While many people may think of university life and drinking as synonymous, you can have a great time this freshers period while staying completely sober.  
Theres plenty of opportunities on and off campus to socialise and make new friends in a drug and alcohol free environment. As part of The Student’s Union’s annual Welcome season, many of our Welcome events are sober, and focus on creativity and socialization.  

This year, our jam-packed calendar of events includes: 

• Nature Gelli Printing (Frenchay) 

• Fresh Apple Pressing (Bower) 

• Plant Pot Painting (Glenside) 

• A Mario Kart Tournament (Frenchay) 

• Water Marbling Workshop (Bower) 

• Sip and Paint (Glenside) 

There will also be BME Speed Friending and a Pub Quiz taking place in Frenchay Campus’s Union 2 bar, with a free soft drink for the former event, and free mocktails for the latter event available for participants! 

Explore our entire Welcome calendar here! 

Taking part in a sport is a great way to meet new people! UWE Move is a year round programme of free sports activities available for all UWE students and staff. Classes are available on all our major campuses and around the City Centre.  With over 100 weekly sessions across a range of activities, there’s something for everyone. Why not try something new today- current classes include karate, pole dancing, and yoga  - check out the UWE MOVE timetable of events to see everything on offer all year round!  

More interested in music? Instrument lessons and music mixing masterclasses are available for free or from just £5 at UWE’s Centre for Music! You’re invited to learn something new, improve your current skills while meeting other students with the same passion! You can even attend multiple free concerts throughout the year, at the Centre for Music, located inside the Farmhouse on Frenchay Campus! 

The Student Life Hub at UWE is for students by students, with an amazing range of free, always sober, activities available every week - from movie screenings, to walking tours around Bristol and even karaoke! Get involved and make some new friends! 

Off Campus  

Free hiking group, Queer Hiking Bristol, was created to expand opportunities for sociable LGBTQ+ events that weren't centred around drinking culture. The volunteer ran organisation offers 2-4 weekend hikes a month, evening walks in the summer and 4 or 5 weekend trips to bunkhouses a year; with something available for beginner hikers, as well as those more experienced.  

Bristol Sober Spaces host ‘regular events for anyone who wants to enjoy live performances without the effects of alcohol or drugs.’ Their events take place all over Bristol, are available to anyone who wants to attend a sober event, and range from open mics, day raves and pride events.  

Want to experience the bar environment without the presence of alcohol? Arc Bristol is Bristol’s only completely sober bar; defining itself as a ‘alcohol-free cultural venue and community space’, all of Arc’s drinks are low or no alcohol, such as 0.5% Wiper and True beers or quirky mocktails such as Rose Maca Tonic and Amerikanna. 

Support and resources 

The Student’s Union at UWE and UWE Bristol operate a policy of harm reduction that prioritises the welfare and wellbeing of our students and wider community. 

We believe that a harm reduction approach is in the best interests of our student community and as an institution as it aims to reduce the negative health, social and legal impacts associated with drug use and minimise barriers to accessing support. 
 
Book an appointment with UWE’s Drug & Alcohol Practitioner for professional advice, info, and support tailored to you. 
 
Read more about our harm reduction policy, support options, and wellbeing services, here. 

Sober Curious? Find out how to start your sober curious journey.