black students
g uide to winchester
Winchester Students’ Union is passionate about ensuring you have every opportunity to get the most from your student experience while at Winchester, and that you feel supported and represented throughout your time as a student. The University of Winchester cares about every student and embodying the institutional values of Spirituality, Compassion and Individuals Matter.
Being an ethnic minority in a predominantly white university and city can seem daunting and a little intimidating. We also recognise that all students have an individual student experience complete with different challenges, so this guide is written in partnership with students from the Afro-Caribbean Students Network, Winchester Student Union, and the University of Winchester to provide you with support and tips to help you enjoy life as a Black student at Winchester.
REPRESENTATIONAL NETWORKS
We have a range of activity groups including Representational Networks to support you and enhance your university experience. These groups create a space where you can also meet lots of like-minded fellow students with opportunities for you to be fun and active also.
Your Union works with you to provide numerous extracurricular opportunities but are also always receptive to new ideas and activities. Please do contact us if you'd like to contribute an idea, group, or activity to our schedule.
To find out more information, visit https://www.winchesterstudents.co.uk/activitygroups
Here at Winchester Students’ Union, we wanted to share and celebrate our student body. Both at the University and the Union we continue to offer resources that create a safe, hospitable, and inclusive environment.
One Winchester is a platform here at the Union to highlight different student groups, inclusivity, as well as create a platform for us all to come together as a Winchester community. This is fostered by virtual opportunities, including our One Winchester platform. You can read, watch, listen etc to numerous resources, learn something new and educate yourself on our community. Equally there are opportunities to become more widely involved through becoming a One Winchester Representative.
With groups filled with other passionate students, you can work on new and current projects, to develop and improve our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion practices here at Winchester!
https://www.winchesterstudents.co.uk/onewinchester
MY BLACK STUDENT EXPERIENCE: JB
“As a Black individual raised in a saturated Black area I was never in the minority, and so moving to Winchester for university was a little bit of a culture shock. I felt a bit like a fish out of water as I noticed, moving into Halls, that I was the only Black person. Although being the only Black individual I knew didn’t bother me in my first year, it felt a bit disconcerting that I didn’t know anyone that was like me, or shared similar experiences to me.”
“One thing that has enhanced my experience at the university is joining the Afro-Caribbean Students Network. My time in ACS has made me feel a little less like a fish out of water as I have found a group of fish that feel almost exactly the same as me, and as nice as it is to be around new fish, having others that are like me makes me feel a little more at home.”
“Overall, I’ve learnt that there are always people for you, no matter where you go, and finding my people (all kinds of people) has made my experience at the University of Winchester a fantastic time.”
SUPPORT AVAILABLE
Student Support and Success
The University’s Student Support and Success Teams offer a wide variety of student support services to ensure all your wellbeing needs are met. Support is available from The Mental Wellbeing team, The Disability and Inclusion Team, Academic Skills, The Student Journey Team, Student Support and Success Advisers (SSSAs), Students and Money, and International Student Support. Please drop by the Student Support and Success Reception Monday – Friday, 9 am to 5 pm or email: studentservices@winchester.ac.uk.
Winchester Students’ Union Advice Centre
Winchester Students’ Union Advice Centre offers free, independent and impartial support and guidance on a range of issues that may be impacting upon your University experience. We specialise in supporting students through the academic processes of appeals, misconduct or complaints, and the Advice Centre also provides support on issues such as wellbeing, money, and housing. Visit: www.winchesterstudents.co.uk/advice for more information, to read our toolkits, or to book an appointment with our Student’s Union Advisor.
Student Listeners
This is a peer support scheme run for students, by students who have received training in listening and support skills. Come to our Wellbeing Cafe and speak to our Student Listeners about anything from homesickness, low self-esteem, relationship/housemate difficulties, to course worries and more. Why not become a Student Listener yourself? Email: studentlisteners@winchester.ac.uk
Nightline
Nightline is a confidential out-of-hours listening service, run for students by students. Lines are open from 6pm-8am during term time. Call: 0207 631 0101 Text: 07717 989 900
Careers and Opportunities Hub
This is a one-stop-shop for all students and graduates who are thinking about their employability and next steps. Made up of Careers, Volunteering, Winchester Hub, Placements and Enterprise, we support students to make the most of their time at university and prepare for life afterwards. Email: Careers@winchester.ac.uk
THE BEST PLACES FOR … ?
As Winchester has a predominantly white demographic, you may find that certain products may not be quite as easily accessible. However, neighbouring Southampton may hold some of these essentials, check out the list below:
FOOD
Biltong & Bangers (High Street, Southampton) provides a variety of prepacked traditional South African foods. There are also many international supermarkets on Portswood Road (SO17) and St Mary’s Street (SO14). Afritopia also brings homemade African cuisine to Southampton too.
HAIRCARE
Make sure your hair stays great by checking out the following places:
Afro City (SO14 1PB)
Tcutz Hair (SO19 7PE)
Lesica (SO14 0PA)
Affricardo Barbershop (SO15 2DB)
Harmony Hair (SO15 3NH)
Eddoes Direct (SO15 3HX)
Mary’s Hair Salon (SO16 4BY)
Judith’s African Caribbean Hair Design (SO17 3SB)
Fabulous Hair Extensions (SO14 7SJ)
discrimination
The University and Students’ Union have a strict zero tolerance policy on any form of discrimination. Together we are committed to tackling any hate crime, harassment, bullying or violence, and we hold the view that bullying and harassment is never okay. A hate crime is any crime that is motivated by hostility or prejudice based on race or ethnicity, religion or belief, disability, sexual identity or gender identity.
There is support available for you if you have experienced or witnessed anything that made you feel uncomfortable or concerned you. We would always encourage you to report any incident because it can prevent similar things from happening to other people and it sends an important message about what behaviour is acceptable within the student community. It can also help us to understand the prevalence of hate crime, harassment, bullying or violence within Union and University activity.
If you should ever find yourself in any harassing or inappropriate situation in which you are being discriminated against, we encourage you to take any of the following steps:
• You can report harassment, bullying and violence (including anonymous reporting) via the University's Report + Support system: https://reportandsupport.winchester.ac.uk
• Get in contact and seek advice from our Student Support and Success team (search for ‘Student Support and Success’ on the intranet, or email: studentservices@winchester.ac.uk)
• Winchester Students’ Union Advice Centre can support you with an academic appeal if you have evidence of prejudice or bias: www.winchesterstudents.co.uk/advice
• For Winchester-specific support with online harassment visit: https://stoponlinebullying.winchester.ac.uk/
Reporting
WINCHESTER STUDENTS’ UNION
S TUDENT LED. STUDENT DELIVERED. STUDENTS EMPOWERED.
Winchester Students’ Union is run for students, by students. We are an independent organisation from the University itself, and we are dedicated to representing and supporting you as students, as well as providing a wide range of opportunities, activities and events for all students across our Education, Welfare, Activities and Commercial Zones.
Student welfare is a priority for the Students‘ Union, and we understand the challenges many students face when going to University. The Students’ Union President leads on the Union’s work to represent all student demographic groups, ensuring the equality, diversity and accessibility of the Union and liaising with the University. You can email them directly at SU_Pres@winchester.ac.uk to get involved, to raise issues you may be facing or to suggest campaigns or areas of focus for the Union. The Students’ Union runs campaigns throughout the year based on issues faced and areas raised by students, such as the introduction of Representational Networks and introducing One Winchester. There is also a dedicated BAME Students Representative on Student Advisory Council, and all demographics from our representational networks are represented at Student Senate.
If you experience harassment, intolerance or violence at any Students‘ Union run event, or activity, you can alert any member of Union staff who will be able to provide support and assistance, or make a report via our website www.winchesterstudents.co.uk/report.
With a dedicated Advice Centre and a friendly team of elected officers here to represent you, your Students’ Union is here for you throughout your time as a student at Winchester.
