The Third Degree

Over the past five years, more than 3,000 students have taken advantage of UCCF’s student Link-Up scheme.

Through this they are able to register their details with their campus CU before they head off to university or college.

Right now churches and schools workers are helping their school leavers link up with other Christians before even setting foot on campus — so they can make friends, get involved in student mission and find a local church.

Valuable emails

Hannah Spiers, student at Edinburgh University of Linguistics, is a Small Group Leader in the CU. She talks about her experience of connecting with the CU through UCCF’s Student Link-Up scheme.

‘I was at Soul Survivor the summer before I was due to start university and it was there that I signed up with UCCF to be linked up with my future university’s CU. It sounded like a good idea, as it meant that it ruled out the potentially scary initial contact of hunting down the CU by myself — something that can get pushed down the priority list during a busy freshers’ week. Also, I was certain that I wanted to find a church while I was at university, and knew that in a CU I would find people — who’d once been in the same boat as me — to help me with my search.

‘After I signed up, I got an email from UCCF straight away to say that I was on their list, and then another a couple of weeks later to inform me they’d passed on my details to the CU. They also gave me contact details of the CU freshers’ week co-ordinator — having the name of someone from my university was surprisingly reassuring for stepping into the great unknown that is university.

‘A week or so before heading to university I received an email from the CU with a big hello and a link to their website which had details of everything that was happening with the CU over freshers’ week. I received the weekly email updates from then on, so I was clued up.

‘This link-up with my CU was so valuable, as it meant I could go off to university with the knowledge that there was already a group of people who were expecting me, and who were excited to meet me. It helped me to relax and look forward to the general university freshers’ week, as I knew that I could go out and grab so many of the experiences it offers, but with the security that there were other Christians to turn to for advice and support. The whole process made the transition from living and going to church at home to arriving on campus so much more smooth and effortless.’

Local churches

It’s not just about new students getting in touch with their CU. Churches play a key part too. Wayne Dixon is a member of Slough Baptist Church and a Schools Development Worker for Scripture Union. He has been resourcing students with UCCF’s Student Handbook and its equivalents for 15 years.

‘I order these books because I am keen to help young Christians as they leave school and begin university. This can be a make-or-break time for students who are away from home, maybe for the first time. Faced with independence, challenges, changes and choices, this is a key time when faith is tested.’

Wayne is positive about the value in looking after students as they leave for university: ‘I hope it shows the students that I care about them, even if they are no longer in the school that I visit. It also helps create a link and starting point for them’.

Know anyone?

Do you know someone going to university in September? Tell school leavers about UCCF Student Link-Up. Almost every university and college has a CU, so encourage school leavers to go to http://www.uccf.org.uk/freshers and register their details. They’ll be welcomed by a friendly face. There are loads of helpful video interviews about university life, church and being part of a CU to be found there, as well as being able to find and contact their CU.

Free handbook

Give a free UCCF Student Handbook to school leavers. It’s a great handbook for how to get involved with CU life and doubles up as a recipe book, so young people can be kept both spiritually and physically well-fed. You can order free copies from http://www.uccf.org.uk/freshers/church-leaders

Pod Bhogal is Head of Communications, UCCF: The Christian Unions.

Link-up for new students

Valuable emails

Local churches

Know anyone?

Free handbook

Main Articles

Other articles