COST OF LIVING: We’re continuing to put student wellbeing at the heart of everything we do, especially when it comes to the cost-of-living pressures many of you are facing. Over the past month, we’ve been working hard to promote our Free Meal initiative, which runs every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. If you haven’t made use of it yet, we strongly encourage you to come along, it’s judgment-free, easy to access, and designed to support anyone who needs it. Alongside this, we’re progressing discussions with external companies, including Carousel, to explore new options that could significantly improve student transport. Our goal is to make travel more accessible, reliable, and affordable for everyone, particularly those commuting between campuses or travelling in for placements. If you’re experiencing financial difficulties, please remember that you’re not alone and support is available. You can access a range of helpful resources, such as our Budget Booklet, which provides tips, guidance, and practical tools to help you manage your finances more confidently.
UXBRIDGE FRESHER’S FAIR: This November, I join our amazing team at Uxbridge for Freshers’ Fair. It was truly inspiring to meet so many of our incredible students, hear about the positive experiences you’ve had so far, and learn more about the areas where you feel change is needed. Your honesty, enthusiasm, and passion for shaping student life never go unnoticed. Being there in person reminded me how important it is that every student across every campus feels heard, supported, and represented. I want to reassure you that every piece of feedback shared with us is taken seriously. The Union is committed to championing your voice, addressing your concerns, and making sure that meaningful action follows.
STUDENT FORUM: Last month, I had the opportunity to take part in the Student Forum Placement led by our Pro Vice-Chancellor, Paul Morgan. It was an incredibly valuable session, bringing together students, staff, and leadership to explore how placements can continue to grow, improve, and better support everyone involved. The conversation was full of thoughtful ideas and genuine enthusiasm. We discussed ways to strengthen placement opportunities, enhance support before and during placements, and build clearer pathways that help students feel confident, prepared, and connected to their future professions.
PARKING: This month, Bethany and I met with the Aylesbury MP’s office to discuss the ongoing concerns around parking and transport for Aylesbury-based students. The conversation was extremely positive, with the MP’s team showing genuine interest in understanding the challenges our students face. They were particularly keen to explore solutions and expressed a strong desire to meet students directly to hear their experiences firsthand. We’re pleased to share that they are very willing to arrange this meeting during the next term, giving students a real opportunity to influence future decisions. This is a promising step forward, and we’ll continue pushing to make parking and transport more accessible and manageable for all Aylesbury students.
STRIVE BHM: It’s always fantastic to hear from our alumni about their journeys, achievements, and experiences after Bucks. Their stories continue to motivate our current students and highlight the power of getting involved with the Union and wider university life. We were also delighted to welcome our special guest, Shaunagh Brown, whose visit brought incredible energy. Her conversations with students were inspiring, empowering, and full of encouragement, a real highlight of the month.
VOLUNTEERING 5K RUN AND CARRIBEAN DAY CENTRE: This month, several members of the Students’ Union team, including myself, took part in a 5K charity run in Windsor to raise money for RASS. Despite the wind, rain, and plenty of mud, nothing could dampen our determination. It was an incredible day filled with teamwork, resilience, and community spirit, and we’re proud to have contributed to a cause that supports so many people across the region. Alongside this, Joe, and I, together with a group of students, had the privilege of visiting the Hairoun Caribbean Day Centre as part of our Black History Month activities. Spending time with the members there was genuinely inspiring. We listened to their stories, heard about their journeys, and shared conversations that were full of wisdom, warmth, and humour. Their experiences offer so much insight into culture, community, and resilience, it was an honour to learn from them.
STUDENT VOICE OFFICERS: Last month, I had the pleasure of meeting our new Student Voice Officers an enthusiastic and passionate group who are eager to collaborate closely with the sabbatical team. Their energy, dedication, and willingness to champion students’ concerns make them an invaluable part of shaping positive change at Bucks. We’ve already started discussing key issues raised by students, and we’re excited to begin working together to ensure every student feels heard, supported, and empowered. We can’t wait to see the impact this team will make in the months ahead.
WIFI SURVERY IS FINALLY OUT: We’re pleased to announce that the long-awaited Wi-Fi Survey is now live. This is your chance to share your experiences, highlight any issues, and help us build a clearer picture of what students need from their connectivity on campus and in accommodation. The survey will remain open until 5th December, giving everyone plenty of time to take part and make their voice heard. Once the survey closes, the findings will be carefully reviewed and presented at the next Union Council meeting in January. We will also share the results directly with the external Wi-Fi supplier and the University, ensuring that your feedback is seen by the people who can make real improvements. Your input is essential in helping us push for better, more reliable Wi-Fi across Bucks, thank you in advance for taking the time to get involved!
121 with Damian VC: I also had my regular 1:1 meeting with our Vice-Chancellor, Damian, who continues to mentor me while also taking every opportunity to learn more about our students, their challenges, and their successes at Bucks. Our partnership has never felt stronger. Together, we are working efficiently to tackle issues as they arise, ensure that concerns are escalated quickly, and make certain that your voices are always heard at the highest level. These meetings remain a crucial space to push for positive change and strengthen the connection between students and senior leadership.