Black Minority Ethnic Officer

Thayu Wainaina (he/him)

Being your BME Officer means sitting on the SU Executive and facing University officials. I won't just bring them our grievances; I will bring them strict, measurabe project plans. Using my experience negotiating with university leadership, I will aggressively lobby to close the BME awarding gap and demand tangible improvements to our welfare resources.

UWE has incredible BME societies, but we often work in silos. My goal is to bring these diverse groups, and local Bristol organisations together. By replacing standard "listening circles" with active "Co-Creation" strategies, we will co-design solutions to campus problems and launch the most unified, high-impact Black History Month campaigns this university has even seen.

We must equip BME students with the tools to thrive in elite spaces. I will push for initiatives that build essential project management and commercial awareness skills. Furthermore, as your delegate to the NUS Liberation Conference, I will ensure UWE's BME voices are not just heard nationally, but are leading the charge for practical change.

We don't just need a voice; we need a strategist. Let's move beyond performatice representation.

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To represent and seek the views of BME students at UWE Bristol.
To communicate and liaise with The Students’ Union Executive Team.
To campaign on issues that affect BME students.
To work alongside societies at UWE Bristol who represent the interests of BME students.

To be a member of, attend and regularly engage with The Students’ Union Executive (8 times a year).
To represent BME students, their issues and opinions at The Students’ Union Executive, in the wider Student’s Union and to the University.
To regularly obtain feedback from students via GOATing (Go Out And Talk) sessions and present this to ensure The Students’ Union accurately reflects the needs and wants of its members.
To hold office/digital hours (normally one hour a week) - you can utilise the desk space in any of The Students’ Union Offices on any campus or we can book you a space.
To maintain your personal and official email account for The Students’ Union, replying to emails and queries as and when they come in within a reasonable time.
To actively promote yourself via social media and promote the work of The Students’ Union to encourage students to engage and maximise the opportunities available to them.
To encourage other students to be involved with the democratic processes of The Students’ Union.
To ensure Student Ideas are taken forward and actioned wherever possible.
To support activities such as Open Days, Freshers’ events and other events run by The Students’ Union.
To uphold the core values of The Students’ Union and be an ambassador for The Students’ Union.
To build a community of BME students though running events or engaging with BME students however else you deem appropriate.
(Optional) To attend the NUS Liberation Conference.

Gain an in-depth knowledge of the workings of The Students’ Union and University.
Training and personal development opportunities tailored to the individual role.
Gain experience of leading, developing and supporting campaigns for change.
Bid into the campaigns budget to gain financial and resource support for your campaign ideas.
Meetings and 1-2-1 support with The Students’ Union staff.
Practical real-life experience.
Develop leadership skills and gain experience of leading an organisation.
A reference for future employers