End of Year Update - Ellen O'Dwyer
Here at your Student Union, we are coming to the end of your 2020/21 elected Executive Committee’s time in office. Check back every day until the end of June to read their end of year updates! Next up is your Vice President, Activities, Ellen O'Dwyer:
End of Semester Blog Post – Ellen
I can’t believe this is it! 2 years as Vice President, Activities and 5 years in Winch are coming to an end. Like them all, this Semester has flown, it feels like the semester finished before we even got going... but looking back I can see we really did have a jam-packed semester.
Thanks to all your hard work, determination, and positive vibes we were able to make the most of the circumstances and still have a fab year. Here are some of my favourite things we did in the activities zone since January:
#ChallengeWinch
January was pretty rubbish, we started 2021 and the new semester in a third lockdown, morale and engagement was low, and we were all just fed up. As a zone we decided to introduce a brand-new initiative to get that Winchester spirit and competition back. I had so much fun creating challenges for you all and watching you give them a go on social media.
Virtual Winton Weekend
Missing a Winton Weekend was something all of us were dreading, this is a huge weekend in the Team Winchester calendar and we all knew there was no way we could replicate this virtually. I loved seeing teams challenge each other to various virtual competitions and having so many students, past and present, attend our Winton themed quiz night and have a bev was super fun.
Student Voice
Something so fab to come from this year was getting to know all the wonderful students that attend our Zone meetings, SAC, and Student Senate. We even hosted more open meetings because so many of you were passionate about using your voice and making a difference. This year has shown that when you all come together you really are a force to be reckoned with.
RAG
In a year where so many of your activities were cancelled and you were separated from one another, so many of you turned to fundraising. You dedicated so much time to plan and take part in fundraisers, you kept active doing so by running, walking, baking, crafting, and selling raffle tickets! You have raised a huge £6,587.29 for our wonderful RAG charities and everyone at the SU could not be prouder of you.
Team Winchester
After stopping and starting since the beginning of Covid, finally sports was back. We hosted Mini leagues and friendlies, and even some BUCS fixtures. We had all been dreaming of this moment and I know you were desperate to get back for the sake of your mental health, fitness, and social life. It was SO fun to run around Winchester on a Wednesday again cheering you all on. And it was even more fun having you back in the T Bar for 75p VK’s!!!
Award Season
I think the highlight of my year has to be hosting Colours and our first ever in-person Society & Network Celebration! We were finally able to get in a room together, celebrate all of your wonderful achievements, and give you all the recognition you deserve. I hope you all enjoyed your evenings as much as I did, it was the perfect way to end the year!
In other news, I also updated the entire Activities Bye-Law, got a bit closer to finalising the activities zone re-brand, recruited a new representational networks assistant, introduced ‘adopt an activity group’, started work on securing an activities hardship fund, approved lots of new societies and networks, and carried on fighting your corner at every possible moment I could.
I’m still here for another week and will be posting a proper thank you and good bye then. But for now, I hope you’re all enjoying your summer break!
SU love,
Ellen
