Annual Impact Report 14/15
2
annual impact report 2015
Contents 3
About the Union
4
Intro from the SU President
5
Intro from the Chief Executive
6
Student engagement and satisfaction
8 Depth of engagement 9
Headline achievements
10
Performance against targets
13
Student Voice
14
Student Advice
16
Sport
19
Societies
20
Student Media
22
Give it a Go
25
Democracy and Elections
27
tudent Development and S Volunteering
28
Venues
31
Jobs & Money
32
Retail
34
Heath Park Campus
36
CUSU Income & Expenditure
37
CUSL Trading performance
38
Targets for 2015/16
41
Capital projects
42
trustees and Directors
annual impact report 2015
3
About the Union Cardiff University Students’ Union (CUSU) has a vision of working with every Cardiff student to enhance their university experience. As a student-led, independent part of the university, CUSU represents students and provides a diverse and inclusive range of activities and services that enrich student life. These include advice, training, skills development, volunteering opportunities, employment and other services that promote inclusion, friendship and personal development. CUSU supports over 200 student societies and 60 sports clubs that boast more than 10,000 members. CUSU is also the recognised voice of I don’t think students there is a better n at Cardiff Students’ Unio in e University, er h anyw . ld joining r o w the . ts en d students in tu fs @cardif campaigning ton ing Grace Pidd tter dington on Twi about the Posted by @gpid issues important to them. The trading subsidiary of CUSU, Cardiff Union Services Limited (CUSL), manages a purpose built facility in the centre of Cardiff and operates cafes, shops, bars and events that help fund CUSU’s charitable activities. CUSU is based on Park Place and at the Heath Park campus, employing over 100 permanent staff and 300 student staff. The organisation is ranked in the top 100 of the Sunday Times Best Notfor-profit Companies to Work For, as well as holding Gold status through Investors in People. CUSU aspires to have a positive impact on the wider community in Cardiff and is consistently graded the number one Students’ Union in Wales and in the top five in the UK for student satisfaction.
Our vision Working with every Cardiff student to enhance their university experience.
Our values We will: • provide opportunities and empower • be excellent at what we do by being totally inclusive • champion student leadership • facilitate positive change • listen, communicate and engage
Our purpose The advancement of education of students at Cardiff University for the public benefit by: • Promoting the interests and welfare of students at Cardiff University during their course of study and representing, supporting and advising students; • Being the recognised representative channel between students and Cardiff University and any other external bodies; and • Providing social, cultural, sporting and recreational activities and forums for discussions and debate for the personal development of its students.
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annual impact report 2015
Significant wins we have seen huge growth in the Students’ Union Introduction from the SU President 2014/15 was an exciting year for Cardiff University Students’ Union (CUSU) and it gives me great pleasure to introduce our Annual Impact Report. Over the last year we have seen huge growth in the Students’ Union at both the Park Place and Heath Park Campuses. This success was reflected in the recent National Student Survey where CUSU achieved its highest ever student satisfaction score of 87%; a 2% increase from 2014. We are delighted that this maintains our position within the top five Students’ Unions in the UK. This year we invested £50,000 into renovating our facilities at the Heath Park, the biggest Students’ Union investment ever on that campus. We also renamed our Students’ Union presence at the Heath with the aim that students will identify with us more easily. We also undertook a significant development on the first floor of the Students’ Union building, redeveloping café space into a dance studio called ‘Y Stiwdio’. Looking ahead we have secured funding to redevelop our ground
floor, increasing our retail offering and creating a modern, fit for purpose look to our Senghennydd Road entrance. This year we embarked on a new three year strategic plan and have already made fantastic progress. The strategy aims to work with every Cardiff University student to enhance their university experience. I am delighted that we have been chosen as one of nine students’ unions across the UK to take part in the NUS antilad culture pilot scheme in 2015/16. I look forward to seeing how this campaign progresses this year. I’d like to thank and congratulate everyone, particularly the 2014/15 Officer team, for such a successful year. You will see from this report that there are some significant wins for students and they’ve inspired this year’s team to strive for big things. I hope you enjoy reading this report and continue to follow our developments as we progress in the future. Claire Blakeway
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Rapid development the Union is engaging with more students than ever before Introduction from the Chief Executive I am delighted to introduce this report and reflect on what was a year of significant change and distinct progress for the Union. We are lucky to be in the midst of rapid facilities development and we are taking the opportunity to diversify our offer and broaden the Union’s appeal. In 2014/15 we completed the £3.5M redevelopment of the second floor of the Union, which included huge improvements to Solus (now Y Plas) and the creation of the food court. We also started the £2.5M project to redevelop the ground and first floor of the building, which will be completed in September 2016. Recognising our need to have a greater impact at the Heath Park Campus, we also began an overhaul of our spaces at the campus, which we will supplement with more accessible activities and services. I’m also delighted to welcome the progress the Union has made in student satisfaction and participation – which for
the second year running are at their highest-ever levels. These successes are undoubtedly linked to the investment in our facilities, but can also be attributed to new activities such as ‘Give it a Go’ and the tireless dedication of our staff and volunteers. Another highlight from 2014/15 is the step forward that we have made in being recognised as an excellent employer. We prioritise the development of our people with good reason - the majority of our staff have day-to-day contact with students and student volunteers, who deliver much of our activities. In the past year we achieved the Investors In People Gold award, were accredited with Best Companies status and placed within the Sunday Times top 100 not-forprofit companies to work for. Well done to everyone involved. Thank you for your interest in the Union. I hope that you enjoy reading our report and finding out how we enhance the student experience at Cardiff University. Daniel Palmer
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annual impact report 2015
Student engagement and satisfaction Advice Centre
1,672
Jobshop 2,110
Academic Rep
885
NUS Extra Card Sales
Annual Members 663 Meeting Associations 411
20,548
students engaged
Athletic Union
5,233
Cardiff Student Letting
1,472
Driver 204 Election 145 Candidate Give it a Go
1,578
Guild of Societies 7,666 IT Shop
Participation in the Union’s activities and services are measured annually, and we use the information to drive improvements and ensure that student participation reflects the diversity of the University’s students.
Social
Media
796
2015: 23,491 2014: 18,935
Skills 2,930 Development Service Student Senate
25
Student Media
398
Student Run Services
272
Venues 10,792 790 Volunteering (SVC) Voter 7,582
The results show that despite measuring one less area in 2014/15, the Union’s services are continuing to show substantial growth. We exceeded 20,000 students engaged in our services for the first time last year and we are on track to meet our target on 25,000 by 2017.
Facebook Instagram Snapchat ZY Likes YZ
3,672
ZY followers YZ
2015: 3,071 2014: 1,277
ZY followers YZ
2015: 2,000
launched 2015
ZY followers YZ
2015: 13,829 2014: 9,403
annual impact report 2015
Student Satisfaction We take student satisfaction seriously and we monitor student opinions in various ways. We work with the University during the annual Speak Week, promote the Welcome to Cardiff and Study at Cardiff surveys and we hold various focus groups to help understand our students better. Externally, we monitor three independently measured satisfaction scores for the Union: The National Student Survey, carried out by Ipsos-Mori on behalf of HEFCE/ HEFCW; The Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey, carried out by the Times Higher Education magazine; and the International Student Barometer, carried out by i-graduate.
National Student Survey • 2015: 5th in the UK (87%) • 2014: 5th (85%) • 2013: 7th (82%) • 2012: 4th (83%)
International Student Barometer • 2015: 97.4% satisfaction • 2012: 96.3% satisfaction • 2010: 96% satisfaction • 2007: 95% satisfaction
Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey • 2015: 6th in the UK (6.0) • 2014: 4th (6.2) • 2013: 4th (6.2) • 2012: 5th (6.0) • 2011: 5th (6.1)
Satisfaction in the union % of students in those schools 2012
2015
7
8
annual impact report 2015
Depth of engagement Number of services used by students
number of services used
Since 2011 the Union has recorded usage of its activities and services, with the numbers of users increasing rapidly each year. In 2014/15, 20,548 students used one or more of the Union’s services, compared to 18,924 in 2013/14, representing a 9% increase. In total, this amounts to over 68% of all Cardiff students. In addition, we recognise that many students engage with us in ways that we don’t measure – like using social facilities in the Union and buying things in our shops, bars and cafes. It is unlikely that we will ever measure these sorts of engagements, but we are always striving to ensure that all Cardiff students feel engaged with the Union and are satisfied with what we offer.
1 Service
7,069
9 Services
42
2 Services
4,642
10 Services
19
3 Services
3,666
11 Services
4
4 Services
2,501
12 Services
1
5 Services
1,432
13 services
2
6 Services
746
14 Services
0
7 Services
302
15 Services
1
8 Services
120
16 Services
1
users 2014/15
20,548 18,924 16,626 15,760 2013/14
2012/13
2011/12
68%
of all Card used at iff Studen t least on e servic s e
annual impact report 2015
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Headline achievements Academic • Worked with University to develop business case for £38m of Lecture Theatre refurbs. • Lobbied the University to release exam timetables earlier. • Created a Peer Assisted Learning programme to support healthcare students whilst away on placement.
Activities • Give it A Go programme engaged with over 2,000 students during Freshers. • Introduced Athlete of the Week. • Organised the UK’s first ever Medics Varsity. • Introduced Union Service fairs to the Heath Park Campus. • Heath RAG raised a record sum of £6,000.
Welfare • Created pilot Residence Associations to support all first year students. • New GP clinic opened on campus.
• Ran Women in Leadership workshops to encourage more women to run in our elections. An unprecedented amount of women are now in the full time officer team with six women and one man. • Included the Welsh Language in all officers’ job descriptions. • Chosen as one of the nine UK universities to be involved in the NUS Anti-Lad Culture Pilot Scheme Strategy. • Engaged in Stonewall’s rainbow laces campaign with the majority of sports teams wearing the laces for the Welsh Varsity.
Organisation and Institution Wide • Worked with University to produce design brief for the Centre for Student Life, a £45m investment in the student experience. • Secured £2.5m to redevelop ground floor and first floor of the Students’ Union and provide more performance space for Societies. • Invested £50,000 to renovate Students’ Union facilities at the Heath Park Campus.
• Lobbied Welsh Government to reverse cuts to Financial Contingency Fund.
• Officer Team of the Year for NUS Wales.
• Successfully campaigned for the removal of Letting agency boards from student houses.
• Secured tuition fee funding for a small number of Asylum seekers.
Representation and Liberation
• Launched ‘Can’t Touch This’ campaign to raise awareness of ‘zero tolerance to sexual harassment’ policy.
• Introduced a full time Postgraduate Officer. • Increased voter registration for the General Election by 19,500 in 4 months and increased turnout in Cardiff Central by 8%. This was the biggest increase in turnout for any constituency in Wales.
• Launched the Students’ Union three year strategic plan.
• Fed in to the multi-million pound Estates Masterplan published by the University to shape campus developments over the next decade.
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Performance against targets Stakeholders
Learning and growth
1. To ensure the effective roll-out of the Union’s strategy 2014-17, evidenced by an interactive version of the plan on cardiffstudents.com by 30th September 2014 and a first year completion report by 31st July 2015.
1. To increase the Union’s overall engagement with individual members up to 20,000 students by 31st July 2015 Achieved 2. To introduce a staff development programme plan, a staff volunteering policy and ensure that all staff have an active personal development plan by 28th February 2015.
Achieved 2. T o carry out the agreed changes to the Union’s corporate structure, evidenced by all procedural steps being completed and all associated funding and lease agreements being updated with all connected bodies, including the University and SVC by 31st July 2015.
Achieved 3. To achieve Best Companies accreditation and a minimum of Investors in People Silver status by 31st July 2015. Achieved
Achieved 3. T o achieve an improvement of 4% on NSS question 23 scores (from 79.68% to 83.68%) from students studying at the Heath Park Campus, compared to 2014, by 31st July 2015. Not achieved 4. T o achieve an overall improvement in the annual career staff and student staff satisfactions scores by 30th June 2015. Achieved 5. T o maintain significant increases in participation in the Union’s annual elections, evidenced by a minimum a voter turnout in excess of 8,000 votes, a maintained average of 6.5 sabbatical candidates for each post and for all posts to be contested, by 31st March 2015. Partially achieved
year Each ’s Board ion its the Unstees sets of Tru
0 2 P TO
s our area f s s o r c sa prioritie ted
Elec ion’s d senior n U e Th n ers a eam Offic agement t r to e n h ma toget work s
Achi
rget a t e h t e ev
13 Y Y 5Y Y 2Y Y
Overal
l Achie
Partial ly Not Ac
ved
Achieve
hieved
d
annual impact report 2015
4. T o benchmark the Union’s performance in student engagement and organisational development against other Students’ Unions within the Russell Group by 30th November 2014. Achieved 5. T o develop an annual student intelligence programme, delivering insights into student engagement and needs by demographics and course to Union and University staff by 31st March 2015.
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5. To ensure that a full set of updated financial procedures are approved and in place and that all contracts of more than one year have a review date and are subject to a newly introduced contracts, tendering and outsourcing policy by 31st December 2014. Partially achieved
Systems, policies and procedures
Achieved
1. To develop a business case and plan in support of 24-hour term-time opening for the Students’ Union building to the Trustees by 31st December 2014.
Financial Management & Control
Achieved
1. To set annualised budgets for CUSU and CUSL and achieve the overall budgeted position for the two companies for 2014/2015, by 31st July 2015.
2. To review the front of house and security operations for the Students’ Union building to meet the needs of the new reception space and to have the updated provision operational by 30th September 2014.
Not achieved 2. T o develop a cost centre accounting approach to the Union’s various departments within CUSU and CUSL and present the finding to the Board of Trustees, by 31st January 2015. Partially achieved 3. T o ensure that all 2nd floor capital projects due to be opened for Freshers 2014 are completed on time and on budget and that all minor snagging is resolved by 31st October 2014. Achieved 4. T o develop a business case for the redevelopment of the ground floor and first floor of the Students’ Union building and present it to the Board of Trustees by 28th February 2015. Achieved
Achieved 3. To complete part A and part B of the NUS Quality Students’ Unions accreditation scheme and to have booked an audit for no later than July 2016, by 30th June 2015. Achieved 4. T o develop a comprehensive Governance section of cardiffstudents.com, including Trustees reports, annual impact reports and Trustee information by 31st January 2015. Partially achieved 5. To develop an updated management competency framework and associated 360 degree appraisal system by 31st March 2015. Partially achieved
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We have collected over 300 responses for #SpeakWeek and we’re not even half way through the week. Good work @CU_StudentVoice @ EducationCSU.
Claire Blakeway Posted by @HeathPark on Twitter
annual impact report 2015 13
Student Voice The Union has a long and proud history of representing Cardiff students and shaping the learner experience at Cardiff University. Every year the student leadership of the Union is elected by students with College and School reps being elected by students from those areas.
Representation Student Academic Reps play a vital role in the partnership between students and the University, and ensure that the student voice is taken seriously at every level. Reps attend student-staff panels within their School to bring feedback from their cohort and suggest improvements to the academic experience. 2014/15 was a landmark year for the Students’ Union as we took on the running of the Academic Rep system within the newly-created Student Voice Department. We trained over 400 Academic Reps in 33 sessions, redesigned the content of training and conducted more talks in induction week than ever before.
Speak Week In February 2015 we organised Speak Week in conjunction with the University. A week offering students the chance to give feedback on their University experience through feedback points across both campuses. Students filled out 800 Speak Week cards - an increase of 166% on the last year. From those 800 cards we received over 1,500 individual comments about the University and Students’ Union. During Speak Week we also hosted the annual Student Academic Rep conference, with attendance increasing by 350%. The Conference included sessions on best practice, the National Student Survey, employability and overcoming apathy.
Speak
2015
Week
800 166% 1,500
complete d feedbac k ca increase o n 2014
individua
l commen ts
rds
14 annual impact report 2015
Student Advice The Union runs a dedicated advice and representation centre on the third floor of the Union building, and from the IV Lounge at the Heath Campus. Our team of Student Advisers will either directly support students or refer them on to specialist help. Student Advice staff advise students on a range of issues including academic, consumer, housing, employment, student finance, money matters and personal matters.
Academic issues The service saw 1,399 students with academic issues including 69 issues relating to unfair practice (exam conduct, plagiarism) and 31 issues relating to fitness to practise. Many of these cases are intensive and require significant support from Student Advice staff over a prolonged period of time. Academic matters are a significant proportion of the work that Student Advice undertakes. 166 students got in contact about academic appeals during June and July 2014. Other academic problems can include complex fitness to practise issues, the outcome of which can have a profound impact on students’ future careers.
Housing In 2014/15, 1,193 students raised issues related to housing including disrepair, deposits, housing contract checks, wanting to find accommodation and other landlord and tenant issues. Student Advice has assisted students to successfully recover compensation in disrepair cases and the return of tenancy deposits.
Money Doctors Student Advice partners with the University in providing financial awareness events under the ‘Money Doctors’ banner. This included events for future years’ student funding and Christmas budget ideas, with over 250 students receiving help and guidance as a result.
Policy and practice Student Advice has informed and influenced policy and practice issues, including the review of the University’s complaints and academic appeals procedures as well as an audit of the Union’s policy and practices in relation to lad culture.
Students who sought help • 2,434 individuals • 2,876 cases and enquiries
advisors ith dealt w
6 7 8 , 2 iries
d enqu n a s e s a c w e n
annual impact report 2015 15
Title
Great advice from cardiff Student Advice for students looking for housing
Chris Weaver Posted by @cathayschris on Twitter (Chris is a local Councillor for Cathays)
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Sport BUCS
The Union facilitates the running of 65 sports clubs. These groups are overseen by the Union, but are largely organised by annually-elected student volunteers.
nation al league positio n
In 2014/15 we saw a 6% increase in members, continuing a recent trend of higher participation in sport. This resulted in 112 teams representing the University in sport competitions with over 1,200 students participating. After a disappointing performance in 2013/14 that saw Cardiff fall out of the UK top 20 for the first time in recent history, our clubs returned to form and recorded their joint best performance in the past 10 years by placing 15th in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) league table. The Athletic Union have targeted a top 10 finish in the table by 2017. The Union offers such a wide range of sports that not all competition structures can be provided by BUCS. Many of our teams compete and excel in alternative leagues, with Taekwondo retaining the title of British Champions for the third year in a row, Cheerleading becoming Grand Champions and DanceSport regularly winning hordes of silverware to bring home for Team Cardiff.
y 15
2014/15
yyyy yyyy 22
2013/14
15
2009/10
19
17
12
2012/13
2011/12
16
2010/11
17
16
2008/09
2007/08 2 006/07
annual impact report 2015 17
Title
18 annual impact report 2015
Title
Over 8,000 Cardiff students are now a member of at least one society! Today, Cardiff. Tomorrow, the WORLD!
Barney Willis Posted by @SocietiesCSU on Twitter
annual impact report 2015 19
Societies The Guild of Societies is a diverse collection of groups, broadly broken into political, recreational, cultural and course based groups. You can find a full breakdown of all the Union’s societies at cardiffstudents.com/societies. After a surge of additional Guild memberships in 2013/14, the number of members fell slightly from 7,712 to 7,666 in 2014/15. Societies memberships have grown substantially in recent years, with more than a quarter of all Cardiff students being a member of at least one group. 2014-15 was an active year for the Guild. We trained over 2,500 committee members as well as holding two networking evenings, 10 society forums, a leadership conference, two councils and a committee welcome evening. These committee members are recognised for their commitment through the Students’ Union as accredited providers of the Millennium Volunteers award. On top of these opportunities for committee members, the Guild offers events for any student or the public to attend. 2015 saw a sell-out production of Go Global, the festival of culture and diversity and the Cardiff Fringe Festival entered its second year with great success.
members 4/15
6 6 6 7, 2 1 7 7, 2 7 8 5, 6 1 4 , 5 201
4 2013/1
3 2012/1
2 2011/1
2015
sellout
go produc
tion of
global
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Student Media The Union supports a range of student led media outlets – Gair Rhydd, Quench, Xpress Radio and CUTV. These media groups are run like societies and produce media content for all Cardiff students. Gair Rhydd is instantly recognisable to current and former students, as the best place to find out what’s going on around campus. Following a change to the Sabbatical Trustee structure in 2014, the Editor of Gair Rhydd is no longer a Trustee and employee of the Union and is instead a student, bringing a more natural independence to the paper.
CUTV won ‘Best Ident’ and were placed highly commended for ‘Best Broadcaster’ in the National Student Television Association Awards 2015. Xpress Radio won ‘Most Improved Student Station’ at the I Love Student Radio Awards 2015, plus they also won the award for ‘Best Student Sportscast’ for their broadcast of Varsity 2014 at the New York Festivals World’s Best Radio Programs 2015.
N
xpress
radio Won M
stude proved stationt at the IL n ost Im
F
Stude nt Raodve i Awar ds o
F
Gair Rhydd came away with two awards at the Student Publication Association Awards 2015 - Michael O’Connell-Davison was the winner of the ‘Outstanding Commitment’ Award, together with Lauren Boyd who won ’Best Interview’. Quench’s Jason Roberts also came away with the ‘Best Feature’ award.
annual impact report 2015 21
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Give it a Go
In its first year ‘Give it a Go’ has proven itself to be extremely effective in achieving its objectives. Starting from nothing, it engaged with over 1,800 students, organised over 90 new activities and promoted over 120 club & society taster sessions. New activities available included: • International Trips
• Playzone Nights
• Speed Dating
• Bus Tours
• Walking Tours
• Walking Trips
• Dance Workshops
• Flat Mating
• Bubble Football
• Christmas Events
• Halloween Events
• Film Nights
• Theme Park Trips
• Language Tasters ‘Give it a Go’ has quickly become an important part of the Union’s offer to students and has ambitious plans for further expansion and diversification during 2015/16. ‘Give it a Go’ was a significant part of Freshers’ 2015 and is fast becoming a highly recognisable and well used service.
ngaged
udents e vidual st
Indi
rganised
ivities o New act
7
• Day Trips
6 2 8 1, Z 2 Z9 Z 3 Z 7
‘Give it a Go’ is a new initiative launched by the Union in August 2014. The purpose of the project is to offer an alternative, non-membership based method of engaging in many of the Union’s activities and services. In particular it was anticipated that ‘Give it a Go’ would increase the portfolio of alcohol-free activities on offer and engage with students who wouldn’t otherwise get involved in extracurricular activities.
ffered
Inte
l trips o rnationa
annual impact report 2015 23
Title
Had a great CUTKD GiveItAGo session Monday! Fantastic turnout of 49! @ cardiffstudents @GiveItAGoCSU #teamcardiff #cutkd #GiveItAGoCSU
Cardiff Uni Taekwondo Club Posted by @CardiffUniTKD on Twitter
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Title
Thanks to @equalplayxpress for having me on to talk about #ElectionsCSU, Women’s Week and Lena Dunham (and giving me a caramel waffle, yum).
Laura Carter Posted by @lauracarter3993 on Twitter
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Democracy & Elections Student Senate
All students are given the opportunity to participate in the Union’s democracy and influence the direction and policy of the organisation. This is done in a number of ways, but includes electing the Sabbatical Trustees in March every year, and through participation in policy making bodies like the Student Members’ Annual General Meeting and the Student Senate.
2014/15 proved to be a strong second year for Student Senate with a significant increase in the number of women standing and being elected, along with strong representation from the Heath Park Campus. Motions passed included the banning of the controversial ‘Dapper Laughs’ and the extension of the Zero Tolerance to Sexual Harassment policy. Throughout the year there was plenty of healthy debate around a number of wide ranging motions including Pro-life.
n Electito ics statis
8000
120
f Voters Number o tes f Candida Number o
7000
6000
100
NUMBER OF VOTERS
80 5000
60
4000
3000 40 2000 20 1000
0
05/06 06/07 06/07 07/08 07/08 08/09 08/09 09/10 09/10 10/11 10/11 11/12 11/12 12/13 12/13 13/14 13/14 14/15 14/15 MAIN
BY
MAIN
BY
MAIN
BY
MAIN
BY
MAIN
BY
MAIN
BY
MAIN
BY
MAIN
BY
MAIN
BY
MAIN
0
NUMBER OF CANDIDATES
After a record year in 2014, the number of candidates remained flat in 2015, whilst the number of voters fell back slightly to 6,231. We have prioritised significant increases within the Union’s democracy, with the aim of having more than 10,000 students participating by 2017.
26 annual impact report 2015
Title
annual impact report 2015 27
Student Development & Volunteering skills development service (SDS) This Union was one of the first in the UK to develop student development programmes to enhance student skills and employability. In recognition for the growing importance of employability, the Union partnered with the University to develop the Centre for Skills, Enterprise and Volunteering within the Union building, completed in 2012. The Centre offers an excellent space to deliver the Union’s skills programmes in areas such as leadership, personal effectiveness and communication. Students can gain certification for completing five units in these courses and during 2014/15, 105 students attained Communication, 196 Personal Effectiveness and 164 Leadership. In total 2,219 individual students took part in skills development sessions. In total 8,357 contacts were made as a result of repeat attendances and working closely with individual schools.
Volunteering The Union supports a huge programme of community volunteering in Cardiff and the wider community in South Wales in partnership with many other local charities and community groups. This work has both a huge positive impact on the local community whilst also offering challenging and exciting development opportunity for our students. During 2014/15 the Union further prioritised its work by establishing ‘Cardiff Volunteering’, with the aim of significantly increasing the number of volunteering opportunities available to students, whilst continuing to support and work with the Student Volunteering Cardiff (SVC) – the Union’s historic provider of volunteering
opportunities. Through our own work and in partnership with SVC we aim to get at least 25% of students volunteering, undertaking student development or being engaged in Enterprise by 2017. Working with our partners, Student Volunteering Cardiff, the Students’ Union supported: • The facilitation of education based projects in 21 local primary and secondary schools including education support and tutoring activity. • A further 12 recreational and support projects with children and young people outside education. • Volunteer projects on multiple wards within two mentalhealth hospitals in Cardiff; SVC also offered volunteering opportunities within two rehabilitation units. • Students engaged in regular volunteering activity with two local care homes and hosting events for a number of local community groups. • Work in partnership by supporting recruitment for local and national organisations including Headway, Bullies Out, Hybu, Age Concern, NHS, Communities First and South Wales Police. • Various partners to initiate and continue a number of environmental volunteering projects supporting the local resident and student community.
SDS users 2013/14
12 5,416 7,7 6 6 6 , 7 2 7 8 5, 2011/12
2012/13
2014/15
28 annual impact report 2015
Venues Entertainment The Union plays a huge role in creating fun and friendship opportunities for Cardiff students and this is done through dedicated spaces within the Union building.
Cafes, Food and Social spaces The Union runs a range of services within the Union building where students can eat, drink, study and relax. In addition to being highly valued by students, many of these services also contribute financially to the Union, so that more money can be directed towards providing welfare services, student activities and student development.
The Lounge Launched in 2011, The Lounge is a study and social space on the third floor of the building. The lounge has dedicated study and Skype pods, a student kitchen, a prayer room and a roof terrace and is particularly popular during exam periods. From 2014 onwards, The Lounge has been open 24 hours a day to meet student demand for flexible study spaces.
Y stiwdio newest ’s n io n U e h t is se venue multi-purpo
The Food Court at Y Plas The food court was created within the space previously known as the Kitchen in 2014 and has quickly established itself as ‘the place’ to eat, drink and socialise. Providing 5 distinct food and drinks outlets, the food court offers a range of hot and cold food and drinks at an affordable price in a clean and modern environment.
The Graduate Centre
Magic Wrap
The Union works in partnership with the University in running the Graduate Centre – a dedicated space for study and social learning for post graduate students. The Graduate Centre boasts its own cafe bar and a range of social activities for postgraduate students.
Situated on the ground floor, Magic Wrap offers a healthy lunch time takeaway option for students.
The Taf The Taf is the Union’s traditional pub in the Union building, offering a range of food and drink options seven days a week, as well as a programme of entertainment.
Y Stiwdio New for 2015, Y Stiwdio is the Union’s newest multi-purpose venue, replacing the CF10 café. Y Stiwdio has been designed for the Union’s dance, performance and physical activity societies and boasts a first-class sprung mounted floor and changing facilities. Situated on the first floor opposite the Great Hall, Y Stiwdio can also host drama productions, live music and private functions.
annual impact report 2015 29
Title
WH Smith The Union’s former shop was transferred to WH Smith in April 2013 and provides a wide range of convenience goods and university branded clothing. Situated on the first floor.
Night time entertainment and live music The Union runs a thriving, diverse and popular range of evening activities for Cardiff students. The Great Hall, Y Plas and the Union’s other social spaces provide a fun and safe environment for night time activities that continue to be popular with students. During 2014/15 over 10,000 students attended our night-time activities, making it the most
popular activity we provide. In addition, some of our events are open to students from other universities and the general public, having a significant positive impact on young people in the City.
Y Plas The Union’s main venue, Y Plas, was re-opened in September 2014 following refurbishment that included creating a mezzanine level and incorporating a glazed roof. Following the refurbishment the space offers regular night time activities as well as gigs, one-off events and is used for a range of day time uses including conferences, exhibitions, market stalls and student group use.
30 annual impact report 2015
Title
So excited to work for @ CardiffJobshop at the 10k race on Sunday!
Ellena Kyte Posted by @ellkyte on Twitter
annual impact report 2015 31
Jobs & Money Jobshop and money in students’ pockets The Union works in partnership with the University in running the Jobshop – an employment agency for Cardiff students, which places students in part-time and temporary work both within the University and in the wider community.
jobshop
In mid 2015 the Jobshop moved from its home on the ground floor of the Union building, to the forth floor, as a part of the project to redevelop the ground and first floors of the Union building. A desire within the University and Students’ Union to use proportionately more students in employed roles resulted in a huge increase in the number of students being placed through Jobshop. In 2014/15, 2,110 students used the service – representing a 15% increase.
2,110 s used th tudents in 20e14service /15
1in5 % cr
Y nts
of stude numberng placed bei
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2,110 1,839 0 7 8 , 1 1,856 4 2013/1
3 2012/1
2 2011/1
ease Y
32 annual impact report 2015
Retail cardiff Student Letting
Love Cardiff
The Union runs its own letting agency, based on the ground floor of the Union building. Established in 2005, the agency is a model of best practice within the sector and was one of the first students’ union-operated agencies in the UK. Cardiff Student Letting is also the only major letting agency in Cardiff not to charge tenants agency fees. Despite this, Cardiff Student Letting still makes a healthy profit that is then used in the Union’s other activities and services.
New for 2015, the Union opened a dedicated clothing and memorabilia store, Love Cardiff, next to the Reception on the second floor of the Union in September 2015. Like all of the Union’s retail offers it is hoped that the store will be a useful service to students whilst providing surpluses that help fund the Union’s charitable objectives.
Cardiff Student Letting is primarily aimed at Cardiff University students, but students from other universities and other young people can rent houses through the Union. In total, the agency housed 2,103 people last year, with at least 1,472 being Cardiff University students.
The IT Shop Following relocation in the summer of 2015, the Union runs an IT Shop from the ground floor of the Union building, supplying IT equipment and stationery, as well as providing PC, laptop and mobile phone repairs.
Cutting Edge Located on the ground floor of the Union building, the Union runs a hairdressing salon. Open to students, staff and the local community all profits from the salon are reinvested back into the Union’s activities and services. Since opening in 2010, the salon has gone from strength to strength and is a highly valued service. The Union doesn’t track data for the number of students that use the service, however.
2,103
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last ye d e s u o h e r e ople w
cardiff
lettigng t n studeat least 1,472 bein ts W ith University studen Cardiff
studen ts housed 2011/12
1,360 1, 803 1,499 2 ,103 2012/13
2013/14
2014/15
annual impact report 2015 33
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34 annual impact report 2015
Heath Park Campus The Union at the Heath Park Campus The Union operates the ‘Students’ Union at the Heath’, within the IV Lounge in the Neuadd Meirionnydd building. Students can access all of the Union’s membership services from the space, including the Jobshop, Cardiff Student Letting, Student Advice and the Skills Development Service. During 2014/15 the Union sought to increase its profile at the Heath campus, whilst investing in student facilities. In addition, all Union departments now have a Heath Park strand to their operating plans so that the needs of Heath Park students are considered when planning their services. Overall, there were close to 3,000 enquiries at the Heath in 2014/15 and events such as the Freshers’ Fair, the Union Service Fairs and the Heath RAG events broke all attendance figures. Last year saw two notable first for the Heath: The Union organised the first-ever Medics Varsity against University of Bristol, with six teams and over 100 students competing (and winning!); and a Heath Park student (Claire Blakeway) was elected as President of the Union.
All
ioentn un epartm s Y YD
now Have a k Heath Par strand
annual impact report 2015 35
Title
36 annual impact report 2015
CUSU Income & Expenditure Income
Block Grant Donations in Kind (a portion of costs incurred by Cardiff Union Services Limited that applies to the Union) Sponsorship Incoming resources from charitable activities (including income for sports, societies and other student activities) TOTAL
Expenditure
Give it a Go programme costs Student development costs Student employment service costs NUS Extra charges Cost of student media Wages and salaries Establishment Administrative charges Motor and travel Union activity Professional expenses Finance expenses Support costs TOTAL Net Income/(expenditure)
2015 2014 1,160,000 600,000 927,064 1,117,001
- 1,414,012
2,170 157,335
3,501,076
1,876,506
2015 33,385 1,295 1,017,408
2014 -
30,953 41,465 1,191,742 33,666 106,114 164,488 544,730 6,300 1,201 368,130 3,540,877 (39,801)
669,886 27,924 83,726 143,456 670,215 6,384 336 244,185 1,846,112 30,394
Reconciliation of funds
2015 2014 Total funds brought forward 40,995 10,601 Total funds carried forward 1,194 40,995 The Union is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. The Union’s charitable activities are accounted for through Cardiff University Students’ Union (CUSU), with trading activities being accounted for through Cardiff Union Services Limited (CUSL). In 2014/15 the Union undertook an appraisal of where income and expenditure is allocated within CUSU and CUSL. It was adjusted to reflect a more accurate allocation of resources, resulting in significant changes from one year to the next within CUSU. In August 2015 the Union completed the restructure of its companies, making CUSU the sole member of CUSL and thus making CUSL a subsidiary company of the CUSU. Therefore, from 2015/16 onwards the Union’s financial activities will be reported as a group and will provide greater openness and transparency.
A full copy Union’s Fi of the Statements nancial and Trustees Annual Report ’ downloaded can be from cardiffstu
dents.com /gov
ernance
annual impact report 2015 37
CUSL Trading performance Profit & Loss Account for Year Ended 31/07/15
Balance Sheet at 31/07/15
Turnover Cost of sales Gross profit Administrative expenses Other operating income Operating profit Other exceptional items Other interest receivable and similar income Interest payable and similar charges Loss on ordinary activities before taxation Loss for the financial year
2015 Fixed assets Tangible fixed assets 350,153 Investments 71,563 421,716 Current Assets Stocks 153,042 Debtors 575,814 Cash at bank and in hand 213,529 942,385 Creditors: amounts falling (912,088) due within one year Net current assets 30,297 Net assets excluding 452,013 pension liability Net pension liability (2,686,590) Net liabilities (2,234,577) Capital and reserves Profit and loss account (2,234,577) Shareholders’ (deficit) (2,234,577)
2015 3,427,602 (1,668,904) 1,758,698 (3,083,997) 1,441,000 115,701 (588,141) 887
2014 4,361,289 (2,338,340) 2,022,949 (3,766,805) 1,903,000 159,144 1,178
(140,117)
(3,850)
(23,529)
(431,669)
(23,529)
(431,669)
CUSL is the Union’s trading company that manages the Union’s facilities and commercial services, including venues, retail, catering, advertising and lettings. Up until August 2015 the Trustees and Directors of CUSU were also the Directors of CUSL. Following the change, some of the Trustees and Directors of CUSU serve on CUSL, but overall the CUSL Directors are a smaller and more focused group.
Changes in accounting Due to changes in accounting for defined benefit pension obligations, the company has recognised its future obligations to the employee pension scheme SUSS, amounting to £2,686,950 (2014: £2,709,187). The company’s obligations will likely extend to 2030 and will have a dramatic effect on the balance sheet until then.
2014 213,335 71,563 284,898 106,095 1,005,015 407,773 1,518,883 (1,305,643) 213,240 498,138 (2,709,187) (2,211,049) (2,211,049) (2,211,049)
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Targets for 2015/16 Stakeholders
Learning & growth
1. To produce a first year report of progress against the Union’s strategy 2014-17 by 31st December 2015 and for all departments to have a plan in support of the strategy, including specific Heath Park targets by 30th September 2015.
1. To increase the Union’s overall engagement with individual members to at least 22,500 students, to increase the percentage of students using more than one Union service and to develop an equality and diversity assessment of the Union’s engagement by 31st July 2016.
2. T o re-establish significant increases in participation in the Union’s annual elections, evidenced by a minimum voter turnout in excess of 8,000 votes, a maintained average of 6.5 sabbatical candidates for each post and for all posts to be contested, by 31st March 2016.
2. To commission a report on the impact of students’ union engagement on academic performance and postuniversity career prospects by 31st January 2016.
3. T o increase the Union’s NSS score at the Heath Park campus to 83%, with an overall score of at least 88% and to achieve a minimum of 4th place amongst HE Students’ Unions by 31st July 2016. 4. T o achieve 75% of student & career staff saying that the Union is a great place to work, achieve a greater overall score within Best Companies and maintain a place within the Sunday Times top 100 Not-For-Profit companies to work for by 31st May 2016. 5. T o ensure an ongoing dialogue and mutually agreeable outcome with the University regarding the physical design and service design of the Centre for Student Life building, evidenced by the Board of Trustees’ full endorsement of the Centre for Student Life business case, by 31st May 2016.
3. To send personalised welcome videos and ‘care packages’ to selected cohorts of placement students based at the Heath Park campus by 31st July 2016. 4. T o be accredited with Best Bar None status, to achieve gold in the Green Impact awards and become ESOS compliant by April 2016, and to reduce energy consumption and increase the percentage of recycled waste, both of 5% year on year. 5. To ensure that at least 80% of career staff participate in programmes identified within the Central Training Plan with at least 10% of staff taking part in the management training program by 31st June 2016.
p
p
The Union’s Board of Trustees have set the following targets as their top 20 priorities for the year
annual impact report 2015 39
Financial management and use of resources
Systems, policies & procedures
1. To set cost centered budgets for CUSU and CUSL and achieve the overall budgeted surplus and cash position for the group of companies for 2015/2016, by 31st July 2016. 2. T o achieve the overall budgeted income position for CUSL, including a 20% increase in catering and event and conferencing turnover by 31st July 2016. 3. T o successfully complete the redevelopment of the first floor of the building and open Y Stiwdio and the ‘Love Cardiff’ store, by 30th September 2015. 4. T o establish a ‘cost-busters’ team from staff across the Union to root out waste and drive efficiencies and to achieve 1% better value in at least 3 departments by 31st July 2016. 5. T o successfully let the refurbished retail spaces on the ground floor of the building and to negotiate at least £40,000 additional rental income (compared to 2014/15) for 2016/17 by 31st July 2016.
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p
1. To develop or purchase a customer relationship management system for student usage of the Union’s activities and services and to have the ability to segment usage and tailor communications to members by 31st January 2016. 2. To ensure that an internal audit schedule of finance and governance arrangements is established and that at least two reviews are completed and presented to the Finance & Audit Committee by 31st July 2016. 3. To complete the NUS Quality Mark and achieve a rating of at least ‘very good’ by 31st July 2016. 4. T o successfully integrate the administration, governance and support for Cardiff Volunteering, evidenced by inclusion of CV LTD within the Union’s group of companies, by 31st January 2016. 5. To complete all of the actions required to meet NUS’ Welsh Language Charter and to create an updated Welsh Language policy by 31st March 2016.
p
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Capital projects Renovation of the 2nd floor Over the spring and summer of 2014 the Union undertook its biggest and most ambitious capital project since building the current Union building in 1974, with the redevelopment of the second floor of the building. The project included: renovating the nightclub, Solus (renamed Y Plas), to include a mezzanine level and glazed roof; creating the food court; and remodelling and expanding Reception.
Redevelopment of the ground floor and first floor Over the summer of 2015 we undertook the internal redevelopment of the first floor of the building, including the creation of Y Stiwdio and the renovation of the lobby area and the toilet blocks. The project also included creating changing room facilities for live music events and student groups’ use. Starting in February 2016, we will be redeveloping the retail units on the ground floor of the building, by improving the
façade onto Senghennydd Road and increasing the number of street facing units from 4 to (up to) 10. The project will also improve the rear entrances to the building and improve connectivity to other floors. It is anticipated that the project will be complete by September 2016.
Centre for Student Life Since 2013 the Union has worked with the University on a business case for developing a new building to house all of the University’s student facing non-academic services, that will sit in front of the Union building on Park Place and physically link to it. It is envisaged that the project will reinforce the Union’s position as being at the heart of the Cathays Park campus and that the new facility, coupled with the existing Union building will become the Centre for Student Life at the University. It is hoped that work will begin on site in late 2016, with an expected completion in early 2019.
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Trustees and Directors of Cardiff University Students’ Union Sabbatical Trustees
student Trustees
President
Elliot Howells
Alexandra Thornton-Reid
VP Societies
Barney Willis
Matthew Williams
VP Sport & AU President
Bryn Griffiths
Thomas Tilston
VP Education
Rhys Jenkins
VP Heath Park Campus
Claire Blakeway
VP Welfare
Faraz Alauddin
Senior Staff Chief Executive
Daniel Palmer
Director of Finance
Alice Courtney-Hatcher
University Nominated Trustees
Director of Operations
Ben Eagle
Gethin Lewis
Director of Membership Services Steve Wilford
Susan Gwyer-Roberts
Director of Commercial Services Mark Cheeseman
External Trustees Joe Al-Khayat Richard Roberts CBE Rakesh Aggarwal
Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3QN. Tel: +44 (0) 29 2078 1400 cardiffstudents.com