Night of celebration in store for students at sold out event

The GCU Nursing Society’s Winter Ball is officially a sell-out after students snapped up 270 tickets in the space of just two weeks.

The annual event, which last year raised funds for Dementia UK, will give students the chance to celebrate at the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow’s city centre.

President Kenny Morrison, Social Media Officer Megan Ray, and Finance and Secretary Officer Beth Robinson sat down with us to look ahead to the big night on Friday 7 February next year.

Tell me about the inspiration behind the GCU Nursing Society Winter Ball?

Kenny: “Nursing itself is a very stressful environment, especially that combination of coursework and placement. Having a Ball aims to give students the chance to get rid of all that stress and just have a great night. The reason we organise it is to basically give students their own end of year party.”

Megan: “The fact that all year groups and all Undergraduate programmes can join basically means it’s a big social event. This is the chance for Nursing students to meet the people they’ll be working with for the rest of their lives.”

You must be delighted to have sold out the event in just two weeks?

Beth: “From what I’ve heard, this is the quickest we’ve ever sold all of our tickets – it’s a massive achievement for the Society!”

Kenny: “Yeah, it really is incredible. We started selling tickets round about the time of Freshers’ thinking the sooner we can start the better – we didn’t expect to have to close everything off within two weeks. 270 tickets is just a phenomenal number.”

Megan: “We’ve done a lot to promote it on Instagram and Facebook. We had to announce so many times on social media that we’ve sold out because we’re still getting queries asking if there is any way to get tickets!”

How did you come to pick the Grand Central Hotel as the venue?

Kenny: “Our Events Officer, Eilidh, contacted different venues after we had all agreed as a team the different venues we liked. There were two stand-outs: DoubleTree by Hilton and the Grand Central Hotel.

“Grand Central gave us a really good price, which meant we weren’t having to up the ticket prices. It’s just a stunning venue and every part of it is just iconic – you really can’t fault it.”

What can students going along on the night expect?

Kenny: “You’ll get checked in straight away and then there is a champagne reception. There’s no structure to tables, so everyone can sit with who they want. There’s a three-course meal and we’ve also got a DJ as well, who’ll be doing some Bongo’s Bingo-style games with us. There’s also some great raffle prizes!”

Last year you managed to raise £250 for Dementia UK, is there going to be a charitable aspect to the night this time around?

Megan: “The charity we’re going to fundraise for is The Nursing Tartan. It was created by a lovely nurse named Jamie Smith, and it’s to help all registered nurses and nursing students to get involved with all aspects of nursing; including politics, nature and science.”

Kenny: “We really felt as a Society that the mental health of nursing students has been massively impacted over the last few years. We just really wanted to support a charity that will benefit everyone in future.”

Megan and Kenny, this is your last year at GCU, has that given you added motivation to make the Winter Ball a success?

Megan: “I think we want to go out with a bang. This is the first year I’ve been involved in the Society’s committee, even though I’ve always been a member. Kenny’s been here for the group through thick and thin, so I think we want it all to go well for him as well.”

Kenny: “I’ve worked with the Society since I started here at GCU. There were limited opportunities at one point and I just wanted to try and build on it. There’s a lot more I’d loved to have done but that gives others a great opportunity in future.

Beth: “Kenny is definitely leaving a legacy behind. The Society has made a big difference to me as someone starting out at GCU. I’m only in first year so the pressure is definitely on for the Society to continue to be a success.

“I’m really looking forward to the Ball, especially given the event is for the students, by the students. We know what everyone wants and I’m sure it’s going to be a great night.”

Find out all you need to know about the GCU Nursing Society, including their social media pages, here

By Ross Clark      
Got an SHLS or GSBS story? Email me at Ross.Clark@gcu.ac.uk or message me on Twitter