SUOverview
MessagefromSUPresident&CEO
StudentVoice Democracy&Elections
Advice
StudentOpportunities
GeneralCampaigns
Student-LedCampaigns
Glyn’sBar&Events
SUAwards2026
StaffDevelopment
MessagefromSUPresident&CEO
Welcome to Wrexham Students’ Union’s Impact Report for 2025/2026. This report serves as a record of our achievements against the measures of our Roadmap to 2025 Strategy and highlights the tremendous work of our staff and officers in supporting students through their journey at Wrexham University. We’re entering an exciting new chapter as we continue to play a central role in the University’s capital development projects; most notably, the creation of a new home for Wrexham Students’ Union in 2027.
As a charity, we exist to represent and support the students of Wrexham University throughout their journey with us. We have been a critical friend to the University and have been at the forefront of decision-making processes at the highest level. Your full-time officers have sat on over 30 committees and working groups, whilst also delivering on their manifesto promises, hosting social events and campaigning on a local and national level.
Our success has not been possible without the strong partnership we have with Wrexham University. We would like to thank them and all our stakeholders for their continued support. Finally, we would like to thank our student staff and volunteers who strive to create a difference and enhance the student experience.
Looking ahead, we will be launching our new strategic plan and collaborating closely with the University on the creation of the Students’ Union’s new home whilst continuing to enhance our services ensuring that students get the most out of their time at Wrexham and receive the best student experience possible.
StudentVoice
This year, Unitu has continued to grow as a key platform for student voice, with 9,180 registered student accounts and 252 registered course representatives. All 252 reps received training, supported by a suite of inclusive and accessible resources, including a Course Rep Handbook available in both English and Welsh, alongside tailored handbooks for Degree Apprenticeships and Academic Partnerships to ensure training is relevant across all student groups.
Student representation has expanded internationally, with course reps based not only across Wales and England, but also in Greece, Crete, Hong Kong and Ghana, reflecting the global reach of Wrexham University’s student community.
Engagement on the platform remains strong, with 129 feedback posts submitted and five pulse surveys generating 921 responses. Together, these insights are helping to ensure that student feedback is captured consistently and used to inform meaningful change across the University.
Unituwins
�� Global Student Voice
Course Reps Worldwide
Wales • England • Greece • Crete •
Hong Kong • Ghana
→ A truly international representation network
�� Active Student Engagement
129 feedback posts on Unitu
5 pulse surveys
921 responses collected
→ Students actively shaping their experience
�� Rep Development & Training
252 Reps Trained
Dedicated Course Rep Handbook (English & Welsh)
Tailored handbooks for:
Degree apprenticeships
Academic partnerships
→ More inclusive, relevant training for all reps
�� Growing Platform Reach
9,180 student accounts
252 rep accounts
→ Expanding access to student voice at scale
Democracy&Elections
The goals of this year’s SU Elections were to further increase voter turnout, improve overall engagement, and build on the momentum created in previous years - with the expectation that this would also lead to a higher number of candidates standing. To achieve this, we continued with our dual approach of a professional campaign alongside the now-established “I Give a Duck” campaign, which once again proved to be a recognisable and engaging theme across campus.
Key activities included a wide range of on-campus engagement opportunities, such as polling stations across multiple sites (including St. Asaph and main campus locations), a launch event, and continued presence at events and within lectures.
Freebies such as branded ducks, hats, and stickers remained a central part of the campaign, helping to spark conversations and maintain visibility. These efforts were supported by a strong digital campaign, including daily social media activity, and significantly improved all-student email engagement.
Our in-person engagement increased substantially this year, with approximately 486 students reached through events and a further 300 students engaged directly through lecture shoutouts. Polling stations and campaign activity during voting week reached an additional 379 students, with candidates themselves engaging with an estimated 600 students through their own campaigning.
The results were exceptional: Voter turnout reached a record of 1,082 students (12.15%), an increase of 459 voters from the previous year, alongside a record of 4,015 votes cast. Candidate engagement also increased significantly, particularly in full-time officer roles, demonstrating a clear upward trend in both awareness and participation. The “Recommend a Friend” initiative also continued to perform well, generating 45 responses and directly contributing to at least one candidate standing for election.
Overall, this year’s Elections represented a major step forward in engagement and visibility, with the continued success of the campaign approach demonstrating its effectiveness in connecting with students and encouraging participation in the Union’s democratic processes. .
AdviceStats
Hoursofdedicatedcasework andsupportdelivered
Casesresultedinapositiveoutcomea78%successrateacrossallmatters
Increaseinstudentcasescomparedto2024/25, reflectinggrowingengagementanddemand
Note: This statistical data was collected in May 2026 and does not represent the full academic year
Advice
Our mission within the Advice Centre is to ensure that students feel supported throughout their studies.
Slice of Advice
This year, we introduced a new social media campaign, “Slice of Advice”, providing students with a clear overview of the different types of support available. The aim of the campaign was to inform students about the support on offer, while also equipping them with the knowledge and tools to confidently navigate their academic journeys. Videos were shared across online platforms and designed to be concise and accessible. Across all platforms, “Slice of Advice” has accrued over 4,000 views, increasing the visibility of the Advice Centre and helping us become more familiar and approachable to students.
Come Rain or Shine
As part of our incoming strategy, we introduced Come Rain or Shine, a new slogan for SU Advice encompassing a helping hand from us, whatever the weather! During Wellbeing Week in March, the Advice Centre launched themed giveaways to highlight the new initiative, including branded notepads, bookmarks, ponchos and sunglasses. This new look for the Advice service provided a vibrant introduction to the preliminary stages of Come Rain or Shine as we will continue to develop it in the coming years.
MyexperiencewiththeSUAdvice Centrehasbeenreallysupportive andhelpful.Thestaffwere approachable,knowledgeable, andtookthetimetolisten.
Society memberships
StudentOpportunitiesStats DevelopmentFundspent onstudentexperiences
Sports memberships
Sports
From September 2025 to March 2026, student engagement in sport remained strong, with over 1,700 training participations recorded across the academic year. Monthly training figures peaked at 437 participants in October, with consistently high engagement continuing into November (412).
Across the same period, a total of 500+ fixture participations were recorded, spanning BUCS competitions, North Wales Basketball League games, and external tournaments. Fixture activity was highest in October (121 participants) and remained steady throughout the season as competitions progressed.
This year, SU President Freya reintroduced Varsity, a significant milestone for student sport, with 73 students representing Team Wrexham and helping to rebuild a sense of pride, community, and competitive spirit.
Together, these figures demonstrate a well-attended and active sports programme, with strong student involvement in both training and compet
Alongside our competitive sports teams, we also delivered a range of additional recreational sport activities designed to increase participation and provide inclusive opportunities for students. This included a block of tennis and pickleball sessions for students, courtesy of Wrexham Tennis Centre, engaging 30 participants across four sessions. These sessions provided a valuable opportunity for beginners to try the sport for the first time and for more experienced players to practice and improve their skills, while also strengthening the University’s links with local facilities such as Wrexham Tennis Centre.
Due to popular interest, a fun and inclusive cricket session was delivered on campus, engaging 10 participants and offering an enjoyable opportunity for physical activity, skill development, and social interaction. More recently, a football session has been introduced, with 15 students taking part so far, providing opportunities to connect with others, build confidence, and participate in non-competitive campus sport. Plans are in place to establish this as a regular activity moving forwards, further supporting ongoing student engagement in recreational sport and broadening opportunities for participation across campus. Additionally, six students successfully completed their Emergency First Aid at Work course, gaining a valuable and recognised qualification.
Societies
Societies continue to play a crucial role in enhancing Wrexham University students’ confidence, capability, and overall wellbeing. Through student-led activity, members gain access to informal and formal opportunities for continuing professional development (CPD): from leadership roles, event planning, budgeting and project management to additional qualifications via training from professional networks. These experiences allow students to practice real-world skills in a supportive environment, complement their academic learning, and enhance their employability.
Societies contribute directly to students’ professional development and their wellbeing by creating low-pressure, high-value spaces for skill-building, belonging, and personal growth.
Societies that have stood out in this area during the 2025-26 academic year include Physiotherapy, Paramedic, Cwtch Crochet, Running, Nutrition and Health, Table-Top Gaming, Racing, and Drone Building. WSU’s “Physio Soc” once again received sponsorship from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, which has been put towards funding (for…. Confirm w/ Charlie/Matt). Pilates & Sports Massage (?)
The Paramedic Society have organised several events for their members to hear from practitioners in a variety of organisations, including guest speakers from the Welsh Ambulance Service, Bristow Group (Caernarfon-based helicopter Search and Rescue), and North Wales Police. Events like these are excellent for learning more about the kinds of situations our future paramedics may be in, as well as networking with potential colleagues or employers.
Societies like Cwtch Crochet and TableTop Gaming focus on hobbies which reinforce valuable skills (e.g., crafting, creativity, problem solving, teamwork). Both groups have run activities for their members and the wider university community. Cwtch Crochet has focused heavily on sustainability, sourcing most of their supplies from donations or charity shops. Events they have run like “Ornament” Making highlighted the various uses for fabrics and cardboard to avoid these materials going to landfill.
The idea behind “Yarn Swap” was to merge sustainability with fostering community; students and staff were welcome to attend as an opportunity to extend their social circles and engage with a new (or tried and true!) hobby.
The Running Society and the Nutrition and Health Society were created with the intention of improving students’ wellbeing, as well as providing an active community (Running) and informative activities to improve students’ health and knowledge of nutrition. The Running Society have raised funds through t-shirt sales, and a couple members took part in the Llandudno Half Marathon in March! Their consistent running activities have kept members active and engaged throughout the autumn, winter, and spring months. Nutrition and Health Society, run by students on the Nutrition and Dietetics programme, have secured a plot in the communal garden on campus; they have used this to arrange a series of “Veg Patch Sessions” wherein they can educate students and staff on how to plant and grow vegetables from ‘leftovers’- like sprouting spuds and onion sets. This kind of knowledgesharing gives members of Wrexham University the information and confidence to try and grow their own produce, reducing their spending on food from the shop, and contributing to the development of sustainable practices in their own life.
GeneralCampaigns
HelpYourshelf
Now approaching its fourth year, the Help Yourshelf campaign continues to play a vital role in supporting students at Wrexham University, providing access to food and essential items to help ease financial pressures. With stations established across Wrexham, Northop, and St Asaph, and plans to expand further to Regent Street, the initiative is embedded across campus life and designed to be as accessible as possible.
Support is delivered through a combination of on-campus provision and targeted initiatives, ensuring students can access help in ways that suit themwhether through regularly stocked shelves, wellbeing resources, or timely interventions during key points in the academic year.
HelpYourshelf
Throughout the year, the Students’ Union has focused on bringing support directly to students, particularly within accommodation settings. Free food giveaways, including the “How Do You Like Your Eggs?” breakfast initiative during Welcome Week and Wellbeing Week not only provided essential items but also created informal, positive opportunities for students to connect with SU staff in a relaxed environment.
During the festive period, when many students remain on campus and may feel isolated or financially stretched, the programme delivered Elf Yourshelf Christmas boxes filled with seasonal treats and practical support information. This was complemented by free Christmas lunch vouchers, ensuring students had access to a warm meal and a sense of community during university closure.
At key academic pressure points, such as the January exam period, students were supported with revision packs containing study essentials and snacks to help them prepare. Seasonal initiatives also played a role in maintaining engagement and wellbeing, from Shrove Tuesday pancake kits to Go Green sustainable living bags, which encouraged affordable and environmentally conscious choices.
Most recently, the programme continued to bring moments of joy to student life, with an Easter egg giveaway across accommodation, offering a light-hearted way to engage students and foster a sense of community. Together, these initiatives demonstrate how Help Yourshelf goes beyond providing essentials - creating a consistent, visible, and supportive presence that responds to students’ needs throughout the year.
HelpYourshelfwins
2 “How Do You Like Your Eggs” pop-up events, bringing informal food support directly to students
25 Elf Yourshelf Christmas boxes distributed during the festive period
25 Christmas lunch vouchers provided to students remaining on campus
20 revision packs distributed during exam season
20 pancake bags shared for Shrove Tuesday
25 Go Green sustainable living packs promoting affordable, eco-friendly choices
22 Easter eggs distributed within student accommodation
Large donations from Kellogg’s and a substantial contribution from Wrexham Food Bank, increasing the scale and consistency of provision available
GoGreenWeek
This year’s Go Green activity showcased how small, collaborative actions can create meaningful change across campus. Through the 20p cup levy initiative, delivered in partnership with the University, we demonstrated the impact of everyday sustainability choices, resulting in the distribution of 180 lunchboxes and 400 reusable cups to students.
Alongside this, the WSV Recycling Challenge engaged students in a series of interactive sustainability-focused activities, helping to raise awareness and encourage positive environmental behaviours. The campaign delivered 6 events and 3 satellite visits across the week, increasing visibility and participation across campus.
A total of 114 Green Pledges were made by students, reflecting a strong commitment to more sustainable behaviours across campus and beyond.
Together, these initiatives reinforced a growing culture of sustainability, participation, and shared responsibility within the student community.
PeriodDignity
Now in its 8th year, the Period Dignity programme continues to support students across all campuses by ensuring access to essential menstrual products in a dignified and sustainable way.
We continue to work in partnership with TOTM, enabling us to provide organic and environmentally conscious products across campus. This year, 200 sample kits were distributed, alongside the continued availability of these products in campus toilet stations.
With £1,000 MEDR funding secured, the programme has expanded its provision of reusable products, including menstrual cup kits and a reusable pad station within the Students’ Union, further promoting sustainability and choice.
We are also grateful for the continued support of W.I.N.G.S, who help ensure consistent access to disposable products, as well as Days for Girls reusable kits, supporting a wide range of student needs.
TheCostofBeingHER
The Cost of Being Her was a brand new campaign for 2026, designed to highlight both the financial and emotional impacts of being a woman, including raising awareness of the pink tax. Delivered as a week-long, multi-campus campaign, activity took place across all sites, with SU staff taking the campaign “on the road” to ensure it was accessible to as many students as possible. The campaign brought together a range of SU services and external partners to provide meaningful support and resources, including:
Collaboration with BAWSO and RASASC, offering specialist support and guidance
Period Dignity, promoting sustainable menstrual products, including the launch of menstrual cups and a reusable pad station
The Advice Centre, providing sexual health advice and support
Help Yourshelf pop-up provision, distributing selfcare items to students
Through this collaborative approach, the campaign not only raised awareness of gender-based inequalities but also provided practical support and signposting, helping students better understand and manage the wider impacts of the cost of being a woman.
Student-LedCampaigns WellbeingWeekledbyFreya,SUPresident
Wellbeing Week returned in March, led by Students’ Union President, Freya, delivering a diverse programme of 14 events designed to support student wellbeing and connection. Highlights included the highly popular DeStress Fest, featuring free refreshments, therapy chickens, and interactive activities delivered in partnership with Xplore. The programme also celebrated cultural diversity through the vibrant Holi Festival of Colours.
In addition, a “Beyond the Books Breakfast” initiative ran throughout the week, providing students with free breakfast options to support both wellbeing and academic engagement. Events were delivered across satellite campuses and online, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for all students. All activities were offered free of charge, made possible through funding from Medr, which enabled us to actively address student loneliness and isolation. In response to previous student feedback, the programme placed a strong emphasis on alcohol-free events, ensuring an inclusive and welcoming environment. The week was supported by over £3,000 in funding, contributing to its wide reach and positive impact on the student community.
“De-Stress Fest has been the perfect break from my studies!”
“It is so nice to be able to have a free breakfast.”
“The bingo prizes are so amazing, and I was able to come because it was free!”
Student-LedCampaigns BeyondTheBooksledbyFreya,SUPresident
De-Stress Fest welcomed over 100 students, providing a space to relax and unwind during key pressure points in the academic year.
A new Gender Expression Station was introduced, supported by an investment of over £900, offering free gender-affirming items to students and promoting inclusivity on campus.
Food Parcel Fridays launched as a monthly initiative, in collaboration with the Nutrition and Health Society, providing meal kits and simple recipes. This initiative has supported over 150 students with accessible, home-cooked meals.
Brew with the SU ran fortnightly during semester one, creating informal opportunities for students to connect with SU staff. Sessions were also delivered online, ensuring accessibility for partner and distance learners.
Paint & Sip events proved highly popular, with over 200 students attending, offering a creative and social outlet with free painting supplies provided.
Through the Beyond the Books initiative, all full-time SU staff have now completed TrACE training, strengthening our ability to support student wellbeing.
Student-LedCampaigns
PontCyfleOpportunityBridgeledbyFreya,SUPresident
This year, I worked in partnership with the Careers and Employability Service to develop an employability drop-in for students. The service is delivered by volunteers alongside the Employability Navigator, and supports students in finding part-time, full-time, and volunteering opportunities. This supported development opportunity has given student volunteers a space to support their peers with their career development journey. Pont Cyfle was designed to empower students through peer-to-peer guidance, the promotion of university Careers resources and events, and to provide a vehicle for students to build confidence in navigating their future pathways. Our students provided a relatable point of contact for their fellow students, helping to bridge the gap between students and the Careers and Employability Service, the Students’ Union and wider student support services.
Students have gained experience and provided peer support for others during drop-in sessions held weekly during term time, across Glyn’s Bar & Lounge, Main Reception and at Careers fairs with employers and at SU events such as Freshers’ Fair. During this successful pilot year, I built a framework alongside Debbie Clifford, Employability Navigator, that empowers and builds confidence and raises awareness of career activity at the University. We have provided work experience for 10 current students across a range of academic disciplines from all faculties.
Students told us that they engaged with this activity because they “wanted to volunteer with the Careers and Employability service to gain experience and to help provide aid to other students". They told us that they "learnt about the services that the Careers and Employability team provides to students ,how they can take advantage of it and how their digital careers platform works".
Students say this is important to them because it gives them “an opportunity to work with a team and understand the way careers and jobs work."
Hundreds of students have engaged with the Pont Cyfle activities on campus, building their confidence and skills for employment.
Student-LedCampaigns
StudentLeadersWorkshopsledbyFreya,SUPresident
This year, I launched and led a series of workshops aimed at strengthening students’ employability skills and supporting their wider personal development. I worked collaboratively with internal teams and external partners to design and deliver engaging, accessible sessions that responded to students’ needs. These included an Employability Toolkit focused on CV writing, applications, and interview preparation; a Wellbeing Toolkit to promote resilience and selfmanagement; and a national government awareness session delivered in partnership with the National Union of Students President.
The programme was designed to be inclusive and practical, equipping students with the confidence, knowledge, and skills needed to progress into employment, further study, or volunteering, while also encouraging active engagement with wider social and political issues.
Student-LedCampaigns C-CardschemeledbyFreya,SUPresident
A key initiative I introduced in semester two was the implementation of a C-Card scheme, enabling students to access free condoms, lubricant, and pregnancy tests in a safe and supportive environment. Alongside this, MEDR funding supported the wider provision of free sexual health products within SU spaces, further improving accessibility for students. The scheme was delivered in collaboration with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, ensuring it aligns with local public health standards. Importantly, this provision is completely free for students and costneutral for the Students’ Union, as stock is supplied directly by the Health Board upon request.
As a result, three full-time members of staff have been trained to deliver the scheme and are now able to provide both resources and informed guidance on sexual health, including signposting and ongoing support where needed. This has improved access to essential services, helping to promote safer practices while increasing awareness of sexual health across the student community.
Student-LedCampaigns VarsityeventledbyFreya,SUPresident
One of my proudest achievements this year has been the successful reintroduction of Varsity, which had not taken place since 2020. Over the past year, I have led on reestablishing this event, building it from the ground up and creating a new partnership with Liverpool Hope University to bring it to life.
The event saw 80 students take part, marking a significant step in rebuilding our sporting community and creating a renewed sense of pride and belonging among Team Wrexham. I was particularly keen to ensure the event was as inclusive and accessible as possible. Participation was completely free for our student athletes, and we also introduced an opportunity for non-sports team members to attend at a heavily subsidised cost of £10, widening engagement beyond competitive sport.
The day itself was designed to enhance the overall student experience, with attendees receiving free travel, refreshments, snacks, protein items, and a Varsity t-shirt. Beyond the practical elements, the event provided students with the opportunity to represent their university, build connections, and be part of a large-scale, memorable experience. The reintroduction of Varsity has laid strong foundations for future years, re-establishing a key tradition and strengthening partnerships, participation, and student pride.
Glyn’sBar&Events
Glyn’s Bar & Lounge continues to play a central role in the student experience, providing a vibrant and welcoming space for both social activity and community building. Across 29 matchdays, Glyn’s welcomed over 3,600 fans, generating revenue that has been reinvested directly into enhancing the student experience.
Alongside this, the venue hosted 59 student-led events, attracting a total of 3,017 attendees. These events have helped to create a lively and inclusive social calendar, offering students regular opportunities to connect, unwind, and engage with campus life.
Together, these figures highlight Glyn’s ongoing impact as a key social space at the heart of the Students’ Union.
SUAwards2026
On Thursday, 7th May, Wrexham SU held the Annual SU Awards in a packed out Catrin Finch Centre.
Guests were treated to a welcome drink on arrival and had the opportunity to enjoy a two-course meal and a live musical performance from local singer Rebecca Royal.
Awardsnominations
Shortlistednominees
StaffDevelopment
This year, the Students’ Union has continued to invest in staff development, ensuring our team is equipped to provide safe, informed, and holistic support to students.
A total of 6 staff members completed safeguarding training, strengthening our ability to respond effectively to student needs. Staff have also undertaken mental health first aid training, further enhancing confidence in supporting student wellbeing.
Alongside this, targeted specialist training has expanded our support offer, including:
2 staff trained in emergency first aid
3 staff trained in C-Card sexual health and wellbeing
2 staff trained in domestic abuse awareness
In addition, staff completed Period Positive Workplace Training, supporting our commitment to inclusive and informed practice across the organisation.
Together, these developments ensure our staff are continually building the skills and knowledge needed to support students in a proactive and compassionate way.