Put your hands together for our Halls Life team!

Our team was recognised for their excellent services at a recent awards ceremony. 🥳

We are so proud to announce that our UAL Halls Life team have taken the top award in not one, but two categories at the CUBO (College and University Business Offers) Awards 2024!

UAL Halls life were nominated for and won the awards for both Best Residence Life Experience and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Spotlight. 👏🏻👏🏽👏🏿

Held at the CUBO Summer Conference at Queen's University Belfast, these awards are an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the staff who are dedicated to ensuring students have an enriching experience every year on our accommodation, something we pride ourselves on at UAL.

Halls Life Student Experience Manager, Carley Owen, said after changing the whole residence programme, structure and identity over the last year, it feels like all the hard work paid off.

"The team and students are what have made this possible. Our determination, tenacity and passion to improve the student experience has worked and we will continue to grow on this triumph for 2024/2025. I couldn’t be prouder of Halls Life and the accommodation team."

 UAL's application for Best Residence Life Experience included sharing how our Halls Life team has recruited EDI student leads who mirror the diversity in our residences and look out for marginalised groups. It also highlighted how Halls Life has introduced a wellbeing programme as well as engaging with external partners to create a supportive environment for all, which was driven by our students. 💪🏽

At this year's awards, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Spotlight was brand new to CUBO and Carley said they were over the moon to have received this first.

"Our continued development to provide an inclusive and brave space for our LGBTQ+ peers has been paramount. Alongside working with the networks, university and colleges to deliver events, collaboration with the community has been key and I can't wait to capitalise on these moving forward. To everyone that has attended an event, offered advice or supported, we are truly thankful."

For this award, our team presented how UAL responded to LGBTQ+ students need for more support with an EDI group that has driven changes, such as comprehensive pronoun training and pronoun badges, plus neurodiversity awareness training for staff and students. It also celebrate our podcast Queer Peers, which showcases queer student life in London, highlighted UAL's involvement with various Pride events, launched a Trans ambassador programme and encourages a supplier to extend maternity leave to surrogacy and adoption. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

We would like to extend a huge congratulations to everyone whose hard work and dedication earned these amazing new accolades! 🤩

Want to know more about this event? Get in touch:

E: hallslife@arts.ac.uk

T: +44 (0)20 4586 3219

Instagram: UAL_HallsLife