At your Students’ Union, your wellbeing is our top priority. Whether it’s staying safe on a night out or managing the rising cost of living, we’ve been working hard to make sure you have the tools, knowledge, and support you need to thrive at UWE Bristol.
We’ve been recognised nationally for our work on drug and alcohol harm reduction, achieving a major accreditation for the third time in a row. More importantly, more students than ever now know where to go for help, with 77% saying they feel confident finding support.
We believe in harm reduction, not judgement. This year, we launched a free Drug Testing Kit Pilot with Bristol Drugs Project to help you stay safe and informed.
Our campaigns are hitting home too; our new campaign on alcohol blackouts reached over 187,000 people, to handing out 1,300 unit measuring cups during Welcome, we’ve focused on practical advice you can use. New ketamine awareness leaflets were picked up by 2,600 students, and one in four students who accessed support said these encouraged them to reach out.
The Students’ Union and UWE Bristol have joined new City-Wide Harm Reduction Pilot this year which seeks to further strengthen Bristol’s harm reduction approach, creating meaningful benefits for students and the wider population and ensuring health, wellbeing and safety remain central to the city’s response to substance use. Rather than creating new systems, the pilot aims to connect and strengthen existing work, reducing duplication and improving coordination beyond campus, where many risks arise.
Your voice matters when it comes to safety. During Anti-Sexual Violence Awareness Week, engagement jumped by 60% as we tackled topics like healthy relationships and consent. We’re also working with the city and the police to raise awareness of non-fatal strangulation, ensuring that Bristol is a safer place for every student to live and study.
We know the cost of living is hitting hard. That’s why we’ve distributed £7,000 worth of free food and everyday essentials across all three campuses. We’ve also made sexual health more accessible, giving out nearly 8,000 free condoms this year, saving UWE students over £7,000 in the process.
From free toothpaste to expert advice, we are here to support your journey. If you need help, The Students' Union Advice Centre is open and ready to chat.
Remember: we’re here to support you.