“Leeds Students Welcome Refugees” – Student Societies Show Solidarity with Ukraine

Harriet Purbrick on 28 March 2022

The LUU societies STAR (Student Action for Refugees) and Amnesty International have been organising displays of solidarity with Ukraine around campus. 

Soon after Russia invaded Ukraine, STAR created a banner with the Ukrainian flag in the centre, around which students could write messages of support. This banner was then hung up in the LUU foyer. 

Messages written by students included “justice for the POC fleeing Ukraine” in response to myriad stories of people of colour facing racist discriminiation both as they leave Ukraine and as they try to settle into countries taking in refugees like Poland. Another student wished to show solidarity with ordinary Russians, some of whom have publicly protested the unprovoked invasion, leading to mass arrests, and others have fled to neighbouring countries like Finland, writing “Putin’s war not Russia’s war.” 

Similarly, Amnesty members wrote messages in chalk around campus. Many students protested the British government’s refusal to take in refugees, including turning away 300 at the Channel Crossing at Calais. This response is part of the Home Office’s strategy to neglect their responsibility to take in refugees by passing the controversial Nationality and Borders bill which would leave most refugees seeking asylum with a lesser status with fewer rights (clause 11) and which empowers the Home Office to strip British nationals of their citizenship without notice (clause 9). 

As Rona, the President of LUU Amnesty said, “Our campaign this semester is based on the Nationality and Borders bill, so our aim is to get as many as possible to know about it. We thought the best way to do this was by writing messages in chalk either supporting the refugees coming to the UK or in opposition to the government. Initially it was just about refugees coming to the UK but as the Ukraine war became more of an issue, we knew we had to tie it in somehow. The slogan “no one is illegal” really encapsulates our mindset and Amnesty’s whole stance on the refugee crisis.” 

Last week, LUU Amnesty held their biannual live music event Jamnesty and raised £1044 to be split equally between Leeds Asylum Seekers Support Network which supports refugees and asylum seekers in Leeds and Amnesty International.

LUU Amnesty are continuing to raise money for the charities by selling hand-printed tote bags. Purchases can be made on Engage for £5.50. 

The Freshers Flu That Just Won’t Go

Harriet Purbrick on 30 October 2021

We are all sick right now. At least that’s what I’m telling myself to soften the FOMO as I make myself my sixth cup of Lemsip and cancel my plans all over again. 

But I’m not entirely wrong. As the normal Freshers bug sweeps its way across campus, reopening means we are also facing the consequences of “immunity debt”, aka everyone getting sick at the same time because we’ve spent the last year and a half limiting our social contact. 

Of course, if you’re experiencing any more serious or long lasting physical or mental health concerns, seek medical advice. It’s also worth saying that Covid cases are on the rise (again), so if you have any Covid symptoms, take a PCR test.

Nonetheless, here are some tips to look after yourself, whether you’re currently feeling under the weather or just trying to stay healthy!

Sleep

If you’ve got a recurring weekday alarm, give yourself a break and turn it off until you’re feeling better and allow that crucial immune response to kick in. You don’t need me to tell you that maintaining a healthy sleep schedule is also a great defence against infection. However, I really could have done with someone telling me as a Fresher that it’s always better to listen to your body than your flatmates trying to drag you on yet another night out. Re-sell your ticket on Leeds’ Students Group to soften the blow and have a quiet night in, safe in the knowledge that your Monzo account won’t be spammed by Uber receipts.

Diet

One of the now-confounding images that’s stuck with me from my first semester at Leeds was a collective effort to take as many Vitamin C supplements as possible, as if they were ordained with a Pfizer level defence against all sickness (in reality, a lot of the vitamin will come straight out in your pee). Whilst vitamins and minerals are undeniably good for you, you can’t ignore the basics like eating three meals a day and always eating before consuming alcohol! Maintaining a good diet at uni can seem daunting at first (not to mention time-consuming and expensive) but learning a few, balanced meals that you can batch cook and freeze for later, such as a chilli or curries will pay enormous dividends.

Time

As the end of lockdown means the return of pre-Covid expectations for assessment and (some) in-person teaching (meaning you can’t just hide behind a turned-off webcam and muted mic), you’re not alone if you’re feeling stressed. And on top of academic pressures, many of us are finding our diaries packed with Give It A Goes, Otley Run’s, and seeing those friends you’ve inexplicably still got after three lockdowns. In short, it’s a lot. Take time out for yourself and get acquainted with saying no to things before you start to feel overwhelmed.