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If elected as your Welfare and Internationalisation Officer, I aim to improve our current mental health services and make the SU more transparent in how these services are advertised. The closure of nightline was an issue that was affected many of us and support has been lacking since. As many of you know, the waiting times for accessing counselling and therapy can last for weeks, drop in sessions are often oversubscribed and while services such as Big White Wall can help, there needs to be a better alternative. I would like to introduce a mentoring or buddy support system in which other students can talk to a student volunteer who would be trained in listening to and supporting them if they did not feel comfortable talking to their family or friends. I have heard of instances where third years have been unsure over how to access mental health services and have had to ask fellow first years in order to find out. I think its key for mental health services to be advertised more widely and we should either invest in external companies to develop these services or invest further into the current options available. Mental health is an issue largely felt by people and I want everyone to feel supported and not alone in their time at Keele. Taking part in sport and exercise can aid someone’s mental health so in addition, I want to work more closely with the AU Officer to see if exercise classes and guided sessions could further be developed and possibly subsidised so more students can access casual sport as not everyone can afford to join a team.
I want all students to feel included and part of the Keele bubble. I firsthand have struggled with the lack of inclusivity at times and wouldn’t want anyone else to feel that way. I want to work closely with BAME, LGBTQ+, mature, international students as well as those with physical and invisible disabilities to have more open forms of communication so that their needs are being met and for further representation of these groups. I aim to improve the welcome week for international students so they have more opportunities to interact while they settle into university life and for cultural societies to put on events and make them more inclusive for students. I would look into possibly introducing a showcase where various cultural societies could meet each other, share their ideas and learn about each other. There should also be an incentive for all societies to employ a welfare officer so that students’ concerns are being listened to and there is support for those who may need it.
I want to work with the Education Officer, student voice representatives (SVR’s), and UGM members to challenge the current 10am deadline. Many students have voiced that the deadline has confused them and for a later deadline as it affects those with access issues and away from campus most. There should be greater opportunities for SVR’s and the education officer to give feedback and work on the educational needs of students. I would strive for an improvement in discourse between lecturers and SVR’s. A simple module evaluation form doesn’t cut it these days and there needs to be opportunities throughout the semester for students to voice their thoughts about their course. Education widely affects issues such as mental health and wellbeing so this is something I am passionate to push for.
Other issues I would like to work on include liaising with societies to put on more events including those which run in the daytime and non-drinking events for mature students and those with religious observations. Not everyone is up for going on a night out so there should be more variety in events so that everyone is accounted for. That being said I would also like to improve the nightlife at Keele by working with the entertainments team to address the issue of repetitive music. I propose that students should be able to submit playlists and look into reducing the entry price for student nights.
Finally, I would like to continue the great work being carried out by campaigns such as #NeverOk and for there to be more awareness campaigns for sexual harassment. No one should have to feel worried about their safety while at university and there should be appropriate measures in place to prevent discrimination taking place. There should always be a person you can turn to when you feel unsafe, whether you’re on a night out at the SU or staying in your accommodation. I propose that as well as the buddy system to have a designated person to contact if you’re feeling uncomfortable. I aim to provide students with better knowledge of the services provided to them such as resident advisors, stewards, and for those off campus to have someone to contact when they feel their safety is being jeopardised. Together we can make this university a safe space for everyone.
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