As we approach the end of the 2024-25 Elected Officer year, it is always a good opportunity to reflect. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as the Vice President Education & Welfare for Uxbridge and Aylesbury this year. From running campaigns and activities, supporting our students, and showing that we are available in the ways we can be.
As we approach the end of the 2024-25 Elected Officer year, it is always a good opportunity to reflect. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as the Vice President Education & Welfare for Uxbridge and Aylesbury this year. From running campaigns and activities, supporting our students, and showing that we are available in the ways we can be. A big highlight from my year was running and supporting a variety of wellbeing and mental health activities, events, and campaigns. Some of these being Time to Talk Day, Kitting Out Wellbeing and Break the Stigma. It has truly been inspiring seeing how our student body stand together, get stuck in, and support themselves and each other to succeed and have the best experience possible. Supporting students on their university journey is a truly rewarding experience and I am grateful for the opportunity to do so again next year.
A few more highlights and achievements of this year have included:
- The Park Room Chairs. This had been an ongoing issue for many, many years and with your persistence and feedback, new chairs were acquired for the Park Room. Thank you too all the students who shared feedback and attended meetings. Thank you to the students who took the time to test and vote on their preferred chair. The ones you see in the room now are the ones you voted for.
- Heating Controls at the Aylesbury campus. This had been an issue for a few years and with your feedback, we were able to lobby the university to have controls installed at the Aylesbury campus. Thank you to all the students for raising your voice and if the heating is getting too hot or too cold, remember to speak to the campus manager and they will adjust from the site.
- Quiet Space at Uxbridge campus. This is something I wanted to tackle early on in my term, and I did. From conversations and discussions with various university members, walking tours and discussions with students, there is a plan being implemented to improve this provision. This is still a work in progress, with a new space still being mapped out, but please rest assured, this project has and will continue being developed.
- Training and Development Opportunities. This was another area I wanted to tackle early on and expand the already vast programme on offer. Working with our Training and Development Team, (Jess and Imo), the provision expanded with more online options and courses in which you were able to work through at your own pace. Strive sessions took place in person and online (with sessions held at the Uxbridge campus too!). Aylesbury and Uxbridge both host a specific Training and Development board which display all the opportunities on offer, which is updated regularly. This is also available on socials and the website.
- Activities. Once a month, the activities team (Kelly, Dan, Catherine and Alex) head to Uxbridge for a takeover session. This provides an array of opportunities to be involved from crafts to games and volunteering! This has also expanded with an activity taking place once a week at the Uxbridge and Aylesbury campus. These activities range from wellbeing, crafts, and student mixers. We had launched ‘Sport For Fun’ and ‘What Do You Want To See’ surveys for students to fill out, to share your ideas and ensure we could book sessions. Watch this space for more!
There has been lots we have achieved together and much more to do! Keep your eyes peeled and please keep sharing your thoughts!
Students’ Unions are a unique environment and mytime at Bucks SU has been a truly wonderful experience! I'm absolutely dedicated to making life better for students at Bucks.
I wish our departing Elected Officers, Amy, Harry and Wren, the absolute best in the future with their plans. it has an honour working alongside you all.
I look forward to working with our incoming team, Jean-Marc, Joe and Erin, there is lots be done, and it is a very exciting time. Bring on 2025-26!