Cheshire & North Wales IVC

What does IVC stand for?

‘Inter Varsity Club’. The first IVC started in the 1940′s as a social club by recently graduated University Students, hence the name.

Who’s this club for?

Anyone who’s interested in getting the most out of local activities. The club’s constitution refers to ‘professionals and like minded individuals’. We currently have around 80 or so members of a diverse range of ages and professions.

What is the age-range for members? How old are they?

We cover a broad range of ages from 21 to 40 with the average between 30 and 35 although with good turnouts at most events finding someone your own age or who shares your interests should be easy.

Why would I want to join?

To get more out of Cheshire and North Wales, meet people, do things. People join for all sorts of reasons. Maybe you’re new to town and want to meet like minded people or perhaps you’re just sick of Saturday night TV. Joining IVC also gives you access to a diverse range of activities which you might not be able to organise yourself.

Can I join alone?

Yes! Almost all of our members have joined on their own, and without knowing anyone else in the club. A specific person is present at each Club Night just to meet and greet new members. There’s a real sense of community that comes from belonging to our IVC. Friendships naturally occur from the momentum of the club, and through the interactivity of the events. Our activities feel more like a group of ‘friends of friends’ going out together than it does a disconnected crowd of strangers.

What does it cost?

Membership is currently £17 per year. We are a self run ‘not for profit’ club. Events are run by members for members so there are no additional costs beyond the cost of the activities themselves.

When do I have to pay?

We don’t expect prospective members to pay up right away. Typically new members come to several events prior to joining the club.

How many people attend each event?

Certain activities are best with less than 10 people, others are better suited to 20 or more. Most events fall in this range. Club Nights usually attract 10 to 30 members and can get quite packed, especially if it is popular guest ‘pub (or grub) of the month’!

How do I know if I’d fit in with the group?

Our club boasts a membership of so many types of people that everyone finds members with whom they connect. Whatever your personality type is, whatever your interests are, you’ll find people like you here. And since you sign up for activities that you are interested in, you are certain to find others at those events with the same interests as you.

Is it cliquey?

Admission is on a rolling basis, and new members join the club all the time. With about 80 members, there’s no ‘in crowd’ and it’s not ‘cliquey’.

What if I am shy around strangers?

The acceptance from other members that most new people experience when they become a member of IVC is enough to bring even those who consider themselves shy right out of their shell! We’ve watched people go from being reserved to being outgoing and really excited about life, simply because they feel included and comfortable from the first day they join.

Will I make friends to socialise with outside of the club?

Friendships that start in IVC often do take on a life of their own outside the club. Many people who met through us many years ago are still close friends today.

Is this a dating club?

No. We are an activities based club with a range of single people, couples and married members.

Are you a religious or political club?

No, in fact the club’s constitution specifically rules out any such links.

Who runs the club?

We have a committee that makes sure certain administrative things happen but it’s not just up to them to organise events – that’s up to all the members.

Do I have to organise an event?

We expect members to try and take an active part by organising at least one event in the year. Organising an event could be something as simple as booking a meal at a restaurant or choosing a pub for a club night.

Are there IVC clubs in other cities?

Yes. There are 45 clubs in towns and cities across the UK with a total membership of 5,000+ members. Each club is affiliated with AIVC, the Association of Inter-Varsity Clubs. You can find out about other IVC clubs through the AIVC website.

What do subscriptions pay for?

• Printing and mailing/emailing our monthly events newsletter to members
• Membership of AIVC

How can I get involved?

The best way to get involved is to contact our membership secretary.