
Becoming Culturally Competent is an introduction to exploring culture, and how by better understanding ourselves and others we can build inclusive spaces of belonging and connectivity.
Becoming Culturally Competent is an introduction to exploring culture, and how by better understanding ourselves and others we can build inclusive spaces of belonging and connectivity.

Becoming Culturally Competent is an introduction to exploring culture, and how by better understanding ourselves and others we can build inclusive spaces of belonging and connectivity.
Becoming Culturally Competent is an introduction to exploring culture, and how by better understanding ourselves and others we can build inclusive spaces of belonging and connectivity.
Welcome to STRIVE STRIVE is a student success programme, designed to support YOU to achieve your personal and professional development goals. STRIVE celebrates cultural community in all its forms and the diversity and excellence that you bring to our university community. We are proud that were awarded ‘The Union Award for Outstanding Achievement 2024′ at the Students’ Union Teaching Excellence Awards ceremony and was a finalist at the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services Awards in 2025. The programme has had a transformative impact on the opportunities, experiences and outcomes of students who have undertaken it. “Taking part in the Strive programme was instrumental in helping me achieve a First-Class Honours degree… engaging with the Strive community made me feel valued and heard… Strive truly empowered me to persevere.“ Introduction by Academic Director, Prof. Iwi Uglagbe-Green (Access transcript here) STRIVE Communities The programme has 3 communities; STRIVE mentorship & peer support – Any first year student can apply for a STRIVE mentor and access peer support via STRIVE STRIVE Hosts sessions – Access sessions via Rise to support your learning & career readiness, invitations to engage in safe spaces to talk about difficult issues and experiences, focused well-being sessions to support your mental and physical health and of course our popular STRIVE socials! STRIVE Leaders – Students who are selected through a process of recruitment and selection. They will undertake training that develops their, inclusive leadership and cultural humility and competency skills. STRIVE leaders be also be paid to represent the programme to advise and influence our university education strategy. STRIVE leaders will also undertake exclusive STRIVE opportunities & community projects that will develop them into exceptional leaders of the future. Benefits of the STRIVE Programme Welcome by Vice-Provost and Pro-Vice Chancellor Education, Prof. Andy Dainty LATEST OPPORTUNITY Interested in becoming a STRIVE Leader? Find out more by clicking on this link: STRIVE Leader in Manchester campus (Jobs4Students) – Manchester Metropolitan University JOIN OUR COMMUNITY! Please complete this form to become a STRIVER and be kept up to date with our latest opportunities. STRIVE MENTORS If you are staff or alumni, please be in touch if you are interested in joining our team of Mentors. You can get in touch with us by emailing: strive@mmu.ac.uk By engaging with STRIVE you have the opportunity to earn the STRIVE digital badge hosted on Rise. To earn this badge you will have demonstrated engagement with a wide range of challenging and stretching personal and professional development activities. These activities may range from academic coaching excellence, mentoring or employability focused sessions. You will also have engaged in reflective practice to better understand and learn from your experiences and the impact your experiences have had on your personal and professional development. Your engagement with STRIVE will also earn you Rise points. These build towards your STRIVE digital badge and any other Rise digital badges associated with different events, activities or resources. You can also self claim for your engagement where prompted on the site. All your engagement will appear on your Rise transcript and work forwards the opportunity of submitting a Rise assessment for additional academic credit if your degree of study allows for this. 150 points of engagement through STRIVE/Rise will also lead to an additional line on your academic transcript acknowledging your engagement in Rise activities. CONTACT US: strive@mmu.ac.uk Finding your way through STRIVE
International Surface and Spatial Design Project The project is an India and UK Collaborative Design project between the British Council India, Pearl Academy and MMU. The brief requires participants to propose a surface-focused interior spatial concept, which collaboratively celebrates Indian and British Textile Heritage within a contemporary Indo-British spatial context. Participants will also propose a Colour Material Finish (CMF) concept board and surface-focused interior spatial concept, which collaboratively celebrates Indian and British Textile Heritage within a contemporary Indo-British spatial context. Inspiration will be informed by cross-cultural notions of place and design contexts, considering the potential to reinvent space through the integration of surface Innovation, colour, materials and pattern. Working in research groups, students will collaborate across cultures and disciplines, produce innovative spatial concepts, engage with material research, surface design and contemporary design practice, developing breadth in professional portfolios whilst also developing creative, professional and collaborative skillsets. You will gain international peer feed-back and the project will be concluded by an international critique. Participants will compile a final digital submission to present to your external audience. The collaboration will result in a live spatial intervention within a designated British Council exhibition space in India, celebrating cross-cultural design narratives and showcasing collaborative projects and concepts. There is an opportunity for two students to go India later in the year to curate and set-up the final show, which will be displayed at the British Council Head Quarters in New Delhi, India. Associated Badges:
Inspired by the current Whitworth exhibition by artist Delaine Le Bas, Turner Prize nominee (2024). Her multidisciplinary work addresses nationhood, gender, identity and belonging through embroidery, painting, sculpture, installation and performance. The exhibition places new and recent work, including 'Un-Fair Ground' from Glastonbury Festival 2024, in dialogue with the Whitworth's collection, exploring themes of magic, folklore and witchcraft. This brief begins by exploring how clothing can operate as an extension of artistic practice—a space for self‑expression, storytelling, and celebration. Inspired by Delaine Le Bas’s work, you are invited to investigate your own experiences of nationhood, belonging, gender, and identity. Building on this, you will develop imaginative, idea‑led outcomes informed by both the exhibition and Le Bas’s multidisciplinary approach. Your Input An upcycling fashion workshop with Delaine Le Bas and Wendy Roby will take place on Friday 24 April, 1–3pm. The session will involve textile experimentation, garment transformation, embroidery, painting, and inspiration drawn from folklore, nature, and personal narratives. Possible outputs include artworks, performance, film, textiles, sculpture, and wearable pieces that explore themes such as identity, sustainability, storytelling, and cultural references. Alongside this, students will produce a mini‑portfolio, fanzine, film, or moving‑image piece that documents their concept development and process‑led experimentation. The project will culminate in one fully resolved final outcome that synthesises their research, creative enquiry, and practical exploration. Associated Badges: Delivery Plan: Support provided through weekly in person tutorials and making workshop sessions on Wednesdays. • In person workshop at the Whitworth Art Gallery: Friday 24 April, 1–3pm • Three-week making and teaching block (late April–May) • Concept submissions: early-May. Please direct all queries to the lead delivery staff. Liz Silvester- L.silvester@mmu.ac.uk Sarah Easom- s.easom@mmu.ac.uk
Along with the University of Manchester, we are delivering the Manchester Universities 7s Festival on Friday 24th April at Broughton Park RFC. We want students to get involved by volunteering in the following roles: - Pitch managers - Administration - Stewards Associated Badges:
This free online course is designed for learners who wish to understand more about social – emotional development and wellbeing in the early years. Throughout this course you will:– Increase your understanding of social – emotional development and wellbeing in the early years– Recognise the critical role of nurturing, meaningful relationships and secure attachments– Explore how creative, playful environments and interventions support a child’s development– Gain skills and confidence to support babies, young children and their families to be mentally healthyThe course has been developed to allow you to work through the online content at your own pace.
Event summary text. This is recommended to be a short and snappy two line introduction to what the event is. It is also suggested that you include a reason as to why the students should sign up - what's in it for them. Event Description: Simple bullet list Of a few things Probably No more than Five bullets This event will be: Online / In person Badges Points 100 Rise points Graduate attributes Sustainable
‘When we understand what’s working and what we could improve, and when we act on that insight, we have students who are not only satisfied but as prepared as possible for future success’ . Andy Dainty Pro-Vice Chancellor in Education Student Representatives play a key role in actively engaging students with university feedback mechanisms to effect positive change for the university community. The active participation of students in the University’s quality assurance and enhancement processes is essential in maintaining and improving the quality of learning opportunities that students experience within our learning community.
In this course, we will talk to you about transferable skills. We hope that by the end of it, you will be able to identify your transferable skills and build the self-confidence necessary to enter the competitive job market with a newly recognised set of skills, a sense of self-worth and an understanding of what employers are looking for when hiring.
This intensive is specifically aimed at those who would like to know more about ‘Working in Partnership with Parents’; the context of legislation and underpinning theoretical concepts to develop their understanding of how to apply these notions in practice situations when working with children, young people and their families. This intensive is specifically aimed at those who would like to know more about ‘Working in Partnership with Parents’; the context of legislation and underpinning theoretical concepts to develop their understanding of how to apply these notions in practice situations when working with children, young people and their families. This intensive may also appeal to existing or aspiring practitioners who may be from a range of settings such as a childminder, nanny, nursery, children’s centre, family support, social work team, children’s health team, youth work team, school staff and beyond.
Being Connected helps you to: Collaborate, forming networks to share and broaden knowledge Recognise and respect diversity and differences in cultures beyond your own Cultivate awareness of disciplines within a wider global context Contribute positively to communities, both local and global, recognising personal impact on both Influence others through skills of communication, negotiation and leadership Being Connected isn’t just about what you know, it is how you share knowledge, build relationships and create impact. By following this pack, you will learn about the different opportunities available to become more connected on campus and in the wider world, giving yourself an excellent foundation to develop your skills, confidence, personal/professional development and future employability. Authors: C-J Foster, Ffion Evans and Kathryn Cribbin C-J Foster is an Experiential Learning Tutor for the Rise team, creating this pack in collaboration with Ffion Evans (Director of Education for the Faculty of Health & Education) and Kathryn Cribbin (Student Union)