Pop-up virtual communities, bringing people together around a common interest, event or topic. Micro-Communities are free, casual, temporary and online.
Search the noticeboard below for something that interests you. Each notice has a link which will take you to where the Community is hosted and/or where you join. You may have to create an account but you will never have to pay!
Remember: Micro-Communities are not regulated by the SU, we are providing a listing service and do not take responsibility for the activities of these independent student communities.
How do I start a Micro-Community?
Just fill in the application form below. Bristol SU will give your idea a quick check and, all being well, your idea will be added to the noticeboard above. Here’s a checklist to help your application go smoothly:
Check https://www.bristolsu.org.uk/micro-communities and https://www.bristolsu.org.uk/activities/societies to make sure that your idea is not already being carried out by a Micro-Community or Bristol SU Student Group.
Decide on a platform for your community members to meet. Is a Facebook group useful, or Whatsapp, or HouseParty? Check what the limitations are for each platform.
How will you keep people safe?
Work out a name for your community and come up with a sentence or two that summarises what it will do.
What’s the difference between a Micro-Community and a Bristol SU Student Group?
Micro-communities are more casual than an affiliated Bristol SU Student Group (e.g. Clubs, Societies and Volunteering Projects), the key differences being:
Can a Bristol SU Student Group setup a Micro-Community?
Yes - Bristol SU Student Groups can use Micro-Communities to test new ideas, attract new members etc.
Can my Micro-Community become a Bristol SU Student Group if it goes well?
Yes – Micro-Communities are a good way to test ideas. If yours goes well then you’ll be in a good position to affiliate to BristolSU and become a Society, a Sports Club or a Volunteering Project. You would still need to follow the Affiliation process here: https://www.bristolsu.org.uk/tools-to-run-your-group/start-a-new-group
Are there any restrictions on what micro-communities the SU can list?
Yes - Unfortunately, there are some types of micro-community that we are not able to list and promote, including:
For some of the above, there will be affiliated SU societies you can get involved in – you can use our find a group tool, or get in touch with our student services team to enquire bristolsu@bristol.ac.uk
There may also be opportunities to do these things in your community, you may want to check listings on Facebook and Gumtree.