Hello all!

Here's the fourth Beyond the Bubble of the year. There's lots to cover, so let's get straight to it!

Izzy, Welfare Officer

Even though it's lighter in the evenings, you can still become a victim of crime – and in Leamington there has been an increase in student houses being burgled. I don't want to patronise anyone but PLEASE follow the below advice and don’t be complacent about safety:

• Don't leave your keys, handbag or valuables in your hallway when you get home – burglars can get in when you're upstairs and make off with belongings without you noticing!
• Lock your bedroom door if you can when you leave the house (as well as your main door and windows, obviously!)
• Make sure your belongings are insured – Endsleigh do good student rates

For more information on this topic check out the Coventry and Warwickshire police websites.

Yep, I'm talking about this yet again… We continue to get complaints from residents who are suffering because of students coming home late at night and being really loud, or because of parties that go on into the small hours. We're not the fun police. We know it's important for you to blow off steam – but please be considerate of your neighbours, because if they get upset they could end up reporting you to the police, which would not be good.

Remember that nice chunk of money you gave to your estate agent / landlord before moving in? Make sure it's protected: find out more here.

May is Scam Awareness Month (nope, I had no idea that was a thing either, you learn something new everyday in this job!) Coventry citizens are being encouraged to speak up against scams by forwarding any potential scam letters, emails or details of phone calls to Trading Standards. This will help them identify scams around the city and target the instigators. There is more information on the campaign here – stay vigilant!

With so many of our students living off-campus in so many diverse areas, it's difficult to support you all in ways that you would like – mainly because we don't know much about what you want from us as a Union. Although a study space in Leamington is in the works, there is a long way to go, which is why I've put together a brief survey asking your opinion on our current communication with you and how you would like to change it.

Please take 5 minutes to fill it out so our next welfare officer can put it into practice come October.

From Saturday 2nd June to Tuesday 5th June, there will be celebrations across the country marking the Queen's Jubilee. Coventry has received one of the highest number of applications for Street Parties and road closures in the country so it's going to be a very busy long weekend! Keep an eye on local news and the council website to see how it might affect you – it's likely that bus services will operate a reduced or Sunday schedule on both of the Bank Holidays. Similarly if you're planning on travelling home for the weekend I'd advise arranging travel now as trains and coaches are likely to be more expensive.

Coventry will be hosting the football during the Olympic Games this Summer. The Olympic Committee are encouraging people to get involved by signing up to be “local leaders” to generate community spirit and excitement through local events – if you’re around over the summer months get involved! Finally, if you have a smartphone it’s probably a good idea to download the free Coventry 2012 app to keep up to date with key events – the first of which is the Olympic Torch relay, which will come through Coventry on July 1st.

Save the date for this amazing event – a free festival with all manner of amazing stalls and events rooted in peace, equality, grassroots campaigning, community, environmental justice, crafts, charity love and spirituality. It's always a lovely weekend event – put it in your diary, June 16th-17th!

Coventry's annual free festival of music, comedy, and general summer loving. It takes place in Coventry Memorial Park from 29th June-1st July - and it's completely free! Check out the website for line-up and more information.

This is an inaugural two week festival run with Heritage Matters, to celebrate Leamington Spa's rich history and culture. If you love anything to do with history, retro style, nostalgia, performances, or vintage culture then you don't want to miss this event! Plus our very own Big Band will be playing at the Vintage Dance Night. For more information and event listings check out leamingtonlooksback.co.uk

That's all for now folks! Keep an eye out for the next Beyond the Bubble newsletter in about a month's time, it'll be mainly about the Moving Out Guide 2012 and hopefully the revitalisation of the "Leave Leam Tidy" campaign… watch this space!