The University celebrated the official launch of the Student Opportunities, Activities and Participation – or SOAP – Centre on Monday 12 November.
 
Based within the former University shop in the Engine Shed, the SOAP Centre will be home to Students’ Union (SU) elected Sabbatical Officers for Sports, Societies, Education and Welfare as well as the Job Shop, Careers Service Advisors and Community Volunteers.
 
“The centre is open normal working hours and students are able to drop in. We believe it really gives them the chance to find out about opportunities to get involved in societies or community volunteer work,” said Judith Carey, Director of Student Services.
 
“This will help them build their valuable non-academic profiles and give them an edge in a competitive employment market.”
 
The Education and Welfare Officers will play a vital role within the SOAP Centre, ranging from supporting student representation to the planning and implementation of key welfare campaigns such as promoting better sexual health or personal safety.
 
Mike Beddoes, SU Education Officer, said: “The SOAP Centre is providing a shop front for the services of the Students’ Union as well as making the elected officers more accessible to the students that voted them in.”

Photo: (from left to right) Gina Davies, Communications; Mike Beddoes, Acting President & Education Officer; Maria Yesufu, Activities & Societies; Gavin Sumner, AU President; Tom Haughton, Welfare & Liaison; and Brandon Smith-Hilliard who officially opened the SOAP centre.