Latest news with #socialhub
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Newly revamped University of Bradford social hub receives national accreditation
A newly transformed £2 million University of Bradford social hub which focuses on 'building a community' has been praised and received a prestigious national accreditation. The University of Bradford has been awarded the Best Bar None (BBN) Accreditation for 2025/26, a national accreditation scheme that assesses safety, inclusivity and student engagement. This recognition follows a £2 million transformation of the Student Central social spaces in 2024. The revamped area now features modern study zones, fully functioning bars serving both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and a games area. Level 02 of Student Central has been reimagined as a modern, welcoming space with a new food and drinks offering, an updated bar complete with a huge TV screen for watching sports, a dance floor, and a new games area featuring pool tables, shuffleboard, interactive darts, and more. The BelowOne bar now serves alcoholic drinks and non-alcoholic drinks, while Brew & Co Kitchen offers hot drinks, smoothies and bubble tea, making Student Central a social hub. Bradford's Hospitality and Retail team not only secured the BBN accreditation under the new national scoring framework but also earned two bonus stars, including the exclusive Customer Experience and Community Assessors Bonus, awarded to only one university premises this year. Assessors praised the student supervisors for their level of confidence and capability, calling it the strongest staff team seen across all student unions and universities this year. The BBN scheme, backed by the NUS, recognises venues that go above and beyond in promoting public safety, staff training, and community wellbeing. Allison Thickett, hospitality and retail manager, said: 'Earning NUS' Best Bar None for another year at the University of Bradford proves that when we lead with purpose, raise the bar, and work together, excellence isn't just a goal - it's at the heart of what we do.' "This accreditation is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our team," said Tom Walling, systems and compliance manager. "It reflects our commitment to creating a safe, inclusive and engaging environment for all students. 'The transformation of Student Central has been about more than just bricks and mortar - it's about building community."
BBC News
29-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Volunteers transform Eyres Monsell Community Centre garden space
Volunteers have created a garden and social hub in four days on underused land at a community centre in Leicester.A total of 130 colleagues from food firm Samworth Brothers built the sustainable and accessible garden earlier this month at Eyres Monsell Community Centre and a ribbon was cut on Monday to officially open design features sheltered seating areas, a potting shed, raised planters, picnic benches, a barbecue and compost transformation will allow the garden to support the centre's food education and cooking projects, while providing a social space for those who need it. The project was part of an initiative by the company to instigate positive change in the area around the centre."The garden is more than just a space - it's a symbol of what can happen when people come together with a purpose," said Karen Holdsworth, group community engagement lead at Samworth Brothers."It was a great team building experience. Everyone enjoyed pulling together to meet the tight project deadline." The Conservation Volunteers charity will manage the officer Julie Richards added: "We can now grow more, give more away, and cook more for the community. This project has saved us years of work."Pete Simmons, project manager for Splash Projects which facilitated the project, said: "This was a challenging build, we gave them a lot to do, and some of the participants had never used tools before."Their work ethic was exemplary, they all grafted from the moment the safety briefing ended until it was time to down tools at the end of the day."
