Today, online bullying can be difficult to identify and with the new normal, it’s even more pervasive. I know that the effects of Bullying can be so detrimental to your wellbeing. I’ve supported friends who have been bullied and it can be so difficult watching someone you care about be victimised and hurt. So, it’s really important that we continue to have these conversations and continue to act where we can.

I spoke to some student officers about their experiences of bullying, and this is what they said:

“I had experienced bullying for 16 years of my life – including

We are SUSU, your Student’s Union made up of students, opportunities, places and volunteers; a team. At the helm of our team we have our sabbatical officers. Now, that’s all well and good, but what actually are sabbatical officers, who are they and what do they do?

In this instalment, we will be explaining the roles and aims of our final three Sabbatical Officers.

Corin Holloway – VP Activities

Corin loves societies. A member of 39 societies (many of which have a focus on social justice and environmental issues) and on many committees, activities are not only Corin’s role but … Read the rest

We know that some of you may not be aware of or see what SUSU have been doing regarding EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) work and more specifically work for our Black students. For us, this is not about virtue signalling or being performative just because this issue is in global media focus. We are committed to proactively pursuing equality and tackling racism. We know we have more work to do, and we always welcome collaboration, but we also wanted to share with you the projects and work we have been doing to this date. As ever, if you’d like … Read the rest

May saw Mental Health Awareness Week but did you know that this coincides with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) Awareness Month? BPD is also known as Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD) and it was not until 1980 that it was officially recognized in The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III). For this month, our VP Welfare and Community spoke to a student who has BPD, and heard their experiences of it.

According to the NHS, BPD is ‘a disorder of mood and how a person interacts with others. […] In general, someone with a personality disorder will differ significantly … Read the rest

Your Sabbatical Officers have continued to make positive changes for students throughout lockdown and Term 3, ensuring your voices are being heard during the Coronavirus crisis, and the introduction of online learning and teaching.

Emily, Union President, has said: “I would like to stress my very sincere thanks to all the SUSU and University staff and our course reps who have all been working extremely hard to work on student feedback and come up with solutions to try and mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on our students. I know not everything has been perfect. But having been involved in many … Read the rest

Content Warning: Sexual Assault

Hi! I’m Laura, your VP Welfare and Community, and I’m going to give you a quick overview of Sexual Assault Awareness month, what SUSU are doing for it, and some tips on how to look after yourself. The current crisis has been emotionally exhausting for many people, and whereas I would have thrown myself into this campaign before the lockdown, I’ve made a personal and professional decision to take a step back and focus on promoting support, to look after both my headspace, and yours.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This month is dedicated to … Read the rest

Nominations are now open in our Spring Elections until Wednesday 12 February, and one of the roles you can run for is VP Welfare & Community.

Do you have a passion for representing, promoting and campaigning for students and the issues they hold from all of the different communities across campus? This may be the role for you! All it takes is one great idea and lots of passion for the role – remember, change starts with you.

Previous examples of work an individual in this position has achieved include the introduction of WIDE Training as well as … Read the rest

Meet our candidates for the Sabbatical Officer role of VP Welfare and Community on the Redbrick TODAY from 12:00 – 13:15. This is chance to ask them any questions you have on their key points and why you should vote for them.

The responsibilities of VP Welfare and Community include leading on student welfare leading on equality and diversity within the Union, and leading on Welfare and Community campaigns. They will oversee our International, LGBT+, Womens, BAME, Disabilities and Wellbeing Officers. You can read the full job description here: Vice President Welfare and Community.

Voting is NOW OPEN in … Read the rest

If you’re thinking of running for the role of VP Welfare and Community, you might want to know what you’ll be working on day-to-day, and what you’re responsible for. Find out more about life as one of our Sabbatical Officers below…

VP Welfare and Community promotes and supports student wellbeing, with a focus on mental and physical health, safety and housing. They represent students with protected characteristics, amplifying their voice and lobbying the University on feedback relating to equality and diversity. They run campaigns based around welfare and awareness, as well as supporting cultural events and celebrations.

Leading on student