October has been a busy month but as it comes to a close we thought it would be fun to give you an update on what your Sabbs have been up to!
Hello everyone!
October has been a busy month but as it comes to a close we thought it would be fun to give you an update on what your Sabbs have been up to!
As a team, the Sabbatical Officers went to Westminster for National Lobby day, where they met with their local MPs Dr Ben Spencer and Jack Rankin, and Baroness Diana Warwick of Undercliffe - also a former alum of RHUL (well, Bedford New College, back before the merger)! We used this opportunity to contribute NUS' national campaign to fix student housing, as well as discussing topics such as student wellbeing, international students, cost of living and the funding crisis within HE.
Sharanya
Sharanya has been settling into her new role as President and has been working on numerous manifesto aims. Relaunching the NeverOk campaign alongside Olivia, VP Wellbeing and Diversity, the two have been working with numerous stakeholders in the SU and the university to ensure that RHUL is working proactively to support students who experience harassment and/or sexual misconduct. This includes implementing a mandatory consent module (which is now available for all students to complete) as well as ensuring that our venues team has the appropriate resources to support students during our night-time activity. Keep an eye out for the 22 of November where you can meet Sharanya and Olivia at an SU on tour event for the NeverOk campaign.
Simultaneously, Sharanya has been working on her manifesto aim to celebrate students on campus. This includes planning and delivering Campus Unity Week with Olivia. Check out Olivia's update to see what the fun was all about. Sharanya is also putting together a proposal for a Student Rewards and Recognition system - watch this space!
On the 21 of October, Sharanya launched SHAG (Sexual Health Awareness and Guidance) Week, tied to the NeverOk campaign. This included numerous events pop ups and interactive activities for students to learn about healthy relationships and sexual interactions. From a sexy pub quiz to interactive SU on tour pop-ups in the library, the week was dedicated to promoting safer, consensual interactions and empowering students to be proactive about their sexual health.
Sharanya is also planning her HelpNotHarm campaign which includes a drug and alcohol awareness week (20th Jan), Keep your eyes peeled for more 🙂
Madelaine
Madelaine has been settling into the new academic year, sitting in meetings galore. One of the main focuses at the moment is helping the university use your feedback from surveys such as the National Student Survey to make the changes that you want to see here at Royal Holloway.
One of these points is linked to her manifesto - how does the university communicate with you, and how should they communicate with you? Current work is looking at standardising Moodle pages (because who wants to be clicking around for ages looking for the reading list) and cutting down on the number of random emails you receive from departments.
Right here at the Students' Union, we host , with sports clubs, societies, and academic and inclusion communities all offering student leadership positions, from committee members to community officers, from Treasurers to Wellbeing Secretary. Academic reps, all of that feedback gathering? How many students did you communicate with to do that? How inventive were you in your methods?
Each of these roles offers a unique opportunity to build skills, and develop experience of real-world tasks: ever filled in a risk assessment? That's legislative compliance. Ever chaired a meeting? That's leadership and organisation right there. Ever balanced a budget for a society event? Well, that's one for the CV! Ever handled a sponsorship deal? You see where I'm going with this?
Next week, she'll be running Skills Week: Next Steps, where every day she'll be yapping about a different angle of your next careers steps, regardless of where you are in your academic journey. Make sure to pop along to Tommy's Lounge next Friday, 10:30 to 12:30, to talk through what you've done, and where you want to go next!
Olivia
Last week alongside Sharanya Olivia delivered Campus Unity Week. This was such an incredible week that celebrated the diversity of our Royal Holloway community. There was a plethora of events from the wonderful inspirational cultural fashion show to the Festival of Languages and Cultures that the SU ran in collaboration with the university and so much more! This was by far Olivia's favourite week as a sabbatical officer so far and she is so incredibly grateful to all the inclusion community officers and societies that made this so amazing.
As some of you might be aware one of Olivia's main manifesto aims is for the implementation of women’s only gym hours and/or fitness classes at RHUL sports facilities. The survey to get your insight has now been completed, a massive thank you to everyone who took the time to fill out this survey! Currently, Olivia alongside the SUs Research & Insight Coordinator and Research Assistant are in the process of analysing the results and deciding next steps including discussions with the university. As soon as this is done, we will let you know so keep an eye out for this soon.
SOS: Stamp Out Spiking is a year long campaign that Olivia is running. October 9 was a day that was solely focused on this campaign for Olivia. On the day Olivia held the first SOS SU on tour of the academic year in the library atrium to raise awareness about all the different types of spiking and the measures that the SU venues have to combat spiking. In the night Olivia shadowed the amazing SU venues team including managers, security and the events crew on 'Come in your Kit' to gain an insight into spiking measures. This has now established the focus of this campaign to be raising awareness, ensuring training for SU Venues team surrounding spiking and ensuring there are effective test kits in the venues.
Olivia is currently working on the implementation of 'Wellbeing Workshops’ which will cover a variety of topics and provide further support. These will be housed on the SU website so whether it is 12pm or 2am these will always be there for you to access, There are 14 workshops coming your way including Stress Management techniques, feeling safe on a night out, digital detox and using sport to benefit your wellbeing.
Olivia is currently busy planning for November where there will be a week long Wobble Week campaign and a month long MENtion it campaign with Bana so keep an eye out on the SU website for all the exciting details!
Bana
Bana Has been settling into the new academic year, supporting societies and sports clubs with what they need. One of her main focuses currently is looking at the process of Event proposals and how she could streamline this process, to make it easier for student groups to hold events and create a sense of community on campus.
Teaming up with Olivia, ACS, and Piya (the Black and Global Majority community officer), Bana played a pivotal role in this year’s Black History Month celebration. With the powerful theme of "Reclaiming Narratives," the month featured thought-provoking events like a Book Club that dove into the pages of "Girl, Woman, Other," and the Black Creativity Showcase—a celebration of art, talent, and expression that left everyone inspired.
Furthermore, Sharanya, Olivia and Bana have helped run the Festival of Languages and Culture which it highlighted the diversity of our campus. It was inspiring to see how passionate students are to represent their background and share it with others.
Lastly, Bana and Olivia, have been working on the MENtion it campaign. an initiative aimed at breaking down the stigma surrounding men’s mental health. Through this campaign, they're creating a platform for men to speak openly, reminding the community of the importance of mental well-being. Keep an eye out for all the exciting events coming this November!