Surgical Society: Welfare Officer

I’m applying for Welfare Officer because I’m really passionate about wellbeing, particularly for medical students, recognising the tough workload and sometimes emotive subjects involved in the course. 

Here are some of my ideas (but equally, I would be completely open to listening to other suggestions!)

• Welfare socials - laidback events doing something fun/relaxing, and getting to know new people at the same time. There would also be food!!
• Welfare drop-ins - regular sessions for anyone to come along with any concerns, and I would do my absolute best to either solve the problem myself, help signpost you to the right place, or report the problem to the relevant people. 
• Collaborations with different societies - I would be really keen to organise events with other societies, such as the LGBTQ+ Medics Network or Yoga Society, so everyone feels like they are part of a bigger community. 
• Advice sessions - inspiring discussions with surgeons in different specialties to hear their honest experiences about things they struggled with and how they overcame them.
• Anonymous concerns submissions.
• Mentorship scheme to give advice to students in younger years on how to thrive in medical school.

I think I’m an approachable person and a good listener, so I hope people would feel comfortable talking to me. I know what it’s like to struggle with mental health and I have so much empathy for those finding things tough, and I just hope I can make people feel less alone.

Thank you for your consideration :)

I am excited to apply for the role of Welfare Officer for the UCL Surgical Society, as I am passionate about supporting the well-being of my peers and creating an environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. As someone who understands the demands of medical school, I believe it is crucial to prioritise mental health and well-being in a challenging field like surgery, where there are high risks and difficult situations.

Having been involved in various societies, including my role as First Year Representative for both the UCL Cardiology and Indian Societies, I have seen firsthand how important it is to have strong welfare support. I have actively participated in organising events and initiatives focused on promoting health, and I am keen to bring this experience to the Surgical Society. I believe a supportive community can help students manage stress, build resilience, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

If elected, I would aim to implement initiatives such as regular mental health check-ins, workshops on stress management, and accessible peer support systems. I also hope to create a more inclusive and understanding environment where members feel comfortable discussing their well-being or any issues they are having without stigma. As Welfare Officer, I would work to ensure that the UCL Surgical Society fosters a supportive and positive atmosphere, where every member feels valued and cared for.

Hi everyone! I'm really excited to apply to be your next Welfare Officer. 

Everyone knows that the path to a career in surgery is exciting and rewarding, but also extremely challenging. Therefore, I want to use this role to make sure that the Surgical Society not only provides students with the foundations to excel in a career in surgery, but also cope with and thrive in this demanding field.

To achieve this, I propose the following initiatives:

• Surgical Families - a mentorship scheme pairing younger students with senior students or alumni and peers offering guidance and check-ins so that no-one feels alone in their journey of pursuing a career in surgery.

• A new Surgical Support page on Moodle - a dedicated online hub that will include:

  - Easy access to the surgical family scheme

  - Financial guidance for conferences, workshops and other events

  - Wellbeing resources that are tailored to the field of surgery

• Joint Welfare Socials - non-academic events hosted with other medical schools so that students can expand their support network beyond UCL students with those who share a passion for surgery!

For me, the welfare officer role is about more than just your experience with the society, it’s about making your experience with the field of surgery a positive and memorable one. I want to help build a healthier and more connected surgical community at UCL.

I hope you consider me to be your next Welfare Officer!