2 minute read
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR SU
from aAh! REFRESHERS
aAh! speaks to 2019/2020 Students’ Union President, Anna Welsh.
he Student Union is at the centre of student life at Manchester Met. It’s here that students will congregate – be it in the bar, the café or the shop. However, many students will arrive at university not knowing what else the SU has to offer. T
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aAh! speaks to Anna Welsh, President of Manchester Met’s Students’ Union, about what students could expect from their Union in terms of support and opportunities.
“The Union as a whole is going to look at
putting on some events throughout the year to make sure that students are constantly getting a great experience, and that they’re given the chance to network.”
This initiative has been running this year from the word go, as the Union joined forces with Girl Gang to introduce an event in Welcome Week called ‘Speed-Mating’: “It’s basically Speed-Dating, but you come to make mates,” Welsh tells us.
Welsh tells us that the Union has great iniatives planned and is looking to promote them more this year: “We tend to be quite hard on ourselves, always looking at ways to improve, and we forget to shout about when we’ve done something really beneficial for students. One of the things we’re hoping to do this year is post lots of positive articles telling people what we’re up to, what wins we’ve had for students and making sure that students know they can come to us.”
Welsh also highlights the role that the Union can play in being an ally to students: “We have a campaigns co-ordinator who will help you campaign on issues that you want to create change around.”
Giving students a voice is a big part of what motivates Welsh to lead the Union, as they express a desire to give students a platform. Welsh also tells us that the Union is working to combat student loneliness this year.
“Things like that will be running throughout the year, and we won’t just be having it as a sole focus in Welcome Week.”
One thing that is clear, is that the Union’s services are not to be underestimated. “We do a variety of things. One of the big things is our advice centre, they’ll be able to help you with anything, from academic issues to reporting instances of hate crime – we’re a hate crime reporting centre.”
“The Union is also place where students can
go with their worries and get some advice from our advisers.”
Welsh tells us one thing that motivates them to lead the Union is a desire to spread awareness about what the Union offers to students, so they know the building has more to offer than its bar and café.
