Well, here we are, another month has passed and has flown by even faster than the last. Students and staff are settling into the new academic year, pathing their new pathway into something very memorable as well as making lifelong friends with everyone! So, what have I been doing then this month I hear people ask: 

Black History Month  

Well, well well this has been one hell of a month, first of all Amira Campbell, the NUS President, delivered an inspiring speech about Black History Month, sharing her journey to her current position and the challenges she faced along the way. She discussed her inspirations and offered a unique insight into the Black historical figure that connected with the students in attendance. As well as this, on social media I have highlighted four on-campus Black heroes and four lesser-known individuals who have made significant contributions to the Black community. In collaboration with the SOAS and Whiteland's presidents, a games and quiz night were organized to engage students in learning about Black history. To further commemorate BHM, a podcast featuring Marilyn Holness and Daniel Eshun was produced, where they shared their personal experiences and reflections on Black History Month. This diverse array of activities and discussions aimed to celebrate Black culture, educate students, and promote a deeper understanding of the importance of Black History Month on campus. Finally, I was a panel member in a movie screen of the Silent Twins in which i gave a new and intriguing critique of the film and I can thoroughly recommend you watch it! 

Movember  

Riley Burchell and I have an exciting lineup of events planned to raise awareness for men's mental health. The festivities kick off with an opening night celebration, followed by a series of engaging activities including an opening night event where we all shave off our beards and a throwback to when I was 16 again. A waxing session combined with a quiz night, and a delectable cupcake sale. For those seeking a physical challenge, there is a 12-hour walkathon and a 60,000-step challenge in a single day. Sports enthusiasts can participate in various athletic events, and the campaign will culminate in a grand awards night. The primary goal of these diverse activities is to encourage open conversations about men's mental health, providing a safe and supportive environment for men to discuss their experiences and concerns. As an added incentive, if the fundraising target of £2,500 is reached, Vice Chancellor Jean-Noel has pledged to shave off his beard, adding a fun and personal stake to the campaign 

Speak Week  

I have had the privilege to start looking at how we can have a great speak week in and engaging ways with you the students. If you have any ideas of what you think you would engage with, feel free to drop me a message on Instagram (adamiswelfareofficer) shameless promo I know lol. In the past we have had some poop up stalls and some games to play so anything along the lines would be wonderful.

Interviews – Community Organiser Role 

Once again during my time as your Welfare Officer I have been on another interviewing panel for our new community Organsier role, which has further devolved my understanding of what to do in these scenarios as well as learning how to make sure to connect to the interviewer whilst also showing my experience in my certain fields. 

College Cup 

Once again, this is another monumental college cup event, so many pumpkins and they all look outstanding. For me, getting the college cup and running has been a big accomplishment for me as it brings our community feel back whilst also having some friendly competition about it. If you would have told me when I started this job, that in 4 months we would have had 2 amazing events and so many people would be engaging in this, I would have been flabbergasted. So, thank you to everyone who has helped me so far! And keep a look out for next month's College Cup too! 

Digby Feast of Matter  

It was truly a privilege to receive this invitation, as it brought back many cherished memories of time spent with my family during my younger years. Witnessing the attendees come together to sing and create new memories, while honoring our past, was really moving. So thank you Digby for the invitation it was truly an amazing event. 

Presidents Committee 

This month marked our first Presidents' Committee meeting, during which I had the opportunity to meet with all the college presidents. We discussed our recent achievements and ensured that our objectives are being met while also offering support to others where possible. Additionally, we explored potential initiatives for the year and emphasized the importance of making relevant resources known to ensure the well-being of all our students. 

Student Voice Forums 

last but certainly not least the student voice forums have been a significant highlight of this month for me. These sessions have provided invaluable insights into our students' university experiences, offering a clear perspective on what aspects they wish to keep, change and implement. I would like to express my thankfulness to Emily for extending invitations to these forums. Your continued dedication to this initiative is commendable and greatly appreciated. 

Once again, my quote of the month is: 

“I think the biggest thing is to know that it’s OKAY to not be okay. It’s okay to show emotions. It’s okay to go through those tough times” Michael Phelps