Hello, I’m Lucy, and I’m a twenty-one-year-old foundation year creative writing student. I got diagnosed with depression and anxiety when I was seventeen and have been on antidepressants since I was eighteen. I’d love to stand as the Disabled Students’ Officer as I’d like to represent and help not just students with physical disabilities, but also those with mental ones too. It is important to include people from all walks of life.

One of my main focuses would be inclusivity; as I said in my previous paragraph, it is important. I’d focus on including everyone. Without feeling included, how are people going to form meaningful connections with others? I have experience of being left out and being underrepresented, and I know how discouraging it can be as an individual. I want to change that. I want to make a difference. I’d also focus on the support available for students with disabilities. It is crucial that we have support around the university campus, but also from other students and the subject departments and staff too. The more support that is available, the less struggle there is, and the more motivation people will have. Support, acceptance, and inclusivity are perhaps some of the most important things for people with disabilities. I’d like a chance to help give that to people.

As someone who has long suffered with depression and anxiety, I know what it’s like to struggle. And, as someone who is also part of the LGBTQ+ community, I also know what it is like to be underrepresented. I want to be inclusive, give support, but most of all, I want to give people a voice.