Geographical Society: Welfare and Diversity Officer

Hi, my name is Siya and I am applying for the role of Welfare and Diversity Officer. I believe I have the necessary experience and skills for this role, as I have previously held positions that required leadership such as Head Girl and Geography Ambassador throughout my time at school. Also, having personally experienced my own mental health challenges, I am confident in my ability to organise beneficial wellbeing events for all members. Alongside this, being a member of the BAME community as helped me understand first hand the challenges and importances of inclusivity. Overall, I will be responsible in ensuring that the society hosts inclusive academic and social events that are open to all students, irrespective of their backgrounds. Thank you!

Hi, I’m Sarah, running to be your Welfare and Diversity Officer!

At the start of term, I’ve definitely struggled in adapting to Uni life - moving abroad for the first time, managing countless deadlines, and finding a sense of belonging in UCL - which is why this role resonates with me. I want to do my part in making sure that people aren’t struggling alone!

If elected, I will make sure everyone feels welcomed and supported. I will look after the welfare of not only society members, but the cohort as a whole, to ensure everyone is having an enjoyable experience in UCL Geography.

As a committee member, I will help organise existing flagship events, and I hope to introduce other wellbeing and cultural events as well! Furthermore, I am committed to make GeogSoc more inclusive, and hope to be a listening ear if anyone is in need of support :)

As Welfare and Diversity Officer, here’s what I hope to implement:

1. Sunrise walks
2. Culturally-themed picnics/socials
3. Increased awareness and support for neurodivergent and BAME students!

If any of this resonates with you, I’d be incredible thankful to have you vote! Thank you for this opportunity to contribute to the society!

I am applying for the role of welfare and diversity officer for the geography society because I would like to contribute to maintaining and enhancing inclusion, not only within the geography society but the wider student population. I have previous leadership experience as a senior prefect within the Head Girl Team at my Sixth Form in which communication and teamwork was of central importance. As part of my role, I took the initiative in forming a collaborative partnership with a local charity called the Baytree Centre, who promote social inclusion for refugee women and girls. Through this I initiated a project throughout my school to provide care packages for the women and girls at the centre; establishing a foundation to inspire similar projects in the lower school. I hope to expand my skills to create new initiatives within this role that aim to make a difference and benefit students. To me, inclusion is about bringing people together to act as a community. Therefore, events such as a clothes swap and an international food market may be an enjoyable way of doing this on a social level. In terms of wellbeing, I also want to aim to make the geography society itself a central point for all geography students, making it more readily accessible for anyone to come to. I would like to organise weekly wellbeing drop in sessions to reach out to geographers to provide support or just drop in for a friendly chat!