T NottIngham Forest Under the guidance of former Brighton boss Chris Hughton, Nottingham Forest will hope to create a promotion push this season.

Students can watch the Reds live at the City Ground for just £14 (18-23 year olds). If you want to experience a real football match and be among the most vociferous supporters, we recommend the Bridgford Stand; however, sitting in the Trent End will provide the best views of the pitch.

The first opportunity students will likely have to watch Hughton’s side will be on September 25 when Millwall come to town.

Forest’s home leg of the fierce East Midlands derby will be played on January 22.

NottinGhamshire County Cricket If football is not your thing, why not take a trip to Trent Bridge to watch Nottinghamshire play cricket.

Unfortunately for students, however, the season concludes in September and the only - and final chance students will have to watch a game at Trent Bridge will be in Notts’ four-day Championship clash with Yorkshire.

Ticket details have not been released at the time of writing.

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SPORT

TO...

Notts cOUNTY FC Having missed out on promotion last season despite reaching the play-offs, Notts County will be hoping to go one better this time around.

Ian Burchnall is at the reign as the Magpies enter their third successive season in the National League (England’s fifth tier) and students can watch County play at the historic Meadow Lane for £16.

Why not take a seat with a fabulous view - and be near to the atmosphere - in County’s ‘Kop’ stand.

County are at home against Woking on October 2, the first home game after Freshers Week, and host local rivals Chesterfield on March 26.

Nottingham Panthers Hidden away on the outskirts of the city centre lies the Motorpoint Arena, home to one Britain’s top ice hockey teams - the Nottingham Panthers.

It is hard to find anything to dislike about the fastpaced, energetic and entertaining sport, and students will have plenty of chances to watch the Panthers compete.

After another disrupted year due to coronavirus, the Panthers return to Elite League action on Sunday, September 26, against the Dundee Stars.

The cheapest tickets for students are available for £14.

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SPORT

FOOTBALL FIXTURES NOTTINGHAM FOREST BOURNEMOUTH BLACKBURN ROVERS CARDIFF CITY MIDDLESBROUGH MILLWALL BLACKPOOL FULHAM SHEFFIELD UNITED PRESTON NORTH END LUTON TOWN PETERBOROUGH UNITED HULL CITY HUDDERSFIELD TOWN BARNSLEY DERBY COUNTY COVENTRY CITY STOKE CITY BRISTOL CITY READING QUEEN’S PARK RANGERS BIRMINGHAM CITY WEST BROMWICH ALBION SWANSEA CITY

Image Credit: Matt Lee

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NOTTS COUNTY TORQUAY UNITED ALDERSHOT TOWN WEALDSTONE MAIDENHEAD UNITED WOKING STOCKPORT COUNTY BROMLEY SOLIHULL MOORS DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE SOUTHEND UNITED WREXHAM BARNET GRIMSBY TOWN EASTLEIGH FC HALIFAX TOWN YEOVIL TOWN BOREHAM WOOD CHESTERFIELD KING’S LYNN TOWN WEYMOUTH TOWN DOVER ATHLETIC ALTRINCHAM TOWN

Image Credit: Matt Lee

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AUG 28 SEP 4 SEP 14 SEP 18 OCT 2 OCT 23 OCT 26 NOV 13 NOV 27 DEC 11 JAN 2 JAN 22 FEB 5 FEB 19 FEB 22 MAR 5 MAR 22 MAR 26 APR 15 APR 23 MAY 2 MAY 7

Writers Matt Lee Katie Green jack proverbs Marta Tavares Helen Barber Iwan Hughes Scarlett Acres Helen Dubber Will Hugall Lilia Hadj Said Ellie Moylan Megan Lewis Rucsandra Moldoveanu Kieran Burt Shannon Samecki Yasmin Turner William Hallowell Lauren Leyva

With thanks to the pLatform Team Design Emily Houghton Fatema Sohail Holly Sayers Karima Morsili Marina Garcia Salcedo Sophie Puffett Tara Thomas Contents Images Ellieeileen, 2019. Healthy food Via Unsplash Rahul Chakraborty, 2017. Iphone Via Unsplash Collage Images Tom mcNeill, 2021 Joey Wong, 2021