Candidate for the position of Vice President Community and Welfare
Liberté, Égalité, Communité and Welfare
My name is Liberty Strong, I’m a third year Politics and IR student here at UWE.
I am currently of LGBT+ Officer in the SU. This has given me the experience in handling different scenarios with both students and staff.
However the role of VP Community and Welfare will allow me to increase the scope of the students that I can improve the rights and visibility of.
Since being elected in October, I have committed to the pledges I made and I wish to further these and extend them to all minority groups at the university. Equal student rights for all are paramount to a fairer and more enjoyable student experience.
I’m ready to do the same again as UWE’s VP Community and Welfare.
For the UWE Community, I will;
- Promote student engagement with the Bristol community
- Engage with faith and identity societies to ensure better equality, and eradicate the unfair exclusive fee to join these societies
- Continue to provide a wide range of events and activities, increasing the diversity of occasions to cater to all faiths, nationalities and identities
For the Welfare of UWE Students, I will;
- Continue the fight for better value for money in UWE Student Accommodation – including free laundry services
- Lobby the university to gain accommodation bursaries for nursing students
- Improve UWE safe space policies to combat discrimination of all faiths and identities to foster a safer environment across all campuses
- Push for further gender neutral facilities in UWE accommodation and university buildings, something I have already achieved as LGBT+ Officer
In light of the recent alarming mental health survey conducted at UWE, I will;
-Change opinions on reaching out for help. At present, only 30.4% of students formally seek professional help
-Increase the capacity and promotion of the invaluable UWE nightline service
-Work towards providing tailored advice to different issues
-Ensure that mental health and wellbeing services are properly funded and are safe from cuts.
-Bring back improved puppy room events at the university for the (scientifically proven) alleviation of stress
Without a VP Community and Welfare who is devoted to these causes, the student body and the community could suffer, with student voices unheard and demands unmet.
All student rights must be protected regardless of race, gender, faith, nationality, ability or identity.
Student diversity is what makes UWE, UWE.