"I know what it’s like to be an underrepresented individual. To have 5 ways to deal with your mental health recommended as the solution to your problems. To worry about whether I’ll get home safe after a late night because there’s no provisions set in place to secure my safety. To be restricted from practicing my faith because the university refuses to ease up their guidelines. To be told that the university has a zero-tolerance policy in place, but every day I pass my aggressor on my way to class. 

I am frustrated that this was my reality and that nobody was there to put a stop to all of these things. But this isn’t just my reality, it’s been all of yours aswell.  

If you elect me for a second term, the work to put a stop to all of these won’t start tomorrow, it started yesterday! 

Wellbeing doesn’t stop in the curriculum: 

I know many of you feel that your experience is just a number, but with me, every case is about the person and supporting those affected, not just about good-looking statistics. As a result, I would put pressure on the university to consider the wellbeing effects of certain modules on people. 

Wellbeing doesn’t stop in accommodation: 

I believe that setting up regular meetings with our on-campus security and Res life team to ask them for specific training would help improve the inconsistencies between them, and also ensure that they are treating students fairly and appropriately. 

It is also important that the university understand that the cost of living is constantly increasing, especially for international students. I will ensure I lobby the university to decrease the costs of living on campus, and increase access to the hardship fund.  

Wellbeing doesn’t stop in sports or societies:  

For too long, emotional support for events which have occurred in sports clubs or societies has been inadequate and it is time for your VP welfare to make sure that students don’t get punished and forgotten because they want to enjoy the extra-curricular opportunities on offer. 

Wellbeing doesn’t stop off campus: 

I believe it is important to look into what else can be done to protect students during the day and night, when they step off campus. I will put pressure on the council to invest more money into street lamps, and late police patrol in certain student areas.  

Wellbeing doesn’t stop in the night venues: 

We need to start having more conversations around the safety of students in off-campus night-venues. I will look into putting provisions in place in collaboration with venues such as ATIK, to ensure students are safe in their venue. 

Are our support systems for victims of an incident strong and effective enough? No! As a result, I will also conduct an internal review of the current services we have in place, and ensure that a proactive approach is taken in securing the safety and slow integration of those students back into student life. 

To me, welfare isn’t about ticking off boxes regarding student needs. It’s about building a rapport with students so they feel safe enough to confide in you; confident enough to know that the issue they’ve come to you with will be resolved; ensured enough know that this would not happen to another student; and finally heard regardless of their gender, race, sexuality, faith or campus. 

Wellbeing doesn’t stop at 5pm, so neither will I! 

Wellbeing doesn’t stop with me – but excuses do"