Not gifting a gift in return? | ARU Reads Reddit: Festive Edition

Welcome to the first ARU Reads Reddit: Festive Edition.

Our presenter: Ellen, Student Engagement and Development

Guests: Sheryl, Student Money Advice Service and Ben, iCentre Team Leader and Mental Health First Aider

We read four reddit posts and help the OP asking the forum asking for advice. We’ll also highlight some support available at ARU, whilst deciphering what a peppermint candle is.

If you have any thoughts or advice for the posters, please leave a comment below!

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro
1:42 r/am I wrong? Not gifting a gift in return?
Link: https://arul.ink/reddit-1
13:17 r/Ask UK: Alone in The UK - places to go, things to do? Seems it's all closed down for the week
Link: https://arul.ink/reddit-2
25:09 r/Uni UK: Good Christmas presents for broke uni student?
Link: https://arul.ink/reddit-3
35:50 r/Uni UK: Planning a Christmas part at my flat with my uni friends – tips?
Link: https://arul.ink/reddit-4
47:50: Summary

If you’re an ARU student needing support over the Christmas closure, find all the information here: ⁠Helpful links - Landing Page⁠ (⁠https://arul.ink/m/support-over-holid...)
For any students remaining on campus looking for things to do over the holiday period, here’s a list of activities happening: 
Students’ Union - Christmas Party, craft nights, visit: ⁠Christmas at the Students' Union⁠ (⁠https://www.angliastudent.com/news/ar...)
Peer Mentors are holding wellbeing and hangout events 
ARU - winter warm up events in Cambridge and Chelmsford 
Yoga society is still holding classes over the holidays 
Health and wellbeing service is open 

NHS advice for loneliness: ⁠Loneliness - Every Mind Matters - NHS⁠ (⁠https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters...)
During the break, the libraries at Chelmsford and Cambridge are only closed on Bank Holidays (Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day). Before visiting, please check exact ⁠opening times on the library web pages⁠. (⁠https://library.aru.ac.uk/about/openh...

Listen to the episode on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/episode/5vSr...) and Apple Podcasts ( https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast...)

Production: Hannah Gladwin
Sound / video recording and editing: Rowan James