Establishing or Adopting a Student Group

Establishing or Adopting a Student Group

If you're interested in creating a new student group or taking over an existing inactive group, follow the steps below to get started and ensure your group is approved and properly supported.

How to Get Started

1. 1. Check Existing Student Groups
   Before starting a new group, you must check whether a similar group already exists. This ensures that effort and resources are not duplicated. If a group already exists but is inactive, you may be able to adopt it instead of creating a new one.
2. 2. Gather Interest and Committee Members
   You will typically need a minimum number of members and a committee structure (e.g. Chair, Treasurer, Secretary). This helps demonstrate that your group is sustainable and has enough interest to run effectively.
3. 3. Complete the Application Form
   Submit a formal application outlining your group's purpose, aims, and planned activities. Be as clear as possible about what your group will offer and how it will benefit students.
4. 4. Submit Supporting Documents
   Alongside your application, you may need to provide documents such as a constitution, risk assessments, or other required policies depending on the nature of your group.
5. 5. Attend an Approval Process
   Your application will be reviewed by the Students’ Union. You may be invited to attend a meeting or provide further clarification. This ensures your group meets SU policies and standards.
6. 6. Receive Approval and Training
   Once approved, your committee members may need to complete training sessions to understand responsibilities such as finance, health & safety, and group management.
7. 7. Launch and Promote Your Group
   After approval, you can officially launch your group. Promote it through SU channels, social media, and events to recruit members and start running activities.

Key Resources

Use the resources below to support your application and ensure your group is set up correctly.