The idea of the society is simple. You receive a text and email informing you that you have 20 minutes to get to Luther's in the Student Union for a mystery social. Socials in the past have included Junkyard Golf, escape rooms and the dog café. There are some larger events that members are informed about in advance such as the green-themed bar crawl that kicked off this year's socials and 'Pubopoly' which sees teams battle it out Monopoly-style with the various pubs across the Toon.
The society even does mystery weekends and week-long holidays where attendees have no idea where they are going until they get to the destination or the airport in the latter's case. Last year's trips saw the society take on a weekend away to Liverpool and a week-long holiday to Prague in the Czech Republic.
Last year's trips saw the society take on a weekend away to Liverpool and a week-long holiday to Prague in the Czech Republic.
I joined the society last year at the recommendation of my friend, who is now the president of the society. Though my attendance at the spontaneous socials was awful because I lived in Heaton last year, I really enjoyed Pubopoly, so much so, that I even attended this year's, which so happened to fall on my birthday. I even snagged a space on the mystery holiday last year and Prague was certainly a fun experience.
Feeling anxious about going solo? Most people go by themselves as it's a great way to meet new people with a broad range of interests. It's also a great society due to the variety of socials you get to take part in, rather than the same weekly trips to Market Shaker in a silly costume.
It's also a great society due to the variety of socials you get to take part in, rather than the same weekly trips to Market Shaker in a silly costume.
I got the opportunity to speak with Swati Subramaniam, the President of the 20 Minute Society, about why you should join the society. "The 20 Minute Society is a fun and spontaneous society in which members get 20 minutes' notice about various socials via email and text. Socials include collaborations with other societies, bowling, mini golf, and nights out: there is something for everyone. What we are best known for are our weekends away and holidays, where members are unaware of the final destination until we arrive."
Memberships for the society are £10 on the NUSU website. If you'd like to find out more, their Instagram handle is @20minutesociety
