Get It Out for Cardiff walkabouts

Walkabouts will be taking place in Cathays and Plasnewydd over the next few weeks to raise awareness of the Get It Out for Cardiff scheme. Volunteers are needed to engage with students and residents in the local area, giving them details of their nearest Green Zone and how to recycle their unwanted goods!

We shall be door knocking in Cathays on May 21st, 22nd and 23rd, and then again on June 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th. We will target the Plasnewydd area on June 4th, 5th and 6th. The meeting time and place for all walkabouts is on the third floor of the Students Union on Park Place, outside the sabbatical offices, at 4.30pm.

We would very much like for members of the local community to join together with Cardiff students, and give a little time to try and improve the local environmental quality of the area, and ensure that students are aware of the services available to help them keep Cardiff tidy at the end of term and beyond!

For more information, please call Emma Robson on 02920 871808 or email on emma.robson@cardiff.gov.uk

TV Licensing launches refund campaign for students moving home for the Summer months

As students in Cardiff prepare for their university exams, TV Licensing is reminding those moving home for the summer they might be able to claim a refund on their TV Licence, worth £36.37.

To be eligible, students need to have a TV Licence, be leaving their halls or rented accommodation and moving back home to a licensed address.

Any finance-savvy student who purchased a TV Licence at the start of the academic year will have a full three months remaining on their licence. This means they can now claim a refund for the final unused quarter. The savings could pay for a ticket to a gig, a one-way flight to Amsterdam or night out to celebrate the end of student exams.

Sara Jones, spokesperson for TV Licensing in Wales, said:

“With exams fast approaching and the Easter term coming to an end, the student refund is fantastic news for students who planned ahead and bought their licence at the start of the academic year. It’s vital students understand the law when it comes to watching or streaming live TV or they risk prosecution and fine of up to £1,000.”

Recent research by TV Licensing shows three out of five students watch at least an hour of TV a day, and 71 per cent of students use their laptop to watch TV. A TV Licence is needed to watch, record or stream programmes at the same time as they are shown on TV. This is the case whether you use a TV, laptop, games console, tablet, mobile phone, or any other device.

Phil Davis, Chair of the National Association of Student Money Advisers (NASMA), added: “The summer is a great opportunity for students to repair their bank balances, and it’s important they use every opportunity to do so. Getting a refund on the unused three months of a TV Licence is a really easy step to take.

“It’s important students buy a TV licence at the earliest opportunity when starting university and take advantage of the flexible payment options available to them. Most of all, it’s vital students avoid fines for not holding a TV Licence – a quick visit to www.tvlicensing.co.uk/studentinfo helps students ensure they are covered to watch TV on a range of devices.”

To arrange a refund, or for further information, simply visit: www.tvlicensing.co.uk/studentinfo, or call TV Licensing on 0300 790 6090.

Student and community volunteers recognised at Eastern BCU annual award ceremony

Student volunteers from Cardiff University and community volunteers from the local area have been recognized at an annual award ceremony held by South Wales Police. Students and residents were thanked for their commitment over the previous 12 months and presented with a certificate. Launched five years ago, the aim of the South Wales Police Student Volunteer initiative is to develop stronger community links and enhance the lives of students and local people by making them feel safer in their communities. This year has seen more than 50 new volunteers join the scheme.

PC Tim Davies, Student Liaison Officer, said: “The scheme has gone from strength to strength and the volunteers are very much part of the South Wales Police family. “They are helping bridge the gap between police and traditionally hard-to-reach members of the community improved community relations and making a positive impact on reducing crime figures within Cathays and Roath. We are grateful for them giving up their own time to help make Cardiff safer and it was nice to formally recognise their commitment at the 4th annual award ceremony.”

Get it out for Cardiff is back!

Get It Out For Cardiff, the annual end of term recycling, waste and charity collection, is here once again to ensure that moving out of student accommodation at the end of term is stress-free and leaves our communities clean and tidy.

The scheme includes a re-use and charity collection of unwanted items, so when you clear out, donate it. Why heave all that un-wanted stuff home – donate it to charity!

18 Green Zones are set up in halls of residences and Student Unions across the city where you can donate clothing, food (unopened tins, packets, jars etc), small electrical items, books, CD’s, DVD’s and kitchen items (plates, mugs, utensils, pans etc).

14 YMCA re-use banks are in place all year round to collect clothes, shoes, bags, textiles, small electrical items, books, CD’s/DVD’s.

To find your nearest Green Zone and YMCA bank click here.

Tenants are encouraged to put out their general waste for collection on 29th May, 12th June and 26th June. Recycling and food waste will be collected every Wednesday as normal. Please put recycling and waste on the pavement before 6am on the day of the collection.

A number of charities benefit from the scheme. Food is being collected for FareShare Cymru - supporting communities to relieve food poverty.

Clothing, electrical items, media and bric-a-brac are being collected for the YMCA to directly reinvest in projects and services for homeless people at the Cardiff YMCA Housing Association whilst kitchen items will be stored over the summer by Cardiff Self Storage and sold to students at the start of term at heavily discounted prices with all proceeds going to charity.

Cardiff’s student population responded in style to the Get It Out for Cardiff scheme last year with over 12 ½ tonnes of items collected at halls of residence and Student Unions.

For more information on the Get It Out For Cardiff scheme, contact Emma Robson, Student Liaison Officer, emma.robson@cardiff.gov.uk, or Lucy Prisk, Tidy Towns Officer, lprisk@cardiff.gov.uk

Get It Out For Cardiff 2013 Donation Points

Welsh Varsity 2013

This years Welsh Varsity event welcomed over 16,000 students to Cardiff for a days action packed sporting events. Students from Swansea and Cardiff University celebrated at the events by spurring on their University teams.

Over 60 volunteers helped out on the day, including 23 Student Police volunteers and 40 Keep Wales Tidy volunteers.

Student Police Volunteers supported Police officers, helping to manage crowds, steward the events, and offering help to spectators.

PC Tim Davies, who was managing the volunteers on the day, said ‘The day was very successful and passed with no major issues. Thanks to all the volunteers who helped keep their fellow students safe’.

Environmental Champions joined Keep Wales Tidy volunteers and Cardiff Council to help keep the area clean and tidy. Volunteers collected litter across the sites and made sure bins were in prime locations.

Over 4,500 litres of general waste & 12,100 litres of recycling was collected on the day. Richard Weaver, Project Officer for Keep Wales Tidy, said ‘73% of all that was collected was recycled. This was a herculean effort from all of the Keep Wales Tidy volunteers and their effort and determination enabled them to achieve this incredible task!”

Student Liaison Officer, Emma Robson, ‘Varsity is a fun filled and action packed day. Volunteers showed their commitment to the environment and to the safety of their fellow students. All those involved should be very proud of themselves’.

Thank you to everyone involved!