A blue background with speech bubbles, with text in a speech bubble that reads 'You Said, We Did'

You Said, We Did

The student voice is at the heart of everything we do, as we are run by students, for students.

We want to ensure our members have more opportunities to get involved, have the best possible academic experience and feel supported, so listening and responding to your feedback is important to us.

Below we have outlined some of the work we’ve been doing based on your feedback, but we are continuing to make improvements. If there are things you’d like us to work on and prioritise, please send in your ideas via our democratic system.

Education
Cost-of-Living
Events
Community
Activities

Education

You wanted opportunities to learn more about and discuss research:

In collaboration with the University, we have delivered a series of 125 Talks providing opportunities to delve into key areas of research.

You wanted us to improve your academic experience on your course:

We’ve worked with the University on the launch of new assessment and feedback templates, pushing for consistent use across colleges so information is clear and accessible.

You said you wanted more accessible resources for your course:

We have worked with the University to introduce accessible Canvas alternatives for students who need them.

You wanted a more flexible Attendance Policy:

We have advocated for changes to the Attendance Policy to support students who may be unable to attend sessions.

You wanted us to improve your academic experience on your course:

We worked with the University to deliver more Reading Weeks across the University.

Elected Reps asked for more opportunities to share information and network with each other:

We’ve set up Elected Reps Forum to bring Reps together to share ideas

You wanted more bookable library spaces:

We’ve worked with the University to secure 24/7 bookable spaces.

Reps asked for more training to raise the student voice and tackle issues:

We’ve provided Reps with more training through our Rep Masterclasses!

You asked for PGR specific Rep Training:

We now offer specific PGR-focused Rep Masterclasses, helping you to support postgraduate academic interests.

You didn’t feel able to voice feedback about placement issues:

Our Education Officer has been proactively reaching out and facilitating opportunities to voice concerns.

You told us there were issues accessing the Dental School:

We coordinated with academic and education support staff to ensure students who are taught or undertake projects within the Dental School have entry access.

You said that you wanted more Guild Services to be visible at the Dental School:

We began Rep Team and Guild Advice Drop-ins at the Dental School.

You asked for more in-person Guild Advice support:

We have increased Guild Advice drop-ins and outreach activity to provide you with increased opportunities to access academic advice.

Cost-of-Living

We regularly offer student staff jobs to help you earn while you learn:

We are employing more student staff than ever, with over 500 student staff currently working with us.

We have increased the number of free events we offer:

Particularly evening events, so more students can take part and enjoy.

We have launched and sustained several funds:

Students can apply for to support with costs relating to sports, graduation and general living expenses.

Provide food parcels to those struggling financially:

We run the Community Pantry scheme.

Expanded our Community Breakfast offering:

We have moved it to Guild Reception so more students can benefit from a free breakfast.

We have continued to run the Selly Express:

Offering free transport between campus and Selly Oak.

Events

You asked for a more diverse range of activities:

We have expanded our event programme to cater for commuter students, parents and carers, distance learners, postgraduates, students with disabilities and more.

You asked for a more diverse range of activities:

We have diversified the music at our club events to include more songs representative of different cultures.

Community Life

You said you wanted us to help with waste in the local area:

We are hosting regular litter picking events and have planned a Tidy Streets campaign to support waste reduction and help make Selly cleaner.

Student Activities

Student Groups wanted more financial independence to deliver activity:

We increased the personal expense limit from £200 to £350 to support your events and activity.

Student Groups wanted additional support from the Student Activities Team:

We have increased Coordinator Drop-ins and Student Group counter opening hours and introduced weekly Coordinator Office hours.

Student Groups wanted us to be more transparent in communicating changes affecting your group:

We promote any developments in advance within our monthly newsletter, via email and on social media, to provide the latest updates.

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