Our latest weekly update aims to share with you the latest work of the Officer team to advocate for change and improvements to the student experience during this current lockdown.
Our latest weekly update aims to share with you the latest work of the Officer team to advocate for change and improvements to the student experience during this current lockdown. We continue to do this at both a national and local level, to secure the best outcomes for you at this challenging time.
In addition to our ongoing communication with local MPs, we have recently added our support to a letter to the CMA (Competition and Markets Authority) appealing to them to specifically consider and address the issues facing students as both students and tenants. We feel that students are not clear on the extent to which the generic advice issued last year on consumer contracts, cancellation and refunds would apply in the case of student tuition fees or rental accommodation.
Nina, Vice President (Education)
Following student feedback, especially from student parent and carers, we have been working with the University to create clear guidance on how COVID-19 affects the EEC process, as well as how the guidelines need to change in order to better support you. This will clarify what personal circumstances would make you eligible to apply and what evidence you will need to support your application.
Don’t forget that the Union Advice service is here to help you if you are applying or thinking of applying for an EEC.
Emily, Vice President (Welfare)
This year has been difficult in many ways but one of the most widely felt is the financial effect. The University has received an additional sum of money for the Hardship fund, which they are using to support students who may be struggling more than usual this year. We have been in meetings to discuss how the money will be distributed and ensuring that it will be used to support those who need it most. There are some criteria to meet in order to receive the funding and the University is taking into account the situation some students may be in. If you are eligible you should be contacted about the fund however, if you are not contacted don’t worry, we are encouraging the University to open it up for as many students as possible.
Joshua, Vice President (Activities)
Despite the obvious challenges this current lockdown has brought, our Clubs, Societies, and Student Led Services continue to organise and deliver events to students. Over the coming days you can expect to see events such as the Art Society Create and Catch Up, Business Society Dragons Den and the Christian Union’s weekly Impact Group Meeting. Our Raise and Give committee have been hard at work in preparation for RAG Week II raising awareness for great causes such as Mind. Be sure to join in with RAG on the 18th February for RAG Week Bingo with Mukky Duck with proceeds supporting Mind. More info about any of our sports, societies or Student led Services can be found online.
Finally, we have been preparing over 200 lockdown lootboxes which are now being distributed to students receiving support via the COVID-19 support line. Our volunteers are offering these free of charge to any isolating student via the hotline and will be delivered securely over the next two weeks. As well as tea and biscuits, these boxes contain ideas to pass the time and free pancake mix to enter our Pancake Day competition. We would also like to thank our sponsors the Co-operative and Hard Seltzer who have supported us with contents for the box.