Uni packing list – don’t forget your photo ID

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Well done! You got your grades and you’ve got yourself into university – fun times ahead. Once you’ve finished celebrating (although that doesn’t really have to end, does it?), the reality of packing up and leaving home might be beginning to kick in. Where will you live, who will your housemates be, what happens in freshers week, will you need photo ID to get into student nights and what practical things do you need to pack? It might be a little scary and exciting all at the same time, but if you can plan in advance then it’ll make your transition into university life that bit smoother.  We’ve made you a handy uni packing list so that you won’t be scratching around for shower gel or trading cutlery for saucepans when you get there. Read more

Make the most of university nightlife with a proof of age card

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If you’re one of the many UK students waiting for your A-level grades, you’ll be counting down the hours until results day. Whether you’ve aced it and secured a place in your top choice or ended up going through clearing, you’re going to have a lot of questions on your mind about your soon-to-be ‘home’ town.

One question you’ll almost certainly want some answers to is, ‘Where’s the best nightlife?’ (and how to get in to all those amazing bars, pubs and clubs. Tip: you’ll need a proof of age card like My ID Card). We’ve looked at the results of the Which? Student Survey (including the opinion of 11,000 students from 115 universities) to give you the lowdown on some of the best university cities the UK for nightlife.

Newcastle

There’s a reason why those Geordies are so cheerful; they’ve got access every type of nightlife you can imagine. From clubbing in Digital, to cocktails in Madame Koo, to craft beers on the Quayside, to comedy at The Stand – this north-eastern city will not disappoint (as long as you remember your proof of age card).

Priced at only £15, My ID Card is an official proof of age card. It’s accredited by PASS, the UK’s national proof of age accreditation scheme, and fully endorsed by official organisations such as the Home Office and The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). Because PASS carries these endorsements, the security industry trusts our proof of age cards, meaning the door staff at venues, clubs and bars across the whole of the UK will recognise the authenticity of your My ID Card. My ID Card will also be recognised as valid ID by leading ID scanning machines. Read more

Best nights out this summer. Remember your over 18 ID

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There’s something about parties and nights out in the summer that are just a little more exciting than any other time of year. The sunny vitamin D is in abundance, the warm weather allows for a more interesting array of outfits and the nights are lighter making everyone feel lively and fun. So where are the summer parties at? We’ve done another one of our handy lists of where you can go to have a good time this summer. You’ll need your over 18 ID though, if you’re asked to prove your age. We recommend our PASS ID card like My ID Card.

Outdoor cinema

These are popping up all over the place now and we can see why they are so popular! Eating popcorn under the stars while watching your favourite movie is a lovely way to spend a summer evening. Look around online for your nearest outdoor cinema. Don’t forget your over 18 ID if you’re planning on using the bar or seeing an 18+ film.

Cocktail night

Scope out your local town for bars doing 2 for 1 cocktail nights. You shouldn’t have to look far! Get your glad rags on, have some alfresco Daiquiris and dance the night away with your mates.

Pub garden by the river

It’s so much better to be by the water in summertime isn’t it? Sipping on a cold pint or glass of wine, chatting with your friends and feeling a little bit like you’re on holiday abroad. Find your nearest river pub garden pull a few benches together and invite your greatest amigos for a sunny evening out. Read more

BBQ party essentials list, including your PASS ID card

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The season of sizzling sausages, mojitos and late balmy nights is happening right now, and you want your BBQ party to be one of the best nights of the summer, right? So we’ve made you a handy list of things you need to prep for your tropical party. From boozy ice buckets, to your PASS ID card to take to the supermarket, we’ve done the thinking for you so that all you need to concentrate on is having fun.

Meat and salad (don’t forget the buns!)

Keep it simple with burgers and sausages, or experiment with marinated chicken legs and spicy ribs if you’re feeling more adventurous. You could even try a seafood barbecue if you fancy giving your party a Mediterranean twist. Stock up on charcoal too – the self lighting bags are the easiest.

Ice bucket for drinks. Oh, and the drinks of course

There’s nothing worse than a warm beer, or worse still a tepid wine (sick mask emoji). Be kind to you and your guests and fill a bucket with ice and very cold water to keep your bottles in. Let’s be honest, there’s never enough room in the fridge for all that meat and booze. When you’re buying your drinks, don’t go without your PASS ID card, which you’ll need if you’re asked to prove your age. PASS ID cards are easy to apply for and are accepted in supermarkets, bars, pubs, restaurants and clubs.

Sun cream

Pink isn’t a good look, and you want to preserve that beautiful skin don’t you? Add a bottle of factor 30 to your trolley so none of your friends rock that late night lobster look. Read more

Camper Vans

Do you have safe ID for Festivals?

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Festival Fever – Save the Date.

You could take your passport to the festival – or your driving licence.  But that’s risky.  Where are you going to keep it safe?  Is it worth leaving it in your tent for a not so-friendly visitor to take?

May Bank Holiday is set to be scorcher, what better way to chill out than planning your Festival calendar and your ID options.

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camping

Fun and cheap UK holidays – remember your ID for pubs

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It’s almost the summer holidays – hallelujah! The books can go back under the bed, the uni or college work folders on your computer no longer need to be clicked – you have done the hard work and now it’s time to have some FUN!!! A well-deserved holiday with your friends is in order, so let’s get booking. The purse strings can be tight when you’re a student or young person, so if flights are too pricey the you can always look at UK holidays.

When you’re holidaying on your own turf, another bonus is that you know you’ll never be too far from a traditional British pub – one of the things us Brits do best. So explore the far corners of the country to find some of the best boozers in the UK. Although if you don’t want to get refused at the bar, remember your ID for pubs.

If you need inspiration for your budget UK trip, then here’s our roundup of the best fun and cheap UK holidays.

Camping and caravans

For one of the cheapest holidays ever, you need to try camping or caravanning of you haven’t already. You’ll find a campsite in almost every area in the UK, whether you fancy falling asleep to the sound of the sea, going back to nature among the sheep and cows, or camping close to a lively and vibrant city. With this type of holiday you can take your own food and booze as there are self catering facilities at most campsites, so it’s big saves on that front. Disposable barbecues are always handy to use for a quick and summery al fresco dinner. It’s unlikely you’ll be far from that traditional country pub, so if you do run out of provisions and you’ve got the cash, go and get a beer and a burger in the local. Remember to take your ID for pubs – My ID card is accepted in pubs, bars, clubs and shops for when you need to prove your age. Read more

Planning the Perfect Hen Weekend – What Happens with the Hens Stays with the Hens

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“What Happens with the Hens Stays with the Hens”

Yes that final big party weekend away with the girls before you sweetly say “I DO”

Some choose to go abroad but the falling pound and rising air travel charges can often make the overall cost unreachable for some and we all know that the bride, wants as many of her “Besties” with her as possible to really make the party go with a swing!

The UK has some fantastic cities and towns which can really set the scene for making a most memorable and explosive Hen Weekend.

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5 things to do this summer on a budget – you might need an ID card

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Ray Bans at the ready, summer wardrobe on standby and the glorious whiff of sun cream in the air…

The sun is shining but sadly the student bank balance is not looking so bright. So where can you can go and what can you do to enjoy the summer with your friends on a budget? Here’s 5 ideas to ensure you have a wild summer without having to scratch around in the dregs of your spare change too often – but be prepared, you might need an ID card to prove your age for some of the activities below.

  1. Camping in your back garden
    Create your own mini festival! Dust off the old tent, put some bunting up, make some low-cost street food (think pittas, hummus, falafels, burritos) and invite your friends over for the night. If you fancy a few drinks, grab yourself a deal at one of the supermarkets. My ID Card is a PASS ID card that’s accepted in supermarkets if you need to prove your age when buying alcohol.
  2. Hit the seaside
    Jump into your bikini or swimmers and hit the road to the beach! The UK has an abundance of beautiful coastline to explore, so go and check out some of the sunbathing talent and dip your toes in the water. Save cash by packing a picnic and don’t forget your sun cream.
  3. Picnic in the park
    Get your mates together and head to your local park or recreation ground. Pack some sarnies, snacks, a picnic blanket and maybe some cheeky cans to drink. Enjoy an afternoon of chilling, chatting and perhaps even a game of rounders, frisbee or the ‘Who Am I?’ name game (if you prefer to stay horizontal). If you’re picking up booze on the way, don’t forget your ID card to prove your age in the supermarket or off licence.
  4. Sprinklers and hose pipes
    Water play is just as fun for big kids as it is for little ones! If it’s a roasting hot day, then what better way to cool down than running through your sprinkler in the garden or spraying your friends with a hose pipe. You could even pick up some cheap water pistols from your nearest pound shop to make it even more hilarious. If you don’t have a hose pipe then why not just use buckets and containers for a good old water fight?
  5. Outdoor cinema
    Do you have a projector? If not, you could just use your tablet or laptop to watch a film in your garden on a summer evening. Get lots of cushions, blankets, snacks and drinks and cosy up under the stars to enjoy your favourite film. Of course if it rains you can always hit the cinema on a 2 for 1 night to save pennies! Don’t forget your ID card though – you might need to prove your age at the cinema if you’re hoping to see an 18+ film.

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Dance every night with this official ID card for clubs

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Eat, sleep, rave, repeat: if you’re heading out on the town, chances are you’ll be wondering what the deal is when it comes to having an ID card for clubs.

“Hey, can I see your ID please?” … Uh oh, we’ve all been there, haven’t we? And getting turned away from a club in front of all your mates simply because you’ve failed to prove your age is a club night to become known only by the name Cringe Central, whatever day of the week it is.

So, how can you get the right ID card for clubs and verify your age?

Forget that dog-eared library card. It’s not your ticket to the dancefloor and bar. Avoid taking your passport or driving license out with you. Yes, they are official forms of ID for clubs and will be accepted but it’s expensive to replace them if they get lost. Plus, none of us want to worry about ID theft if our wallet or hand bag gets pinched while we’re lost in music under the club lights. Added downer, they can take ages to replace (think of all the nights out you’ll have to miss while you’re waiting for a replacement).

A less risky ID card for clubs

My ID Card is the official, PASS-accredited photo ID card accepted by most clubs across the UK as well as in cinemas, bars, restaurants and shops selling age-restricted goods and services. It’s easy to apply for and it only costs £15. Plus, it’s fully endorsed by the Home Office and The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) – so all those doormen you know and love are safe in the knowledge that it’s the real deal. Read more

I’m a student, get me away from my dissertation…

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It’s been looming for a while and the deadline is getting closer. Sadly the promise of summer is a still a little way off, and if you’re at university it might be time to face the music and get your dissertation written now. With deadlines on the horizon, sometimes it’s nice to take five minutes out to think about how you can enjoy your time once your dissertation is finished. Here are some ideas if you have a few moments to dream in between writing paragraphs…

  • A trip to the beach. You can feel the sand beneath your toes as you picture sunny days and swimming in the sea. Even if it’s not on warmer climes, you could still look forward to a break in a fun town like Brighton, Blackpool or Newquay. You won’t want to miss out on the beachfront partying though, so you’ll need to make sure you have a proof of age card if you’re planning on any seaside drinks or clubbing
  • The pub. A long lazy afternoon… and evening with friends would be a welcome break to all that studying. The last thing you’ll need is being refused a drink at the bar, so have your proof of age card at the ready so you can relax
  • How about seeing a film at the cinema? After spending night after night looking at your Mac or PC, wouldn’t it be great to have some welcome relief watching a film that isn’t related to your dissertation subject for a change? If you’re blessed with young-looking genes, having a proof of age card will ensure that you don’t get turned away at the ticket desk for being too young for an 18 certificate film
  • For a real celebration, a European trip away could be right up your street. There are bargains to be found on cheap flights to Barcelona, Paris and load of other cool destinations in Europe. Get a few friends together, book a cheap B&B, and have a couple of nights away… you’ve worked hard for it after all

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