VP Welfare - Update

Here we are again—another month has zipped by even quicker than the last! Students and staff have found their rhythm in the new academic year, creating memorable experiences, and starting to think about assignments and Christmas. So, what have I been up to this month, you might wonder? 

Movember  

Over the past few weeks, we successfully hosted multiple events, including a waxing event, a walkathon, a netball tournament, and a futsal tournament, all aimed at raising awareness and funds for men's mental and physical health. As of November 30th, we have raised an impressive £2089, bringing us just a couple of hundred pounds shy of our target of shaving the VC’s beard. We have until the 9th of December so keep on donating! It has been an incredibly rewarding experience to support so many men around the world in their journeys toward better health. As I conclude my three-year tenure as an ambassador for the university, I reflect on this role as one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life, allowing me to help countless individuals and connect with many wonderful people. Looking ahead, we have one final Movember event scheduled for December 9th: a charity football match featuring our Roehampton first team against the Digby Lions, with half of the proceeds going to Movember. 

Speak week 

Another great moment was engaging with people about what they would keep, change, or get rid of within us speak week campaign. The enthusiastic participation from so many individuals was incredibly rewarding and reinforced the importance of community involvement. This experience has also prompted me to reflect on my manifesto points, allowing me to identify ways I can better support even more students across the university. 

International week  

Speaking to a diverse array of individuals from various cultures was an eye-opening experience that deepened my understanding of the world. Engaging with peers from diverse backgrounds allowed me to gain valuable insights into their unique perspectives and experiences, particularly regarding their home countries and cultures. I learned a great deal about the popular study abroad destinations that attract students. Many students shared their personal stories and aspirations related to studying overseas, highlighting the transformative impact these experiences can have on their education and personal growth. This interaction not only broadened my appreciation for global diversity. 

Men’s mental health network 

It has been a wonderful experience to interact with different organizations that work to improve men's mental health around the world. These conversations have brought to light a variety of efforts to strengthen men's networks and deepen our knowledge of this important topic. Some organizations, for instance, emphasize promoting communication and changing stereotypes, which frequently discourage men from asking for assistance. My understanding of men's mental health issues has expanded as a result of these revelations, and I am now more motivated to support inclusive policies that cater to the particular requirements of guys everywhere. 

Disability/Neurodiversity/Mental Health 

Together with my fellow sabbatical officers, our on-campus Disability/Neurodiversity/Mental Health has started crucial discussions about how we can better serve our campus community, building on the momentum of the men's mental health network. To make sure that everyone has alternatives for supporting one another and finding someone to talk to when required, we are actively identifying important resources and tactics. We hope to build a network where people feel at ease asking for and offering assistance by encouraging an atmosphere of candor and support, which will ultimately improve the wellbeing of our whole community. 

HIVE Cafe interviews 

It was a wonderful experience to take part in the HIVE recruitment process because I met a lot of new people who were excited to be a part of our Roehampton community. In addition to giving me the chance to network with motivated people, this experience gave me insightful advice about what to emphasize in interviews, which helped me modify my prior experiences. I see it as an honour to participate in these panels because they allow me to interact with a variety of people and get knowledge about our dynamic neighborhood; which helps me better understand the needs and goals of people in our immediate vicinity. 

Presidents committee 

It was once again amazing to meet with all of the college presidents and other sabbatical officers to talk about our accomplishments throughout the previous month. Hearing about the several projects our college presidents are carrying out to improve the Roehampton community was encouraging. In addition to sharing our accomplishments, these conversations gave rise to fresh concepts that can enhance campus life for students. 

College cup 

The college cup game returned with a new way to accrue points as we started a new month! This was really fun for me because I love making quizzes and interesting exercises. I had a great chance to share my expertise with the Roehampton community and demonstrate it. In addition to being enjoyable, the experience helped me interact with others through intellectual challenges and friendly competition, making it an unforgettable occasion for all those engaged.  

London student partnership meeting 

Meeting with other student unions across London was an invaluable opportunity to discuss our major initiatives aimed at benefiting students throughout the city. We focused on pressing issues such as the rising cost of living, including food, travel, and overall living conditions. These conversations allowed us to share ideas and strategies for addressing these challenges, fostering collaboration among different institutions. Looking ahead, we have scheduled future meetings with this development group to continue exploring effective solutions and ensuring that the voices of students are heard in our efforts to create a supportive environment for all. 

As per usual I will leave you with a quote that has stuck with me this month.  

“Hate has 4 letters so does love, enemies has 7 letters so does friends, lying has 5 letters but so does truth, failure has 7 letters but so does success, cry has 3 letters so does joy and negativity has 10 letters but so does positivity, you always have a choice, so choose the better side of it.”