Your Elected Officers

I'm not going to be an expert - from Ollie (VP Education)

Wed, 14 Aug 2013 10:16:00 +0100

The new Sabbs have been at the Union for just over six weeks now and, after 4 weeks of training and handover, have officially been in office for two. So, we're all still pretty new to our roles but if the job so far has taught me anything it's that the whole year will be one learning experience. Adam Curtis (Societies Officer 2012-13) told me that you only really become an expert right at the end of your term and I'm starting to think that may have something to do with the sheer number of acronyms the University have! Anyway, I don't plan on being an expert. As I see it, being a Sabbatical Officer is demanding because it requires you to spread yourself out over various projects and multiple areas. There's no room for experts – you have to be diverse.

You also have to be reactive. Lots of things happen around you and have already been happening around us, even at this early stage. Dealing with these requires us to discover strengths we never knew we had whilst dealing with fears that prevent us from using them. Okay, that just got cheesy...back to my point. If we each become experts in very particular fields and have little ability outside of that, we'll never be equipped to deal with the enemy of the expert – the unexpected.

I met the unexpected very recently during our 'simulation day'. Our Chief Executive, Daniel, pretending to be a disgruntled English Lit student who was, despite getting straight Firsts, unhappy with the feedback on his work. Daniel thought (rightly so) that a grade of 76 and no other markings was insufficient. However, as the day was designed to make us work under pressure, he wanted advice and solutions against the clock! If you ever meet Daniel, you'll fairly swiftly realise that he's a very nice guy. However, in this instance he had a fake train to catch and suddenly the niceties disappeared, along with every policy about feedback that I had previously known. The safety of expertise was lost in the face of the unforeseen.

Much of what us Officers have to do, like thinking on your feet in a pressured situation, requires a ‘big picture’ judgment and experts often have more data than judgment. So, in a waffly, semi-anecdotal way, this is why I don’t intend on becoming an expert.

Hello - From Gemma (VP Heath Park Campus)

Wed, 14 Aug 2013 10:10:00 +0100

This is our 7^th week in office, and my first ever attempt at a blog! Excuse me while I get the hang of it. I’m Gemma, your VP Heath Park Campus. I have just finished my 4^th year of Dentistry, so have a realistic view of the issues facing healthcare students. I won’t pretend to know exactly what you are all going through, but I am definitely willing to listen, and really do want to hear from you about any problems you are having (and any good news too). I played for Cardiff Medics Ladies Hockey Club for 4 years, and was on the committee for three of those, and also represented healthcare sports teams on the AU executive committee - that’s how I initially got involved with the Students’ Union. I also figured that rather than just moaning about the problems, we should actually get out there and do something to change them!

I know blogs are supposed to be short so I will sign off here, but follow me on twitter @HeathParkCSU or add me on facebook Gemma Wheeler (VP Heath Park Campus) to keep up to date and ask any questions.

The Society Awards 2013

Wed, 08 May 2013 10:24:00 +0100

Society Awards 2013

The Society Awards are and will forever be a controversial night. They are controversial because in all honesty most societies deserve to win something, yet it would be a completely ridicules if they all did.

Yet even though controversial they are still crucial. For by them we honour the hard work and commitment of our societies, and we celebrate the incredible things they have done.

The Society Awards was without a doubt the best night of year. Not only was there great food, music and mayhem, but I got to congratulate some of the most inspiring people I know.

So here you go, here is the list of this year’s winners:

Best Newcomer:

Winner: Arab Society

Runner Up: New Entertainment.

Most Improved Society:

Winner: Maths Society

Runner Up: Law Society

Best Society Activity:

Winner: Pole Dance Society – Pole Core.

Runner Up: Jazz Society – Weekly Jam Sessions.

RAG Award for Best Fundraiser:

Winner: STAR

Runner Up: Healthcare Music Society

Best Go Global Performance:

Winner: Arab Society

Runner Up: YUVA Indian Society and Pakistani Society

Go Global Award: Best Event:

Winner: Malaysian Students’ Society – Festival of Diversity.

Runner Up: Jazz Society – 1940’s Night.

Most Committed Society Member:

Winner: Holly Rostill (Expression)

Runner Up: Ruth Munday (Christian Union)

Committee Member of the Year:

Winner: Ellen Green (Act One)

Runner Up: Rebecca Gardner (Jazz Society)

Best Small Event:

Winner: Slash Hip Hop – Workshop Weekend.

Runner Up: RAG – Lost.

Best Big Event:

Winner: Real Ale and Cider Society - Beer Fest

Runner Up: Sports and Exercise Medicine – Olympic Sports Conference.

Student Led Service of the Year:

Winner: Nightline

Runner Up: Student Run Self Help.

Best Association of the Year:

Winner: International Students’ Association

Runner Up: Women’s Association.

Best Small Society:

Winner: Duke of Edinburgh Society

Runner Up: Green Society.

Best Big Society:

Winner: Law Society

Runner Up: Psy Cardiff

Welsh Varsity 2013 - from Cari

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 10:35:00 +0100

I’m writing this feeling more than a little worse for wear, for me today is a struggle, as I’m sure it is for many of you too! But, of all the hangovers I’ve ever had, this one is most definitely worth it.

The Welsh Varsity 2013 was an absolutely incredible 18 hours and regardless of any results, I’m full to the brim with pride for Cardiff University, our sports teams and their supporters. Team Cardiff, you are amazing.

There was a great atmosphere at Sophia Gardens with Cardiff and Swansea students alike really getting into the spirit of the day. There was face-paint, banners and even the odd smoke flare! Of course the competition was fierce and occasionally passion took over, but for the most part it was all good-natured banter. Cardiff’s chat obviously being far superior to Swansea’s; “Your Dad works for my Dad!”

I tried to rush around to as many of the games as I could but even then it was impossible to see everything! It was a day jam packed with sport using all the venues at the Welsh Institute of Sport and some of the park playing fields.

Overall, Cardiff SMASHED Swansea in the Shield competition, winning 23 of the 30 sports. Lifting the shield above my head in the Millennium Stadium and seeing the Cardiff fans go wild was probably one of the greatest moments of my life!

The culmination of the day was the rugby at the stadium. A quick shout-out to say well done to TCUPS, Cardiff’s student choir who sung at the start of the game for the first time, I think you did a great job!

Cardiff went out hard and finished the first half 10-5 up. I’ll hold my hands up, I was one of the people who thought we had it at that point, if we continued with the same form I just couldn’t see us losing. Unfortunately Swansea pulled it back and we failed to utilise some of the chances we had in the second half.

Swansea took home the Varsity Cup winning 21 – 13. We didn’t get the result we wanted and I’ll admit that I shed a tear or two - partly because I know how much it meant to the boys - but it was a great game to watch and Cardiff can hold their heads high.

I couldn’t possibly write this without mentioning the streaker who was – to my horror (secret joy) – a Cardiff fan. Making it onto the pitch at the Millennium is no mean feat, but decking it whilst trying to remove his boxers meant that security had a chance to catch up with him and escort him from the pitch.

I just want to say a quick thanks to all the people who worked tirelessly to make The Welsh Varsity happen. It was a pretty stressful process but all the hard work and time paid off.

Thanks to the sportsmen and women who supplied me with drinks last night too - cheapest night out I’ve had in a long time - although I’m suffering because of it now!

I love Cardiff and I love all our sports teams, yesterday made me so proud to be your Athletic Union President. I’m just so glad I’m still here next year to experience it all over again!

The results are listed below.

Cardiff Wins

Mens Badminton 8 -1

Tae Kwon Do 25 -3

Netball 34 -27

Ladies Fencing 135 – 65

Ladies Basketball 80 -29

Mens Basketball 57 – 50

Mens Squash 4 – 1

Ladies Squash

Mens Volleyball 3 – 0

Mens Football 3 -2

Ladies Hockey 4 – 0

Mens Hockey 9 – 2

Ladies Rugby 20 – 5

IMG Football 2 – 0

Mens Lacrosse 6 - 2

Ladies Lacrosse 13 – 8

Ultimate Frisbee 15 – 6

Ladies Tennis 4 – 2

Mens Tennis 6 – 0

Sailing 6 – 3

Rowing 4 – 0

Cricket 54 runs

Golf 10 - 2

Swansea Wins

Mens Rugby 21 - 13

Mens Fencing 128 -111

Ladies Badminton 5-3

Ladies Volleyball 3 – 0

Freshers Rugby 19 – 10

Ladies Football 3 – 2

American Football 36 - 14

Why I am voting “Yes to NUS” - Megan

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 09:59:00 +0100

The first time I heard about our National Union of Students, was at the start of second year. Believe it or not, at that point I was quite an unengaged student, striving to make friends and get good grades.

In October 2010, tuition fees rising and Nick Clegg’s betrayal of the student vote dominated not only the news but so many every day conversations. Despite not knowing anyone going on any of the many buses our SU were sending to the NUS London protest, I dragged my boyfriend along to campaign with thousands of students outside parliament and get the student voice heard. It is here that I was inspired by the speeches at the rally, which ingrained in me the importance of higher education and the collective power of students.

I returned to Cardiff determined to spread the belief in education being open to all and worked to build “Action Against the Cuts Cardiff” and host a “Carnival Against the Cuts” in the city centre during the following months. At “Carnival Against the Cuts” student collective power won, having an announcement half way through the demonstration that the Welsh government were to keep EMA and cap tuition fees for Welsh students. Thinking back, it wasn’t only our loud voices on the ground that made this happen, but the important conversations held by NUS Wales’s officers in the Welsh Assembly.

In my second year, I also became active in Cardiff University’s ‘People and Planet’ Society. We were striving to get our own students’ union to pay £1000 in affiliation fees to a watchdog for clothing factories all over the world – to ensure that all garments that are sold by our SU are made in ethical factories. Before we could launch the campaign at the Union though NUS had already joined and thus today are still campaigning for ethical purchasing having recently bought a fair-trade clothing business.

Now I am an elected officer and there have been uncountable discussions around the financial “worth” of NUS. I am however a strong believer that a union who stands up for the rights of students, that really should not be given a cost, this undermines collective action and instead only lowers us to only being consumers rather than active citizens who believe we can shape society.

So far this year, I have attended a few NUS training events, where I have met some great fellow welfare officers who have helped me with some of my projects. Perhaps the most successful being the “Safe Taxi Scheme” which I brought to Cardiff having learnt some lessons from elsewhere building on the best practice of other affiliated NUS SU’s.

Facilitating the sharing of best practice is only part of what NUS does. I have worked closely with the NUS Wales’s Women’s Officer this year who has helped me implement the zero tolerance to sexual harassment policy for the university. Such support in the first few weeks of my role has ensured that I will achieve this policy within my year.

I have recently returned for NUS national conference where policies were discussed on some amazing progressive projects specific to my role. What stands out for me is the idea of building “tenant unions” for students who want to have a large lobbying body focussed on improving student houses. Without NUS these projects couldn’t happen.

I also work closely with the Advice and Representation Centre at the Students’ Union. The work of ARC is invaluable, representing students to the university and fighting student’s rights to “Dodgy landlords” every day. The elected officers are not the only people who benefit from training but the staff at the SU who win individuals cases every day for students. ARC do such great work with huge support from the National Advice Body within NUS, behind them who guide and direct them on certain issues and have specific training a few times a year on the changes to policy as the law changes so rapidly. I urge you, if you have ever been helped by ARC, vote yes in the referendum to ensure that students continue to have the same high level of help, support and guidance when they fall in to trouble while they are at university.

So these are a few of the reasons I am supportive of NUS, just from my own experiences. If you know me though, you will be aware that I of course have many frustrations with NUS. I personally believe in collective action and having a union to stand for principles in the best interest of our demographic, no matter what policies lay with political parties. Despite this frustration, I am a strong believer that Cardiff Students have to be involved in NUS, to shape it.

Despite not being so actively involved in the following NUS successful work and campaigns, I wanted to mention them as it has had an effect on how I will be voting and feel for NUS.

London met students – You may remember in September this year, international students at London met were told by the UKBA that they were to be deported as their university lost their highly trusted status and could no longer teach international students. NUS spent thousands of pounds to win a court case and ensure that the students could stay in the country to finish their degree.

Liberation Campaigns – I have been lucky this year to work closely with many of the part time officers, LGBT+. the Women’s campaign, disabled student association, ethical & environmental and international students. The training and direction on policy to implement in the union and university, how to lobby for change and support throughout the year. Jack Oakley’s blog explains more here -. This support is invaluable.

New Green Fund for Students Unions to use to implement new green projects at students unions. Okay I definitely was involved in this project through the NUS Ethical and Environmental Committee I advice on.

New Pound in your pocket campaign on student funding, currently only focussed on English students – soon to be worked on in Wales so that students get the financial support they need while at university.

This is why I am voting YES to NUS.

I also think it is important to ask the “NO camp” what their agenda is as financially, the SU will not benefit from leaving NUS. There appears to be a political agenda in the NO Camp, lead by a political party. I will be honest, my political agenda lies in a belief that students united to fight for their rights is stronger, than when we stand apart. If you agree and are proud of what NUS have achieved so far and what they could achieve in the future vote YES to NUS.

Megan David

Vote Yes to NUS from Steph & Harry

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 17:42:00 +0100

This week the students of Cardiff have the chance to vote on whether they remain members of the National Union of Students (NUS).

You will hear all sorts of arguments for voting yes or no this week, and as two people very close to this debate we wanted to explain a few reasons why we will think Cardiff SU should stay in NUS and why students should vote yes.

As the Presidents of Cardiff Students’ Union and NUS Wales we see the power of students, students’ unions and NUS working together across the whole of Wales and the UK every day. Over the past few years we have seen big changes in our education system and every step of the way NUS has been supporting students’ unions to make the case for students locally, as well as speaking up on a national level; whether tacking legal action to save students from deportation, saving EMA in Wales, or ensuring that no student from Wales will pay more than £3,000 no matter where they study in the UK, it has been a collective effort and a coherent and organised message across Wales and the UK that has made these things possible. No students’ union on their own would have the time and resource to be able to make these things happen, this is why we need a national union fighting for us whilst Cardiff SU can spend their time making sure Cardiff has the best student experience in the UK.

At no point during this debate are we going to pretend that NUS is perfect, neither is any students’ union, we wouldn’t be here if they were. This argument goes to the core of what students’ unions are about - collectivism. Whilst every student is different, just as every students’ union is, it is our belief that we have a much better chance of tackling our common challenges if we work together.

You can vote at www.cardiffstudents.com/vote. Voting closes at 12noon on Thursday 18th April

Steph Lloyd (NUS Wales President)

Harry Newman (Cardiff Students' Union President)

Keep Cardiff in the NUS - Jack Oakley

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 09:19:00 Z

To most students the NUS is just the logo on your student card getting you discounts, but it is so much more.

Many people have pointed out the other range of benefits, but I feel I need to explain why the NUS is so important to those of us who identify into the 5 liberation groups (these being the LGBT, Women’s, Black, Disabled and Welsh Students campaigns).

For these students, life involves many additional challenges, and to be able to make the change needed in society to overcome these there is a need to campaign. However, as much as we may want to shout as an individual Students’ Union, as much as we push for change, our single voice will never be as strong as that of a unified national campaign. As a unified national body, students can generate some real momentum in their campaigns and make some dramatic improvements to the quality of students’ lives. We need people who will stand up for our rights, and fight to protect our interests. This, in my view, is the most important role for the NUS, and no one does it better.

On an individual level, the training provided by the NUS to liberation groups is invaluable, not only giving people the tools to drive the change but also many of the events, such as liberation training days and conferences allow us to meet the activists from other institutions, sharing ideas and pooling resources to reach our common goal, liberation.

It is important that those of us in the liberation groups are heard, so I urge you to vote for keeping our affiliation to the NUS during the referendum on the 16^th – 18^th April.

Jack Oakley

LGBT+ Officer

Heath Park Update from Hannah Pask

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:54:00 Z

What’s been going on at the Heath!

It has been the craziest few weeks! I have barely had chance to sit down in my office because I have been running all over the place, organising different things, meeting new people and just generally adding something fun and interesting to life at the Heath. For some reason, the few weeks before Easter will always be the busiest time of the year, so I am sure you will agree the holiday is much needed. But within this busy time came some of the most exciting weeks of the year, which makes Cardiff such an amazing Uni to be at and a great city to live in.

So this is what I have been up to….

Go Global at the Heath

Every day, between 18^th and 22^nd February we put on workshops, performances, or exhibitions for you up at the Heath. The aim of the week was to bring the essence of the cultural festival of Go Global to the heath, which is so often missed by these students. The IV lounge was always really busy during each of the performances; a great opportunity for our students to showcase their talent to a wider audience.

March Nursing 2013 Welcome Week

So the start of March saw 80 new students descend on the Heath Park Campus. Starting halfway through the year means these students have previously missed out on any form of Freshers week. This year I wanted to put on a packed week of events to really immerse them in university life. An activities fayre, some great nights out, tours and talks made up the week, and I hope all the students that got involved had a great time and had the chance to meet loads of new people.

Heath RAG

This was an action packed two weeks which saw all healthcare students come together to donate generously to charity. This year’s charities were SKIP and Cardiff Marrow; two student-led, Heath based, charitable societies. A cyclothon, sponsored skip, Three Peaks stair climb, Big Gig and an Open Mic Night were just some of great activities put on by the students. We are still awaiting the total amount of money raised, so watch this space to see if we smashed last year’s total!

While you’re away for Easter your Elected Officer team will still be here working to improve the student experience for YOU. So don’t hesitate to get in touch if there is something I can do to help improve your time at university - HeathParkOfficer@cardiff.ac.uk.

Hannah Pask

Heath Park Campus Officer

Union Development Update from Kieran Gandhi

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 15:54:00 Z

With only a couple of weeks left of term two, we can now look forward to the Easter holidays…or can we?

The Easter break conveniently fits between term two and term three (cheers history). For me, Easter in my final year meant one thing; panic! Gone are the days when Easter represents three weeks ‘off’; rather three weeks that can offer an opportunity to reflect on the work (or lack off) that you have done throughout the year. It’s a time of revision for the summer exams (an even more stressful situation for those taking finals) and of course an opportunity to finish off the dreaded dissertation. It all seems doom and gloom, but have no fear; in between the exams, coursework and dissertations we have loads going on at the Students' Union such as Varsity, Summer Ball, Graduation and much more! As this is a reflective time, I thought it best to update you on a few things I’ve been involved with as an Elected Officer of the Students' Union, and perhaps a few things to look forward to. Best of luck to those undertaking their exams/coursework, I’m really not jealous of what you have ahead of you!

The Annual General Meeting

This year’s AGM marked the return of fierce debate, some slightly confusing discussions (that seemed never ending) and a few presentations for good measure. AGM has always confused me; why do we ‘force’ societies and sports clubs to attend a meeting that could potentially go on for three hours and bore many involved? There’s a simple answer; this is your Union, and therefore the biggest decisions that get taken to AGM are for you to make…This year made for a fairly entertaining evening it must be said! Part of my remit is to present the Students' Union’s finances from last year, which happened to be down £274,000 (don’t blame me!). There were many reasons for this; food and beverages (-£75K), entertainment (-£65K), post-grad bar (-£10K) were all down from the previous year, along with overspends on student activities (£25K) and a few other things contributing to the -£274K. You’ll be glad to know that this year we are looking much stronger, and hope to come in at a tidy profit! All that profit we generate goes straight back into student led activity (such as sports, societies, campaigns, academic representation, student media etc…) so it’s vital that we continue to use, enjoy and invest in our future as Cardiff Students’ Union.

The Ministry of Change

This year we welcomed the new system of Student Council: The Ministry of Change. The new system, overall, has been a success; generating more ideas than ever before from our student body. We’ve witnessed excellent debate and discussion over the ideas submitted to the forums, which has led to some interesting and important decisions being made. I feel comfortable in surmising that the general direction of the new ‘student council’ system is a leap in the right direction (as far as student democracy and engagement are concerned). I look forward to working on more and more ideas brought to the forums, and I urge you to submit any ideas you may have that could improve our Students' Union, the work we do in the community or how the University can improve the service they provide to us.

Things to look forward to…

Welsh Varsity 2013

As a huge fan of competitive sport and beating Swansea in everything we do, I always look forward to reminding Swansea who are the dominant and most successful sporting university in South Wales! Varsity offers the opportunity for us as Cardiff University students to represent our wonderful University in a wide range of sports. That includes all those playing, organising and most importantly; supporting! I urge all Cardiff University students to paint the town red on the 24^th April by wearing the Cardiff colours and cheering on the amazing diversity of sport we have to offer! I’ll see you there.

The Dusk Till Dawn Summer Ball 2013

After the success of last year’s Summer Ball (The Dusk till Dawn Ball, spanning from 6.00pm till 6.00am) we have decided to build on thisby making it bigger and better than ever! At the moment the plans are rather secret, and will remain secret until the day…we will let you know the headline acts and general info of course, but I will say this now and you can hold me to it; you will never experience the Students’ Union like this, and once inside the building, will be pleasantly surprised by the range of exciting, weird and wonderful things we have planned. I advise getting tickets well in advance as last year’s sold out and people were buying them on Facebook for up £60!

Keep your eye open for…

A Year Book for all those graduating this year. Everyone that graduates this year will be in it, along with sports clubs, societies, local pubs/clubs, places of interest and what happened in 12/13…don’t miss out on a little piece of history you were part of!
Vintage Market in the Students’ Union
Beach Break Live 2013. Get your ticket from the Box Office; it’s the best student festival going.

Best of luck with everything,

Yours in Union development, Internal Affairs and general fun and activities,

Kieran Gandhi

Union Development and Internal Affairs Officer

Welfare Update from Megan David

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 13:40:00 Z

So it's already week six or seven of term two and as an Elected Officer team, you could argue that we have failed to keep you up to date posting blogs so that you know all about the exciting things we have been doing at the SU! This is my apology for only having blogged once and a catch up from me!

Since we last spoke….myself and the rest of the team have been quite busy!

Revision Aid

Revision Aid was re-launched this year during the January exam period. With our team focus this year concerning what more can be done around mental health provision, we were keen to improve awareness of University services by reminding students of my “Mind Your Head” campaign and therefore the importance of taking time out of revision to de-stress! We managed to get around most of the libraries/computer rooms during the weeks with free tea and coffee, sweets and my “revision aid” leaflets featuring top tips for exams, information about extenuating circumstances and details of how to access university services. We hope this helped you guys. We had a few lovely chats in between the hurried tea serving - the queues grew once the word was out about our “free” goodies so we will be back on it for the summer exams!

Go Green Week

I was also really pleased with how Go Green Week went this year. As a keen environmentalist, I was very happy to get involved helping People and Planet Society with their national week of action on climate change and most excitingly arranging a yurt for the garden of the SU so that students could learn about living radically in the best interest of the planet. Lots of workshops, film nights, Dr Bike, a poetry slam and much more occurred and hopefully inspired more students to live in a more sustainable way. To my delight, Monday morning after Go Green Week an envelope arrived on my desk which included a signed “Green Education Declaration" from the Vice Chancellors Office. This was in response to a letter sent from myself, Harry the President, Jack our Ethical and Environmental Officer and members of People and Planet Society encouraging the University to demonstrate their commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and embedding sustainability in the curriculum and therefore was the perfect end to Go Green Week! This inspired me to launch the Sustainability Awards, finally getting off the ground this week where a student or staff member can nominate someone who has shown outstanding commitment to the environment during their time at University. To nominate a member of staff or student for this brand new prestigious award – click here!

Go Green Week was followed by Go Global. Adam did a great job sharing the magic of this week on the website and managed to get many students involved as well as us, the Elected Officer team. I have to say I loved the debates around EU membership and religion, it was a new interesting take which demonstrated the complexities but also greatness of multiculturalism, and ensured a celebration of diversity was built on this year.

Sexual Health Awareness

And underneath the surface of these magical weeks, our less colourful work has gone ahead. I have been lucky to have worked to re-build a great small group of students passionate about raising awareness of sexual health issues. After a brilliant World Aids Awareness Week, raising awareness of how Aids effects thousands of people in the UK and abroad, The Vulcan were very supportive and allowed us to have a section on their usual quiz to raise awareness and help fundraising for this great cause. We made more than £200 throughout the week and managed to get many students wearing red ribbons around campus. More recently however we have been working on creating our “SHAG wall” for the 1^st floor of the Students' Union which will feature a map and information about local gum clinics, pharmacys and GP’s in the area where you can get checked and get emergency contraception. We will also have a free condom dispenser and information about common STIs so students are more safe and aware. We are also involved in the “Student Sex Work Project” with the Women's Association and LGBT+ Society. This is a Swansea university intuitive to find out how many students are involved in sex work and what more can be done to improve their situation. Keep an eye out for the project next week! If you are interested in filling out the survey about your experience or views on sex work, please click here!

Mental Health Provision

I have also been looking in to mental health provision at the University and what more can be done to improve the current situation. Myself and Beth (Education and University Affairs Officer) have been thinking about Wardens in Halls and what we can do to perhaps get those students trained in Mental Health first aid, or other inititives such as more “drop-in” sessions run by Mind, the mental health charity which is run in Aberystwyth. So with these ideas in “mind” I went to visit the Mind Cardiff office last week to understand what they do and what more the university could do to improve provision. It was very useful to understand the courses they run and I took this information back to the head of councelling at the University last week. It became clear that the counselling department are so keen to do more and work with me on some projects, such as longer opening hours, more courses on de-stress, so watch this space.

It is really great to work with students on projects, but also really great to work with members of staff at the University and members of the local council who are passionate about improving the student experience in Cardiff. We are currently working on a cycling campaign, recycling initiatives and I am also looking in to policy around social responsibility, ethical investment, zero tolerance to sexual harassment, Fairtrade and community engagement with these stakeholders to ensure long term student focus after I am gone.

Future Projects

On that note, after the elections last week, some of you would be forgiven for thinking I don’t have long left. In one way, I don’t as we are over half way through the year but there are still many projects which I am keen to get sorted:

Solar Pannels on the Roof of the SU
Celebration of the most outstanding student. Get nominating them for Honour Roll
Build campaign groups in to societies, so more students get campaigning on campus, creating students who are more engaged citizens!
Build an Advice Squad, a team who works on campaigns with ARC. The Squad will act as an educative and preventative campaigning advice team run by students, for students.
Zero tolerance, Corporate Social Responsibility and ethical investment policy at the University
Community engagement group for the University, Students' Union and local Cardiff community
Cycling campaign with Cardiff Council.
Continue working on Ministry of Change ideas!

I also want to congratulate Helen Dent, the new VP welfare who was elected last Thursday night, who I am sure will be a great Welfare Officer and hopefully continue with some of my work!

In the meantime, if you have any ideas about what you would like me to work on or if you would like to get involved with any of my projects, you can email me at WelfareOfficer@cardiff.ac.uk, follow me on Twitter @WelfareCSU or call me on 029 2078 1422.

Adios

Megan David

Welfare and Community Officer