Posted 3 days ago
Tue 11 Aug, 2026 12:08 AM
The Residence Life Social Committee (RLSC) programme provides residents with the opportunity to run events and activities for their halls communities. So, what makes a successful social committee?
Social Committees are an essential part of social life in Halls. Their events bring residents together and help to cultivate friendships and experiences for others! We are reflecting on the last few years and have listed some top tips below to showcase what makes a strong social committee.
1. Plan a wide variety of events
Mixers and movie nights are great, but they might not attract many different types of residents. It's important for social committees to plan and run a variety of events so that they are engaging with the full diversity of the student body. To help with this, we encourage committees to use the following themes to guide their planning: community, identity, life skills & responsibility.
To give a flavour of what is possible, over the past our committees ran:
- Daytrips
- Go-karting
- Grocery bingo
- Inter-hall 5-a-side football
- Musical performances
- Cultural events such as celebrations for Diwali, Christmas, Holi & Eid
- Themed mixers
- Clothes swaps
- Games nights
- Litter picks
- Charity fundraisers
By running all different kinds of events, committees might even be in with a chance of winning the Inclusive Community Award at the Halls Awards!
The Inclusive Community Award winners from the Halls Awards 2025.
2. Meet regularly and communicate with each other
The most successful committees meet regularly and communicate often between one another and also with their Residence Life Warden and the Residence Life team. They need to know what has been done, what steps still need completing and how their events are coming together. Teamwork is a really important part of the programme and this is the main skill that past members mention when reflecting on their involvement!
Working as a team can also foster some really lovely friendships, as highlighted by a previous member of the St Mark's Social Committee:
Being part of the RLSC has been an incredibly fulfilling experience for me. One of the most enjoyable aspects was the sense of community and belonging it fostered. From the moment I joined, I felt welcomed and supported. The camaraderie and friendships I developed with fellow members have been invaluable, providing a strong support network both academically and personally - St. Marks
3. Collaboration is king
Some of the most successful social committee events have come about when committees have collaborated with each other and with the local community. Working together allows teams to pool their resources and to reach more students. Working with the local community means you can add on to existing events and opportunities, and can help residents feel part of their local area.
Last year, Carlton Hill and Montague Burton joined forces to host a Spring Ball for residents from both sites. The committees worked closely together to organise a fantastic end-of-term celebration, giving their communities the chance to come together and enjoy a memorable evening. The event was a great success, and a wonderful way to finish the Spring term in style. Check out the photos below!
Another great collaboration happened in 2025: White Rose View & Montague Burton held a joint parkrun & breakfast event! Residents from both buildings came together to take part in the local Parkrun on Woodhouse Moor, followed by a delicious breakfast in the Montague Burton common room.
Finally, Montague Burton collaborated with the University's sustainability department to organise a local litter pick, which earned them Event of the Year at the Halls Awards 2025! You can see pictures from their community collaboration below. What an amazing way to connect residents with the community and to give back!
4. Get your committee out there
Social committees are leaders in their Halls communities, and to support with this each committee has access to an Instagram account. The most successful committees use their pages as a key resource in addition to other strategies, such as word of mouth, door knocking, posters and other social media, to promote their events and to encourage residents to attend.
Check out this example of a post where the team introduce themselves and their roles to residents!
5. Use this opportunity to develop important skills
Throughout the year while planning and running events, social committee members will develop skills relating to event management, teamwork, time management, budgeting and promotional skills. The most successful committees take time to learn these new skills and apply them regularly! They also take part in additional opportunities offered to them, such as the exclusive development programme available to them.
Check out what a previous social committee member said about their marketing skills:
In my role as a Marketing Representative, I thoroughly enjoyed promoting our events. This role aligned perfectly with my career aspirations in marketing and communications. It provided me with practical experience in developing and executing marketing strategies, managing social media accounts, and engaging with a diverse audience
