We are Emmanuel-Downing Christian Union – a friendly community of Christians and non-Christians across both colleges who meet to study the Bible together, think about how this applies to our lives as students, and pray for each other! Come along and we’d love to get to know you!
We meet on Friday evenings 6 for dinner and 6:45 for bible study (alternating Emma and Downing)

Contact: Jasmine Stensel & Sam di Castiglione

We run a casual no-stakes poker society in the events space under the bar on a Thursday evening and twice a term we do a cash tournament (£2 buy-in). Picture a Thursday evening, a busy week of lectures is drawing to a close, you have just had back to back supos and, pint in hand, you walk down the stairs into the idyll that is the bar’s basement, into the ethereal, rejuvenating light of Emma Poker Soc (@emmapokersoc). Let Poker Soc be your weekly salvation. While listening to an absolutely generational playlist with friends, play poker, made even more heavenly by Emma bar’s unbeatable prices. (open to beginners and advanced players alike).

Contact: Catherine Hollamby, Noe Ceasar, Will Contreras, Tom Angell

We host the unauditioned Central Colleges' Orchestra, a relaxed choir called Emma Chorus, and our auditioned jazz band, Emma Jazz.

Contact: Laurie Fay and Nora Rechel

We are a society formed around a new political movement, Universalism. The universalist movement aims to research and implement robust, sustainable economic and social systems through systemic reform. Activity within the society will be a mixture of research and discussions plus media engagement to increase awareness.

Contact: Noah Hughes

FemSoc is our intersectional and trans-inclusive feminist society at Emma! We host loads of fun events, from crafts to discussions to cocktail nights!

Contact: ?

Emma Board Games Society is a group that runs weekly and occasional sessions of board gaming. Our sessions are open to all Emma members and any friends that they would like to bring along. Favourite games of the society include Blood on the Clocktower, Dune; Imperium, Mysterium, Kingmaker, and Coup. Additionally, our collection of around 20 board games can be borrowed by Emma members by contacting the society’s Chairperson, Secretary, or another Board (Committee) member.

Contact: Zander Barker and Matthew Burnell

Our student society hosts alumni speaker events exploring diverse career routes into law—open to both law and non-law students. We also offer valuable networking opportunities through dinners with top law firms and provide hands-on experience via mooting competitions. The aim of the Williams Law Society is to create opportunities to learn and connect within the legal world!

Contact: Anastasia Solyanyk and Nimran Dhaliwal

We are the ECSU Green and Ethical society, championing student-driven sustainability initiatives in college. This year, we are primarily focused on increasing access and use of Emmanuel's community gardens.

Contact: Holly Powell & Catherine Hollamby

Emma’s Film Society shows cool and exciting movies every week. We're planning on screening every Monday in the sofa room of the bar, and we'll hopefully see you there. For more information about us and about the films we're showing, please follow @emmafilmsoc on Instagram, where all information about screenings will be posted.

Contacts: ?

The 1584 Society hosts a number of events, inviting figures from the political world to speak and answer questions posed by students. We aim to encourage debate and political curiosity across the Emma community.

Contact: George Allwood, Charlie Jessett & Lowenna Biscoe

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Contact: ?

Yarn Soc is the perfect place for everyone who loves all things yarn! We wanted a place for knitters and crocheters to gather and make wonderful things in the company of wonderful people. We also welcome beginners who want to learn how to crochet and knit and hold teaching sessions for you to come and learn from our expert committee! Come and make a start on your dream woolly wardrobe! (snacks, yarn and needles/hooks all provided!!!!)

Contact: Athena Ganesh and Hitha Mannemela

We own a paddleboard, and hope to own 1 more, which you can take out on one of our prepared routes. There are beautiful areas of river inaccessible without a watercraft making it a great activity to do alone or with some mates. Great self care.

Contacts: Leana Carbonez and Florence Jarvis

We are Emma's friendly running club! We organise group runs at a relaxed pace (no pressure to be Olympic speed!) Join us for our weekly plod down the river :)

Contacts: Anna Hawkins, Rebekah Bourne, Amelia Preston, Eleanor Wallace

We play pool matches against other colleges in a league throughout the year, and regularly run Emma tournaments in bar. The team is not fixed and we try to get everyone to have a chance to play matches - all abilities are welcome.

Contact: Fin Brickman

The Ski Trip is an annual event hosted by Oxford and Cambridge with up to 3000 people going. It's a great way to end Michaelmas term, and the club is formed to let people know about the trip and answer any queries.

Contact: Sara Jones

We get together once a week for a cold water dip ('swim' is actually, usually, quite a generous term), in either wild swim spots, Jesus Lido, or Emma Pool. We have some regular attendees but also have some members that like to join once a month, or once a term, or just when the weather is nice! We often go on Sunday mornings, back in time for Emma brunch...

Contact: Katie Copp and Olga Devine

A space for writing and sharing prose at Emma, whatever the genre, all are welcome and there is no pressure to share!

Contact: Daniel Kamaluddin

The Vincent Lumsden Society is a student-led initiative at Emmanuel College that creates a supportive and inclusive space for Black students of African and Caribbean heritage. Named after Vincent Lumsden, one of the college’s first Black students and a Jamaican cricketer, the society celebrates identity, builds community, and provides a platform for representation and welfare. We host social events, networking opportunities, outreach, and our annual formal dinner to connect students, staff, alumni, and prospective applicants. By joining, you’ll be part of a community that affirms belonging, honours heritage, and works to increase access for future generations at Cambridge.

Contact: Amber Morrison

We are a fun and inclusive society that plays different card games each week. Come along for some games, snacks and prizes in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere!

Contact: Sam Glover

REDS supports theatrical endeavours both in college and beyond - we know that the world of Cambridge theatre can seem intimidating so we aim to be a more welcoming and low-stakes route in for both techies and actors! REDS aims to put on multiple productions in college throughout the year and support new writing through play readings.

Contact: Cecily Chitty

We are a weekly pottery society open to everybody interested in a space for creative outlet, regardless of skill! We have a fortnightly theme, crafting the clay one week and painting and sealing the next. We use airdry clay (we can't access a kiln), and members have made some beautiful art pieces! Our core goal within pottery society is to create friendly and relaxed environment, and have created a community of familiar faces amongst our regulars but also welcome one off visits, especially if you want a chat with new Emma friends!

Contact: Sophia Moreno & Iben Sollewijn Gelpke

EMBS hosts weekly walks around Cambridgeshire, both paid and free. In the past, we have gone to nature reserves, fenland and wetlands, providing our members with a break from their work and an opportunity to enjoy nature whilst looking for mushrooms and plants. We hold talks about botany and mycology, predominantly with members of Emmanuel college, aiding in the personal development of students. Alongside all this, EMBS hosts socials with a plant or mushroom focus, giving space for fun and games.

All in all, we champion the role of plants and mushrooms!

Contact: Grace Ropceanu