22/23 Executive Committee Semester 1 Blog
Hi everyone, I can’t believe we are at the end of Semester 1. Its been busy, hectic but amazing and its been a pleasure to be your Executive Committee since July. Please see below our exec blogpost looking back on all we have achieved this year so far and what we are looking forward to next. We hope you have a lovely restful Christmas and hope to see you all in the new year! Charlotte Baker – President of Winchester 22/23.
Sabbatical Officers
Charlotte Baker (President)
I’m Charlotte(she/her) and I am President of Winchester Student Union; this means I am the main liaison point between the Union and University. I also look after areas across Union like Equality and Diversity, celebrating success and environment & sustainability as well as much more. As an undergraduate I studied Drama, graduating in 2022.
Why did you run for officer?
I ran for officer as I wanted to make a difference and work on areas that would improve the student experience. In my manifesto I wanted to build back a strong relationship within the Sabb team and wider Union team. I wanted to improve relations with the University as well as work on Equality and Diversity and work on ways to support students financially (little did I know a CoL crisis was around the corner).
What have you been up to as an officer – any highlights since coming into office?
For me, over the summer going to conferences with Dan and Emily was amazing. Getting to meet other officers and chat about their plans for the year. Freshers and welcoming new students was amazing (yet exhausting) as well as launching One Winchester, hosting and planning our clothes drive and getting involved in everything Winchester Student Union.
What do you like about being an officer, how does it compare to expectations you had before coming into office?
I like how different this is to previous jobs I have had in the Union. I was Student Voice Assistant for 2 years so worked closely on education and I love all the opportunities and experiences you get with this role. I think I underestimated how busy I would be and how many different hats I have to wear but that goes with the job.
Are their any challenges you’ve faced – how have you dealt with them?
We had a lot of staff turnover in the beginning months of my role as well as other challenges nationally around Freshers so that was a bit stressful. For someone who is only 22, it’s a lot to deal with and very stressful but I also relish in the fact I have these opportunities so young.
How has working within the SU as a whole been?
Amazing, Emily and Dan are my best mates but also like that annoying brother and sister. Team SU has done amazing stuff this year and it’s been lovely to work and help the student officers on delivering their manifesto points and getting them involved.
What are you most looking forward to in Semester Two?
There are so many fun things happening in Semester 2. I have a few conferences to attend some with my fellow Sabbs, some on my own. We have Winton, Varsity and TOUR as well as my Equality and Diversity forum and ending the year with our awards ceremonies so lots to look forward to!
Dan Chevalier (Vice President Education & Welfare)
I’m Dan (he/him) and I’m your Vice President, Education and Welfare. This means that I lead on all things Education and Welfare for the Union, having overall responsibility for the Education and Welfare zones. Working alongside the President and Vice President, Activities and Services, we are Officer Trustees of the Student Union and work to represent your best interests!
Why did you run for officer?
After a year in Office already under my belt, I was passionate about doing more for students and seeing into fruition new and existing initiatives and ideas. The job itself is so rewarding and the impact you can have always drives you want to do more which lead me to re-run, joining a fabulous new Officer team!
What have you been up to as an officer – any highlights since coming into office?
Some highlights have been:
- Launching Rooted in Research with accompanied support fund
- Securing a new Student Voice Coordinator role to support StARs, TEF and wider Education Zone
- Launching Ask Angela cards for student safety
- StARs training and new Programme Leader session
- Expanding provision for Recharge Days
What do you like about being an officer, how does it compare to expectations you had before coming into office?
I like the ability you have to have an impact on improving the student experience and the positive outcomes you can lead on. It’s also incredibly rewarding when creating new initiatives that have a positive impact on students’ lives. It’s such an unpredictable role I went into without set expectations but I really didn’t anticipate the kind of incredible, important yet fun opportunities you get to be involved in!
Are their any challenges you’ve faced – how have you dealt with them?
The challenges you face are unexpected and/or unprecedented events that crop up which can throw you in the deep end but that’s part of the great thing about the job. The level of involvement and unique varied problem solving required in being an elected officer leading the direction of the Union is an exciting part of the job.
How has working within the SU as a whole been?
Its been great! I really enjoy what I do (so much so I went for a second year!). Its a really friendly inclusive environment with a lot of people who care about students and the issues we face meaning a lot of passion and grind goes into what we do.
What are you most looking forward to in Semester Two?
I’m looking forward to the exciting events to come, including hosting Student and Staff Recognition Awards, more social events for students, Recharge Day festival and more!
Emily Aldridge Snell (Vice President Activities & Services) (she/her)
Why did you run officer?
From being involved with the Student Union last academic year through being an elected Student Officer, I saw first-hand the change that the Union can have and how much our involvement impacts the overall Student experience. Being heavily involved with the Student Union has led me to wanting to do more for students and to make students time here the best it can be.
What have you been up to as an officer – any highlights since coming into office?
Being a sabbatical officer, there are so many elements of the job. One minute I am supporting Team Winch at a sports fixture and then will be attending various meetings, advocating for students. There are so many things I have worked on this year so far and so so many more things I want to do! The highlights would definitely be training all of our committee members early this year, being able to welcome all of the new students to Winchester in fresher’s week, running various campaigns to positively impact the student body such as #SayNoToInitiations as well as being able to go out and support our teams each Wednesday, watching them do what they do best!
What do you like about being an officer, how does it compare to expectations you had before coming into office?
It may sound cringey but getting to work alongside my best friends everyday definitely makes the job even better. But also seeing the positive change we can have on the student experience is such an amazing feeling, it makes the bad bits worth it! I definitely did not expect to be this busy, but I wouldn’t change it, being able to provide students with extra-curricular activities and seeing the impact it has on their time here at Winchester is truly incredible.
Are their any challenges you’ve faced – how have you dealt with them?
The biggest challenge has definitely been adjusting from being a student with not many responsibilities to being a fulltime member of staff, advocating for 8000+ students. Coming from the role of Student Officer to Sabbatical Officer, I have definitely felt imposter syndrome a few times and it took a little while to feel confident in the role but after seeing the work I have done having impact definitely gave me the confidence boost I needed. I learn something new about the role every day, it is challenging but also super rewarding!
How has working within the SU as a whole been?
Working with the SU team has been amazing so far, Holly especially has been amazing within the Activity Zone and definitely helped me settle in, so thankful for her continuous support! The staff team are always there to lend a helping hand and put up me with me asking 1000 questions a day, which I am super thankful for. My sabbatical team are absolute legends, I could not imagine doing this job alongside anyone else. We are such a close team and have accomplished so much together already, I can’t wait to see what next semester holds for us! The team really make working here even better, even if they do photoshop you into the Grinch on your time off…
What are you most looking forward to in Semester Two?
I am so excited for semester two, we have so many exciting things planned, especially in the Activities Zone! I will be launching my campaign ‘Diversifying Sport’ to bridge the EDI gap we currently are seeing and to start the conversation on little things we can be doing that will make a big change. We will also be hosting Varsity this year; I am so excited to see the Winchester community come together to support Team Winch! We also have other amazing events planned such as Tour, Winton, Colours, Socs & Nets, its going to be an incredible but very busy semester, someone may have to meet me at the finish line with a crate of Redbull…
Student Officers
Holly Tate (Student Officer)
Hello everyone, my name is Holly, I am a third-year history student and my pronouns are she/her. My areas of focus within the Union are within the Welfare and Activities Zones!
Why you ran for officer?
I ran to be a Student Officer after working on the Union’s SFS scheme in my second year. I wanted to run for officer to work more directly with the Union to improve the student experience and to be more hands-on in influencing change.
What have you been up to as an officer – any highlights since coming into office?
Time feels like it has flown by since coming into office. Seeing everyone and being out on campus during Freshers Week was definitely a highlight and continuing to see students whilst running the Big Fat Weekly Quiz is really lovely. I have been sitting in on Union meetings, such as our Executive Committee meetings, the Union’s Health & Safety meeting, and more recently the Student Advisory Council and Student Senate, which were great to engage with both students and the university and to ensure that we as officers are representing students where we can.
There have been so many highlights since coming into office, but going out onto campus during Let’s Talk Week, and helping out with World AIDS Day was definitely the most enjoyable. It’s lovely to be on campus seeing students – and working with other officers too!
What do you like about being an officer, how does it compare to expectations you had before coming into office?
I would say the biggest thing I like about being an officer is the fact we get to represent students in such a variety of ways. Before coming into office, I was slightly unsure about how everything would work and how everyone would be able to put their ideas into motion, but since coming into office it’s been amazing to get to work with fellow officers, working together on the quizzes, GOATing on campus to speak to students, sitting in meetings – there’s such a variety of ways to get involved and represent students.
Any challenges you’ve faced – how have you dealt with them?
There have been some logistical challenges, such as with an idea or new service that’s difficult to put into practice effectively. However, as an Executive Committee we spend a lot of time trying to find solutions or alternatives, and usually an alternate option will be viable that everyone is satisfied with.
How has working within the SU as a whole been?
Working with the SU has been an amazing experience so far. I have had the chance to work on so many important campaigns and activities, and the SU as a whole has been really supportive throughout my time in office, creating a really positive environment to represent students in.
What are you most looking forward to in Semester Two?
Looking onto next semester, I’m hoping to work on some of my manifesto points, specifically looking into feedback points on campus. Currently, I’m working with my fellow officer Con to assist our VPAS Emily on a Committee Handbook which I think will be extremely valuable to students and I can’t wait to see it come to life!
Sal Fox (Student Officer)
My name is Sal Fox (she/her) and I am a third year Musical Theatre Student. As a Student Officer, my areas of focus within the union are on volunteering and community action within the services zone, as well as also sitting on committees focused on Sustainability.
Why did you run for officer?
I decided to run for student officer after first being introduced to the Student Union in 2021, where I was a Freshers’ Crew member. In this role, I was able to see the positive impact that I could make on a student's first few days on campus, which led me to realise the difference I could make by being a reliable voice for the student population.
What have you been up to as an officer – any highlights since coming into office?
The main highlight for me in semester 1 would definitely be meeting and mixing with a variety of different people within the union, all of who share the same passion in striving for the best student experiences possible. I have also enjoyed hosting some of the quizzes on Tuesday nights, as well as helping with the Clothes Drive.
What do you like about being an officer, how does it compare to expectations you had before coming into office?
As an officer, I like seeing the impact that our work has on students. We have the ability to represent a wide range of individuals coming from many different backgrounds by putting our best foot forward when it comes down to decision making and applying ourselves to campaigns.
Are their any challenges you’ve faced – how have you dealt with them?
The primary challenge I have faced is learning how to balance my time and duties as a student officer alongside a very practically demanding course and being a member of 2 different sports teams. However, this has taught me how to effectively spread my workload on a week-by-week basis.
How has working within the SU as a whole been?
Working with the Student Union has shown me the capabilities of a team when communication and effective collaboration are done so successfully. I have felt very welcomed into a close community of people, and (not to sound too cheesy), made some incredible friendships along the way.
What are you most looking forward to in Semester Two?
In semester 2, I am looking forward to seeing the outcomes of next year’s election process as well as seeing how campaigns that are currently in the works are developed.
Con Bolt (Student Officer)
My name is Con Bolt (he/they), I am a third year Primary Education Student and my areas of focus within the Union are development of representational networks, societies and sports teams as well as working on wider equality and diversity work such as our demographic reports and evaluating them and how we can represent more students.
Why did you run for officer?
I ran for a student officer as I wanted to make change within the Union and help to run campaigns that made our students feel more engaged in the wider work we do.
What have you been up to as an officer – any highlights since coming into office?
One of my highlights so far has been running a World Aids Day campaign as well as getting involved in projects such as the Clothes Drive and the Speak Week.
What do you like about being an officer, how does it compare to expectations you had before coming into office?
I really like being an officer and working with the team to really make change this year, I think that one of the most unexpected things was how likeminded we all are and how well we work together!
Are their any challenges you’ve faced – how have you dealt with them?
Unfortunately I have had some medical issues this year which have meant I have taken some leave from the Union which has been challenging however since returning I have definitely made my voice heard especially in wider University collaborations.
How has working within the SU as a whole been?
Working with the SU has been really fun! The wider staff team are always happy to help and as an ex-staff member myself the transition from staff member to officer has been really fun as I get to grow with the union, and I can tell they really value me as an individual.
What are you most looking forward to in Semester Two?
In semester two I am looking forward to completing placement! But also working on a campaign for LGBT+ History Month and of course elections and seeing the new faces that get involved in the Union!
Other members of the Exec Committee
Aaron Ogbuehi (Student Officer)
Chloe Robbins (Student Officer)
