As the NTSU Exec Team elections are nearing, we got in touch with the five candidates running for the VP Community & Welfare role to help you decide who to vote for.
The VP Community & Welfare is the lead contact within the Union for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion work and for any local groups with an interest in NTSU’s work.
They run campaigns and events focused on student safety and health and wellbeing as well as liaising with the Information and Advice Centre.
Here is what this year’s VP Community & Welfare candidates had to say.
Ethan Kendle, third-year Product Design student
Why are you fit for the VP Community & Welfare role?
I have been heavily involved with the SU on the side of Community and Welfare.
I’ve been a Freshers’ Rep for three years running and I’ve also been part of the Dodgeball Society for four years.
I’ve also been part of other initiatives like NTU SPUD which we started up to help men deal with their mental health issues and give them someone to talk to.
I also helped a lot of my friends and colleagues deal with different issues they have around the topics of mental health and community.
What measures will you implement, if elected, to keep students safe while on nights out?
My main initiative would be to improve education.
If you can educate people about how to best look after their friends and society and club members on nights out then they are more likely to do it.
The education on spiking and on what to do if someone is spiked is lacking within the University.
I feel like by teaching people how to look out for signs of spiking or other issues, they will learn how to deal with it.
If you teach people stuff like not to walk home alone, signs of alcohol poisoning, people will know how to deal with it when it happens.
I’d make mandatory education for sports clubs and society committees a big point so they can learn what to do before the issue occurs.
I’d also improve access to mental health because at the moment it takes a long time to get help from the uni in terms of issues regarding mental health.
How will you ensure that all students are represented?
The best thing I can do is work with the Equality and Diversity chairs and find out what they want.
I’m willing to work on trying to give students who are part of minorities a voice and feel represented.
I want them to be heard not just on awareness days but throughout the whole year.
Kim Farrell, third-year Psychology with Criminology student
Why are you fit for the VP Community & Welfare role?
From high school age, I have been an advocate for student rights, meeting with executives.
At NTU, it was my Big Idea and my campaign back in 2019 that led to the implementation of the “Consent is Everything” workshops that are now mandatory for all first-year students.
As we moved to remote learning, I held meetings with the Dean of Undergrad for the School of Social Sciences and our course leaders and course reps to talk about issues involving students.
If I see something’s wrong and something needs changing, I am motivated to do it.
What measures will you implement, if elected, to keep students safe while on nights out?
I’m looking to expand the Safe Space to all campuses and to make it a 24/7 service.
I’d also want to implement something similar to the University of Nottingham’s “Night Owls” which means that Mental Health Champions would provide first aid to students on a night out.
I’m also looking at having a new position of wellbeing first port of call which would be a phone number anyone can access 24/7 regarding wellbeing concerns or issues.
How will you ensure that all students are represented?
As an access student who is neurodivergent, I’ve come from a lot of disadvantages, and as a woman, I can speak on those issues.
However, I am not overly qualified to deal with student issues around race or international students or other minorities that I’m not part of.
But I am willing to listen to you and actively seek student voice.
Olivia Tamblingson, third-year Criminology student
Why are you fit for the VP Community & Welfare role?
I already have experience working directly to support students’ welfare and ensure they are well looked after.
I have been a freshers’ rep two years in a row and a Captain during the 2021 Freshers’ Week, from which I went on to win Captain of the week.
I have also been the President of the Criminology society in the 2020/21 academic year.
I took great pride and enjoyment in each role and would consider myself a friendly face around campus, very approachable and ready to listen and continue supporting students.
If elected I would want to carry on the legacy of the brilliant support I have seen from the Students’ Union team in my time at Nottingham Trent.
What measures will you implement, if elected, to keep students safe while on nights out?
As part of my manifesto, I plan to launch a designated sober team on nights out.
This team would be present around popular Nottingham nightclub venues and bars.
The aim is to provide a reassuring presence and a point of contact for students.
I would also like to continue the work on NTSU’s up and coming anonymous report and support provision, whereby students could provide details of either an incident or report an individual who has made them feel uncomfortable.
How will you ensure that all students are represented?
To ensure all students are and feel represented, I will collaborate with the Equality and Diversity network chairs to make sure representatives of the networks are included in discussions on measures I wish to implement.
I will set up a regular catch-up session with the society chairs, to provide another direct line from the student community to voice any issues or worries.
Phoebe Kafno, third-year Law with Psychology student
Why are you fit for the VP Community & Welfare role?
I believe I am the ideal candidate because I am compassionate and friendly.
I am someone students can come to and be heard.
I would ensure everyone is listened to.
I can confidently push forward students’ ideas and voices, as well as passionately advocating to make positive changes in our community.
What measures will you implement, if elected, to keep students safe while on nights out?
Firstly, I would offer a volunteer scheme to students who work in bars or clubs to be a safe person to contact if something were to go wrong on a night out.
These students would be given training and would be entitled to incentives such as free hot drinks at campus cafes.
I will campaign for anonymous drug testing kits.
While the university does not condone taking drugs, nevertheless it is widely acknowledged students take them.
Therefore, this campaign can allow students to understand what they’re putting into their bodies and protect them.
I intend to implement better quality sexual abuse training for all society committee members.
This training would be mandatory.
The training would allow members to address and support individuals who may have experienced this.
How will you ensure that all students are represented?
I want to ensure there is inclusivity for all students across campuses.
This can be achieved by having campaigns for minorities beyond a calendar date, by making sure regular events are held across the year.
On top of this, I plan to frequently engage with students by utilizing polls on social media and in person.
This allows me to assess students’ feelings on how they feel represented.
Finally, I plan to investigate data and assess whether there are any gaps where students are not represented.
Zahra Saley, third-year Exercise, Nutrition and Health student
Why are you fit for the VP Community & Welfare role?
As a student taking Exercise, Health and Nutrition, I understand the importance of prioritising the mental and physical health of all students at NTU.
In the aftermath of the pandemic, I believe it is essential that students receive the utmost support throughout their university experience.
This is something I want to improve as VP Community & Welfare.
What measures will you implement, if elected, to keep students safe while on nights out?
I will increase measures to continue to reduce incidences of spiking, ensuring that drink lids are always available and signposted for students on nights out.
I also want to introduce a volunteer group that can help students get home safely after an SU night out.
This could also be a good opportunity for some students to hit the required number of volunteer hours as part of their course.
How will you ensure that all students are represented?
I will ensure all students are represented by encouraging students from all backgrounds to disclose their mental health struggles.
Additionally, I will put on more sessions and events for international and mature students to help ease the transition into university life.
The candidates’ full manifestos can be read here.
For more information about when hustings and voting will take place, click here.