It has been a slightly quieter month compared to the usual pace, but it has been really nice to see students returning to campus and spaces gradually becoming busier again. There is a different kind of energy when people are back, and it has been encouraging to reconnect with students and see activity picking up across the Students’ Union.
A lot of this month has been focused on meetings and groundwork that will shape the coming weeks. I attended Fix Funding discussions, which continue to be an important space to raise and understand financial challenges impacting students. Alongside this, I was part of a university restructure meeting to stay updated on the wider institutional direction and to better understand how changes may affect students and their experience. I also had a really useful conversation with Helena where we discussed Pitstop, as well as ongoing concerns around food provision and accommodation. These are areas that consistently come up in student feedback, so it was important to take that forward in a constructive way.
There has also been some really positive collaborative work happening this month. I met with Ata and Ingrid to work on Ingrid’s sustainability project. The idea is to collect kitchen utensils from students who are leaving and no longer need them, work with VTeam to clean and prepare them, and then redistribute them to new students during Freshers’ Fair. It is a simple idea, but one that can make a real difference both in reducing waste and supporting students who are just starting out and may not have everything they need. We are still working through the logistics, but it is exciting to see it taking shape.
On a similar note, the bidet project has now been completed from our side, and we are currently waiting on Estates to move things forward. It has been good to see steady progress on something that came directly from student feedback.
Community and celebration have also been important this month. We delivered an Eid event with the support of Emma Sainty, which was a really lovely moment to bring students together. Events like these are so important in making students feel seen and included, and it was great to be part of that. I also took part in the Open Day on the 11th of April, where I delivered welcome talks alongside the Vice-Chancellor. It was a really proud moment to represent the SU and speak to prospective students about what Essex is like from a student perspective.
We also spent time internally reflecting on our work during Staff Day, where we had honest conversations about what we do as an SU and how we can continue to do better. Those spaces are really valuable because they allow us to step back, think critically, and make sure we are evolving in the right direction.
In terms of campaigns and engagement, I have been working with Victoria on a gym-related campaign, and while she will share more detailed updates, it has been good to start pushing this forward. I have also been promoting Derby Day, which I am really excited about. It is always one of the highlights of the term and a great opportunity to build community spirit across campus.
My governance responsibilities have continued alongside this. I attended the SU Trustee Board meeting, as well as the Tackling Racism Committee in my role as Vice Chair. One of the key discussions there has been whether this work should move back under Union performance structures, and I would genuinely appreciate thoughts from fellow officers on this, as it is important we get the structure right to ensure the work remains impactful and accountable. I also attended a joint SCO and SWIS meeting, where it was great to see student officers engaging actively and raising important questions.
Student safety and wellbeing have remained a key focus. I met with Kanisha to discuss campus safety and what the university is currently doing in this space, including ideas around increasing visibility of Report and Support within accommodation kitchens. These conversations are really important in making sure students feel safe and know where to go if they need help. I have also been involved in planning for Mental Health Awareness Week in May, where we will be running a stall alongside Engagement and SU Advice to connect students with support and resources.
Alongside this, we are very close to launching our food bundles initiative. This has been a key piece of work aimed at supporting students with access to affordable and practical food options, and a lot of effort has gone into getting this right. We are now in the final stages, and I am really excited to share this with students soon and see the positive impact it will have.
Looking ahead, I was due to meet with Pam Cox on the 22nd of April to discuss transport, but this has now been moved to the 30th. Transport continues to be a key issue for many students, so I am keen to make sure those concerns are clearly represented in that space.
Overall, while this month has felt quieter on the surface, a lot of important work has been happening behind the scenes. It has been a month of conversations, planning, and building momentum for what is coming next. As things start to get busier again, I am looking forward to continuing this work and making sure we are delivering meaningful changes for students.