Election post
Hi, my name is Mariliza, I'm a First Year and I'd be delighted to be your Welfare Officer for 25/26!
Firstly, I think it is important to acknowledge that the student experience has many highs and, unfortunately, lows. However, I believe that they shouldn't be feared, but embraced, and my main aim for being Welfare Officer is to ensure that students never feel defeated or controlled by those 'lows'. As Welfare Officer, I want to create an environment where students can constantly feel safe, included and empowered to work towards achieve their goals :)
I currently am an Academic Rep for Year 1, which entails responding to students' concerns with the aim to address them and resolve them as quickly as possible, and I will do the same as Welfare Officer. Giving a voice to students, listening to them and responding with solutions/advice is the key role of a Welfare Officer, and I would be honoured to be a friendly face students feel they can speak to.
That is not all, however. To me, a Welfare Officer shouldn't just respond to problems, but should constantly work proactively to prevent them and relieve stress from students. I'm hoping to do that by organising Welfare Events, in collaboration with the Social and Sports Teams, to create a space for students to de-stress, meet new people and HAVE FUN!! So far, I'm thinking of introducing study groups, art/karaoke sessions, wellness walks or picnics in the summer!
There will definitely be more to come, so I hope you vote for me!! <3