During my first year as Vice President, I am proud to have achieved a great deal. My part of our team manifesto had 24 key points, and I have successfully delivered 21 of them, achieving an impressive 84% completion rate. I have also made significant progress on the remaining points, with all of them having been initiated.

​

In addition to the manifesto, I have taken on extra projects and addressed numerous student issues, while being responsible for JSS. During welcome, I spearheaded the expansion of the non-alcoholic events program, which has been successfully maintained. I have also worked tirelessly to improve study spaces across campus, even amidst closures of student areas.

​

My advocacy efforts have also been highly successful. I successfully lobbied for and designed the citizenship module, which covers important topics such as consent, healthy relationships, gender-based violence, active bystander training, and unconscious bias. This module will now be included in the onboarding process for new students.

I have also taken measures to improve campus safety and promote equality, diversity, and inclusion. I have provided test strips and resources in our venues in case of spiking and have ensured that university staff receive increased training in these areas. I have also reviewed exceptional circumstances, written the university's equality, diversity, and inclusion statement, and conducted a full review and rewrite of the Trans Inclusion policy.

​

In addition, I launched a sports inclusion campaign with Stonewall in February and organized a conference in March that brought student leaders from around the country to our campus. The union has also started neurodiversity awareness training for its staff. Furthermore, my inclusivity framework has been adapted into the student group badges, providing recognition for student groups that promote inclusivity.

​

I am proud of the progress we have made so far, but there is still more to be done. Moving forward, I will continue to work tirelessly to achieve our goals and make our campus a safe, welcoming, and inclusive community for all and I will outline how I intend to achieve this!

​

As your president, I want to achieve more and more and I want to work on 6 big projects, a Leadership Academy, DecoloniseStaffs, Change-Makers, Greater than a Day, StaffsKeyFund and the Student Engagement Deal whilst also continuing the day to day tasks I have been ticking off all year.

​

Leadership academy -

Our university is proud to introduce its new development program, the Leadership Academy. A new and innovative opportunity for students. The program will offer a wide range of courses, including courses on personal licensing, food hygiene, safeguarding, health and safety, first aid, mental health first aid, active bystander awareness, and cyber security. These courses are designed to equip students with practical skills that are highly valued by employers.

In addition to the technical skills, the Leadership Academy will also offer courses on neurodiversity, managing through crisis, conflict management, emotional intelligence, leading innovation, coaching skills, time management, and professional development. These courses are designed to help students develop essential leadership skills, enhance their emotional intelligence, and build resilience.

To ensure that these courses are accessible to all students, the Leadership Academy offers free courses and is actively promoting them through direct email marketing. By taking advantage of this opportunity, students can improve their employability, build their personal brand, and gain the skills they need to succeed in their future careers.

​

DecoloniseStaffs

Decolonizing a university is a complex and multifaceted process, but there are several steps a students' union officer can take to help tackle this issue:

1. Education: Encourage and support the development of educational programs, initiatives and workshops that promote decolonization and the study of diverse perspectives, histories and cultures.

2. Representation: Advocate for the representation and inclusion of underrepresented communities, particularly those from historically marginalized backgrounds.

3. Policy Change: Work with university administration to review and revise university policies and practices that reinforce colonial systems and structures, and support initiatives that promote equity, diversity, and inclusion.

4. Collaboration: Foster partnerships and collaborations between students, faculty, staff, and community organizations to build collective power and develop a shared understanding of the importance of decolonization.

5. Awareness Raising: Use student union platforms to raise awareness about the importance of decolonization and the impact of colonial systems and structures on communities and the university.

It's important to approach this work with an intersectional lens, recognizing that colonialism and its effects intersect with and exacerbate other forms of oppression and inequality.

 

Be a Change-Maker

Our aim is to empower students to become change-makers within the Students' Union. We will provide training on how to effectively make change and develop key skills for successful campaigns. For those interested in starting their own campaign, we will create and provide a campaign toolkit to guide them through each stage with helpful tips.

For those wanting to join an existing campaign, we can connect them with the SU and relevant officers or networks.

If unsure about starting a campaign, there are opportunities to discuss important issues and find solutions within the SU.

This initiative will be managed by the most appropriate person in the SU for the campaign who will commit to spending 2 to 3 hours per week on this cause. Our goal is to increase engagement and create a community of proactive and impactful students.

 

Greater than a Day

An inclusion calendar is important for equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) because it recognizes and celebrates the diverse backgrounds and experiences of individuals within a community. Expanding the days, weeks, and months of awareness helps to educate and raise awareness about important social justice issues, such as race, gender, sexual orientation, and ability. By recognizing and highlighting these important days, organizations can demonstrate their commitment to EDI and create a more inclusive environment. Additionally, it allows individuals to celebrate and learn about their own identities and the experiences of others, promoting understanding, empathy, and unity.

 

StaffsKeyFund

A social growth fund at a university, such as the Staffs Social Investment Fund, offers numerous benefits to students. Firstly, the fund provides opportunities for students to support and engage with their local community, thereby promoting social growth and personal development. This can be especially important for students who are away from home, as it gives them a sense of connection and belonging. Additionally, the fund can create new job opportunities for students, helping them gain practical experience and build their resumes while they are still studying. The investment in new enterprises can also revitalize communities, creating a more vibrant and prosperous environment for students to live and work in. The social growth fund can have a positive impact on the university and surrounding areas, supporting the development of strong relationships between students and their communities.

 

Student Engagement Deal

Student activities play a crucial role in the overall university experience. They provide opportunities for students to pursue their interests, develop new skills, build relationships, and engage in meaningful experiences outside the classroom. However, many students face financial barriers that prevent them from fully participating in these activities. Making student activities free at university would help to reduce these barriers and ensure that all students have equal access to opportunities for personal and academic growth.

Free student activities would also foster a more inclusive and diverse campus community. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds would be able to participate in clubs, sports, and other extracurricular activities without having to worry about the cost, leading to a more diverse mix of participants. This diversity can bring new perspectives and ideas to student organizations, enriching the campus culture.

In addition, free student activities can help to reduce stress and promote well-being. Participating in activities can provide students with a sense of purpose and belonging, helping them to feel more connected to their peers and the campus community. This can also serve as a positive distraction from the academic demands of university, promoting a healthier study-life balance and reducing stress.

Overall, making student activities free at university would provide numerous benefits to students and the campus community. It would help to reduce financial barriers, foster a more inclusive and diverse campus culture, and promote student well-being.

 

In conclusion, during my first year as Vice President, I have made significant progress in achieving our team manifesto's key points, addressing numerous student issues, and spearheading initiatives to improve campus safety, and to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. While there is still more work to be done, I am confident that I can continue to build on this success and make our campus a safer and more inclusive place for everyone. As your President, I will work on six new projects, including the Leadership Academy, DecoloniseStaffs, Change-Makers, Greater than a Day, StaffsKeyFund, and the Student Engagement Deal. These initiatives aim to empower students, create more inclusive environments, and equip students with the necessary skills to succeed in their future careers.

Therefore, I call on you to vote for me #1 as your President and support these initiatives to make our campus an even better place to learn, grow, and thrive and to #LeadWithLen