Our Mission

We're a charity representing over 10,000 students on a mission to build the best possible student experience. We speak up for student voices; working independently from the University to stand up for issues we all care about.

The Bigger Picture

Before beginning to write our plan for the next three years our student engagement team first conducted research with our members to gather real voices of students to act as a guidance. We asked their concerns for the future, key issues students face and what they want us to focus on.

Our Goals

Amplify student voices.

• Provide accessible and visible methods for student feedback on campus; working to adapt and implement strategies that react to changing student needs.
• Ensure students feel their voices are heard and acted upon at all levels both within the Union and University.
• Facilitate and build safe spaces for students to build their own grassroots campaigns and workshops. Amplifying students' voices from all backgrounds.

Build community.

• Provide accessible and visible methods for student feedback on campus; working to adapt and implement strategies that react to changing student needs.
• Ensure students feel their voices are heard and acted upon at all levels both within the Union and University.
• Facilitate and build safe spaces for students to build their own grassroots campaigns and workshops. Amplifying students' voices from all bacChampion cultural and diverse events on campus providing safe environments for students to feel welcome to express themselves.
• Create new opportunities for students to expand their social and cultural capital.
• Provide an inclusive safe online community tool for students to gather and connect no matter where or how they choose to study.
• Create the right financial and governance building blocks in our team to ensure that we can effectively support student activity and further our engagement with our membership.

Create a safe campus.

• Boost the number of wellbeing events on campus to support students.
• Facilitate Nightlife Support Volunteers in Student Union spaces to support students during evening events.
• Advocate for the University to increase resources to support student wellbeing and mental health on campus.

Build ‘real world’ experiences.

• Facilitate meaningful employment and volunteer opportunities for students to develop their skills and craft.
• Develop a program of workshops and online resources to support students with ‘Real World’ questions such as finances and housing.

Educate and inform.

• Increase the Unions visibility on campus and students' awareness of who we are and what we do.
• Champion a transparent democratic system that is clear and responsive.
• Provide clear accessible resources for students of all backgrounds and needs, removing unnecessary barriers.
• Build a streamlined signposting system for both Union activities and students’ needs away from campus ensuring students feel empowered by the Union to take action.
• Grow our student Advice service to advocate for students and better support them with academic policies and procedures.

Making a difference

The world is constantly evolving and changing, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worst. Student Unions’ have a proud and visible history of campaigning and advocating for those less fortunate and privileged and for communities that are less represented and vulnerable.

Over the last few years this has come under attack from politicians, the government and sections of our society that don't want harmony or a better place for all.

That's why this strategy, or plan is focused on the grassroots and basics needs of students and the student movement. Fighting for change and trying to represent something morally positive. With our friends, partners and colleagues we hope to achieve what we set out to do.