Hiya everyone! Hope you are all doing good as we come to the end of this academic year. I honestly cannot believe that I am writing my last Priority 8 update (actually getting quite emotional writing this hahaha). Throughout this update I am hoping to close the ‘feedback loop’ as we would say and tell you my top highlights from everything I have done with Priority 8 this year.
Hiya everyone! Hope you are all doing good as we come to the end of this academic year. I honestly cannot believe that I am writing my last Priority 8 update (actually getting quite emotional writing this hahaha). Throughout this update I am hoping to close the ‘feedback loop’ as we would say and tell you my top highlights from everything I have done with Priority 8 this year.
More Financial Support for Students:
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Matthew, the University's Money Advice team and I ran Financial Support Week on the week commencing 10 November packed with practical tools, expert advice, and resources to help students manage their money. Each day had a different theme related to financial support: ‘Money Talks Monday’, ‘Budget Tracker Tuesday’, ‘We’ve Got You Wednesday’, ‘Tips and Tricks Thursday’, and ‘Future Friday’.
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We also launched a Cost-of-Living survey on ‘Money Talks Monday' and gave out 10 cash prizes to students who completed it. This received 850 responses, myself and Elise Thornton (RHSU Research and Insight Coordinator) took the recommendations to RHSU and RHUL and each recommendation has now got a staff lead and these are currently being worked on.
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The most exciting thing that happened regarding this priority for me was the launch of ‘Community Cupboards’ on 'We’ve Got You Wednesday'. These are pantry-style cupboards filled with non-perishable food and household goods, stocked by RHSU, the SU Shop, and the University, which students now have free and unlimited access to. We launched four cupboards: one in Tommy’s Lounge in the SU Building, one in Windsor Student Lounge, one in Wettons Student Lounge, and one in Shilling Student Lounge. We have now given out 1,516 individual items through the Community Cupboards initiative. I have ensured the longevity and feasibility of this project and these will be continuing in the next academic year.
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Emma Mayhew (Pro Vice-Chancellor Education & Student Experience), Poppy Coates (Women Students' Community Officer 2024/25) and I ensured the number of on-campus locations offering free period products increased from 4 to 12. New locations include Bedford, EWD, Founders East, International, Katherine Worth, Moore, Shilling, Sports Centre, Queens, Windsor, Wettons Annexe, and the SU. These will also be in place next academic year.
Special shoutout and thank you to Emily Naris (previous RHSU Advice Centre Manager), Elise Thornton (RHSU Research and Insight Coordinator), Nick Barratt (Chief Student Officer), Poppy Coates (Women Students’ Community Officer 24/25 and RHSU Campaigns Assistant), Emma Mayhew (Pro Vice Chancellor (Education and Student Experience)), Tom Pease and the RHUL Money Advice Team and RHSU Marketing team for all your support surrounding this priority.
Improving Parking on the Egham Campus:
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Starting 1 December, there was a new Royal Holloway Park and Ride introduced for permit holders that introduced 80 more spaces. This operates from Huntersdale car park, and it is completely free. All students and staff have to do is park their car, and a bus comes every 15 minutes at peak times and every 30 minutes throughout the rest of the day, from Monday to Friday during term time. Students and staff are also able to claim a free hot drink for every time they use the park and ride. This will be continuing next academic year.
Special shoutout and thank you to Lauryn (RHSU Change and Insight Manager), Stephen McAuliffe (RHUL Chief Operating Officer), Delilah Ferry-Swainson (Commuter Students’ Community Officer), RHSU and RHUL Marketing teams, Mike Berry (Director of Estates) and all of RHUL Estates for all your support surrounding this priority.
Thank you
I have absolutely loved working on Priority 8 and being your President this year, I have felt so empowered working on these key issues and seeing the impact the things we have done have supported students.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who I have worked with over this year on Priority 8 including, student leaders, RHSU and University staff I have absolutely loved working with you and I am so incredibly grateful.
To my VPS, Matthew, Vaishnavi and David I have absolutely loved navigating the first year of Priority 8 with you, you have all done amazing I am so proud of you.
I cannot wait to see what your new Sabbatical Officer team do on their Priority 8 next year I just know they are going to be amazing, and I am leaving you all in very capable hands with Matthew <3
