Hello everyone!!!  

I am back again with another long-awaited blog, this time about one of my long-standing projects. PRAYER SPACE. This has been in the works for practically my whole SU officer career so it’s great to finally see it opening! 

In the Summer of 2023, I was approached by members of the Hindu Society who expressed the need for a dedicated Hindu prayer space to allow for the practice of Hindu faith. In response, I spent the following months gathering the needs and wants of the students, formulating it into a university paper, which included an initial suggestion to use the 6WS building. In January 2024, the paper was put through the University's Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee, which approved of the proposal but with a different space. Nigel Rawlinson, the University Chaplain and project leader for the interfaith community, was tasked with this project. 

The University initially offered empty emergency accommodation that could only host a maximum of 12 people, but this was inadequate for the Hindu Society which has over 100 students, excluding university visitors or staff. This would not do… After seeing the unsuitability of the initial space, I gathered feedback from the society and presented it to the University, highlighting the space’s limitations and its incompatibility for Hindu worship.  

As a result, Nigel worked with the Islamic Society to reshape some of their space so the Hindu Society could use it. The old Muslim Prayer Room had the Brother’s Ablution (washing) facilities, a toilet and a space that could be divided in two to allow for quiet reflection. Meetings with the Hindu Society, the University and I were held to decide what renovations needed to be done and how the space would be used. 

The following was decided:  

• Replacement of a bathroom with a kitchenette/ food preparation area  

• Installation of new carpeting 

• Switching the old locks with a library card reader 

• Upgrading and buying new furnishings 

• Painting the room 

• Changing of the fire alarm to be heat based rather than smoke based 

• The Male Ablution facilities to be moved to the remaining Muslim Prayer Room. 

I am pleased to say these improvements are nearly complete, and the space is expected to open on February 5th 2025! 

This is a significant achievement, especially considering the university's current space and resource constraints. Although it has been a long road, we have finally reached the end. There is now a space for Hindu students to gather and practice their faith. 

All my best  

Love your Activities Officer 

David 

xxx