Somali Society: Welfare Officer

I am standing for Welfare Officer because I care deeply about creating a Somali Society where everyone feels supported, included and valued. University can be exciting at first but also overwhelming long term, and I want to help build a space where students feel comfortable reaching out, forming friendships and being their full selves. 

Through my experience as former Vice President of Diverse PALS, I have supported students from different backgrounds and helped create inclusive, accessible events. I understand the importance of listening, maintaining confidentiality and responding to concerns with empathy and maturity. This has included working with the psychology departmental admin team to plan the events and do financial budgeting. My charity work with Mind has also strengthened my awareness of mental health advocacy and student wellbeing. 

As a Psychology student, I am particularly interested in how community, identity and belonging shape wellbeing in an intersected way. I want to use this understanding to organise welfare initiatives that are culturally aware and relevant to Somali students, whether that is wellbeing workshops, informal check ins, peer support spaces or collaborations with other societies.

I am standing because I want our society to be more than just events. I want it to be a genuine support system. For students to come to not just to socialise but for a shoulder to lean on when university feels more overwhelming later in the year. 

I would make a good welfare officer for the Somali society because I want to create a supportive, culturally grounded space where Somali students feel understood, included and able to thrive. 
Having had previous experiences as a UNICEF representative as well as a student representative, I’ve learnt how to listen to peoples concerns as well supporting the wellbeing of those around me.