Hindu Society: Welfare Officer

Hi guys,

I’m Divy, a first-year Anthropology student, enthusiastic & eager to make uni fun for fellow Hindu students.

I’m running for welfare officer because I know the importance of caring for your mind, body & soul due to my own mental health journey. I want to ensure others have a support system, where nothing is too big or small to be raised!

The university provides mental health & welfare services I’m familiar with, including assessments & therapy, which I’d guide people towards if elected. I also aim to create an anonymous reporting form helping raise issues constructively, collaborate with Yoga and Meditation society integrating teachings from scriptures & offer podcast/video suggestions. Lastly, I’m in contact with Swamis at the Bhaktivedanta Manor who’d love to talk about the importance of caring for our minds & bodies & how to in the 21st Century. We all need practical advice we can put in place in our daily lives!

Also, in person, I’d introduce myself, get to know individuals and ensure events cater to all members, representing the society's values.

As a member of the same age group, I'm confident in understanding your needs and providing assistance that members will find helpful.

Finally, I’m on a journey to find my own happiness, & if I can help even one person on their journey or give them a better university experience, mission accomplished!

I hope you vote for me as your welfare officer & looking forward to spreading love & happiness!

Thank you,

Divy

Hi, I’m Aaron and I am a first-year medical student. I’m running to be the Welfare officer for the UCL Hindu Society Committee as I believe the wellbeing of all members is crucial in ensuring everyone has a fun time whilst celebrating the culture and practices of our religion. I have loved all Hsoc events I went to this year and want the following year to have a similar experience.

Having been the HR lead for my young enterprise company at school, I communicated with my team to make sure they were managing their tasks well, finding when someone was overloaded and helping out wherever necessary. This helped develop trust with my team, which is a skill I can use to create a good rapport within the committee. Whilst in sixth form, I tutored younger students at my school. This meant I could make sure they were coping with work alongside extracurricular activities, offering support or advice where needed. I hope to continue this practice in HSoc and be an approachable person for all members to voice their concerns with or just have a chat with. Volunteering in a hospital helped me manage situations of conflict, teaching me the importance of actively listening and remaining calm.

Furthermore, I will take on suggestions that members have in improving welfare in the society whilst contributing my own ideas like having Bollywood movie nights or ‘chai and chat’ sessions.

Overall, I want to develop the welcoming environment of the society and would love to be the Welfare Officer.

I am eager to leverage my organisational skills and creativity to elevate the well-being and social experiences of our members in the role of welfare officer. In high school, I was actively involved in peer mentoring programs where I served as a mentor to younger students. This experience honed my ability to be approachable, empathetic, and an effective communicator.

As a mentor, I have provided a supportive and understanding ear to students facing various challenges, ensuring they feel comfortable reaching out for assistance. This role has allowed me to develop strong communication skills, enabling me to convey complex information in a clear and concise manner while fostering an environment of trust and openness.

In addition to my mentoring experience, I also worked closely with my high school’s counsellor to  advocate for mental health support. Through this role, I refined my ability to actively listen, empathise, and provide valuable support to individuals in need.

In my capacity as welfare officer, I am committed to being easily approachable and accessible to all members of our society. I will strive to maintain open lines of communication, actively listening to the needs and concerns of our members while working collaboratively with the committee to implement initiatives that promote a safe and respectful environment for all.

Central to the teachings of Hinduism is the principle of Ahimsa, emphasising compassion and kindness towards all living beings. As a candidate for the role of welfare officer, I am committed to embodying this teaching, making HSOC a safer community. As a dedicated elected member of the school council, I actively engaged in daily communication with staff to relay student concerns. This experience has honed my approachability and proficiency in effectively communicating challenges faced by groups. I am committed to ensuring the inclusivity of all voices within HSOC. Before each event, I will undertake surveys to make sure any future events meet the high standards set by our previous ones. I have envisioned several innovative ideas to maintain HSOC's standing as an important cultural society at UCL. Suggestions include introducing a 'HSOC family' Raksha Bandan and expanding the range of festivals, such as Durga Pooja, to ensure our events cater to everyone. In the interest of well-being, I propose the addition of a mental health resources link to our Instagram bio. I am also considering collaboration with the UCL Mental Health Society to highlight the importance of mental health, aligning with the fundamental principles of dharma.

During sixth form, I was the head of the Mental Fitness Ambassadors which allowed me to build the skills that will be helpful as a welfare officer. I learned how to communicate effectively within a team setting, which will be useful in working with the committee and ensuring that all members feel supported throughout the year. I have developed other key skills, such as creating a positive environment and helping to support and comfort people, which I can apply in this role. My job as a dance teacher has taught me patience, and how to be approachable and encouraging. Within this job, I have developed active listening skills which will help me hear concerns and represent the members effectively. Throughout the year I have been an active member of the society, so hope I will be a familiar face and will be approachable for conversations about their concerns. Throughout, my A Levels, I demonstrated a variety of organisational abilities including time management and prioritisation of commitments. My positive attitude will help me to maintain the happy and uplifting environment of Hindu Soc. I would like to focus on more welfare events throughout the year especially during stressful times such as yoga nights or opportunities for inter-year conversations. Overall, I believe I can work well in a team, foster a positive culture, and help society to progress in a positive direction.