by Kate Goodyer, Andre Sobol, and Beatriz Ferreira

Almost half of UK students admit feeling lonely during their time at university, according to a recent report by Sodexo.

The majority of students experiencing loneliness were first years or international students, who are moving away from home for the first time and are likely to struggle with language and cultural barriers.

Students at De Montfort University (DMU) have mentioned the importance of Freshers’ Week events to help freshers getting involved in university life, but also suggested that it can lead to other students feeling left out if they do not relate to the activities available.

Since students are required to pay for most Freshers’ Week activities or to join societies, financial problems can also have a negative impact on their social life because it can prevent students from getting involved.

One DMU student, who didn’t want to be named, said: “If you don’t have the money to go out there are not that many other options so I think that some people just avoid being with others.”

She added: “Also, for students that don’t live in campus, who stay at home, they lose part of the experience of staying in an accommodation and meeting people, it’s harder to make friends.”

De Montfort University Students’ Union mission statement for student well-being.

Derrick Mensah, the Students’ Union’s Vice President for Student Activities, admitted feeling lonely during his time as a University student,.

He said: “It is hard to identify a student that is lonely but in most cases if that person is willing to expand themselves and come into the office we can see what they want to get involved with and hopefully point them in the right direction.”

Top 3 tips to fight loneliness:

1. Join a society

Joining a society can help students meet people with the same interests as their own.

2. Ask for help

There are several places available around campus such as the DMU Wellbeing Service or the DMU Mental Health Inclusion Team where you can look for support or find someone to talk to.

3. Try new things

Don’t be afraid of getting involved and trying different activities.

If you are experiencing loneliness, make sure you schedule an appointment with the Mental Health Inclusion Team at Gateway Building or visit the website http://www.dmu.ac.uk/current-students/student-support/wellbeing-disability/mental-health-support/index.aspx

By Emma Guy, Molly Kerridge and Emily Rooney

Preparations for the festive season are well underway in Leicester city centre, with the lights already switched on and the Clock Tower tree up, as well as attractions such as the Wheel of Light.

As Christmas falls fairly soon after the Diwali celebrations in the city, this makes for an exciting and diverse festive season full of both council-run and independent events.

The main events are also the longest running, with the Ice Rink running from the 6^th December to the 6^th January and the Wheel of Light running from the 16^th November to the 7^th January.

There are also other events such as the Christmas play “White Christmas” at The Curve Theatre, a concert at Leicester Cathedral, and a funfair on Humberstone Gate.

Maggie Shaw, Activities Officer for Leicester City Council, said that during the festive season there will be “a lot of coordination, a lot of work with different partners, and a lot of programming throughout the city.”

She added: “It’s about everybody coming together to put the Christmas offer on for Leicester.

“There will be lots to do in Leicester, businesses will be booming because of the additional people coming into the city centre.”

For more information about the Christmas celebrations, go to the Visit Leicester website at https://www.visitleicester.info or go into the Visit Leicester building at 51 Gallowtree Gate.

By Luke Pawley, Samuel Gill and Reece Stafferton

The Deputy Mayor of Leicester has today defended the city council’s plans to cut down trees in the Cultural Quarter area of the city.

Environmental campaign group Leicester Friends of the Earth are planning to protest this Sunday (December 9) against the removal of trees from St George’s churchyard, although Cllr Adam Clarke insisted that the move would actually improve the area by creating more open and biodiverse spaces.

“It’s a very different issue in an urban environment, there are always competing demands,” Clarke said.

“We have 150,000 individual trees in our city and that doesn’t count the woodlands that we also have on top of that.

“Leicester is a very tree-rich city, St George’s Churchyard is a very specific case.

“It is also a site of anti-social behaviour and crime and there’s also an opportunity there to open up the churchyard to actually make it more biodiverse by putting in a wildflower meadow in the churchyard and creating something that is actually probably more environmentally appropriate for the area.

“But that does mean taking down some trees to open it out and make it a place where people want to be positively rather than those negative activities that are happening at the moment. But that is such a minor scheme given the vast tree management work that goes on under our trees and woodlands team in the city.”

While plans are in place to reduce the impacts of climate change across Leicester, Cllr Clarke has called on the government, business and other local authorities to work together to make a positive environmental change.

“We can’t act alone as a city, we need support from the government, we need support from business to help us all work together, and from other cities and other nations coming together to combat the impacts of climate change because it is a very real issue.

“We know what we do here not only has an impact here, but will also have an impact around the world in some of the most needed communities. It is incredibly important that we are part of the climate change agenda and making sure that we are doing our bit.”

Photo: Facebook / Friends of the Earth

While Leicester Friends of the Earth will be protesting against the council’s decision on Sunday, Cllr Clarke said he speaks regularly with Friends of the Earth about “their desires” and making sure that he understands “where they are coming from.”

Clarke also highlighted Leicester’s “excellent track record” to date in terms of fighting climate change, including the fact that Leicester was named as Britain’s first environment city and have since developed a positive reputation to reduce climate change through flood mitigation and transport infrastructure works.

In a written statement issued to the Leicestershire Press, Leicester Friends of the Earth said: “It is not too late to avert disaster, if we act decisively enough.  Individual lifestyle changes will not be enough; however, we need political action; and major changes to our social and economic system.  So, while encouraging and supporting individual lifestyle changes, Friends of the Earth’s primary focus is on political action.”