Every Monday, firstpoint publishes five points about a topic related to life at university. This week, it’s nearly the university Christmas break. Find out what’s on in Worcester and on campus, and how to access university facilities, support or advice over the Christmas break…
POINT ONE: CHRISTMAS ON CAMPUS…
If you’re still on campus this week, there are lots of activities you can join in with – sign up or just turn up and get involved! You’ll find further details through your Student’s Union, and our Student Services Christmas Events page is a one stop shop for information about activities and wellbeing on campus over the Christmas period. This week includes:
- Monday (Today!): 12-2.00pm – Board Games session at City Campus
- Tuesday: 10-11am – Christmas Carols with the local children’s choir at firstpoint
- Wednesday: 12-3pm – Christmas Crafternoon in the SU Hangar
- Thursday: 7pm – Residential Life Team Film Night – SU Hangar
- Friday: 10am-12pm – Christmas Fancy a Cuppa at firstpoint
From Tuesday 23rd December onwards, students can also relax and unwind at the festive break Social Space on the ground floor of the Peirson Study and Guidance Centre, for those students remining on campus during the university closure days – a place to relax and socialise with other students on cold winter days. To arrange access, you can take your student ID card to main reception in the Edward Elgar building and ask the security team to have the Peirson Study and Guidance Centre 24-hour access added to your ID card.
You’ll also be able to continue accessing the excellent facilities at the Riverside Fitness suite, the Hive library and the 2nd floor of the 24-hour Peirson Guidance and Study Centre for quiet study.
POINT TWO: FIND A FESTIVE ADVENTURE…
From ice-skating to Christmas trees, not to mention meeting Santa, there are lots of activities available for you to visit locally.
Highlights include Winter Glow in Malvern, the Enchanted Garden at Webbs, or Christmas events at the local Herefordshire and Worcestershire National Trust properties. Closer to home, there are a variety of events happening in Worcester, including the ever popular Christmas Tree Festival, with a record-breaking number of trees to see this year, and Christmas Carol Services at the stunning Worcester Cathedral.
POINT THREE: TAKE IN A SHOW…
Let’s face it, Christmas isn’t Christmas in the UK without a pantomime! Traditionally, these are usually watched after Christmas day, which means you’ve still got time to book your tickets. Locally, you can find Sleeping Beauty at the Swan Theatre in Worcester, Jack and the Beanstalk at the Malvern Theatre, or a little further afield, you can see Robin Hood at the Birmingham Hippodrome.
POINT FOUR: HEADING HOME…
Many of our students in university or local private accommodation may be heading home for the Christmas break – our handy checklist below will help make sure you can head off on your well-earned break worry free:
- Don’t forget that quick final clean – remove any food from the fridge that will be out of date by your return, keep cupboards and food prep areas hygienic ready for your return.
- Check all doors and windows – securing your room and flat means you can head home confident that your accommodation is safe and secure.
- Speak to the Accommodation Team if you have any concerns or questions in university accommodation– the Accommodation Hub on the St Johns campus is open for all students, whether heading home or staying on campus, every day except the 25th and 26th December and the 1st January – during these times you can contact our Security Teams, based at St Johns and Charles Hastings main receptions.
POINT FIVE: A TIME FOR GIVING…
This is also the time of year to really think about others and there are lots of ways you can be charitable. A quick search online will give lots of ideas, from donating books to children in care, buying a gift for someone escaping domestic abuse, or if you prefer to keep it local why not provide some Christmas treats to your nearest food bank.
If you are staying in Worcester during this time, there is a collection point at the Students’ Union for the Community Cupboard, which provides free food and toiletries to students in need.
There are also many local charities where you can volunteer your time to serve Christmas lunch, help with donations or provide company to someone experiencing loneliness.
AN EXTRA POINT…
firstpoint would like to wish all the students and staff at the University of Worcester a very happy Christmas and peaceful New Year.
We will be closed from 4pm on Tuesday 23rd December and reopen at 9am on Monday 5th January 2026.
But don’t forget that our wonderful colleagues in Security continue to be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can ring them on 01905 855 000, email security@worc.ac.uk or visit the Main Receptions on St. John’s and City Campus to talk to them in person.
Digital Services will continue to offer full IT support while the University is open until close of business on the 23rd December.
During the winter break, support switches over to Norman Managed Services (NMS) using the same IT Service Desk number: 01905 85 7500.
Read more on the Digital Services webpages.
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