Spread kindness

We're sharing ideas of how to spread kindness for yourself and others this festive period.​ By taking part, you'll be sure to brighten someone’s day, week or year, as well as your own.

Boost your festive wellbeing

Celebrating the gift of kindness on campus! Check out our video. Thanks to our wonderful graduate trainees David Amedeka and Kyle Murray for sharing how much simple acts of kindness impact their #LifeAtUWS.

Check out our 'Giving thanks' video where UWS students and colleagues give thanks and recognition for all those who make campus life what it is.  ​

Many amazing organisations and charities organise collections that makes a big difference to our communities over the festive period. From giving blood, donating to foodbanks, to gifting a meal for a homelessness person, there are a range of ways you can give.

Check out the Action for Happiness calendar for daily ideas on happier living this December.

Festive bake and blether

Organise a festive bake. Gather your student friends or team colleagues and see who can unleash their culinary prowess. Do you have the potential to be star baker?​

Have a Christmas jumper day

Get in the festive spirit and organise a day for pulling on you best festive jumper/garments. You could even run the event to raise some money for a charity close to your heart.

Tree bauble competition

Get crafty with a DIY homemade bauble competition. Run a competition with student mates or team colleagues and draft in a judge to decide on a winner. Hang your baubles on appropriate Christmas trees around campus.  

Festive quiz

Grab 10 minutes with student mates or team colleagues and tackle this festive quiz (YouTube). Find out who in your group can claim the title of festive quiz champions of the year. ​

Festive sounds

All of your favourite December festive memories can probably be tied to some of the most popular Christmas songs in one way or another. Help us crown the UWS number 1 festive tune of all time. Vote on the Number 1 UWS festive song now! (MS Form).

Caring for your mental health is so important. Join a mindfulness drop-in session with Martin Stepek. There’s no need to book, just come along to as many or as few classes as you need. Martin is one of Scotland’s most authentic and respected teachers of mindfulness. The classes are open to all.

A class is taking place on 17th December. The classes then resume on Tuesday 7th January. The classes run from 7 to 8pm at UWS Lanarkshire Campus, in the auditorium opposite room 3.0.02.

This Christmas, we have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of local families in Paisley through a food donation campaign in partnership with Streetcare Volunteers. The University will be supporting with donations to Streetcare Volunteers from Campus Services.  

If any colleagues are in the position to do so, we will also be collecting additional food items to support those in need. All donations will be collected on Christmas Eve and distributed to local families, hostels and shelters. 

How to Donate

Clearly marked baskets will be set up to make it easy for you to leave your contributions.

Locations

Baskets can be found in the Atrium, The Hub and Marketplace on the Paisley campus.

Deadline

Donations can be dropped off until noon on Christmas Eve. 

What to Donate

Non-perishable, long-life food items such as:

  • canned goods
  • pasta
  • rice
  • sauces
  • tea
  • coffee
  • snacks
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Support over the festive period

This time of year can bring mixed emotions and challenges. If you find the festive period particularly tough or emotional, there are a range of support networks available: