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Hiya duck, my name is Miles and I’m a third-year psychology and counselling student. You may recognise me from around the SU since I've been working as a first aider since my first year in 2017. What this often comes down to is cleaning up chunder after people have had one too many (it's not a glamorous job), and then making sure you get home safe. When I’m not working, you might see me out at KRAP nights, (particularly indie or 80’s themed ones since they’re my jam) or sitting in the library attempting to chisel out a dissertation. I’m also a member of the LGBT+ society, K.U.R.A., and Street Team.
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As a first-aider I’ve witnessed and helped in a wide variety of physical and mental health issues - panic attacks, abusive partners, sexual assault, suicidal thoughts, long-standing medical conditions, dislocated joints, spiking and alcohol poisoning. I know the dangers students face on nights out and their long-lasting impact. I know the current policy the SU has (flaws and strengths), and I want to work with these policies to create a better, safer experience for students.
Since I am a counselling student, I am naturally very passionate about mental health. With 21.5% of students suffering from a diagnosed mental health issue, it’s easy to see why we are in the midst of a student mental health crisis. According to a 2019 survey of 38,000 UK students, 50.3% reported thoughts of self-harm, 44.7% admitted to using alcohol or drugs to cope with issues, 33.9% had experienced a serious psychological issue, 87.7% of students struggled with feelings of anxiety, and 33% of students struggled with loneliness (Read more here). All of these statistics apply to Keele, with the shutdown of Nightline we need to ensure that the measures we have in place are well advertised to those who need them such as; the 24/7 on-campus support officer, BigWhiteWall, the Keele counselling team, and peer supporters.
From speaking to international students I have found that the first weeks at Keele for many are isolating, with limited induction stopping students from experiencing Keele to the full - my international peers should feel Keele is there home from the start.
I often feel like the BAME members of Keele are ignored. To counter this I will be working closely with the BAME officer to ensure equal representation.
Another focus point is open transparent communication. While the current welfare officer, Fflur, has done a fantastic job, I aim to improve upon this with dedicated open hours and an open, viewable online timetable. I’m here to represent you. With this, I aim to spend time in the CEC to ensure all students have the ability to communicate with face-to-face.
The vision I see for Keele is one where no-one is judged based on who they are or what they believe in. The role of Welfare and Internationalisation is to bring us together as an inclusive Students’ Union, establishing better mental health facilities and more awareness of the current measures in place.
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1. Improved mental health services and awareness of current schemes provided
- Start a campaign called #BeAware. This will focus on highlighting the services provided at Keele and the wider community. It will explain what each service does, and who they’re best suited for.
- I will work with the university to arrange for more counsellors to reduce the waiting time for students and to provide services it currently doesn’t.
- I will arrange various stress and anxiety-related workshops, such as art and music therapy, and a much-needed increase in animal therapy days.
- Focus more welfare options to students who have placements, particularly student nurses and midwives.
2. Inclusivity for all students
- I want to hold more international events throughout the university, (themed nights out, coffee mornings, celebrations of the melting pot of so many different cultures that is Keele). Many of these will be aimed towards first-year international students so they can hit the ground running as soon as they arrive.
- I want to bring back the International Ball.
- Create a buddy system so new first years are assigned a buddy who can show them the ropes of living in the UK.
- I will work alongside the BAME and International students’ officers closely in order to have an accurate representation of the university as a whole.
- A role model system with more BAME lectures and staff would also be beneficial, as on average black university students are 28.3% less likely to attain a first when compared to white students (reference).
- I will be organising more student-led pride events in support of LGBTQ+.
- Working with students with both physical and invisible disabilities to make the university a safe and accessible place. For example, I will coordinate with the education officer to ensure lecture capture is always running and ensuring future and current buildings are easily accessible for all.
- I will strive to create an SU funding pot to assist disabled students with the additional costs of their education.
3. Increased communication
- I will strive to prioritise communication between students and the officer team with dedicated office hours for face to face drop-ins, constant polling, and an online publically viewable timetable.
4. Continuing campaigns
- Sexual assault is a problem at Keele no matter your gender. I want to continue campaigns such as #Neverok to raise more awareness of the issue.
- I will campaign for more sexual harassment and sexual assault victim training for SU staff, as they are the most likely to first encounter those who’ve been affected.
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