Part-time Officer, Patrick Stephens
Part-time Officers have no pre-defined portfolio, but together with the rest of the elected executive committee, will discuss and propose areas of work for the Union, ensuring that all students are represented. Alongside representing student views generally, Part-time Officer's chosen areas of work will be defined via their manifesto promises.
You can contact Part-time Officers to give voice to feedback about any area of your student experience, to ask questions about any area of the Union's work or to provide information that you feel will allow the Union to provide for student need.
Manifesto areas of interest:
Instagram: @WinchOfficers
Email: suexec@winchester.ac.uk
More about Patrick:
What did/do you study?
Politics and International Relations (Third Year)
What SU-run events and activities have you been a part of?
University of Winchester Politics Society (Treasurer), Polo Society, Historical Re-enactment Society, Journalism Society, Model United Nations Society (Founder and Chair).
What are your top manifesto points?
Societies:
I believe that societies are a great way to make lifelong friends, discover interests you never knew you had, and develop leadership, organisational, and teamwork skills. However, creating and joining a society can be difficult, and people with great ideas are often put off by the bureaucracy and challenges involved in starting one.
That is why I want to reduce the number of members required to start a society from 15 (a committee plus 10 members) to 8 (a committee plus 3 members). This would make it easier to create and join societies, helping to expand the university experience for everyone.
Life Skills:
Let's teach practical life skills such as personal finance and DIY that will genuinely help students in everyday life.
An Alternative BOP:
BOP is brilliant, and I hope it continues because it is an important social event. However, non-drinking and commuting students also deserve something to enjoy. I would like to introduce regular games nights in The Terrace, including quizzes and other activities, giving students another way to socialise on campus.
What made you run in the elections to become an officer?
When I came to Winchester in 2024, I really enjoyed what the university had to offer. During the 2025/26 academic year, the Students' Union has been effective and has done a great job. However, I believe the university can be even better.
I want to leave Winchester in a stronger position than when I arrived, with more societies, more events that genuinely excite students and encourage them to stay on campus socially rather than travelling into town or Southampton, and by helping to make Winchester one of the few universities that teaches students how to cook instead of relying on expensive takeaways. It would be a privilege to get to work on these ideas.
What's your favourite thing about Winchester?
The small class sizes, the interactive and supportive lecturers, and the university's location in the historic city of Winchester.
What has been your proudest moment during your student journey (so far)?
Creating the Model United Nations Society is something I am incredibly proud of because I turned an idea into a successful society. I am also proud of the friends I have made along the way, including my flatmates, classmates, and many others.
What do you like doing when you aren't being a Winchester SU Officer?
I enjoy spending time with friends and having a laugh. I believe there is nothing more precious than making memories with the people around you. I also really enjoy cooking.
What's your favourite film?
Back to the Future is my favourite film because it's one of the few movies that gets almost everything right. It's funny, exciting, clever, and surprisingly heartfelt. The story is tightly written, with almost every scene setting up something that pays off later, making it endlessly rewatchable. It also captures a sense of optimism and adventure that's hard not to enjoy. Even though it was released in 1985, it still feels timeless.
What's your favourite book?
My favourite book has always been Kaspar: Prince of Cats by Michael Morpurgo. It is a book I have returned to countless times, especially when I am feeling down as it is a very comforting book. I love history, and the story follows a cat called Kaspar (I even named my own black cat after him) as he experiences both the Titanic and the trenches of the First World War.
I have always believed in the saying, "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it," and I think this book captures that message beautifully.
