Buddy Scheme Socials
Throughout the year the Buddy Scheme will be hosting a series of exclusive events to give students on the scheme opportunities to hang out with their matched buddy, meet others on the scheme and try something new, fun and different.
You can come along with your buddy or on your own, meet other students on the scheme and have fun! Perhaps you'll meet your buddy at one of the social events for the first time. With all our Buddy Socials, you can come for the entire time or just drop in.
Check this webpage regularly to keep up to date with our exclusive events calendar.
If you have any access requirements you would like us to be aware of, including invisible disabilities, please email us; buddyscheme@leeds.ac.uk
If you have ideas about activities or events you’d like to see on the calendar complete this short form and tell us.
Information about photography and video
We will be taking photos and videos at all Buddy Scheme social events. If you don’t want to appear in photos or videos which may be used in the University of Leeds or Leeds University Union’s publications and webpages, please tell one of the hosts (in blue t-shirts) at the event.
Welcome Activities: Monday 16 September - Friday 20 September, 10:00 – 12:00
Where: Welcome marquee opposite Leeds University Union
Come to the Marquee opposite Leeds University Union each morning during International Orientation week to enjoy free refreshments and fun activities, including games, crafts and ice-breakers. Get to know other students, make new friends and talk to our friendly Welcome Team staff.
This event is open to all students but we especially encourage all buddies who have arrived in Leeds to join us. If your matched buddy has also arrived, perhaps you’ll meet here for the first time and join the fun together.
You can also meet our Global Community Projects Assistant intern, Aditri, who will be organising all the Buddy socials this year.
When you arrive, you’ll be given a special dot on your name label – a secret sign that you are part of the Buddy Scheme! Be sure to check everyone’s name label so you can start to meet others on the scheme.
You don’t need to book, just come along between 10:00 – 12:00.
City Chase Takeover: Thursday 26 September, 13:00 – 15:00 (meet at 12:45)
Where: Meet at "Sign for Art”, Beech Grove Plaza (also known as bacon squiggles)
It’s Buddy Scheme takeover time!
Explore Leeds in this fun, fast-paced scavenger hunt adventure and submit photos to try and win the prize! Work as a team to search for the answers that will take you to locations and landmarks all over the city.
The event duration is two hours and you must join at the beginning.
You can come with your Buddy (perhaps you’ll meet each other here for the first time), or you can come alone and make some new friends.
Meet our Student Welcome Team hosts in red t-shirts at 12:45 at the “Sign for Art”, Beech Grove Plaza.
They will put you into a team at the start of the event and give you your instructions.
The team who answers the most questions correctly when the time is up, wins! Bonus prizes for submitted team selfies!
Big Buddy Meet Up: Saturday 28 September, 11:00 – 15:00
Where: Welcome marquee opposite Leeds University Union
All buddies are invited to join us at our Big Buddy social in the Marquee opposite LUU.
Join us to meet lots of other buddies quickly. At this event there will be different activities for you to play so you can easily find connections and things you have in common with others.
You are welcome to come with your Buddy (perhaps you’ll meet each other here for the first time), or you can come alone and make some new friends.
You can come for the entire time or just drop in when you have time.
Family and Friends Fun Day: Wednesday 2 October, 15:00 – 18:00
Where: Welcome marquee opposite Leeds University Union
Are you here with your family? Meeting other student parents and their children is a great way to make new friends, and an opportunity to offer one another mutual support and take part in family-friendly social activities.
You are invited to join us on campus for an afternoon full of family-friendly activities, a chance to explore support available and an opportunity to meet some lovely new people (who are also here with their family).
There will be free drinks and snacks as well as board games, crafts and even face painting! You can join us in the marquee for as little or as long as you like between 15:00-18:00.
Complete a short form to register your interest.
Welcome to Yorkshire: Thursday 10 October, 15:00 – 17:00
Where: Level 12 Common Room, Ziff Building
Buddies, Welcome to Leeds and Welcome to Yorkshire (also known as “God’s own country”)!
‘Ow do? (meaning how are you?)
Whether you’re a Yorkshire local or new to the area and dialect, join us at this exclusive Buddy social for an interactive fun quiz that will test your knowledge of Yorkshire and the local slang. Did you know the symbol of Yorkshire is a White Rose?
So come along, pour yourself a brew (make a cup of tea) and enjoy a fun-filled afternoon learning the local dialect and meeting fellow buddies.
You can come for the entire time or just drop in when you have time.
Step Challenge Week
Monday 14 October – Sunday 20 October
Get moving with our Step Challenge Week!
From Monday 14 to Sunday 20 October, we’re encouraging all buddies to challenge themselves to get out, get active, and move more while connecting with other buddy scheme friends.
Buddies who register will be randomly assigned to a team of up to six other buddies. Each team will compete against other participating groups to cover the furthest distance / accumulate the most steps in a week.
We are committed to making the step challenge inclusive. People of all abilities are welcome and there are alternative methods to measure and track movement.
More information will be shared via email, including how to sign up.
To help you increase your step count we’ve planned a lunchtime walk on Tuesday 15 October and a Leeds Art Trail Hunt on Friday 18 October. More information below!
Join us as we “step” into a new week of fun, adventure and opportunities to improve our health and wellbeing!
Lunchtime walk: Tuesday 15 October, 12:00 – 13:00
Where: Meet outside Leeds University Union
It’s Step Challenge week! To help you get moving, start the week with a refreshing lunchtime walk.
All buddies are invited to join us for a walk around the University’s green spaces whilst catching up with buddies and getting those steps in! It’s the perfect way to recharge for the rest of the day.
Meet your hosts (wearing blue t-shirts) outside Leeds University Union at 12:00.
You can come with your Buddy (perhaps you’ll meet each other here for the first time), or you can come alone and make some new friends.
Leeds Art Trail Hunt: Friday 18 October, 13:00 – 16:00
Where: Level 12 Common Room, Ziff Building
Join this exclusive Buddy Scheme social to discover the colour and creativity brought to Leeds city centre as we discover some of the amazing street art on our adventurous Leeds Art Trail Hunt.
Meet our student hosts at 13:00 in the Level 12 Common Room in the Marjorie and Arnold Ziff building.
They will put you into a team at the start of the event and give you your instructions.
Work as a team to search for the answers and submit photos to try and win the prize!
The event duration is two hours and you must join at the beginning.
You can come with your Buddy (perhaps you’ll meet each other here for the first time), or you can come alone and make some new friends.
Let’s create: Crafternoon: Monday 21 October, 13:00 – 15:00
Where: Level 12 Common Room, Ziff Building
All buddies are invited to join us for a relaxing and creative Crafternoon (craft afternoon)!
There will be space to sit and relax, and to connect with other buddies whilst making some lovely crafts.
Bring your own T-shirt, bag, jeans, or any other item you’d like to personalize with paint or crafts.
Fancy making a nice bookmark to liven up your university textbooks? Maybe you just want to have a relaxing time doing some colouring – all buddies are welcome.
So come along, get crafty, and enjoy a relaxing afternoon of creativity, refreshments and connection!
You can come for the entire period or drop in at any time.
Let’s celebrate: Halloween: Thursday 31 October, 15:00 – 17:00
Where: Level 12 Common Room, Ziff Building
Happy Halloween!
Allhalloween, All Hallows’ Eve, or All Saints’ Eve is widely celebrated around the world.
Join this exclusive Buddy social for a spooktacular crafting session where you can make handmade/personalised Halloween decorations for your student house and learn more about this important celebration with a quiz.
You can choose between creating playful Ghost Garlands/bunting or decorating mini Pumpkins. Whether you’re in the mood for crafting spook ghosts to hang around your space or giving pumpkins a festive makeover, this event is perfect to get crafty and make new friends!
Feel free to come along with your buddy, or on your own and meet some new people!
You can come for the entire period or drop in at any time.
Buddy Scheme Coffee Hour: Tuesday 19 November, 11:00 – 12:00
Where: Level 12 Common Room, Marjorie and Arnold Ziff building
Join us for our exclusive Buddy Scheme Coffee Hour.
All buddies are invited to join us for a relaxing coffee (and tea) and some tasty treats.
Escape in between classes to meet your buddy or come alone and meet some new friends.
There will be space to sit and relax, or you can join some conversation games.
Whether you want to play some board games, chat with fellow buddies, or simply chill, this is the perfect opportunity to connect and take a break with other buddies.
You can come for the entire period or drop in at any time.