UAL Student Societies
‘Shalom! The aim of UAL’s Jewish Society is to provide a second home for Jewish students at all six colleges. Pre-Covid we had social events such as at the uni bars, kosher dinners, events to celebrate Jewish festivals such as a yearly Chanukah Party, presentations from artists/ designers/ architects, an annual Holocaust Memorial event, LGBTQ+ events, Jewish Mental Health events with Jami and many more! For some events, we will partner with other London Jewish societies, where you will have a chance to meet and interact with other London-based Jews such as, at the weekly student Friday Night Dinner. Despite Covid 19, JSoc was still committed to bringing you a variety of events from a ‘zoom quiz and drinks night’ to a virtual nationwide challah bake. Look out for more information on our Instagram page at @jewishsocietyual’
‘UAL Christian Union is one centralised CU, with members from every college and is open to everyone! We tend to meet on Thursday evenings, and this year, we’ll be attempting to meet more in person (God willing!). UAL Christian Union is a student-run society within University of the Arts London for both Christians & non-Christian students to meet and encourage each other in our faith through the Bible and prayer. We organise free talks and events about Christianity throughout the year where we hear from excellent guest speakers, visit art galleries, and just have loads of fun together. Through our events, we hope for every student at UAL to have a chance to get answers to questions they might have about Christianity, and ultimately discover who Jesus is for themselves!’
‘Assalam Alaykum! Our Islamic Society is available for students across all UAL colleges and is a safe space to practice, speak about and learn all things Islamic. We aim to unite an Ummah across London universities, so it is within our plans to contact other Islamic societies in neighboring universities. We plan on hosting many events, guests, religious celebrations, and partnering with an Islamic charity, voted on by members of the society.’
Faith Groups
‘The Inclusive Mosque Initiative is dedicated to creating places of worship for marginalised communities, spiritual practice and the promotion of inclusive Islamic principles. We currently host regular Friday prayers, seminars and discussion groups. We aim to create a family-friendly place of worship that welcomes people regardless of their religious belief, their race, gender, impairments, sexuality or immigration status.’
‘Diverse Church is an organisation of online Christian communities of LGBT+ people of all ages, across the UK and Ireland. We are committed to confidentiality for our members including our regular local and national meet ups. If you are LGBT+ and Christian drop us a line and say “hi”. We would love to hear from you!’
The Naz and Matt Foundation face-to-face support group was created to help bring Parents and LGBTQI+ (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, trans, queer/questioning and intersex) individuals, from religious and faith backgrounds, closer together. Our aim is to create a safe, welcoming space that helps each one of us grow positively, with pride and developing our inner strength as we take steps forward along our journey.
Spiritual Fellowships
‘NA is a non-profit fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. We are recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean. This is a program of complete abstinence from all drugs. There is only ONE requirement for membership, the desire to stop using…’
‘Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking…’
‘Overeaters Anonymous offers a program of recovery from compulsive eating using the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of OA. The Twelve Steps work for anyone with any eating issues including over eating, under eating, obesity, anorexia and bulimia. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop eating compulsively…’
‘Anorexics and Bulimics Anonymous (ABA) is a fellowship of individuals whose primary purpose is to find and maintain recovery in our eating practices, and to help others gain recovery. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop unhealthy eating practices…‘
‘Al-Anon Family Groups provide support to anyone whose life is, or has been, affected by someone else’s drinking, regardless of whether that person is still drinking or not. For some of our members, the wounds still run deep, even if their loved one may no longer be a part of their lives or have died….’
‘Families Anonymous is a world-wide fellowship of family members and friends affected by another’s abuse of mind-altering substances, or related behavioural problems. FA has groups, spread throughout the country, which meet regularly. Any concerned person is encouraged to attend the meetings, even if there is only a suspicion of a problem…’