Money Matters

In this priority, my work revolves around policy and implementation of long-term campaigns.

Being the Regional Lead for the National Union of Students, my priority focused on lobbying the Houses of Parliament to make changes to the upcoming Renters Rights Bill. I am pleased to say we have been successful in two amendments- no longer having to pay months of rent upfront and a ban on Section 21 notices, which will come into law when the bill passes. There is still more to be done with guarantors so, in January, I attended Parliament to meet with Officers from all over the UK, Lords and MPs to discuss the effect they have on student wellbeing.

As well as this, I am also a member of the Greater Manchester Student Partnership. We work closely with the mayor and combined authority to tackle regional student issues relating to housing, transport, safety and mental health. I have visited the mayors question time to question on the Student Living and Staying Strategy as well as meeting with Andy Burnham, alongside the GMSP. We had a productive meeting with the mayor, with future focus on the upcoming Good Landlord Charter accreditation and student protection from bad landlords.

I have also been a key member in assisting the launch of The Union’s Money Matters campaign. We have hosted a number of stalls to collect your feedback and the additional costs survey will utilize data received to shape further conversation with the university and create future campaigns.

Personal development

Throughout semester 1, I launched phase 1 of the Student Self-Care Movement. A campaign focusing on the importance of personal as well as professional development.

This project is keen to ensure a hybrid approach for students both on and off campus. In term 1 we delivered the campaign as part of National Self-Care week, exploring the five areas of personal development as well as launching the podcast, Note to Self and the giant 6ft heart! As part of National Self-Care Week, we launched the Student Self-Care podcast, opened the ‘Note to Self’ initiative, received wellbeing feedback, asked you to share what you’re grateful for on a 6ft heart and composed 6 different events and 13 stalls related to the 5 areas of personal development. Whether you were inspired by another student sharing their story or reflective on your own wellbeing, I hope this campaign personally resonated with you in your busy academic schedule

However, the work doesn’t stop there! Using your feedback, I will begin to build new policy initiatives in semester 2 related to belonging as well as executing the next phase of the Student Self-Care Movement in term 3. Keep an eye out for how you can get involved!

Community and belonging

Launching the Student Self-Care Movement podcast aimed to foster a sense of belonging amongst the student community, sharing that university is different for everybody and you are not alone in the challenges you face, despite how lonely day to day may feel.

Throughout semester 2, using data received from the campaign, I will be working with my team to innovate exciting new opportunities for students to meet others. These events will hopefully have a long-term impact, with future prospect of being built into term planning.