Hi, I'm Zoe. I came to Keele in 2022 to study Biochemistry and Neuroscience. For those of the more mathematically astute, that means I have not yet finished my degree and will be continuing my studies after carrying out my Wellbeing role.
Last year I was working as a Casual Centre Assistant in the Sports Centre, as well as secretary of Boatclub (both places full of lovely people).
Outside of my role I love to go to the gym; I am a qualified PT and have chosen to specialise in powerlifting at the start of this year, approaching 3 years of gym experience. I am a prime advocate of getting people to actually enjoy fitness and the immense consequential effects this has on people’s wellbeing.
I also enjoy reading, playing bass and drinking tea in local coffee shops.
What advice would you give to students this year?
Getting one minute of sunshine can sometimes flip a bad day around. Also, never listen to sad music when you feel bad, it never ends well.
Talk to me about:
- Where to go in the University for support (whether personal, financial or otherwise)
- Difficulties experienced with the services provided by the University or Keele Students’ Union (Ie. Student Services, ASK or other supporting staff)
- Accessibility issues on campus
- If you feel that Keele is unsafe in any capacity
- How to make Keele more inclusive, diverse and equitable environment for students
- Tackling structural discrimination within the University (BAME, women, Disabled and LGBTQ+ students)
Email me at su.wellbeingofficer@keele.ac.uk
Posted on Tue 02 Dec 2025 at 16:13
Hey guys hope you’re all looking after yourselves and keeping yourselves warm during the start of winter months. As we’re approaching the end of Semester 1, here are a few things that I have been working on:
First Bus:
Collated 50+ student responses, implemented short-term extra 8-9am bus to deal with capacity. Advocating for longer term solutions before (and after) the implementation of X25, in collaboration with University executives, SU and First Bus teams.
Cost-of-Living Exam packs:
£1000 secured towards giving free food - including hot soup, snacks and drinks - as well as fidget toys to students during winter exam season. Working with library and SU teams around logistics of giving these out January 12-23rd.
Neurodiverse inclusivity:
Implemented wellbeing space in library, with free period products, crafts, free book swap, wellbeing book collection and a student notice board.
Surveying Tawney building for a permanent student sensory space (to be in place before I leave as an officer!).
Provided extensive feedback from a student perspective on the Inclusive Education Framework in Steering groups, academic lecturers and Executives of the University
Lecturer/academic staff/PhD students wellbeing induction training:
We are in the early stages of exploring the development of wellbeing training for front-facing academic staff, in collaboration with University HR and the Head of Student Services.
Discussions at the Student Services Half Away Day highlighted a significant gap in support in this area, alongside a growing complexity in student mental health cases. This further reinforces the need for greater involvement from academic staff - or at least the opportunity for those who wish to undertake relevant training. Currently exploring the opportunity for optional “opt-in” sessions for academic lecturers.
Also created wellbeing officers training for clubs and societies, and working with the relevant teams to present this at the annual training session.
Physical disability report:
Officially presented in EDI Steering group in October. This is following a wheelround campus held back in March lead by the student Disability Network and Head of Estates. A couple of the wins so far are:
New benching has been installed across campus. Will be consulting with Estates further on the hot spots for these benches and move them where appropriate
Modern composite benching has been installed.
Cleaning on the library accessible entrance now in place.
Campus safety vehicles now informed not to park on or blocking any of the accessible parking bays.
Looking into adjustability of lecture hall desks for wheelchair users as part of the pool teaching space improvements
Looking into an accessible campus-wide student map
Women's health in the medical curriculum:
There’s a lot of national data showing that women’s health is a serious issue - one example being that it often takes 7–10 years on average for someone to finally receive an endometriosis diagnosis. Because of this, I’ve been working with Mike Farrar (CEO of the NHS in Northern Ireland) and gathering evidence to get SU Officers involved at a national level. I’ve already reached out to Glasgow and Lincoln SUs to link our campaigns, and my aim is to build this into a wider campaign with the Women's Network during the rest of my time as an officer. The goal is to put pressure on the GMC and push for women’s health to be included in the regulations for assessments for medicine students. I know this will take much longer than my term in office, but I want to lay the groundwork now.