Hello All,
thanks for taking time to read this!
Welfare should be at the heart of the Guild. It affects us all, but is seen as a soft position. Feeling safe and cared for is important to all. Having our needs taken seriously is important to all. The welfare officer position is important to all. I am passionate about putting welfare back at the heart of the Guild.
A coherent welfare system: Most of us will encounter welfare services. This can be quite scary. Finding help can be confusing, as policies on help for students can differ by department. This is no fault of the staff, who are doing their utmost. However, I want to make welfare processes smooth for everyone. Without the fantastic help from the history department, I would have dropped out of uni. With their trained, full-time welfare staff, I was able to chat with them in depth and get the academic and medical advice I needed. I want to roll-out a university-wide policy similar to this. Headway has been made, but this policy will take years to fully implement. My first-hand experience of this system means I will always be a strong voice and push hard for speed on this issue. Nobody should have to drop out of university for welfare reasons. Everyone should have the same opportunities, no matter what they study. Coherent welfare policies should be at the heart of the Guild.
RA pastoral training: RAs do a phenomenal job volunteering their time to help freshers settle into uni. Starting uni is terrifying - I was scared I would not be able to make friends, or that I would be bullied for being LGBTQ . Pastorally trained peers to chat with would have been amazing. At the moment, RAs already fill this pastoral care role. As volunteers, this can be stressful without the proper training. Someone may tell you sensitive information and you do not know which avenue to take. With training in pastoral care and liberation issues, the experience for both RAs and freshers would vastly improve. Great pastoral care should be at the heart of the Guild.
Post-Grad and Mature Students consideration: Having been both an undergrad and a post-grad at UoB, I have seen how welfare needs differ drastically. We often work part-time or have children, making student social life lonely. Working with the new PGO I want to help societies recognise the welfare needs of post-grads, with better timing and possible child-care. Post-graduate welfare should be at the heart of the Guild.
I have the experience to deliver this. I have been both Women's Officer and LGBTQ councillor at the Guild, meaning I understand how the Guild works. I have been a youth worker for many years, and am very approachable. These are not just policies. You are electing me to work. I am the candidate with experience. I am the candidate with passion. I am the candidate who will put welfare at the heart of the Guild.
Thanks,
Rosie.