As Black History Month comes to an end, Social Interventions Lead Hannah Moore thanks the team of Black Students’ Network (BSN) Ambassadors employed by Student Support for the work they do here at Bath.
Thank you
This year's Black History Month theme focused on Honouring Our Communities and invited us to recognise the individuals whose everyday contributions shape, support and sustain Black life across the United Kingdom. I want to take this opportunity to recognise and thank our Black Students’ Network ambassadors, who help us make our university community a welcoming, inclusive and inspiring place to study and work. This year they are Claresta Adetogun, Chantelle Mbugua, Melissa Francis and Taofeeqah Ibrahim (you can get to know them better here).
In the world of Higher Education, Black History Month coincides with the start of the academic year and one of the busiest times for students and staff alike. In just 5 weeks, our ambassadors have delivered 5 student events creating opportunities for community, wellbeing support and professional development:
- an Undergraduate Welcome Event, bringing students together to enjoy games and a free meal from the Lime Tree’s No plates like Home menu (developed by ResLife and the ACS).
- a Postgraduate Networking Lunch for PG students to meet and connect.
- the first BSN Monthly Meet Up of the academic year.
- a pilot collab with the School of Management to enable Management students of Black heritage to connect more easily.
- a Preparing for Placement, the Workplace or the Year Abroad workshop, building on the success of this pilot last year.
Behind the scenes, they are also planning projects, developing communications, connecting with students, advising the BSN team and drawing on their own lived experience to help us create the best possible student experience at Bath.
Involving people with lived experience in service development is vital and often an exciting opportunity, but it can also ask a lot of those involved. Lived experience work is a form of expertise that brings unique knowledge, skills and insight to the design and delivery of meaningful services. It is a hugely generous contribution, personally and professionally, without which our BSN could not exist. We are so grateful to you as ambassadors (and all of our previous ambassadors) for the energy, care and commitment you bring to this work and to supporting your peers.
We also want to thank the African and Caribbean Society (ACS) for promoting the BSN and all of the many students who participated in our student consultation last year and trusted us with their experiences, feedback and ideas.
What now?
Black History Month may be ending but our Black Students’ Network events continue throughout the year. Coming up before the winter break we have:
BSN Career Conversation with Daniel Mtonya
A series of career conversations with Black Bath alumni sharing candid insights into their careers, experiences and professional journeys since graduation.
Thursday 12 November, 5pm to 6pm, online.
BSN November Monthly Meet-Up - Games and Zine-making
Join our ambassadors for good company, good conversation and a choice of board games or zine-making.
Tuesday 17 November, 6pm to 7:30pm, on campus.
BSN December Monthly Meet-Up - Sip and Paint
Join our ambassadors for the final meet up of 2026. They’ve organised an informal Sip and Paint in the heart of Oldfield Park.
Tuesday 8 December, 6pm to 8pm, location shared separately.
➡️ Find out more and book your place: Black Students' Network Events
➡️ Follow us on Instagram: @bathstusupport
➡️ Join our BSN Whatsapp community for all the latest news and updates.
The Black Students' Network is a partnership between Student Support and Student Ambassadors at the University of Bath. Together we aim build community, support wellbeing and celebrate success. You can read more about the Network on our webpage Black Students' Network.
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