Issue 1143 - Monday November 4 by Cardiff Student Media

rhifyn 1143 issue 1143

gair rhydd

4 tachwedd 2019 4 november 2019

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Student Mental Health Pledge signed byAMs

Lowri Pitcher Head of Politics

n October 9, 59 of 60 Assembly Members signed a Student Mental Health Pledge for the Welsh Assembly, led by Cardiff Central AM, Jenny Rathbone. The Pledge aims to raise awareness of mental health among students by achieving four main commitments: promote the positive wellbeing of every student in Wales, work with a range of ambassadors to promote positive public health messages around mental health, actively tackle discrimination on the grounds of mental health to ensure that everyone is treated with dignity and respect, and finally, to stay aware of current trends and statistics to monitor the state of student mental health across Wales and the wider United Kingdom. Last week, Gair Rhydd spoke to Jenny Rathbone to find out more about the Pledge and the issue of mental health among students: What is the Student Mental Health Pledge? The Pledge is a public expression of intent by AMs to pay attention to the alarming rise in mental health difficulties experienced by students across the UK and to endeavour to support efforts to deal with this pressing issue. How did the Pledge come about? The Pledge came about through conversations with other Assembly Members and charities such as Mind Cymru and Time To Change Wales. We thought that it would be extremely positive to make a public statement of support for better student mental health. It is a way of publicising the level of concern and get everybody thinking about the problem. What is the aim of the Pledge? To show that the National Assembly for Wales is deeply concerned about the issue and is keen to help support work being done to resolve this problem. How can you promote student positive wellbeing in practice? I’m interested in encouraging students to look after themselves: eating properly, getting enough sleep,

not playing computer games before going to bed at night. All these can certainly help protect people from difficulties such as depression and anxiety, not to mention physical illness. The Pledge aims to “tackle discrimination on the grounds of mental health.” What type of discrimination do students dealing with mental health issues face? Studying away from home is bound to be difficult for many students, and for some, they can feel ostracised because they behave differently, or feel as if they are alone in experiencing these issues. We need to move beyond the common assertion that mental health problems are something to be ashamed of and build a more positive discussion about it publicly. In terms of day to day concerns, both staff and students can be guilty of avoiding uncomfortable situations, particularly on the grounds of wellbeing and mental health, and this needs to be improved. Also, I firmly believe that if a student is unable to attend lectures or sit exams because of mental illness, this should be given the same consideration as a physical illness. What more can the Welsh Government do to help both students who are currently experiencing mental health issues and to prevent students from suffering mental health issues in the first place? Apart from what I have already mentioned, the National Assembly for Wales needs to think about the well-being of young people and try to reduce the stress of competing rather than collaboration. The new Welsh curriculum for schools will certainly equip young people better for the rapidly- changing world we now live in. In addition to this, Gair Rhydd asked President of the Students’ Union, Jackie Yip, for her thoughts on the Pledge. Jackie said: “I absolutely welcome this, I want students to know that they are not alone, that they’re supported beyond just the university and that the Welsh Government itself recognises that there is much more to be done!” Story continues on page 10.

Samsung protest: Protestors gather outside the Samsung store in Cardiff’s city centre. Source: Fabrizio Silveri

Student protestors show solidarity with Samsung workers

everal Cardiff University students recently joined forces with students from Bristol University to protest outside of the Samsung store on Cardiff Queen Street in opposition to Samsung’s alleged “no union policy”.

A report last year alleged that Samsung are housing their workers in unsafe conditions in workshops in various Asian countries, including South Korea and Vietnam. The protest was organised as part

of the student-led group People & Planet’s ’48 Hours of Action Against Samsung’ nation-wide protests, calling on Samsung to ‘allow’ its workers to unionise. To read more about the review, turn to page 3.

Cardiff University professor receives prestigious award

Pryderon am y byd amaeth ar drothwy Brexit

Highlighting mental health in sport

ardiff University Professor Bernard Schutz was recently awarded with the prestigious Richard Isaacson Award in Gravitational-Wave Science, an award recognising “outstanding contributions” to gravitational-wave physics and technologies. Gravitational-wave physics is a scientific concept predicted by Albert Einstein which states that when an object accelerates, it creates ripples in space time; simply put it produces a wave. Schutz has received the award for “pioneering and decisive contributions” to developing new techniques for detecting and interpreting gravitational-wave signals. He has spent over 21 years at Cardiff University, but has also co-authored nearly 300 papers, written three books and completed a lot of independent research. To read more, turn to page 22.

edi estyniad arall i Brexit, ac Etholiad Cyffredinol ar y gorwel, mae pryder difrifol yng Nghymru am y diwydiant amaethyddol. Fel un o ddiwydiannau pwysicaf Cymru, mae’r ansicrwydd a’r oedi ynghylch Brexit, yn achosi pryder mawr i ffermwyr ledled y wlad. Mae ffermwyr yn poeni am sefydlogrwydd swyddi gyda’r posibilrwydd bydd rhagor o oedi ac ansicrwydd wrth sicrhau cytundeb masnachol â’r UE yn arwain at gwsmeriaid yn troi at gyflenwyr eraill. Aelod o Glwb Ffermwyr Ifanc Penybont, Dan O’Callaghan sy’n asesu’r darlun cyfredol. Yn ogystal, ceir trafodaeth am yr effeithiau ar iechyd meddwl ffermwyr yng Nghymru o ganlyniad i’r ansicrwydd. Ewch i dudalen 6 i ddarllen rhagor am y sefyllfa.

ead of Sport Reece Chambers analyses the important issue of mental health in sport. From interviews with a former footballer, to an Ospreys rugby player, Reece looks at how much of an impact sport can have on an individual’s mental health. With Movember now underway, this timely article provides great insight and ultimately raises awareness for mental health. Mental health is something that needs to be discussed and the stories in this feature do just that. Ranging from long-term injury recovery to using sport as therapy, this feature explores several issues. Read the full feature on mental health in sport, as part of Gair Rhydd’s Movember coverage, on pages 26 and 27.

EDITORIAL

Gair Rhydd 2019/20 Coordinator Elaine Morgan

Editor-in-Chief Tomos Evans

Deputy Editors

Charlotte King Sam Tilley George Willoughby

News

Charlotte King Olly Davies Anna Dutton Zoe Kramer

Features

Mustakim Hasnath Sam Tilley

For more content, head to gairrhydd.com

A note from the Editor Nodyn gan y Golygydd It’s time to talk Mae’n bryd i ni siarad

Taf-od

Llion Carbis Aled Biston Rhodri Davies Deio Jones

Politics

Lowri Pitcher Hallum Cowell Tom-Henry Jones Maisie Marston

Comment

Sam Tilley Harry Clarke-Ezzidio Kat Smith Nina White

Column Road Indigo Jones

Advice

Molly Govus Rhiannon James

Satwik Speaks Satwik Shivoham

Science

Holly Giles

@Caerdydd

Tirion Davies Natalie Graham

Five Minute Fun Michael Ash

Sport

Reece Chambers Olly Allen Ella Fenwick Luke Wakeling George Willoughby

Head of Digital Media Aliraza Manji

Social Media Manager Ashley Boyle

Digital Media Editors Matt Hancock-Bruce Daniel O’Callaghan Tom Walker

Graphics Editor

Oli King

Copy Editors Boadicea Dowd Dewi Morris Tehreem Sultan

Write to the editor editor@gairrhydd.com

At Gair Rhydd we take seriously our responsibility to maintain the highest possible standards. We may occasionally make mistakes, however if you believe we have fallen below the standards we seek to uphold, please email editor@gairrhydd.com. You can view our Ethical Policy Statement and Complaints Procedure at cardiffstudentmedia.co.uk/complaints. Opinions expressed in editorials and opinion pieces are not reflective of Cardiff Student Media, who act as the publisher of Gair Rhydd in legal terms, and should not be considered official communications or the organisation’s stance. Gair Rhydd is a Post Office registered newspaper.

A problem shared: We must talk. Source: Dustin Belt (via Unsplash) Tomos Evans Editor-in-Chief

or so many years there has been a stigma surrounding mental health and talking openly about it has been considered by some as taboo. Men, in particular, have struggled to open up about their feelings, potentially stemming from outdated gender stereotypes. Indeed, according to the Office for National Statistics, over three in every four suicides (76%) involve men, such is the gravity of the problem. Men are also less likely to access psychological therapies than women as only 36% of referrals to NHS England’s Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme are male. This year I am taking part in Movember, shaving my beard and growing a moustache in order to participate in the annual event and raise awareness of men’s health, including mental health. By raising awareness, hopefully people will feel more confident to talk about any problems they may be facing. In 2019, it is incredibly important that the stigma surrounding mental health is removed so that no one suffers in silence. Movember is an opportunity to raise awareness, but our readiness to talk to someone about our feelings should not be constrained to a single month. We should always share with someone how we feel, whether that’s with a trusted

friend or peer, or by visiting a counsellor or medical professional. As someone who comes from a rural background, I have witnessed the resistance of many men, particularly within the farming industry, to talk openly about feelings. There has instead been a drive to concentrate on their daily work and ‘getting the job done’ despite the challenges within the industry. Thankfully, attitudes are changing and there is increased support on hand with charities such as the DPJ Foundation in Pembrokeshire offering help and support to agricultural workers. The DPJ Foundation was set up by Emma Picton-Jones, in memory of her husband Daniel, an agricultural contractor who sadly took his own life in 2016. To mark the beginning of Movember, our front-page story this week sees the Politics desk interview Jenny Rathbone on a new pledge by Welsh Assembly members to tackle mental health amongst students. In addition, our Head of Sport, Reece Chambers, has created a feature on mental health in sport on pages 28 and 29. If there’s only one thing that you take from this week’s editorial: talk to your friends. Ask them how they’re feeling. If they’re acting out of character offer to take them out for a coffee or a pint, just to give them the opportunity to talk openly about how they’re feeling. Put simply, show them that you care.

Rhannu problem: Rhaid i ni siarad. Source: Dustin Belt (via Unsplash) Tomos Evans Prif Olygydd

m nifer o flynyddoedd, mae stigma wedi bodoli o gwmpas iechyd meddwl ac mae e wedi ei ystyried gan rai fel pwnc tabŵ. Mae dynion yn enwedig wedi ei chael hi’n anodd i siarad yn agored am eu teimladau, efallai oherwydd hen stereoteipiau am rhywedd. Yn wir, yn ôl ystadegau y Swyddfa Ystadegau Gwladol, mae dros dri o bob pedwar hunanladdiad (76%) yn cael eu cyflawni gan ddynion, cymaint yw maint y sefyllfa. Mae dynion hefyd yn llai tebygol o geisio mynediad i therapïau seicolegol na menywod, gan mai dim ond 36% o’r holl atgyfeiriadau i gynllun NHS Lloegr Improving Access to Psychological Therapies sy’n ddynion. Eleni dw i’n cymryd rhan yn Tashwedd. Byddaf yn shafio fy marf ac yn tyfu mwstash er mwyn cymryd rhan yn y digwyddiad blynyddol ac er mwyn codi ymwybyddiaeth o iechyd dynion, gan gynnwys iechyd meddwl. Trwy godi ymwybyddiaeth, gobeithio fydd pobl yn teimlo’n fwy hyderus i siarad am unrhyw broblemau maent yn eu hwynebu. Yn 2019, mae’n hynod bwysig fod neb yn dioddef mewn tawelwch. Mae Tashwedd yn gyfle i godi ymwybyddiaeth, ond ni ddylai’n parodrwydd i siarad â rhywun am ein teimladau gael ei gyfyngu i un mis yn unig. Dylem bob amser rannu gyda

rhywun sut ‘dyn ni’n teimlo, pun ai gyda ffrind neu gyfaill, neu drwy ymweld â chwnselydd neu weithiwr meddygol proffesiynol. Fel rhywun sy’n hanu o gefndir gwledig, dw i wedi gweld diffyg parodrwydd nifer o ddynion, yn enwedig o fewn y diwydiant amaeth, i siarad yn agored am eu teimladau. Diolch byth, mae agweddau yn newid ac mae mwy o gefnogaeth ar gael gydag elusennau megis Sefydliad Daniel Picton-Jones (DPJ) yn Sir Benfro sy’n cynnig cymorth a chefnogaeth i weithwyr amaethyddol. Cafodd Sefydliad DPJ ei sefydlu gan Emma Picton-Jones, er cof am ei gŵr Daniel, contractwr amaethyddol a gyflawnodd hunanladdiad yn 2016. Er mwyn cydnabod dechrau Tashwedd, mae’r adran wleidyddol yn cyfweld â Jenny Rathbone AC yr wythnos hon ar gynlluniau trawsbleidiol gan Aelodau Cynulliad i daclo iechyd meddwl ymhlith myfyrwyr. Yn ogystal, mae ein hadran chwaraeon wedi creu eitem ar iechyd meddwl yn y byd chwaraeon ar dudalennau 28 a 29. Os mai dim ond un peth y byddwch chi’n ei gofio am nodyn golygyddol yr wythnos hon: mynnwch siarad gyda’ch ffrindiau. Gofynnwch iddyn nhw sut maen nhw’n teimlo. Os ydyn nhw’n ymddwyn yn wahanol i’r arfer cynigwch eich bod yn mynd â nhw am goffi neu am beint er mwyn rhoi’r cyfle iddyn nhw drafod eu teimladau yn agored. Yn fyr, dangoswch gonsyrn a gofal amdanynt.

Zoe Kramer News Editor

Speaking to Gair Rhydd about the recent findings by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, a spokesperson for Cardiff University said: “We continue to work together with our Students’ Union, the Race Equality Steering Group, BAME+ Network, academic schools and professional services to ensure that we make real improvements in this area and on the broader issue of race equality in higher education. “We have recently reviewed our Dignity at Work and Study policy which covers harassment and bullying from any party and have set up a Race Equality Supervisory Panel to provide advice on issues raised.” The spokesperson continued, “Some of this work includes facilitating conversations and discussions about race, this will enable us to develop more inclusive environments and we understand that it

is essential to listen to the lived experiences of owur BAME students and staff. “Gathering and analysing the evidence about race inequality informs the university about important next steps in addressing inequality. “Our student complaints procedures have also been reviewed in light of the recommendations arising out of an independent review into race equality we undertook in January 2017 and more recently against our academic regulations. “We welcome further recommendations from the EHRC report to contribute to the work that we are implementing.” In summary, these results draw attention to a startling element of the student experience and with more emphasis being placed on this by the university sector, hopefully students should see more support in future.

Hate crimes rising, according to Home Office Recent statistics show an increase in hate crimes in England and Wales

Kate Waldock Contributor

ccording to statistics from a recent Home Office report, the number of hate crimes reported to the police across England and Wales has more than doubled since 2013 and risen by 10% since 2017/18, with the most significant rise being in the number of reported incidences of transphobic abuse. The report defines a hate crime as “any criminal offence which is perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice towards someone based on a personal characteristic” and focusses on the five strands of hate crime monitored by the Crown Prosecution Service: race or ethnicity; religion or beliefs; sexual orientation; disability; and transgender identity. With 103,379 hate crimes recorded in England and Wales in the 2018-19 report, this figure has increased significantly from under 45,000 in 2012/13 and has risen by nearly 10,000 since last year, a large increase over the past few years. The largest overall number of recorded hate crimes were racial, ac-

counting for 76% of offenses. Racial hate crimes have seen an 11% increase in the past year, rising from 71,264 to 78,991 recorded crimes. This is up from 35,944 in 2011/12. Regarding transgender hate crimes, since last year the number has risen by 37% to 2,333 recorded incidences from 1,703. Additionally, the number of instances of hate crimes regarding sexual orientation increased by 25% between 2017/18 and 2018/19, reaching a total of 14,491 reports. This is up from 4,345 reports in 2011/12. Reported incidences of hate crimes motivated by hostility or prejudice towards religion saw the smallest increase overall since 2017/18 compared to the four other strands of hate crime, increasing from 8339 reported incidences to 8,566, an increase of 3%. Nearly half of these crimes were directed towards members of the Islamic community while a further 18% were targeted at the Jewish community. As for hate crimes towards those with a disability, they have reportedly risen by 14% since last year, too. The Home Office emphasises

however that it is highly possible a hate crime to have more than one motivating factor. However, some are speculating that rather than the number of incidences of hate crimes increasing overall, it is the number of ‘recorded’ incidents that has risen. The Spectator has claimed that estimated unrecorded hate crime levels in the past, when added to recorded crime levels, would suggest that the number of hate crimes has actually gone down by 40% since the Home Office’s last report, compared to former estimations. It’s worth noting that these figures are estimations, however. It is suggested that a review by the College of Policing in 2014 to help police determine what a hate crime is has encouraged the increase in recorded hate crimes, too, as the report itself acknowledges that the fact that crime reporting has improved may be among one of the “main reasons for the increases [in reported incidences of hate crime]”. The Home Office report also showed that there have been ‘spikes’ in the number of recorded hate crimes following specific events, stating that “there have been short-

term increases in hate crime following certain events such as the EU Referendum…and the terrorist attacks in 2017.” In terms of solutions, the government’s “Action Against Hate” report describes its “four year programme, which focused on five themes: preventing hate crime by challenging beliefs and attitudes; responding to hate crime within our communities; increasing the reporting of hate crime; improving support for victims of hate crime; and building our understanding of hate crime.”

To contact our news desk, drop us an email at news@gairrhydd.com

Improving the student experince: Univerisities are commiting to improving student wellbeing. Source: Priscilla Du Preez (via Unsplashed)

NEWS

recent survey by the Equality and Human Rights Commission shows that 24% of university students from an ethnic minority background across England, Scotland and Wales have reported experiencing racial harassment. 20% of these students had been physically attacked, whilst 56% reported racist name-calling and jokes. Other commonly reported issues were microaggressions, being excluded from group activities, and being exposed to racist material or displays. This harassment was reportedly at the hands of not only fellow students but also tutors. Students who have been harassed have reported feeling depressed, anxious and vulnerable. 1 in 20 said that harassment caused them to leave their studies and 8% reported suicidal thoughts. Under the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED), public universities are required to pay due regard towards eliminating harassment, but the burden falls on individuals to take their cases to court, which can be costly. Two thirds of students who reported experiencing racial harassment did not report it to their university, the report states. This was reportedly because they did not know how to report it, had no evidence, or did not believe their university would take any action to address the issue. This lack of reporting arguably gives universities an overly optimistic view of how they are doing in terms of racial discrimination.

Cardiff University has received a total of 39 complaints regarding racist behaviour in the last five years, and speaking to the Guardian a Cardiff University spokesperson said: “Cardiff University recognises that racial inequality affects people throughout society” and they “acknowledge the need to do more to tackle these inequalities and to make race equality a priority for all our students and staff.” “As a University we are already taking proactive steps to ensure that promoting race equality is central to us as an institution. We recognise there is still more work to be done, working alongside the wider Higher Education sector and society as a whole.” The Equality and Human Rights Commission uses Cardiff University’s Race Equality Support Panel as a case study for solving this pervasive issue. The panel includes access to staff with expertise in racial harassment, tailored support for complex cases, and assurance that effective programs are in place to deal with harassment. The panel focuses not just on the person reporting the incident, but also others who may have been affected by the incident or by the perpetrator, as well as what those involved needed to resolve the issue and move forward. The panel identifies emerging themes within the university and reports them to the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee. Its purpose is to maintain consistent practice, eliminate achievement gaps, improve student and staff retention, and improve the university’s standing as an institution.

NEWYDDION

A recent study unveils some startling insights into the BAME student experience

For more content, head to gairrhydd.com/news

New report sheds light on racial harassment in UK universities

Recent hate crime statistics in England and Wales

37% increase in transgender hate crimes since last year 76% of reported hate crimes were race-related There were 103,379 total hate crimes in 2018/19 up from 42,255 in 2012/13

Your news desk Charlotte King Olly Davies Anna Dutton Zoe Kramer

4 NEWS Student protestors show solidarity with Samsung workers Siôn Ford Contributor

n October 26, the activist student group People & Planet protested outside Samsung’s Queen Street store in Cardiff city centre as part of a national campaign called ‘48 Hours Of Action Against Samsung’ intended to draw attention to the corporation’s alleged “no-union policy”. The group describe themselves as the “largest student network in the UK” and seek to highlight what they believe to be social and environmental injustices across the country. It is an organisation comprised of students and young people who want to change corporate behaviours and attitudes. Alongside this campaign, the group have also protested against Barclays’ fossil fuel investments, sweat-shop labour, and “unethical procurement” by British universities. The most recent protests were aimed squarely at Samsung. The company has drawn a lot of criticism in the past for refusing to compromise its position, and following a damning report of treatment of staff in Vietnam, the company has been criticised for its human rights abuses. “Samsung is keeping factory workers in Vietnam and South Korea in inhuman conditions, busting unions and exposing unaware workers to dangerous chemicals for mere greed,” said Fabrizio Silveri, a Cardiff University student and member of the protest group, People & Planet. “People & Planet has decided to try and raise awareness on these issues by organising 48 hours of non-violent direct action against Samsung, by protesting in front of high street shops throughout the UK,” he said. Ella Wilkinson, a co-ordinating member of the group, also spoke about why she believes these protests are important. “Without the freedom to join a union it is practically impossible for workers to ensure they have access to adequate pay, safe working conditions and a dignified work environment. “Whilst some employers may satisfy workers grievances on an individual level, it is only when workers come together that they can achieve long-term systemic change for themselves and for others.” This protest came in response to a report by Japanese newspaper Hankyoreh, which accused Samsung of housing its workers in unsafe environments. Samsung released a statement in response to this report, saying, “our top priority is to ensure the health and safety of our 310,000 employees” and “we strive to meet the highest standards in employee health and safety everywhere.” Alongside peaceful demonstrations, People & Planet state that they also offer training and informational resources to help others who want to get involved. One of their stated key aims is to empower young people to be able to organise themselves, carry out effective campaigns and collaborate with underrepresented communities.

Who will be the next LGBT+ (Women’s) Officer?

Gair Rhydd spoke to the nominees to find out more about who they are and what they hope to achieve as LGBT+ (Women’s) Officer Olly Davies News Editor

his week, the Autumn Elections are being held at Cardiff University Students’ Union to fill various roles through-

out the Union itself. One role to be filled is the LGBT+ (Women’s) Officer. In a continuation from last week’s Gair Rhydd article on what students hope to see from their new Officer, Gair Rhydd has spo-

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Why would you like to be the next LGBT+ (Women’s) Officer?

I’ve known I was queer for a long time, however it took me an immensely long to find a label that appropriately described what I was feeling. It wasn’t until I found a label that worked that I felt I could even classify myself as LGBTQ+. That is why I am running for the position, because I know that CU Pride and the LGBT+ community in Cardiff is one of the best at any university, but I want to make it clear that acceptance into this community is for everyone, even those who have not quite figured out what labels to best identify with, if they would even want to use labels at all.

Tell us a little bit about yourself. those with less of an understanding and increase awareness of different kinds of sexualities.

What do you think of the current LGBT+ policy at Cardiff University?

I think that it is miles better than many other universities’ LGBT+ policies, however there is still a long way for it to go. A lot of it appears to center around the SU instead of the wider University life, which is fine, but cannot cater to all LGBT+ students because many are not based at Park Place. It’s good that the LGBT+ association has a Heath Park Officer position (which I assume will be filled in the near future!) however there needs to be further work into improving facilities away from the social side and more on the academic side. Perhaps an LGBT+ specialist officer in student support could be helpful! I also feel like academics could benefit from training in pronouns to help trans and nonbinary students feel more comfortable correcting incorrect pronouns being used.

Do you think the university campus is a safe What are some of the space for LGBT+ stupolicies you would seek dents? I think that it is moving in to enact if you were the right direction, as the new elected? My main aim is to try and help to normalise being LGBT+ at Cardiff University, so there is less of a pressure for people to identify with any kind of label to know if they are ‘straight’ or ‘queer’, or for gender, ‘cis’, ‘trans’ or ‘non-binary’. I hope to achieve this through simple additions into the students union, including encouraging committee members to wear pronoun labels when meeting with members and sharing stories of those who have come out as pansexual, bisexual or non-binary to help to educate

why they want to be the next person to fill the role, what they think of the current policies offered by the university itself, and whether they think campus is a safe space for LGBT+ students. Read on to find out more.

Rebecca FisherJackson

Rose Baker I am in my final year and I am studying Journalism, Communications and Politics. I have been in Cardiff for nearly four years, because I attempted a year of law and it just did not agree with my brain. I’ve spent most of my time rehearsing and making arrangements for the A Cappella Society, for which I am fortunate enough to be Vice-President of this year! I also love to binge watch YouTube and occasionally make videos of my own as well!

ken to the students all hoping to be the Union’s next LGBT+ (Women’s) Officer. Not only did we speak to them about their policy goals if they were to be elected, we found out more about who they are as individuals,

LGBT+ friendly halls are a great idea for a safe space for LGBT+ students who are not sure how their new flatmates would react. However, I think further effort could be made to make lectures and seminars more friendly for the LGBT+ community including, as I have previously mentioned, pronoun training for academics and perhaps a better understanding of different types of sexuality from university staff would be helpful as well!

Shwmae/Hello! I’m Rebs, my pronouns are she/her, and I’m a third year English Lit student! I’m an aspiring screenwriter, the secretary of CU Pride, and a massive Taylor Swift fan (it’s no coincidence that my campaign slogan is #RebsForRep: I believe in representation for every letter within the LGBT+ community, and ‘reputation’ just happens to be my fave album too).

Why would you like to be the next LGBT+ (Women’s) Officer?

When I started university, I was a shy 19 year old. But most importantly, I was a very closeted lesbian. As a fresher, CU Pride welcomed me with open arms into an LGBT+ community where I felt safe to be myself. Through my two years on the committee, I’ve learned how a committee works, and gained first-hand experience of many issues LGBT+ staff and students face; chiefly mental health issues, and trans issues. Sadly, I’ve lost two friends, both identifying as LGBT+ students, during my time here. Every day I also see the struggles that my trans, non-binary, genderfluid, and genderqueer pals face, especially with the rise of transphobic rhetoric from TERF groups, and the closure of the GIC. I love being involved with the social side of Cardiff University’s LGBT+ community, but I also want to campaign and raise awareness on issues that myself and my community face; I want to make a political difference through the university policy. I believe every letter (and symbol!) of the LGBT+ community should be represented, and I’d love to be the person to do that; after all, it’s the LGBT+ Officer (Women’s) position, not a position solely to represent LGBT+ women!

What are some of the policies you would seek to enact if you were elected?

I have a lot that I would like to

achieve if elected, which would surpass the 100 word manifesto limit! So, I’ve posted my full manifesto publically on my Facebook, and it’s also accessible via the QR code on my posters! To summarise my manifesto, my main policies are: We are experiencing a mental health crisis; services are underfunded and oversubscribed, and this is especially an issue within the LGBT+ community. Last year the university worked alongside both CU Pride and the LGBT+ Association to create specialised LGBT+ support services; a new policy this year is that LGBT+ identifying individuals can receive more counselling sessions. I would like to continue liaising with the university to build upon this, and provide further specialised LGBT+ mental health services based upon student feedback. It’s Students’ Union policy for staff to wear pronoun badges and include their pronouns in their email signatures; I’d like to implement a similar opt-out scheme for all staff across both campuses. If all staff expressed their pronouns it would help facilitate the normalisation of non-cis-gendered pronouns, and promote a safe space in which staff would be more aware of how harmful misgendering is. I’d ensure that the ‘Stand with LGBT+’ campaign is inclusive of every part of the LGBT+ community; I’d also like to explore rolling this campaign out to other Welsh universities that may not have a strong LGBT+ community. With the increase of TERF movements, I think it’s important to educate and raise awareness about their transphobic rhetoric, and I’d like to explore an anti-TERF campaign throughout the university; I’m a proud lesbian, and I stand with my trans sisters.

NEWYDDION 5 Tilly Perkins continued:

Tilly Perkins

My aim is to encourage students in all years to support each other and create a network where we all feel comfortable and heard.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m in my second year of my undergraduate degree in Mental Health Nursing. I also love to take part in several sports when I’m not studying, including basketball and Aussie Rules football.

and to create an environment for LGBTQ+ people to thrive and be given a platform for self-expression and activism, so that everyone has an opportunity to have their say on current issues.

Why would you like to be the next LGBT+ What are some of the (Women’s) Officer? policies you would seek This year I want to offer a to enact if you were fresh perspective towards the university’s current policies elected? as someone who is new to LGBTQ+ leadership and involvement at the uni. My aim is to increase our presence at uni

In my first year of university, I had trouble finding people who were LGBTQ+ like myself. Even after attending LGBTQ+ events I still felt like an outsider.

What do you think of the current LGBT+ policy at Cardiff University?

I would like to introduce gender neutral bathrooms in more locations around the university, as at present I have not seen any at Heath Park Campus. I am also interested in liaising with other societies such as the Feminist Society and Equality Society to work together to tackle issues that affect those beyond the scope of LGBTQ+ and to revise current policies which may not be working to their best ability.

What do you think of the current LGBT+ policy at Cardiff University? I think it’s fantastic that the university has the Trans Policy, but I believe more can be done across the campuses. I wouldn’t necessarily change it, but I would do more to make staff and students more aware of it. I’ve spoken to several trans students who had no idea how to change their name on the university system: you do not need a gender recognition certificate to be able to do this, as stated in the university’s trans policy, but this is not widespread knowledge. I believe that the trans policy should be more widely circulated throughout the university: this kind of information is vital to students, and should be readily available without having to hunt for it.

Do you think the university campus is a safe

Gair Rhydd also contacted Jincong Chen, one of the students running

space for LGBT+ students?

We’re nearing the end of the ‘Cardiff University Strategic Equality Plan, 2016-2020’, but the university hasn’t fully delivered on its promises; Objective 4 details the provision of gender neutral bathrooms, and this has not been delivered. The ASSL and the JPB don’t have gender neutral toilets, and the SU’s gender neutral toilets aren’t well-advertised and rely on word-of-mouth, potentially outing students to their peers. The toilets are also converted disabled bathrooms that require a radar key – students shouldn’t have to spend their own money buying one, risk outing themselves by asking for security’s key, or feel as though they are taking the bathrooms away from disabled individuals. Cis-gendered women are not the only people who have periods, either. Trans men, non-binary, and other individuals also have them, and provisions are not in place for this. I was horrified to learn that most men’s bathrooms don’t even have a normal bin, let alone a sanitary bin in cubicles. Trans men exist, and have the right to use the bathroom that they feel safe in, without having to worry about what to do during an already dysphoric time. I want to lobby the university to install sanitary bins in every men’s cubicle, and create proper gender neutral bathrooms across the SU, the Cathays campus, and the Heath Park campus; every student and staff member has the right to feel safe using the bathroom.

to be the next LGBT+ (Women’s) Officer, but did not receive a reply.

As a School of Healthcare student I have unfortunately encountered insensitivity and ignorance to a great extent within both the school and the healthcare system. It is clear that in some areas of the university there is a lack of awareness of LGBTQ+ issues. This has lead to myself and others noticing varying levels of ignorance and compliance, especially regarding trans and nonbinary people. Therefore, I believe in terms of safe spaces we are not quite there yet. Overall, I want to introduce more support, advocacy and education being offered to students in both Cathays Park and Heath Park.

What else can students vote on this week? Scrutiny Committee

Rebecca Fisher-Jackson continued: I’d like CU Pride and the LGBT+ Association to work more closely than we already do. I love the idea of producing a joint LGBT+ newsletter (adhering to GDPR guidelines), detailing LGBT+ events throughout the university, in Cardiff (such as the IRIS Prize LGBT+ Film Festival, and LGBT+ film screenings), and in wider areas such as London (such as the BFI London Flare LGBT+ Film Festival). This would emphasise the community aspect, and produce a list of events that people can see without potentially being actively involved in LGBT+ groups if they are not yet ‘out’.

Do you think the university campus is a safe space for LGBT+ students?

Charlotte King & Olly Davies News Editors

his week’s Autumn Elections are not only to elect Cardiff University Students’ Union’s new LGBT+ (Women’s) Officer. Cardiff University students are also being given the choice to vote for the new Student Senate, Scrutiny Committee, NUS UK Delegates and NUS Wales Delegates. To provide some more context to the Autumn Elections, Gair Rhydd has looked into what each of these four bodies does for the Union.

The Student Senate According to the Students’ Union website, there are 25 spaces up for grabs for students hoping to be one of the Union’s next Student Senators. The Student Senate has 12 places reserved for women and the other 13 are “open places”. The Student Senate is described as “the Students’ Union policy making body” wherein students sit as Senators to represent the wider student body. According to the Union, it is their “highest regular decision-making body” wherein Student Senators reportedly work to ensure that the Union reflects the student body accurately in its values and ideals. Across each academic year, the Student Senate meets five times to discuss ideas submitted by students on the ‘Ideas Hub’. Any idea submitted on the hub can be upvoted or downvoted by Cardiff University students and will be put forward to the Student Senate for discussion.

The Scrutiny Committee is a subcommittee of the Student Senate and they provide the checks and balances for all elected officers at Cardiff University. There are five members who will be elected through the Autumn Elections with another five being appointed after interviews with the Chair of the Student Senate. The role of the Committee is to question the work of elected officers and assess the progress they have made during their tenure.

On an unrelated note...

Sheffield University bans wearing Sombrero for Halloween

heffield University has banned students from wearing sombreros as fancy dress. The university is trying to tackle culturally insensitive costumes and “cultural appropriation”. The ruling came after advice from the National Union of Students: “This Halloween we want...to avoid the exploitation and degradation of others. Don’t let racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia and ableism be the real horror this Halloween.”

Sombre-no Source: Ivan Radic (via Flickr)

Fibreglass giraffes protecting tea crops

iraffes are being used as a humane way to prevent elephants from marauding through precious crops. Farmers have traditionally erected electric fences or laid down poison in efforts to avoid damage caused by the unwanted visitors. However, one farmer, Mr Goswami, hopes life size fibreglass dummies would protect his Dolaguri estate.

NUS Wales Delegate The role requires delegates to attend NUS Wales Conference held on March 4-5 2020; there are nine spaces available to fill. The purpose of the NUS Wales Delegate is to represent the student body of Cardiff University at Wales’ annual conference where the students’ unions across Wales scrutinise the work of NUS Wales. They also decide on policy and campaigns, as well as holding elections for the NUS Wales President.

NUS National Delegates Additionally, nine places are also up for grabs for students hoping to represent Cardiff University’s student body at the national NUS UK Conference held on March 30-April 2020 which sees the policy-making body of the National Union of students as a whole to come together to.

Voting opens on Monday 4 Novemeber at 9:00 and closes on Thursday 7 Novemeber at 17:00.

A humane deterrent. Source: Foto-Rabe (via Pixabay)

Degrees from leading universities can mean half a million more in lifetime earnings

uring the course of their lifetime, graduates from leading universities stand to earn half a million pounds more than those who studied the same degree at less prestigious universities. A study found that a degree from the London School of Economics in accounting and finance meant a graduate was more likely to earn roughly 50% more than the average.

In the money. Source: Pixnio

taf od

Barn y Bobol

Gydag etholiad cyffredinol yn cael ei gynnal ar 12 Rhagfyr, Taf-od sy’n gofyn ai mis Rhagfyr yw’r adeg gywir i gynnal etholiad cyffredinol?

Tomos Topps

Myfyriwr ail flwyddyn Cymraeg a Hanes I mi nid yw’n broblem pa fis y mae Etholiad Cyffredinol yn cael ei gynnal. Y broblem yw pam fod y Torïaid wedi gwrthod cynnal un tan rŵan. Mae Mr Johnson wedi rhoi ei yrfa ei hun a phocedi aelodau ei blaid cyn lles y Deyrnas Unedig ac o ganlyniad dani’n wynebu’r posibilrwydd o lywodraeth newydd chwe wythnos cyn i ni adael yr Undeb Ewropeaidd. Mae dominyddiaeth y blaid Lafur a’r Torïaid ar wleidyddiaeth y DU yn golygu fod Brexit yn mynd i gael ei lusgo ymhellach ac ymhellach ac o ganlyniad mi fydd anghenion Cymru yn parhau i’w cael eu hanwybyddu.

Nel Richards Myfyrwraig flwyddyn gyntaf Cymraeg a Newyddiaduraeth

Heb os, Rhagfyr yw’r adeg gwaethaf i gynnal etholiad. Fel arfer Mai neu Fehefin yw’r cyfnod delfrydol. A fydd yr henoed yn bwrw eu pleidlais â’r tywydd yn oer a gwlyb? Yr un modd, bydd llawer o fyfyrwyr prifysgol wedi ffoi am adref, a rhwystr fydd ailgofrestru. Bydd nosweithiau cynnar, garw a diflas yn ei wneud yn anodd i’r pleidiau ymgyrchu a dosbarthu taflenni ar gyfer un o etholiadau pwysicaf ein cyfnod. Mae cymaint yn y fantol ac un o benderfyniadau mwyaf ein hoes, o aros neu adael yr Undeb Ewropeaidd, i’w wneud.

Llyr Ellis

Myfyriwr ail flwyddyn y Gyfraith Wedi diflasu ar gybôl Brexit? Colli mynedd gyda’ch pres yn cael ei daflu? I be gwario mwy nag y £77 biliwn sydd wedi’w wneud yn barod? Etholiad cyffredinnol i adfywio’r senedd yw’r ateb. Gan ystyried bod y bobl wedi pledleisio o blaid Brexit, gwarthus yw hi fod y “broblem” yn parhau i’n harswydo tair mlynedd yn ddiweddarach. Bydd etholiad yn gyfle i gael cymhwysedd newydd o wleidyddion, a roddai’r gobaith i ni gau’r bennod drybylus yma o’n hanes, a gadael yr UE gyda cytundeb i warchod ein swyddi a hawliau. Mae methiant y Senedd i wireddu dymuniad yr etholwyr yn fradychiad i ddemocratiaeth a phwrpas pleidleisio. Rhaid adfywio ffydd y bobl yn ein systemau a’n gwleidyddiaeth drwy ethol senedd newydd yn mis Rhagfyr.

Eich unig gyhoeddiad myfyrwyr wythnosol trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg. Sefydlwyd: 2003 Am fwy o gynnwys, ewch i gairrhydd.com/tafod

Eich adran taf-od Llion Carbis Aled Biston Rhodri Davies Deio Jones tafod@gairrhydd.com

NEWYDDION

Dyfodol Amaethyddiaeth yn y fantol? Pryderon am amaethyddiaeth Cymru ymysg Brexit

Daniel o’Callaghan Cyfrannydd

maethyddiaeth yw un o ddiwydiannau pennaf Cymru, a phrydera rhai am ddyfodol y diwydiant os bydd y DU yn oedi i gytundeb masnach. Yn ôl erthygl gan BBC Cymru Fyw, dywed ffermwyr a mewnforwyr bwyd bod y cysyniad hwn o oedi’n ddinistriol. Y pryder mwyaf yw os bydd cytundeb Boris Johnson yn cael ei dderbyn. O ganlyniad, byddai hyn yn golygu oddeutu pum mlynedd o drafod pellach. Dyma amser helaeth i’r ffermwyr sy’n gofidio y bydd yr ansicrwydd o fewn y cytundeb yn ysgogi i gwsmeriaid edrych am gyflenwyr eraill. Mae’r gofid mor nodedig, nes i’r sawl a bleidleisiodd dros aros yn yr UE eisiau gadael cyn gynted ag y bo modd, er mwyn sicrhau swyddi. Daw i’r amlwg fod yr oedi hwn yn gonsyrn i’r rhai sy’n gweithio o fewn y diwydiant, oherwydd iddynt fynd ati i gychwyn monitro’r effeithiau posib o unrhyw gytundeb. Nid oes rhyfedd i ffermwyr Cymru bryderu am oedi i gytundeb masnach, gan fod 60% o allforion y wlad- megis cig oen- yn mynd i wledydd o fewn yr UE. O’r herwydd, ceir ansicrwydd o fewn y diwydiant amaethyddol ynghylch cysylltiadau’r UE, yn ogystal â cholli

ar gyfleodd i ddenu cwsmeriaid eraill. Eglurodd Mike Gooding ar raglen ‘BBC Wales Investigates’; “Brexit neu ddim Brexit fe fydd yn rhaid i ni drafod telerau newydd ac mae hynny’n broses a allai gymryd amser.” Atega at y ffaith fod yr amser yn beryglus gan nodi mai’r “sefyllfa orau fysa sortio’r problemau gwleidyddol ond cadw ein trefniadau masnachu i fynd.” Wrth gwrs, nid yw’r broblem yn unig yn codi ymysg ffermwyr, mae’r un mor wir am archfarchnadoedd a siopau lleol hefyd. Ar hyn o bryd, mae gan Matthew Hunt (sy’n rhedeg cadwyn Filco Supermarkets ym Mro Morgannwg) elfen o sicrwydd wrth iddo gael ei fwydydd ffres yn sydyn o Ewrop. Fodd bynnag, gyda Brexit ar y gorwel, bydd codi tollau ychwanegol yn destun pryder. I’r gwrthwyneb, gwêl Dr Edward Jones – darlithydd economeg ym Mhrifysgol Bangorochr fwy llewyrchus i’r maes amaethyddol wrth adael ar UE, wrth iddo nodi mai “un o’r manteision ar ôl gadael yr UE fydd cael rheolaeth dros ein tollau.” Er nad ydwyf yn byw ar fferm, rwyf yn aelod o CFFI Penybont ac yn ymwneud llawer â’r mudiad. Trwy hynny, rwyf wedi dod i ddeall pwysigrwydd sefydlogrwydd ariannol o fewn amaethyddiaeth. Dyma fater sy’n bwysicach fyth ymhlith ein haelodau, arweinyddion a chyfeillion wrth i ar-

Amaethyddiaeth: Ydy’r diwydiant amaethyddol o dan beryg gan Brexit? Tarddiad: Wikimedia Commons all-gyfeirio frigo i’r wyneb. Ceir mwy o ddisgwyliad heddiw i ffermwyr drin eu swyddi fel swyddi rhan amser a cheisio defnyddio modd arall er mwyn ennill arian ychwanegol. Gofid sydd o fewn y mudiad, yn ogystal, oherwydd y ffaith fod goblygiadau Brexit ar y diwydiant heb ddod i’r amlwg eto. Dyma boeni sydd, heb

os, yn effeithio’n andwyol ar iechyd meddwl ffermwyr. O’r herwydd, gwelwyd twf ym mudiadau sydd ag iechyd meddwl ffermwyr fel prif hanfod gan gwmnïau ac elusennau cymharol newydd, megis Tir Dewi. Boed i Brexit ddigwydd neu beidio, mae’r ansicrwydd a’r gofid meddwl yr un mor frawychus.

Tashwedd: Y frwydr dros iechyd meddwl Sut gallech chi helpu rhywun sydd yn profi cyfnod anodd?

Aled Biston Golygydd Taf-od

lwyddyn yma mi fydda i , ymysg nifer o ddynion eraill y wlad, yn tyfu mwstas ar gyfer Tashwedd. Ond beth yw Tashwedd? Tashwedd yw mis o dyfu mwstas er mwyn codi arian at ymwybyddiaeth iechyd dynion, pe bai’n iechyd meddwl neu iechyd corfforol, megis cancr y prostad neu’r ceilliau. Nod Tashwedd yw codi arian at geisio taclo’r pethau yma, a gallwch chi gyfrannu trwy rannu dolennau ar wefannau cymdeithasol, neu gyfrannu arian at yr achos ar wefan Movember. Mae iechyd meddwl yn rhywbeth bregus iawn, ac mae pawb yn gwybod hyn. Mae angen inni ddeall bod hi’n iawn i ddim teimlo’n iawn, enwedig dynion. Mae’r stigma o ddynion fel pobl cryf, hyderus a heb broblemau yn un sydd angen cael eu chwalu. Mae pob un ohonom yn gwybod rhywun sydd wedi gwynebu amser caled neu wedi cael adeg anodd yn eu fywydau,

ac mae gennym ni rôl i estyn llaw a gofyn y cwestiwn syml ‘Yw popeth yn iawn?’ Weithiau mae’n anodd ceisio canfod yr arwyddion bod person yn mynd trwy amser anodd, ond mae Movember ymysg nifer o ymgyrchoedd eraill, wedi helpu gyda’r broses. Gall pethau syml megis eich ffrind ddim yn dod i’r dafarn am beint, neu yn stopio treulio amser gyda chi, yn arwydd cynnar i’w datgelu. Peidiwch fod yn ofnus i ofyn i’ch ffrindiau a’ch teulu os ydyn nhw’n iawn. Mae’n naturiol i fod yn ofnus, ond gall y cam bach o ofyn y cwestiwn syml, gallu helpu’r person hynny siarad am eu teimladau. Os ydych chi ddim yn gwybod beth i wneud mewn sefyllfa o’r fath, mae gan Movember dolen ar eu gwefan sydd yn egluro beth i wneud a sut i helpu’r person teimlo’n gyfforddus wrth siarad am eu problemau/teimladau. Ac os ydych yn teimlo bod y broblem allan o’ch dwylo chi, gallwch alw’r Samaritans ar y rhif ‘116 123’. Mae’n hawdd iawn i droi i ffwrdd o estyn llaw a chynnig cymorth, ond

Tyfu Tash i Tashwedd: Bydd nifer yn tyfu mwstas mis yma er mwyn codi arian at achos Tashwedd. Tarddiad: Wikimedia Commons mae iechyd meddwl yn broblem mae pobl yn gwynebu ar ben ei hun. Beth mae Movember yn ceisio helpu ni sylweddoli, yw nad ydych ar ben eich hun. Rydym yn dîm o bobl sydd yma i helpu’n gilydd, a dylai neb gorfod gwynebu problem iechyd meddwl ar ben ei hun. Fel dw i wedi dweud yn barod, dw i‘n cymryd rhan yn Tashwedd eleni, gan shafio fy marf ac yna tyfu mwstas.

Dw i yn gwneud hyn am y rhesymau dwi wedi rhestru uchod a llawer mwy. Dw i wedi teimlo’n isel ar adegau fy hun, ac mae nifer o fy ffrindiau hefyd wedi teimlo’r un peth. Ond yn ystod yr adeg anodd hynny, roedd fy ffrindiau wedi estyn llaw a gofyn am fy nheimladau. Heb fy ffrindiau, byddwn i byth wedi dod allan o’r adeg anodd hynny, nid ydym ar ben ein hun yn y frwydr iechyd meddwl.

TAF-OD

Paradwys i’r Post wrth i Coldplay hyrwyddo i’w halbwm newydd ynddo

Pryd o Daf-od Anna Hughes

Gyda hanes newyddiaduraeth print yn deillio mor bell yn ôl a 1700, a hyd yn oed cyn hynny, trist yw gweld fod y galw am y cyfrwng yn prysur ddirywio, ond pam hynny? Ers y 1700au, newyddiaduraeth print yw’r prif gyfrwng o newyddiaduraeth ac yna, erbyn y 1860 i’r 1910au, daeth oes aur y cyfrwng oherwydd llawer o ddatblygiadau technolegol mewn printio a chyfathrebu. Pam felly yn yr unfed gan-

Trafod gyda’r

taf-od 1. Pwy wyt ti a beth wyt ti’n astudio? Greta Puw Jones, a dwi’s astudio therapi galwedigaethol 2. Beth yw’r digwyddiad sy’n codi’r mwyaf o embaras arnat?

Diwrnod cynta gwyl pendraw byd aberdaron 2019 10. Beth yw dy gas beth?

11. Beth fyddet ti’n gwneud yn ystod dy noson ddelfrydol?

5. Beth fyddet ti’n ei archebu o’r bwyty Indiaidd lleol? Chicken korma, reis a nann bread 6. Pwy oeddet ti’n ffansio pan oeddet ti’n iau? Zac Efron 7. Pwy yw dy hoff fand?

mae lle i Lywodraeth Cymru chwarae ei ran a chefnogi’r cynnwys lleol hyn ac mae’n drist i feddwl fod hyn yn digwydd o ganlyniad i amgylchiadau economaidd heriol. Gyda datblygiad technoleg yn dod yn fwyfwy amlwg yn y byd modern sydd ohoni a’r newyddion mwy neu lai ar flaen ein bysedd ni a’r newyddion diweddaraf o flaen ein llygaid ni ar sgrin neu hyd yn oed ar oriawr erbyn hyn, anodd yw’r dasg o geisio cadw’r papurau newydd lleol yma i fynd. Gellir ystyried yn rhywbeth positif fodd bynnag, hynny yw, fod y newyddion diweddaraf yn ein cyrraedd ni’n syth tra bod yr inc dal yn

9. Beth oedd y diwrnod gorau iti ei gael erioed?

3. Beth oedd dy air cyntaf?

Canu Allwedd gan Bwncath - hwn di anthem fflat 7 senghenydd

Papurau prin: Mae’r nifer o gyhoeddiadau print yn gostwng. Tarddiad: Jeff Eaton (drwy Flickr)

Greta Puw Jones

Sambuca

4. Pe fyddet ti ar yr X-Factor, pa gân byddet ti’n ei chanu a pham?

Yn Trafod gyda’r Taf-od wythnos yma mae...

Jyst bob noson allan i fod yn onest

Mam

Rhodri Davies Golygydd Taf-od

Crôl Gym Gym 12. Pe tastet gallu bod yn unrhyw anifail am ddiwrnod, pa un fyddet ti’n dewis, a pham? Fflamingo - cos ma nhw’n cwl ag yn binc

Allan ar ôl addysg: Greta yn joio ar ôl diwrnod o ysgol Tarddiad: Greta Puw Jones

13. Disgrifia dy hun mewn 3 gair. Hapus, annibynnol a ‘ginaholic’ 14. Pwy fydd yn trafod ‘da’r Tafod wythnos nesaf? Anest Eirug

Bwncath 8. Prosecco neu champagne? Pam? Prosecco, mae o’n rhatach

Clwbio yn Clwb: Mae Greta yn barod wedi profi noson allan yng Nghlwb Ifor Bach. Tarddiad: Greta Puw Jones

boeth, fel petai! Fodd bynnag, gyda newyddiaduraeth print Cymraeg yn dirywio mae hynny yn rhoi fwy o sgôp am newyddiaduraeth hyperleol a rhain yn bennaf yn cael eu rhedeg gan wirfoddolwyr gyda 46 o rain yng Nghymru yn 2017. Dyma fentrau sy’n cael eu lleoli yng nghanol cymunedau ac yn cael ei wneud o foddhad yn y maes ac awydd i roi newyddion lleol Cymraeg yn ôl i’r gymuned megis Bro360. Braf yw gweld nad ydi newyddiaduraeth print yn y Gymraeg yn llwyr ddiflannu eto a bod cymunedau yn cael boddhad o ddarllen newyddion eu hardal mewn print.

ylwodd y rhai digon craff o ddarllenwyr y Daily Post ar hysbyseb tra gwahanol yn ei rhifyn dyddiol ar y 24ain o Hydref. Ynghanol y wybodaeth am batios a swyddfeydd gwag, ymddangosodd hysbyseb am albwm newydd y band Coldplay. Mewn sgwaryn bach di-liw a dim ond rhestr o ganeuon newydd, ail-gyhoeddodd Coldplay enw eu halbwm sef, “Everyday Life.” Y rheswm dewisodd y band y Daily Post oedd am fod eu gitarydd Johnny Buckland yn y gorffennol wedi bod yn ffotograffydd tai oedd ar werth. Roedd lluniau Buckland, a gafodd ei fagu yn Sir Fflint yn cael eu harddangos yn aml yn y papur. Yn ôl pob tebyg, ymddangosodd yr un hysbyseb mewn papurau newydd yn Lloegr, Ffrainc, Awstralia a Seland Newydd. Mae Coldplay felly’n parhau gyda’u ffordd amgen o hyrwyddo. Cafodd y newyddion am yr albwm newydd ei ledaenu ar cyfryngau cymdeithasol yn ddiweddar. Derbyniodd ffan o’r band lythyr yn cyhoeddi’r albwm newydd ac yna’n anochel, fe gafodd y llythyr yma’i gylchredeg o amgylch y Drydarsffer. Bydd yr albwm yn albwm dwbl gyda’r hanner cyntaf yn cael ei enwi’n “Sunrise” a’r llall yn “Sunset”. Mae wythfed albwm stiwdio Coldplay yn cael ei ryddhau ddydd Gwener y 22ain o Dachwedd sydd o bosib yn rhoi’r band mewn man ffafriol ar gyfer y frwydr anfarwol yn y siartiau pop swyddogol am rif un y Nadolig. Dyw’r band heb gael ‘sengl rhif un’ ers rhyddhau eu sengl “Paradise” yn 2011 nac erioed wedi hawlio lle ar frig y siart adeg y Nadolig. Roeddwn nhw’n agos yn siart yr albymau yn 2015 ond collon nhw ei safle rhif un i Adele a Elvis ar yr wythnos dyngedfennol. Mae’r 22ain o Dachwedd yn ddyddiad pan fydd llawer o artistiaid yn rhyddhau’i albymau oherwydd rhialtwch y Nadolig. Un cerddor arall oedd yn flaenllaw yn y 00au sy’n rhyddhau ei albwm yntau yw Robbie Williams. Bydd y cantor o Stoke-onTrent yn rhyddhau ei albwm Nadoligaidd cyntaf o’r enw “The Christmas Present.” Defnyddiodd yntau cyfryngau cymdeithasol i gyhoeddi ei albwm newydd. Ymddangosodd mewn golygfa hudolus Nadolig gyda clychau’n canu o’i gwmpas ac enw’r albwm yn ymddangos. Er mai dyma’i albwm Nadolig gyntaf, nid yw’n ddieithryn i’r safle rhif un adeg y Nadolig oherwydd iddo gipio hi yn 2001 gyda Nicole Kidman a’i hymdriaeth nhw a’r gan “Something Stupid.” Mae hon eto’n albwm dwbl gyda 28 o ganeuon. Enw hanner gyntaf bydd “Christmas Past” a’r llall o’r enw “Christmas Future.” Ai brwydr rhwng arwyr y 00au bydd hi’r Nadolig hyn? Pwy bynnag fydd, mae’n siwr o fod yn ornest ddiddorol.

taf od

Anna Hughes sydd yn asesu dyfodol newyddiaduraeth print yng Nghymru.

rif ar hugain fod y cyfrwng yn prysur ddiflannu? Mewn ymchwil gan y Senedd daeth i’r amlwg fod cylchrediad papurau newydd wedi profi dirywiad parhaus yn ystod y ddegawd ddiwethaf. Gwelwyd fod cylchrediad y Western Mail wedi haneru o 37,576 yn 2008 i 15,259 yn 2016. Dyma newid sylweddol sydd wir yn tristau rhywun. Gyda chau tri o bapurau newydd yr Herald yng Ngorllewin Cymru gyda 24 o staff yn colli eu swyddi a’r Flintshire Chronicle yn y misoedd diwethaf rhaid dechrau cwestiynu ag oes ddyfodol i newyddiaduraeth print yng Nghymru? Dyma fater sy’n fy nigalonni i yn llwyr ac yn peri gofid i lawer o ardaloedd gan nad oes bellach llawer o gynnwys lleol ar gael, gyda rhai o’r rheiny wedi bodoli ers blynyddoedd. Mae’n dod yn arfer gan y genhedlaeth hyn i brynu eu papurau newydd neu ei gael drwy’r post yn ddyddiol ac felly gellir ei ystyried yn newid byd iddyn nhw. Y rheswm dros gau tri o’r papurau newydd hyn yn bennaf yw rhesymau economaidd gan nad oedd y papurau yn llwyddo i dalu costau sydd felly yn gwneud busnes gwael. Yn ôl Alan Evans

TAF-OD

Enwau Cymraeg i blant Coronation Street Aled Biston Golygydd Taf-od

ae Coronation Street wedi penderfynu enwi plant un o’u cymeriadau, Gemma, gydag enwau Cymraeg ar ôl iddi eni’r plant yn ‘cable cart’ yn Llandudno. Ganwyd pedwar o blant i Gemma ym mhennod yma’r gyfres, ac enwau’r plant yw Bryn, Llio, Carys ac Aled. Aeth Gemma mewn i esgor wrth iddi hi a Chesney treulio amser ar y ‘cable cart’, a gafodd y plant eu henwi ar ôl y llawfeddyg Bryn, y fydwraig, Llio ac yna’r paramedics, Carys ac Aled. Roedd enwi’r plant yn Gymraeg wedi plesio lot o wylwyr yr opera sebon, a gymeradwywyd nifer y penderfyniad ar wefannau cymdeithasol. Nid dyma’r tro cyntaf i enwau Cymraeg cael eu defnyddio yn operâu sebon Lloegr. Yn y 90’au roedd yna gymeriad ar Eastenders o’r enw Huw Edwards, ond a yw agweddau at y Gymraeg o fewn operâu sebon a rhaglenni yn rhagfarnllyd? Yn y rhaglen ar nos Fercher, Hydref 30, dywedodd Gemma bod hi wedi enwi’r plant gydag enwau Cymraeg, ac ymateb Fizz, un o’r cymeriadau eraill, oedd ‘I hope there’s going to be enough vowels in them.’ Nid dyma’r tro cyntaf i’r iaith Gymraeg gael ei sarhau ar raglenni Saesneg. Pan ryddhawyd Gavin and Stacey nôl yn 2008, roedd ffrindiau Gavin wedi ymweld â Barri, ac mae’r cymeriad ‘Deano’ yn dechrau siarad Cymraeg, gan esbonio ei fod wedi cwblhau cwrs Cymraeg. Ymateb Gavin a’i ffrindiau yw ‘no one here speaks Welsh... you’ve got to ignore them’ (yr arwyddion Cymraeg). Mae’n synnu ni fel gwylwyr sydd yn meddu’r Gymraeg bod agwedd rhaglenni ac operâu sebon heb newid yn y 11 mlynedd ddiwethaf. Ai ceisio dod ag elfen o gomedi i’r rhaglen mae’r rhaglenni rhain? Ac, ydyn ni fel Cymry yn oramddiffynnol o’m hiaith a methu gweld yr ochr ddoniol? Beth bynnag yw eich barn ar y pwnc yma, mae’n braf gweld bod enwau Cymraeg yn cael eu defnyddio yn un o operâu sebon enwocaf y blaned. Pwy a ŵyr, efallai bydd hyn yn creu sail ar gyfer mwy o gymeriadau ag enwau Cymraeg yn rhaglenni’r dyfodol?

Stryd enwoca’r teledu: Enwau Cymraeg ar Corrie. Tarddiad: vagueonthehow (drwy Flickr)

CHWARAEON

Torcalon yn Yokohama (a Chymru) wrth i’r freuddwyd orffen

Mae breuddwyd Cymru o gyrraedd rownd derfynol Cwpan y Byd ar ben Sion Ford Cyfrannydd

Stadiwm Yokohama: Mae breuddwyd Cymru ar ben. Tarddiad: Wikimedia Commons rth i’r chwiban olaf swnio yn Stadiwm Ryngwladol Yokohama, gwelsom fachlud haul ar bencampwriaeth fythgofiadwy i’r Cymry yn Siapan. Ar ôl colli 16-19 i Dde Affrica, dim ond gwacter a dadrithiad oedd i’w deimlo yng Nghymru ar fore’r gêm. Bellach, gall

pobl Cymru edrych nôl ar ymgyrch hanesyddol gyda balchder. Am ddechreuad i’r ymgyrch, wrth i’r newyddion am Rob Howley dorri. Yn wir, gwrthgyferbyniad llwyr ydoedd a’r lluniau o’r dorf leol yn Kitakyushu’n serenadu’r garfan Warren Gatland. Serch hynny dechreuon nhw gyda perfformiad hyderus ac effeithiol yn erbyn tîm corfforol. Buddugoliaeth swmpus o 43-14 yn erbyn Georgia, y canlyniad delfrydol ar ôl digwyddiad mor sigledig. Cafodd Stephen Jones ei gyfle cyntaf i weithio â charfan Cymru wrth iddo ymuno a’r tîm hyfforddi, ac yn gynnar yn y gêm gyntaf gwelsom effaith ei gyfraniad. Roedd y cyfuniad rhwng yr olwyr a’r blaenwyr yn rhugl ac yn effeithiol, er mae’n rhaid cofio roedd profion anoddach i ddod. Yr ail gêm yng nghrŵp D ar gyfer Cymru oedd, heb os nac oni bai, y pwysicaf. Fel yn erbyn y Lelos, dechreuodd Cymru’n gryf ac yn hyderus yn erbyn Awstralia. Edrychon nhw am cyfleoedd cynnar i adeiladu sgôr ac, yn bwysicach, momentwm.

Dangoson nhw’r awydd i ymosod ar amddiffynfeydd timoedd eraill, ac fe lwyddon nhw. Yn wyneb her serennodd chwaraewyr fel Wyn Jones, Josh Adams, Aaron Wainwright, Josh Navidi a Rhys Patchell. Dangosodd y garfan cryfder meddyliol yn anhebyg i’r ail hanner yn erbyn pwysau ac ansawdd aruthrol Awstralia. Ar ôl buddugoliaeth hanesyddol o 29-25, daeth yr her o wynebu hen elynion yn y gystadleuaeth. Ar ôl gwawdlun 2007, efallai dyma oedd y gêm roedd y mwyafrif ohonom yn ofni’r fwyaf. A phob rheswm, hefyd. Dechreuodd y Fijiaid fel tan wyllt wrth i Tuisova a Murimurivalu groesi, cyn i geisiadau gan Josh Adams adfer yr hanner. Gyda’r gêm yn edrych yn ansicr unwaith eto yn yr ail hanner, dangosodd Cymru’r chwant i frwydro am fuddugoliaeth. Arddangosiad o amynedd amddiffynnol a manylder wrth iddynt ymosod ydoedd gan Gymru. Roedd y perfformiad wedi amlygu gallu’r garfan i fynd yn bell yn y bencampwriaeth. Doedd braidd dim i ddathlu oni bai

am y fuddugoliaeth ei hun yn erbyn Uruguay, gêm ddiflas a wnaeth llesteirio hyder y tîm ydoedd. Perfformiad rhwystredig cyn wynebu’r Ffrancod lletchwith yn y chwarteri! Wrth edrych yn ôl, efallai dyma oedd y trobwynt yn ymgyrch Cymru profodd y gêm yn erbyn Ffrainc i fod yn frwydr sigledig, efo’r cerdyn coch i Vahaamahina yn galluogi buddugoliaeth ansicr ac anesmwyth. Er hyn, dim ond ennill sy’n bwysig yng Nghwpan y Byd. Ar ôl llwyddiant Lloegr y diwrnod cynt, roedd popeth yn ymddangos bod Cymru am fynd i’r rownd derfynol. Er iddynt dangos dewrder a phenderfynoldeb yn erbyn ymosodiad corfforol y Bokke, methodd Cymru. Roedd Cymru yn edrych yn flinedig yn y gêm y drydedd safle, wrth i Seland Newydd ennill o 40-17 yng ngêm olaf Warren Gatland fel hyfforddwr Cymru, Mae’r ymgyrch yma wedi bod yn llwyddiant. Er ei fod yn dal i frifo, bydd yr atgofion o Siapan yn ysbrydoli’r dyfodol.

GWLEIDYDDIAETH

Crys-t ‘Cofiwch Dryweryn’ yn creu dadl Bu rhaid i grys-t Plaid Brexit cael eu newid yn sgîl y dadl

Owain Ap Myrddin Cyfrannydd

u rhywfaint o stwr dros unigolyn yn gwisgo crys-t gyda slogan ‘Cofiwch Dryweryn’ yng nghynulleidfa rhaglen Wales Live ar y BBC, Hydref 27. Roedd y rhifyn yn cael eu ddarlledu’n fyw o Abertawe lle roedd cyfle i’r cyhoedd holi rhai o Aelodau Seneddol ac Aelodau Cynulliad. Ar y panel oedd Tonia Antoniazzi, Layla Moran, Andrew R T Davies, Caroline Jones a Dai Lloyd. Digwyddodd prif ddadl y noson cyn i’r darlledu ddechrau. Ceisiodd rhai aelodau o’r gynulleidfa, a oedd yn cefnogi Brexit, alw ar y BBC i orchymyn crys-t Alex John, sef crys gyda’r slogan adnabyddus ‘Cofiwch Dryweryn’. Roedd dyn yn gwisgo crys Brexit wedi cael ei orchymu i droi ei grys o gwmpas fel nad oedd y logo i’w weld ac felly nad oedd aelodau’r Blaid Brexit yn gweld hyn yn deg. Mae’r slogan yn amlwg er mwyn cofio am bentref Capel Celyn a chafwyd ei foddi er mwyn creu cronfa ddŵr ar gyfer ardal Lerpwl yn 1960. Roedd rhaid i drigolion y pentref symud o’r ardal yn erbyn eu hewyllus ar alwad Cyngor Lerpwl. Dywedodd Alex John wrth golwg 360, ‘Dywedodd y person ar fy mwys y byddai’n gadael y stiwdio pe bai’r BBC yn gofyn i mi guddio’r slogan. Roedd ganddo wedyn gefnogaeth dwy res gyfan o’r gynulleidfa a oedd yn fodlon gadael hefyd. Dyna pryd y dywedodd aelodau o’r Blaid Brexit wrth y person mewn crys-t Plaid Brexit i droi’r crys fel ei fod y ffordd gywir. Achosodd hyn ffrae a thua hanner awr ar ôl ymchwilio i’r

Cofiwch Dryweryn: Bu crin ddadl yn dilyn ymddangosiad y crys-t. Tarddiad: Hefin Owen (drwy Flickr) mater, dywedodd y cynhyrchydd fod fy nghrys-t i yn dderbyniol, ond bod angen [i grys-t y cefnogwr Plaid Brexit] gael ei droi drosodd. Doedden nhw ddim yn hapus, ac roedden nhw’n gweiddi hyd nes dechrau’r ffilmio. Doedden ni ddim yn teimlo bod ‘Cofiwch Dryweryn’ yn ddatganiad gwleidyddol. Mae’n atgoffâd o ddigwyddiad hanesyddol, yn debyg i’r pabïau oedd yn cael eu gwisgo gan y panelwyr a’r cyflwynwyr.’ Dywedodd Cadeirydd Yes Cymru Myfyrwyr Caerdydd, Tomos Topps wrth Taf-od am y mater, ‘Dw i’n meddwl fod yr unigolyn oedd yn gwisgo’r crys ‘Cofi-

wch Dryweryn’ yn berffaith iawn i fod yn ei ddangos ac yn ei wisgo, oherwydd mai cynrychioli atgof oedd y crys-t yn hytrach ‘na plaid gwleidyddol. Nid yw’n tarfu ar reolau di-duedd y BBC. Yn amlwg, i’r rhai a oedd yn cefnogi Plaid Brexit nad oeddent yn hapus, ond efallai eu bod nhw wedi cael eu dal yn y foment ac yn teimlo bod eu rhyddid i farn personol wedi cael ei darddu arno, ond eto, yn amlwg, nid hynny oedd o.’ Nid yw’r crys a wisgwyd gan Alex yn un o ddatganiad gwleidyddol. Sbardun y crys-t oedd yn amlwg, yw boddi Cwm Celyn yn 1960, ond hefyd o ganlyniad i’r

wal ‘Cofiwch Dryweryn’ a chwalwyd ger Aberystwyth dros yr haf. Crëwyd nifer o grysau-t, mygiau a murluniau ar draws Cymru o ganlyniad i chwalfa’r wal, ac mae’r ymgyrch o gofio digwyddiad mor hanesyddol yn parhau nawr. Dywedodd llefarydd ar ran BBC Cymru: ‘Rydym yn ystyried pob achlysur yn unigol, a neithiwr penderfynwyd gofyn i aelodau o’r gynulleidfa guddio crysau-t oedd yn hyrwyddo plaid wleidyddol benodol yn uniongyrchol.’ Tybed a fydd pobl yn gwisgo crysau tebyg i digwyddiadau fel Wales Live yn y dyfodol?

Atilla

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All tickets subject to booking fee. Codir ffi archebu ar bob tocyn. | cardiffboxoffice.com | cardiffstudents.com/boxoffice

For more content, head to gairrhydd.com/politics

GWLEIDYDDIAETH

Student Mental Health Pledge signed by AMs The strategy has been welcomed by the Students’ Union President

Lowri Pitcher Head of Politics Continued from front page. When asked about what more can be done both by the Students’ Union and students themselves to improve mental welbeing among students, Jackie Yip responded: “We fully recognise that there are no quick solutions. We need to keep being present at every level of student life to ensure students know where help is when they need it. The Union prides itself in its community-building initiatives, the volunteering activities we run, sports clubs you can join and all our wonderful societies are here to allow students the opportunity to get out of lectures, their bedrooms and go out to have conversations with people. Having these conversations means this mental health stigma that still exists can be broken.” When Gair Rhydd approached the University to ask what type of mental health services are currently availiable to students, a spokesperson for Cardiff University said the following: “Student Support and Wellbeing provides a range of services to help students make the most of higher education and student life. We recognise our responsibility to promote positive mental health and reduce stigma, and are committed to supporting our students with mental health difficulties. “Consequently, our mental health service provision spans four key areas of support (detailed below) and may include: face to face appointments; peer support; mentoring; opportunities for group-work with other students; telephone or online support; reasonable adjustments; or liaison with external

support services and agencies. Additionally, whilst we are not an emergency service, we do offer some services on a walk-in basis depending on availability and demand.”

Areas of support Mental Health Advisors “Mental Health Advisors work with students who have long term mental health conditions and are defined by the Equality Act as disabled. Their role is to assess the reasonable adjustments that need to be made by the University for these students and support them in accessing their studies. The Mental Health Advisers liaise with NHS services and non-statutory services to support students in accessing appropriate services. The Mental Health Advisers are available via appointments and daily one hour drop-in sessions.” Mental Health Mentor “[The University’s] Mental Health Mentor works with students to develop strategies around managing their mental health when it has a negative impact on their ability to engage with their studies. The aim of mentoring is to enable students to identify how their mental health impacts on their studies and find practical solutions to address these issues. The role of Mental Health Mentors is a recognised Non-Medical Help service and is funded via the Disabled Students Allowances.” Counselling “Counselling is delivered by way of the award-winning Cardiff Model. This is a managed-care approach that requires students to self-refer by completing an online form and outlining the issues that they may like to focus on. Subsequently, students are invited to a 90 minute

Therapeutic Consultation (TC), usually within two to three weeks. The consultation can be face-to-face, or via a variety of telephone or online options. “Following the TC, therapists provide a summary of goals and an agreed follow up date in approximately four weeks. This purposeful gap is to encourage students to try out strategies and draw on inner strengths/resources. Where required, ongoing therapy of up to four sessions then follows. For students with more chronic difficulties, up to ten sessions may be offered.”

Wellbeing “Wellbeing comprises both proactive and reactive methods. The reactive model is a stepped-care approach centering on a strategy-led, least intervention first structure. It spans a range of support including self-help, daily dropins, workshops and 1-2-1 Wellbeing Appointments (WAs). WAs are 45 minutes in length and allocated to appropriate students following self-referral. This

may lead to a series of 30-minute brief counselling sessions, or to any of the other resources outlined. “The proactive element enhances engagement with the whole student community and focuses on key issues such as suicide safety, tackling mental health stigma and addressing violence and abuse on campus. This includes an innovative peer-support programme, alongside extensive partnership-working with the Student Unions’, Academic Schools and external agencies. “To supplement the above services and facilitate a pathway for any mental health concerns to be raised, risk-assessed, prioritised and responded to, we also operate a ‘concerned for a student’ process.” With increasing levels of mental health issues reported among students, the pledge is a step in the right direction. Meanwhile, Cardiff University’s Centre for Student Life, expected to be completed in 2021, will extend the support services available to students.

Cross-party support: The pledge was signed by 59 out of 60 AMs. Source: Jenny Rathbone.

An introduction to local democracy in Cardiff To contact our politics desk, drop us an email at politics@gairrhydd.com

POLITICS

Who are our elected representatives and what do they do?

Aliraza Manji Head of Digital

ith so many political developments happening everyday on a national level, including another general election this December, you would be forgiven for seeing politics as exclusive to Westminster or the respective devolved bodies. With all that in mind, here is an introduction to Local Democracy in Cardiff:

Elections Like AMs, MEPs, and MPs, Councillors are elected by the constituents of a particular ward, which they then represent via telephone calls, regular surgeries and council meetings. However, unlike their elected counterparts in Westminster or the National Assembly for Wales, there can be more than one Councillor elected to a particular ward, for example, Cathays is represented by Cllr Ali Ahmed, Cllr Norma Mackie, Cllr Sarah Merry and Cllr Chris Weaver. These elections take place eve-

Your politics desk Lowri Pitcher Hallum Cowell Tom-Henry Jones Maisie Marston

County Hall: The location of the offices and chambers of Councillors. Source: M J Richardson (via geograph)

ry five years when all residents of Wales take to the polls to elect their local council representatives. The last election took place in May 2017, with the next scheduled to happen in May 2022. Cardiff Council currently has a total of 75 Councillors and the Council has been Labour-led since 2012. Following the re-election of a Labourled council, the current composition stands at 39 Labour, 19 Conservatives, 11 Liberal Democrats, 3 Plaid Cymru, and 2 Independents, with one seat empty awaiting a by-election of a new councillor for the ward of Llanishen which will be contested on Thursday, November 21, 2019. Who and what do my Councillors do? Following their election, all Councillors represent their wards much like MPs represent their constituencies. They strive to advocate on behalf of their communities and make changes that will positively assist the residents of their locality. Some Councillors, however, are chosen by the leader of the Council, currently Councillor Huw Thomas, who is often the leader of the party with the most seats to join the Cabinet. They become the main decision-

making body for the Council and are responsible for passing budgets and policy frameworks. They keep a watchful eye on the services being provided and advocate any policy changes. Other Councillors, specifically from other parties, then go on to form an opposition. The current opposition leader is Cardiff Conservative leader Cllr. Adrian Robson. One Councillor chooses to forego party affiliation and is elected the Lord Mayor of Cardiff, a role which is largely ceremonial and acts as a chairperson to Cardiff Council meetings. The current Lord Mayor of Cardiff is Daniel De’Ath, Gair Rhydd recently spoke to him about his experiences as a Councillor and the first black Mayor of Cardiff. How can you get involved? So, now you know what your Councillors do! If you want to speak to them about issues you’re facing or ideas for improvement in Cardiff, you can find their details on the Cardiff Council website. Residents of Cardiff are welcome to sit in on most meetings, and you can stay tuned to Gair Rhydd for coverage throughout the year, bringing you Cardiff ’s local democracy.

GWLEIDYDDIAETH 11

UK to face its third general election in five years A general election has been confirmed to take place on December 12 Maisie Marston Politics Editor

fter falling short of the 434 votes required to trigger a general election under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011, on Tuesday October 29, Boris Johnson announced legislation to try and revive his election plans. This proposition was put to the House as a ‘One Line Bill’ which only requires a simple majority among MPs passed by a margin of 438 votes to 20. The House of Lords approved the bill last Wednesday, and a five week long campaign period will commence this week. Overall, over 100 Labour MPs either did not take part or abstained while 11 voted against the election. 127 Labour MPs, including Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn, supported the bill to trigger an election. This included Cardiff Central MP, Jo Stevens, who represents many Cardiff University students. Conversely, the MP for Cardiff North, Anna McMorrin, who also represents a number of Cardiff University students voted against triggering an early general election. The upcoming election will take place on December 12 2019; the first December election in the UK since 1923. During the debate leading up to both votes, timing became a particular issue with many pointing out the logistical problems which could arise from holding an election in winter. Holding general elections is a large-scale undertaking; millions of polling cards are distributed, postal votes need to be organised, and venues for polling stations need to be booked. The concern here was that many

of these venues would be booked up for Christmas events. The Association of Electoral Administrators’ Laura Lock told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that “[they] will find polling stations”, but they may not be where people expect them to be. Polling stations may take the form of, for example, garages or caravan awnings. Bad or severe weather conditions have also been mentioned which could have an adverse effect on voter turnout. Studies conducted, such as one from Ghent University in Belgium, have found a connection between voter turnout and the temperature. By analysing the turnout and weather conditions on American elections between 1960 and 2016, researchers at Ghent University found that for every 10-degree centigrade temperature increase, voter turnout increased by 1.4 per cent. Severe weather such as flooding has also concerned MPs, with Tim Farron pointing out that at this time of year, three floods had hit his constituency of Westmorland and Lonsdale. Many familiar faces will be lost when the UK next goes to the polls, with more than 50 incumbents set to stand down. Among them is the Prime Minister’s brother Jo Johnson (Orpington) who said he was “torn between family and national interest,” Father of the House Ken Clarke, former Home Secretary Amber Rudd, and of course internationally famous but politically divisive Speaker John Bercow and his iconic “Order!” Conservative leadership candidate Rory Stewart (Penrith and the Border) is also among those step-

Daniel Priestley Contributor

10 Downing Street: Who will next reside in 10 Downing Street? Source: Vera Kratochvil (via needpix.com)

ping down. After making a name for himself by admitting he had smoked opium and his #RoryWalks social media campaign, Stewart will now try to take Sadiq Khan’s place as Mayor of London. Although the Conservatives will have to handle these losses, others are set to return. On Tuesday Johnson decided to readmit ten of the 21 conservative rebels back into the Conservative Party, who were originally expelled after they backed attempts to pass legislation blocking a no-deal Brexit. The grandson of Sir Winston Churchill, Sir Nicholas Soames, is among those who have been readmitted, along with ex-ministers such as Ed Vaizey and Margot James. The whip has not been restored to politicians including ex-Chancellors of the Exchequer Phillip Hammond and Ken Clarke, and former Justice

Secretary David Gauke. On Wednesday, October 30, Green Party co-leader Jonathan Bartley told the BBC the party was talking to the Liberal Democrats and Plaid Cymru about potentially banding together in an electoral pact to ensure pro-Remain candidates were elected. It is a previously tried and tested method, with mixed results. A ‘progressive alliance’ was discussed prior to the 2017 general election, but parties disputed who should stand down in which constituencies, so ultimately very little was achieved. However, in August both Plaid Cymru and the Greens stepped aside for Jane Dodds, the Liberal Democrat MP, to gain a seat in Brecon and Radnorshire from the Conservatives. An announcement on this potential pact between remain supporting parties is expected imminently.

Some of the faces that will not be in the Commons after Christmas Heidi Allen Party: Liberal Democrats MP for South Cambrigeshire Previous Role: Leader of Change UK

Sir Micheal Fallon Party: Conservative MP for Sevenoaks Previous Role: Former Defence Secretary

Amber Rudd Independent (Conservative 2010-19 MP for Hastings and Rye Previous Role: Secretary for Work and Pensions

Sir Vince Cable Liberal Democrats MP for Twickenham Previous Role: Former Leader of the Liberal Democrats

Justine Greening Party: Independent (Conservative 2005-19) MP for Putney Previous Role: Former Education Secretary

Owen Smith Party: Labour MP for Pontypridd Previous Role: Former Shadow Welsh Secretary

Ann Clwyd Party: Labour MP for Cynon Valley Previous Role: Chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party

Why an election wasn’t called last Monday

David Lidington Party: Conservative MP for Aylesbury Previous Role: Former Deputy Prime Minister

Rory Stewart Party: Independent MP for Penrith and The Border Previous Role: Former Secretary for International Development

n Monday, October 28, three days before the originally planned Brexit deadline of October 31, Prime Minister Boris Johnson lost another vote in Parliament attempting to force a general election. The widely criticised Fixed-term Parliaments Act, brought about by the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government in 2011, requires a two-thirds majority in the House of Commons (434 votes) for an early election to be called. For a multitude of reasons, Boris Johnson only won 299 votes in favour of an election to 70 votes against. For the Scottish National Party and the Liberal Democrats, their argument rested on the desire for an alternative election date - December 90. They believed that the Conservatives would use the extra parliamentary hours to push the Withdrawal Agreement Bill through Parliament without enough time to debate its content. Parliament has already shown a distaste for quick scrutiny of the Withdrawal agrement bill (WAB) and in addition, the DUP’s disapproval of the WAB means it was exceptionally unlikely to pass through the House of Commons and House of Lords on such an accelerated timetable. The Labour Party chose to abstain from last Monday’s vote despite Corbyn declaring to the Labour Conference, just over a month ago, to “Go forward to win an election for the people of this country.” It is well recorded that the Labour leadership distrusts Johnson’s politics and believes that the Conservative Party has inflicted severe harm on the country. However, up until last week, Labour was not supportive of the idea of the UK electorate facing the ballot boxes for the third time in five years. Labour argued that it could not vote in favour of the country going to the polls until there were castiron guarantees that the UK would not leave the EU by default under a nodeal arrangement. They argued that Johnson has used deceptive tactics in the past to subvert the will of Parliament and would not trust him to deliver Brexit in a way that is acceptable to the people of the United Kingdom. In addition, on Monday it was announced that the EU granted another extension to Article 50 and the Government has now agreed that the UK will not leave the EU until January 31. This essentially means that it should be impossible for the UK to leave without a withdrawal agreement over the course of the next three months. In response to the opposition parties’ arguments, the Government declared that it has no intention to bring back the WAB. Shortly after the result, Leader of the House Jacob Rees-Mogg announced that the Government would continue to push for an election which does win the support of MPs. The Government did indeed try to seek an election on Tuesday 29 October through what is known as the ‘One Line Bill’, and that time, it was successful and so on the December 12, 2019 we are going back to the polls.

12 POLITICS In other Anti-government news...

protests spread to nearly every continent

Thousands march and there are clashes in the streets as protests erupt across the globe Hallum Cowell Politics Editor

On October 26, Donald Trump announced that the US military had successfully conducted an attack on the leader of ISIS, Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi. The United States military conducted a raid on a compound in Idlib, northwestern Syria where the ISIS leader eventually detonated a suicide vest killing himself and three children he was using as a human shield.

Brazil’s president Jair Bolsonaro has launched an attack on the country’s mainstream media after a top news broadcaster ran a story implicating him in the murder of a journalist. A report alleged that the men suspected of killing the left-wing journalist Marielle Franco had met at Bolsonaro’s seaside compound while he was away, gaining entry by telling security they were there to see the owner of the house.

rotests are currently underway all over the globe. While some are violent and others peaceful, we seem to be experiencing a wave of unrest this autumn. Below are some explanations of what is going on in a lot of countries outlining the protestors demands and methods, what has led them to unrest and how the governments have responded.

Chile

Chile’s protests began over two weeks ago and have escalated dramatically. The unrest began after the government announced plans to raise the price of metro tickets by 30 pesos (0.4p) which led to student protests and riots. These initial pockets of protests have now grown into country wide anti-government and antiinequality protests and riots. The capital Santiago has been placed under curfew and the army has been deployed to curb the protesters. So far, 17 people have been killed and hundreds injured. The president has announced a series of reforms aimed at appeasing the protestors including increasing the minimum pension and minimum wage.

Iraq Anti-government protests have been continuing in Iraq with protesters demanding more jobs, better public services and an end to corruption. Baghdad has been placed under curfew yet clashes between protestors and police forces show no sign of becoming less violent. In fact, violence is becoming more and more common with up to 18 people shot dead and hundreds wounded by government forces in the holy city of Karbala. The government has been forced to establish “green zones” in the capital where government offices and embassies are located, defended by armed government forces. Protests earlier in the month left 150 dead after Iraqi security forces fought with protestors. This latest wave of riots has left over 45 dead, half of which are reported to have died after storming government buildings and militia headquarters, bringing the death toll in October to 220. Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi has promised reforms, yet those protesting seem intent in removing him and his government. The prime minister, who holds a minority government in parliament is refusing demands from the opposition bloc to hold snap elections.

Hong Kong

Uruguay went to the polls last week to vote in the first round of its presidential election. Daniel Martínez from the centre-left Broad Front coalition won the first round, but fell short of the 50% necessary to win the election outright. He will face election again on November 24, where he will go against Luis Lacalle Pou from the conservative National Party.

Prosecutors in Kosovo have charged six people over the alleged rape of a 16 year old in 2017, sparking a large reaction in the Balkans. The teenager is said to have been abused by her teacher and then by a police officer who was investigating the first incident. The case has provoked large outrage from womens’ rights protesters in the Balkans.

India has formally stripped Kashmir of its autonomous status and split it into two seperate federal territories. The territory has been disputed since the end of British rule in 1947. The Indian Government has used this unrest as justification for their decision.

Anger expressed in clashes: Governments in most countries have been quick to react to protests, as pictured here in Hong Kong. Source: Wikimedia Commons The country branded itself as an “oasis” of political stability in Latin America however this recent unrest has laid siege to this claim. The Chilean president Sebastian Pinera has pulled out of hosting two major diplomatic events that were to be held in the country. The COP25 climate summit, where world leaders will discuss implementing the Paris Climate Accords, was due to be held in early December. The Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum was also due to be held in midNovember but Chile has pulled out of hosting that as well. The president said that the decision had caused him “pain” and that his government had to “prioritise re-establishing public order”.

Protests in Hong Kong have been ongoing for the last few months. Those protesting are angry about what they see as Chinese influence over Hong Kong. Hong Kong acts as an autonomous province of China after the UK returned the territory in 1997 as a lease came to an end. Support for the protestors rose after the Hong Kong government attempted to pass a controversial Extradition Bill where those arrested in Hong Kong could be moved to Chinese courts and therefore be tried under Chinese laws. The government has since dropped the unpopular bill, but unrest continues with sit-ins, rioting and peaceful protests. President Carrie Lam’s government is predicting that the country is now going to enter recession as a result of the protests. It is estimated that visitor numbers are dropping by more than 50% and retail sales plunging by as much as 25% as staff are unable to get to work and shops have to shorten trading hours.

Barcelona

Citizens in Barcelona are campaigning for their independence from Spain as hundreds of thousands take to the streets. Barcelona is seen as the historic capital of the province of Catalonia, an area that has a large independence movement. The referendum ended with the pro-independence vote winning by a landslide (92.01% of the vote) however it was declared against the Spanish constitution and a result, independence was denied. This

The streets: Hundreds of thousands have taken to the streets of Chile. Source: Wikimedia Commons. latest round of protests has been the result of the imprisonment of Catalan independence leaders leading to protests involving 350,000 people.

Lebanon

Lebanese protestors have taken to the streets and have been amassing in Martyrs’ Square in the capital of Beirut. Initially, protesting began after the government attempted to place a tax on WhatsApp calls, a plan which was quickly abandoned ,however, now protesters have focussed their anger on the increasing wealth of the most powerful while the country’s economy declines. It also seems that the protests have crossed religious lines with members of the Christian and Muslim commu-

rector for the International Crisis Group, told the Buenos Aires Times that “We’re talking about unrest that straddles poor countries and wealthier countries, left and right, democracies and authoritarian governments that makes a single explanation incredibly hard to achieve.”

Unrest that straddles poor countries and wealthier countries, left and right, democracies and authoritarian governments. Ivan Briscoe, Latin America Director for the International Crisis Group

Brexit: Protests in the UK are typically about Brexit. Source: Wikimedia Commons nities protesting side by side. The government in response sent riot police to end the protests with tear gas and rubber bullets, leaving many wounded. After two weeks of protests, on October 29 the prime minister offered his resignation saying in a televised announcement, that he had reached a “dead end”.

What is happening?

No one really knows for sure. All these protests are diverse in the issues that spurred them and the content of their demands. Ivan Briscoe, Latin America Di-

It may be possible that there is no link and that this wave of unrest is purely coincidental. The context of these protests differs from continent to continent, in Latin America, economic inequality and vestiges of ideologies gone seem to have spurred resentment between classes while in the Middle East government corruption and inaction have led people to take to the streets. In Europe turbulent economic climates and an increase in nationalism have led to the swelling of independence groups like those in Catalonia. In Hong Kong those people on the streets would argue that they are marching for their freedom from an oppressive government. It seems that overall large cultural and economic rifts have culminated at the same time, bringing years of issues to a head and pushing people to want to fight their governments. There are other protests under way in other countries as well; People’s Vote and pro-Brexit marches are occuring in the UK, protestors in Egypt are being repressed by government action and police are protesting in Haiti to demand better working conditions. For now it seems that the protests show no sign of dissipating and the issues in question may go unresolved for quite a number of weeks if not months to come.

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Your comment desk Sam Tilley Harry Clarke-Ezzidio Kat Smith Nina White Columnist Indigo Jones

The slow demise of Facebook

After the ethics of Facebook were once again put before the US congress, can Facebook survive another controversy? Jonas Jamarik Contributor

t one time, you could hardly find anyone who wasn’t on Facebook, in the last few years though, things have changed. This is in no small part due to the controversies that have surrounded the site since it entered the mainstream. Last week in his testimony before the US Congress, Mark Zuckerberg faced questions about Facebook’s decision to allow political ads without fact-checking their accuracy, causing an outcry. 2015 saw another memorable scandal, when it was revealed that Facebook allowed Cambridge Analytica access to millions of users’ data without their consent, which was then used for political advertisements. But, the controversies didn’t stop there. One concerning fact is that Facebook pays almost no taxes worldwide. Using a scheme of shell companies and evasion tools, the company moves its revenue through foreign tax havens and into offshore accounts. The freely available figures show that in 2012 and 2013 Facebook paid zero tax in the UK, and only about £4,327 in 2014. Earlier this year, the Verge reported on the working conditions of Facebook’s moderators, who review and

filter offensive content. The job consists of prolonged exposure to graphic videos of murder, extremist content and child pornography amongst other gruesome content. This takes a heavy psychological toll on the moderators and has resulted in a lawsuit by a former employee who developed PTSD as a direct result of the content she was exposed to. In 2018, a content moderator suffered a heart attack on the job and later died in the hospital because the office didn’t have a defibrillator.

Not even a scandal as big as the Cambridge Analytica fiasco was enough to dissuade people from using the site In 2017 a news website managed to use Facebook’s advertising algorithms to target ads at people whose interests included facebook-generated categories such as “Jew hater”. Even though these were later removed, how much the company can do about offensive content is still up in the air. In an audio recording leaked by The Verge, Zuckerberg himself said the company is “not going to eliminate it completely.” Offensive content was a factor in the demise of Myspace. The heavily

The end of an era?: After another scandal, Facebook risks suffering the same fate as MySpace. Source: FirmBee (via Pixabay) mediatized investigation by American courts into how the site’s underage users were allegedly exposed to pornography was a blow to its reputation. Myspace was thought of as seedy as opposed to the forward-looking Facebook at the time, which is what partly contributed to the migration of its users to Facebook, leading to Myspace’s eventual fall into obscurity. But Facebook is much more ingrained into the global culture than Myspace ever was, attracting more

people and brands. It’s used by companies for anything from networking, to finding new talent - and the site has almost 3 billion active monthly users. Not even a scandal as big as the Cambridge Analytica fiasco was enough to dissuade people from using the site, it’s hardly possible that any of the other numerous data leaks or offensive content will. Facebook is projected to earn more than 70 billion dollars in revenue this year, and if that’s what the future looks like, it’s likely to stay.

Back with a bang: the return of Bonfire Night Their spectacular displays make us forget the disastrous impact that fireworks can have on us and our families

Molly Sedgemore Contributor

ith Bonfire Night looming, the old nursery rhyme “Remember, remember the fifth of November…” lingers faintly in old, fond memories. As a child, there was no better feeling than heading off into the darkness and watching the sky become animated with sparkling fireworks. Bonfire Night was the one evening when it didn’t matter if it was a school night or there was homework due the next day, my parents would wrap me up warm and off we’d venture. Year on year, I remember the frosty evenings and sense of community as everyone would gather to spectate the night sky. It was a magical time filled with light and laughter but as with many things in life, as you grow up, the magic begins to fade. What I’m faced with as an adult is not the glimmering night sky I once saw as a child but the reality that there are risks and repercussions behind such an inviting display. In an interview with The Independent, Ben Mccabe, an 11 year old from North Lancashire, recounts his traumatic experience when a firework from a neighbourhood display set his shirt on fire resulting in third degree burns. Ben was just 4 years old when the stray firework changed his entire outlook towards an event that

should have been filled with the same magic I and other children experienced. However it seems this simply isn’t the case for many children in the UK. According to the Child Accident Prevention Trust, over 500 children under the age of 16 are taken to A&E in the four weeks surrounding Bonfire Night, with injuries predominantly being to the hands, eyes and face. Could it be that amongst the spectacular displays we forget the disastrous impact that fireworks can have on us and our families? Let us also not forget that our families are not just limited to the humans of the household but to the estimated 51 million pets owned in the UK. According to the most recent figures from the RSPCA, around 62% of dogs and 54% of cats show signs of distress during fireworks. It’s also not just our household pets that are suffering, farm animals are easily startled and often injure themselves. The British Horse Society reported 20 deaths and 98 injuries to

What I’m faced with as an adult is not the glimmering night sky I once saw as a child but the reality that there are risks and repercussions behind such an inviting display

According to the most recent figures from the RSPCA, around 62% of dogs and 54% of cats show signs of distress during fireworks. horses since 2010. Wild animals are at greater risk still, with birds abandoning their colonies, and animals such as hedgehogs risk being burnt alive after building their homes in bonfires.

It seems there is a harsh reality that accompanies this fun-filled tradition. When the light fades and we all go home there are many left behind to suffer the effects of fireworks. With the RSPCA declaring 85% of the UK population are calling for public firework displays to be licensed, perhaps it is time we consider stricter licensing laws to protect the ones around us. As enticing as Bonfire Night may be, safety should be the priority on these evenings as they have the potential to be life-changing for some.

A very real danger: Many underestimate the potential risks of Bonfire Night. Source: Editor5807 (via Wikipedia)

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Equal marriage for Northern Ireland Legislation has recently been passed which legalises same-sex marriages in NI

Harry Clarke-Ezzidio

Comment Editor

he passing of laws paving the way for same sex couples to marry in Northern Ireland has allowed couples across the nation to celebrate their love and tie the knot. However, for a country deeply rooted in religion, the passing of the law legalising abortion and gay marriage has triggered a mixed reaction. But for many – who never thought this day would come – it is cause for celebration. MPs in Westminster voted through the legislation, with the legislation taking effect after October 21 as a devolved government was yet to reform. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) tried to take measures to try and challenge the new law passing, but their attempts were in vein. The first same-sex weddings are set to take place in January 2020. With so many places around the world having legalised same-sex marriage for a few years, some may question why Northern Ireland has waited so long to give samesex couples equal rights. The answer lies in the countries deep religious roots - their conservative views combined with their everlasting influence drastically slowed down the passing of laws benefitting the LGBTQ+ commu-

nity. Officially, the main churches in Northern Ireland define marriage as between a man and woman – firmly against the stance the rest of the UK has towards gay marriage. How deeply ingrained religion is with life in Northern Ireland cannot be understated, it formed the foundation of society in Northern Ireland, and shows no signs of waning. With the church still holding a massive influence on society and politics, it’s no surprise that change took a bit longer than expected.

With the church still holding a massive influence on society and politics, it’s no surprise that change took a bit longer than expected. Overall, the reaction was quite mixed – many from the LGBTQ+ community were obviously delighted at the news. Love Equality Ni, an umbrella group that campaigned for marriage equality tweeted; “Thank you to everyone who has told their stories to help us reach this milestone.” Advocacy group Stonewall described the passing of the law as “a historic moment.” 20-year-old Jamie Kennedy, told “we tend to have a bad

Should humanities/arts subjects pay less tuition fees than science based subjects? To begin, my politics degree costs £9250 a year, for six and a half hours of contact time a week, mainly consisting of someone reading a powerpoint and expanding on it in a dated lecture room. It isn’t obvious where much of my tuition fee goes, I would bet on it leaving the faculty. Comparatively, my brother does mechanical engineering at Cardiff and does 20+ hours a week in a newly kitted out

As a politics student, I feel aggrieved seeing how much more some other courses offer in comparison to my own.

Getting your money’s worth?: Many students feel as though they are paying too much for the little that they recieve. Source: Stan Zurek (via Wikipedia)

After former EastEnders actress Katie Jarvis was “jobshamed“ in some newspapers for working as a security guard, Yi Lam Tang takes a look at whether job-related stigma continues to exist.

G The fight is finished: Same-sex couples across Northern Ireland will be able to marry from next year Source: CEphoto (via Wikipedia) reputation for being ‘stuck in the dark ages’ when it comes to equality and rights but we’ve now shown we value our LGBTQ community as equals.” Inevitably, there has been some pushback to the passing of the law. DUP leader Arlene Foster told Reuters: “I know some people will seek to celebrate and I would say to those people, think of us who are sad today and who believe this is an affront to human dignity.” Foster’s melodramatic sentiment has been echoed by some. Just when you thought democracy already threw a few

crazy wildcards into the mix former DUP minister Jim Wells called for a referendum to be held on same-sex marriage and abortion – despite the fact that legislation on both has already passed. Truly baffling times we live in. The passing of the law has meant a great deal to a lot of people, and hopefully, Northern Ireland really and truly are out of the ‘dark ages’. Love is love, and honestly, it’s a shame that it’s taken as long as it has to pass – but thankfully everyone is able to equally celebrate their love through marriage.

Why humanities and arts students need to get more value for money engineering block with the latest high-tech equipment. He also pays £9250 a year. So what are the options? There are really three ways of looking at this. The status quo. It works, I and many others signed up to do a humanities degree knowing it wouldn’t

Are some jobs viewed as ‘beneath’ others?

Yi Lam Tang Contributor

Is the price right for all students?

Oli King Contributor

be as full on as other courses. Why lower the cost of courses if people are already filling out the available spaces at £9250? The cost reflective. STEM students would pay considerably more due to the extra contact hours and equipment, based only on the cost of the course to the university per student. Your degree would then be directly reflective of what it costs to run. The free market. Uncapped tuition fees - universities could set their own price so science degrees would undoubtedly be more expensive than humanities degrees. Engineering the prices interferes with the market, and makes science based degrees significantly cheaper than the cost it is to run them, whilst overcharging for humanities. Letting universities decide their own fees means competitive prices based on the cost of running and the demand, with the hope of finding a balance. Which is the correct option? The last one would be a lose-lose situation, with fees potentially rising massively, in line with U.S. universities. The status quo means everyone knows what they are paying for university and since almost everyone has that same loan to cover it, we can all leave university with the spectre of £27,750 of tuition fee debt over our heads. It is honestly hard to justify or even come up with a positive note.

As a politics student, I feel aggrieved seeing how much more some other courses offer in comparison to my own, and, in my opinion, a cost reflective system is the best choice.

The status quo means everyone knows what they are paying for university and since almost everyone has that same loan to cover it, we can all leave university with the spectre of £27,750 of tuition fee debt over our heads. If the average student still pays around £9250 a year, but the really heavy courses are a few thousand more and the light ones are a few less, the university won’t lose funding and the students can know they are paying for what they actually get. Suddenly the complaint that courses aren’t offering enough isn’t valid, and ‘course envy’ would dwindle. Universities might even compete to lower costs and offer affordable degrees, as the price of attending would vary between universities and create a market for places. It is fair, it may drive down costs and it makes the less intensive degrees seem more worthwhile.

rowing up as a kid, we all have dreams and fantasies for our future, especially our careers. Teachers, astronauts, nurses, etc. no matter how ambitious our aspirations are, the reality could be cruel to you. Some end up with their dream jobs, others might work a 9-to-5 day, some might even have to work in a role that is viewed as being ‘beneath others’. Traditionally, people who work in manual labour have been viewed as ‘underdogs’ by society as their job demands their physical strength rather than their brain power; for example, jobs like cleaners, security guards, drivers, etc. Those jobs are often viewed as inferior, as labourers with limited educational qualifications are accepted and are willing to work in challenging conditions even when they are poorly paid. Under the knowledge-based economy, people with a higher educational level are more desirable. The importance of industrial and physical works appears to be neglected by the mainstream of society. However, it is unfair for them to be looked down upon because of their job titles. First of all, no matter what job someone has, we are all human and should be respected. It is the basic courtesy one should have, and it would be ironic if an educated fellow could not use their basic manners to respect and not criticise others because of the nature of their job. Besides, a lot of discrimination is based on false assumptions and misunderstandings. People with an ‘inferior’ job are not necessarily poorly skilled or educated. A lot of them require licenses and passing tough exams, such as security guards, drivers and mechanical labourers among others. They might not be educated in a scholastic way, but their skills regarding their expertise are imperative to keep society in order. It is also common for university students to deliver food as a part-time job. It is a false assumption that manual labourers are poorly educated, for example, students who deliver food in their spare time as a flexible, simple part-time job that perfectly fits their schedules, a retired professor who drives an Uber to meet new people and keep their life exciting, or a personal trainer working as a security guard just for the extra bit of income. There are a lot of factors leading them to do a manual job, and we should never underestimate one’s quality with their title. My point is, just because someone does manual labour, it doesn’t mean that person is uneducated. They chose their job because they believe they are capable, it doesn’t necessarily mean it is the only thing they are capable of. As long as they are suitable for the role and complete their work to a good standard, they should be respected and appreciated, no matter what nature of their job is. Everyone is contributing as long as they work hard - there is no one job that is more important than others.

AUTUMN ELECTIONS CANDIDATE MANIFESTOS

MAKE YOUR CHOICE

ETHOLIADAUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;R HYDREF MANIFFESTOS YMGEISWYR

GWNEWCH EICH DEWIS

MANIFESTO 2019

ELECTIONS EXPLAINED Your Students’ Union holds elections in order to allow you to choose your student leaders for this academic year. They are your voice and act as your representatives in the Union, University, and wider community, fighting for you on an institutional, local, and national level. Candidates produce manifestos that contain the ideas and principles of their campaigns. Ask yourself if they display the priorities as well as the key creative and communication skills that you would like to see in someone who is representing you and your needs.

What positions are available? We will be electing students for the following positions: NUS DELEGATES (UK & WALES): Delegates are responsible for voting on NUS policy and within the elections of the NUS full-time officers on behalf of Cardiff University students. STUDENT SENATORS: Students who create and vote on policy to make the student experience at Cardiff University better. SCRUTINY COMMITTEE: Students who will ask questions of the officers (full and part time) about their objectives and progress. LGBT+ OFFICER (WOMEN'S) This part-time Officer position will be taken up for the rest of the academic year (2019/2020), and is carried out alongside their studies.

WHY VOTE? Simply put: As a student or postgraduate researcher at Cardiff University you will be affected by the decisions made by those elected in this election. By voting, you have the opportunity to vote for the things that you want developed and improved in both the University and the Union. Every single student at Cardiff university is entitled and encouraged to vote in the students’ union elections. It doesn’t matter if you are a home or international student, full-time or part-time student, an undergraduate or postgraduate taught student or a postgraduate researcher. As George Jean Nathan famously said: 'Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote'.

TRANSFERABLE VOTING Transferable voting is a system which allows voters to list the candidates in order of preference. The successful candidate will need more than 50% of the total number of votes in order to win. The candidate with the lowest number of votes is eliminated and their votes transferred. If you don’t believe any of the candidates standing for a position have the qualities you feel are valuable, or you do not agree with their manifesto, you can vote R.O.N. which stands for 're-open nominations'. For roles with multiple positions those who do not receive more votes than R.O.N will not be elected.

MANIFESTO 2019

ESBONIO'R ETHOLIADAU Mae eich Undeb y Myfyrwyr yn cynnal etholiadau er mwyn eich galluogi i ddewis eich arweinwyr ar gyfer y flwyddyn academaidd hon. Nhw yw eich llais a byddant yn gweithredu fel eich cynrychiolwyr yn yr Undeb, y Brifysgol a’r gymuned yn ehangach, yn brwydro ar eich rhan ar lefel sefydliadol, lleol a chenedlaethol. Mae ymgeiswyr yn cynhyrchu maniffestos sy’n cynnwys syniadau ac egwyddorion eu hymgyrchoedd. Holwch eich hun os ydynt yn dangos y blaenoriaethau yn ogystal a'r sgiliau creadigol a chyfathrebu allweddol yr hoffech chi eu gweld mewn rhywun sy’n eich cynrychioli chi a’ch anghenion.

Pa swyddi sydd ar gael? Byddwn yn ethol myfrywyr ar gyfer y swyddi canlynol: CYNRYCHIOLWYR UCM (DU A CHYMRU): Mae cynrychiolwyr yn gyfrifol am bleidleisio ar bolisi UCM ac o fewn etholiadau swyddogion llawn amser UCM ar ran myfyrwyr Prifysgol Caerdydd. SENEDD MYFYRWYR: Myfyrwyr sy'n creu ac yn pleidleisio ar bolisi i wella profiad y myfyrwyr ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd. PWYLLGOR CRAFFU: Myfyrwyr a fydd yn holi cwestiynau i’r swyddogion (llawn amser a rhan amser) am eu nodau a’u cynnydd. SWYDDOG LGBT+ (MERCHED) Ymgymerir â'r swydd Swyddog rhan amser hon am weddill y flwyddyn academaidd hon (2019/2020) bydd yr unigolyn yn ymgymryd â'r rôl gyfochr â'u hastudiaethau.

PAM PLEIDLEISIO? Yn syml: Fel myfyriwr neu ymchwilydd ôl-raddedig ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd, cewch eich effeithio gan y penderfyniadau a wneir gan y rheini a etholir yn yr etholiad hwn. Drwy bleidleisio, mae gennych y cyfle i bleidleisio am y pethau rydych chi eisiau eu datblygu a’u gwella yn y Brifysgol a’r Undeb. Mae gan bob myfyriwr ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd yr hawl i bleidleisio yn etholiadau Undeb y Myfyrwyr. Nid oes ots os ydych chi'n fyfyriwr cartref neu fyfyriwr rhyngwladol, yn astudio'n llawn-amser neu rhan amser, yn fyfyriwr is-raddedig neu ôl-raddedig ymchwil neu a addysgir. Fel y dywedodd George Jean Nathan: 'Caiff swyddogion gwael eu hethol gan ddinasyddion da sydd ddim yn pleidleisio'.

PLEIDLEISIAU SY’N TROSGLWYDDO Mae’r system o bleidleisiau sy’n trosglwyddo’n caniatáu i bleidleiswyr restru’r ymgeiswyr yn ôl eu hoffter ohonynt. Bydd yr ymgeisydd llwyddiannus angen mwy na 50% o’r cyfanswm o bleidleisiau er mwyn ennill. Bydd yr ymgeisydd gyda’r nifer lleiaf o bleidleisiau yn cael eu gwaredu a’u pleidleisiau’n cael eu trosglwyddo. Os ydych o’r farn nad oes gan unrhyw un o’r ymgeiswyr ar gyfer y swydd y nodweddion angenrheidiol, neu os ydych yn anghytuno a’u maniffesto, gallwch bleidleisio dros A.A.E. sef Ail Agor Enwebiadau. Ar gyfer rolau gyda swyddi lluosog, ni fydd y rhai nad ydynt yn derbyn mwy o bleidleisiau na A.A.E yn cael eu hethol.

MANIFESTO 2019

LGBT+ OFFICER (WOMEN’S) SWYDDOG LGBT+ (MERCHED)

TILLY PERKINS Hello! I'm Tilly and I'm in my second year of pre-registration mental health nursing. As your Officer I will offer a broad and unbiased perspective on our issues both on campus and on the outside. I want to ensure that we all have our needs met. My aim is to bring both LGBTQ+ and women's issues to the forefront. I care immensely for mental health and wellbeing and pledge to offer support and advice to everyone in need regardless of labels. I want to ensure that we are all included, unafraid and feel welcomed here at Cardiff University. Helo! Tilly ydw i ac rydw i yn fy ail flwyddyn yn astudio nyrsio iechyd meddwl cyngofrestredig. Fel eich Swyddog byddaf yn cynnig safbwynt eang a diduedd ar eich materion ar y campws a thu hwnt. Rydw i eisiau sicrhau bod ein gofynion ni gyd yn cael eu hateb. Fy nod yw gwneud materion LGBTQ+ a materion merched yn flaenoriaeth. Mae iechyd meddwl a lles o bwys mawr i mi ac rydw i’n addo i gynnig cefnogaeth a chyngor i bawb sydd mewn angen dim bwys am labeli. Rydw i eisiau sicrhau ein bod ni gyd yn eofn, yn cael ein cynnwys, ac yn teimlo fel y cawn ein croesawu yma ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd.

The LGBT+ Officer (Women's) role is to represent Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Plus students' interests and to campaign on any relevant issues. Rôl y Swyddog LHDT+ (Merched) yw cynrychioli buddiannau myfyrwyr Lesbiaidd, Hoyw, Ddeurywiol, Traws a Phlws ac i ymgyrchu ar faterion perthnasol.

JINCONG CHEN No Manifesto Submitted Heb gyflwyno maniffesto

LGBT+ OFFICER (WOMEN’S)

MANIFESTO 2019

SWYDDOG LGBT+ (MERCHED)

ROSE BAKER

REBECCA FISHER-JACKSON

My pronouns are she/her I study Journalism, Communications and Politics, and as an LGBT woman I want to be your LGBT+ Women's Officer! Points!: 1. Increase awareness and acceptance of bisexual and pansexual women through celebration days and share your stories posts. 2. Encourage committee members to wear pronoun labels when meeting with members. 3. Encourage societies to have an LGBT+ social. 4. Introduce campaigns to help more societies support LGBT+ charities for their fundraising. I have felt supported since I came out last year. Vote for me so other LGBT+ women can feel appreciated too. Read my extended manifesto! https://tinyurl.com/y6435btb #StarBaker

Shwmae/Hello! Over my two years on the CU Pride committee, I’ve gained first-hand experience with many issues the LGBT+ community face. If elected, I’d: Liaise with the university on providing further specialised LGBT+ mental health services Explore a staff pro-noun badge scheme throughout campuses, to facilitate the normalisation of non-cis-gendered pronouns Lobby to install the promised gender neutral bathrooms (that don’t require a radar key/aren’t disabled access) in accordance with Objective 4 of the ‘Cardiff University Strategic Equality Plan, 2016-2020’ Emphasise the importance of representing every letter within the ‘Stand with LGBT+’ campaign Vote #RebsForRep!

Fy rhagenwau yw hi/ei Rydw i’n astudio Newyddiaduraeth, Cyfathrebu a Gwleidyddiaeth, a fel merch LGBT rydw i eisiau bod yn Swyddog LGBT+ Merched! Pwyntiau!: 1. Cynyddu ymwybyddiaeth a derbyniad merched ddeurywiol a phanrywiol drwy ddiwrnodau dathlu a rhannu yn hyn rydych yn ei bostio ar eich storïau. 2. Annog aelodau pwyllgor i wisgo labeli rhagenwau pan yn cyfarfod ag aelodau. 3. Annog cymdeithasau i gael digwyddiadau cymdeithasol LGBT+. 4. Cyflwyno ymgyrchoedd i helpu mwy o gymdeithasau i gefnogi elusennau LGBT+ ar gyfer codi arian. Ers i mi ddod allan y llynedd, rydw wedi teimlo fel fy mod yn cael fy nghefnogi. Pleidleisiwch drosof fel y gall ferched LGBT+ eraill deimlo fel y cânt eu gwerthfawrogi hefyd. Darllenwch fy maniffesto estynedig! https://tinyurl.com/y6435btb #StarBaker

Shwmae! Yn ystod fy nghyfnod o ddwy flynedd ar bwyllgor Pride PC, rydw i wedi cael profiad uniongyrchol gyda sawl problem y mae’r gymuned LGBT+ yn ei hwynebu. Os caf fy ethol, byddaf yn: Cysylltu a’r brifysgol ar ddarparu mwy o wasanaethau iechyd meddwl LGBT+ arbenigol Ymchwilio i mewn i gynllun bathodynnau rhagenwau dros yr holl gampws, i hybu normaleiddio rhagenwau di-rywedd Lobio i fewnosod y toiledau niwtral o ran rhyw (lle does dim angen allwedd radar/ddim yn rhai anabl) a addawyd i gyd fynd a Amcan 4 ‘Cynllun Strategol Cydraddoldeb Prifysgol Caerdydd, 2016-2020’ Pwysleisio pwysigrwydd cynrychioli pob llythyren o fewn ymgyrch ‘Sefyll gyda LGBT+’ Pleidleisiwch #RebsForRep!

MANIFESTO 2019

NUS NATIONAL DELEGATE CYNRYCHIOLWYR I GYNHADLEDD GENEDLAETHOL UCM

NUS delegates represent the views of Cardiff University Students at NUS National Conference, the annual policy making body of the National Union of Students. Cardiff University Students’ Union is currently a member on the NUS and therefore entitled to send nine delegates to attend the conference. Mae cynrychiolwyr UCM yn adlewyrchu barn myfyrwyr Prifysgol Caerdydd yng Nghynhadledd Genedlaethol UCM, sef corff llunio polisi blynyddol Undeb Cenedlaethol y Myfyrwyr. Mae Undeb Myfyrwyr Prifysgol Caerdydd ar hyn o bryd yn aelod o UCM, felly mae’n gymwys i anfon naw cynrychiolydd i fynychu’r gynhadledd.

ZHONGZHI LI I am a national student who comes from China. I would like to take this responsibility and do something not only for my classmates but also for the other Chinese students. As all the people know, Chinese students have accounted for a higher proportion of the school of geography and planning. Therefore, I think it is a good opportunity for me to undertake that. I trust I can do this job better. I will very appreciate your votes. Thanks! Rydw i’n fyfyriwr rhyngwladol o Tsieina. Hoffwn ymgymryd a’r cyfrifoldeb hwn a gwneud rhywbeth nid yn unig ar gyfer fy ffrindiau ar fy nghwrs ond hefyd i’r myfyrwyr Tsieineaidd. Fel mae pawb yn ymwybodol, mae myfyrwyr Tsieineaidd yn gyfrifol am gyfradd uwch o’r Ysgol Ddaearyddiaeth a Chynllunio. Felly, rydw i’n credu bod hwn yn gyfle da i mi ymgymryd â hynny. Gwyddaf y gallaf wneud y swydd hon yn well. Byddaf yn gwerthfawrogi eich pleidleisiau. Diolch!

YIMING ZUO Hi! I am YiMing Zuo. NUS UK is the abbreviation of the national student union which supports the students to a large scale. I stand for this positional cause I think I have the strong ability to interact with students from all kinds of majors and regions. I want to help my peers because I am also a student. I'll be happy to listen to what you demand and answer a series of your questions. Haia! YiMing Zuo ydw i. Mae UCM DU yn dalfyriad ar gyfer Undeb Myfyrwyr Cenedlaethol y DU, mudiad sy’n cefnogi y myfyrwyr ar raddfa fawr. Rydw i’n ymgeisio am y rôl hon achos fy mod yn credu fod gen i allu gref i ryngweithio gyda myfyrwyr o bob math o gyrsiau ac ardaloedd. Rydw i eisiau helpu fy nghyfoedion oherwydd rydw i hefyd yn fyfyriwr. Byddaf yn hapus i wrando ar beth rydych chi yn ei hawlio ac i ateb eich cwestiynau.

NUS NATIONAL DELEGATE

MANIFESTO 2019

CYNRYCHIOLWYR I GYNHADLEDD GENEDLAETHOL UCM

TOM EVANS

ORLA TARN

Hello, I'm Tom your VP Education, and I’m running to be your NUS National delegate! In my role, I represent the academic interests of every Cardiff Student and so far this year I have already succeeded in increasing SU engagement for international students; my next goal is to ensure that all students can access the same opportunities and support, regardless of academic school. You should vote for me because I am unafraid to speak up for students, a confident public speaker, and I have a unique insight and a dedication to representing every facet of our student community on a national level!

Hi! I’m Orla and in my role as your VP Societies and Volunteering so far, I have spent most of my time working to ensure that our student groups work for ALL students, with Widening Participation and wellbeing at the heart of everything I do. We pay A LOT to affiliate with the NUS; as a delegate, I would scale-up my current experience by striving to ensure that we get our moneys’ worth, i.e. that the NUS works in the best interests of EVERY student at Cardiff University. #OrlOrNothing

Helo, Tom ydw i eich IL Addysg, ac rydw i’n ymgeisio i fod yn gynrychiolydd UCM Cenedlaethol arnoch chi! Yn fy rôl, rydw i’n cynrychioli buddiannau academaidd bob myfyriwr yng Nghaerdydd a hyd yn hyn eleni rydw i wedi llwyddo i gynyddu ymgysylltiad yr Undeb gyda myfyrwyr rhyngwladol; fy ngôl nesaf yw i sicrhau bod bob ysgol yn gallu cyrchu yr un cyfleoedd a chefnogaeth, dim bwys pa ysgol academaidd yr ydynt yn perthyn iddi. Dylech bleidleisio drosof i oherwydd does gen i ddim ofn i gynrychioli myfyrwyr, rydw i’n siaradwr cyhoeddus hyderus, ac mae gen i fewnwelediad unigryw ac ymrwymiad i gynrychioli bob agwedd o’n cymuned myfyrwyr ar lefel genedlaethol!

SYED WAQAR Hi everyone, My name is Syed Waqar; I am a third year Politics and IR student. I am standing for Student Senate, Scrutiny Committee and NUS Delegation(UK and Wales). The work of change can be bone-tiringly difficult. And there are no roadmaps, just a few newly worn paths in some places, wide open fields of possibility in others. With this understanding, I want to make sure that everyone feels represented, create an inclusive student union, and help make Cardiff a better place to study and engage in debate. Listening to voices unheard, and recognizing potential where others see despair. Helo bawb, fy enw i y Syed Waqar; rydw i’n fy nhrydedd blwyddyn yn astudio Gwleidyddiaeth a Chysylltiadau Rhyngwladol. Rydw i’n gweithio dros Senedd Myfyrwyr, Pwyllgor Craffu a Chynrychiolwr UCM (DU a Chymru). Gall y dasg o newid pethau fod yn hynod o anodd. Does dim ffyrdd amlwg, efallai bod rhai wedi dechrau troedio i rai mannau, ac mae caeau agored yn llawn posibiliadau mewn mannau eraill. Gyda’r ddealltwriaeth hon, rydw i eisiau gwneud yn siwr bod pawb yn cael eu cynrychioli, ein bod yn creu undeb myfyrwyr gynhwysol, ac yn helpu gwneud Caerdydd yn le gwell i astudio a mynd i’r afael â dadleuon. Gwrando ar leisiau nas clywir a chydnabod potensial lle mae eraill yn gweld anobaith.

Haia! Orla ydw i, a hyd yn hyn, yn fy rôl fel eich IL Cymdeithasau a Gwirfoddoli, rydw i wedi treulio mwyafrif fy amser yn gweithio i sicrhau bod ein grwpiau myfyrwyr yn gweithio i BOB myfyriwr, gyda Ehangu Cyfranogiad a lles wrth galon popeth rydw i’n ei wneud. Rydyn ni’n talu LLAWER o arian i gael ymlyniad i UCM; a fel cynrychiolydd, buaswn yn cynyddu fy mhrofiad presennol drwy ymdrechu i sicrhau ein bod yn cael gwerth am arian, hynny yw, bod yr UCM yn gweithio er budd POB myfyriwr ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd. #OrlOrNothing

NUS NATIONAL DELEGATE

MANIFESTO 2019

CYNRYCHIOLWYR I GYNHADLEDD GENEDLAETHOL UCM

NICHOLAS FOX

JEEVAN KAUR

Shwmae I’m Nick your current VP Postgraduate! I’m running for the NUS UK delegate position to ensure the voice of Cardiff students is listened to on a national level. Historically, NUS has successfully lobbied for the introduction of student railcards; pushed government to introduce postgraduate-taught loans; and secured Council Tax exemption for full-time students. I want to see NUS championing the student voice in Westminster now more than ever, from fighting to protect the Erasmus+ scheme, to keeping the student mental health crisis firmly on the governments’ agenda. If you agree, then for Fox sake vote Nick Fox for Delegate.

Hi I'm Jeevan! I am studying Journalism, Media, and English. I am a proactive member of the student body and want to do more to tackle issues impacting you. I am supportive and committed to championing further awareness campaigns aimed at improving University experiences and prospects in the future. I would focus on greater awareness of inclusive practices and concentrate on strengthening a diverse sense of community across campus. I helped students voicing their comments as a Student Rep and Student Mentor, which enhanced my ability to effectively communicate pressing concerns and reach resolutions. Your voice matters!

Shwmae Nick ydw i eich IL Ôl-raddedig presennol! Rydw i’n ymgeisio i fod yn gynrychiolydd UCM DU i sicrhau bod llais myfyrwyr Caerdydd yn cael ei glywed ar lefel genedlaethol. Yn y gorffennol, mae UCM wedi lobio’n llwyddiannus i gyflwyno cardiau rheilffordd i fyfyrwyr; gwthio’r llywodraeth i gyflwyno benthyciadau i ôl-raddedigion a addysgir; a sicrhau eithriadau Treth Cyngor i fyfyrwyr llawn-amser. Rydw i eisiau gweld UCM yn cefnogi llais y myfyrwyr yn San Steffan nawr yn fwy nag erioed, o ymladd i ddiogelu cynllun Erasmus+, i gadw yr argyfwng iechyd meddwl myfyrwyr ar agenda’r llywodraeth. Os ydych yn cytuno, pleidleisiwch Fox i fod yn Gynrychiolydd.

LIAM POWELL I am a new student to Cardiff starting my master's. I am however not new to student politics, I have been a sabbatical officer. We need a union that stands up for those students who have suffered prejudice and oppression. We all know how terrible TOTUM is, we need to be lobbying NUS to cut ties with a company that promotes lad culture. It's time during this rise of racism and populism with Brexit we do all we can to protect our European students, BAME students, LGBT+ students and our Trans students. Rydw i’n fyfyriwr newydd yng Nghaerdydd ac yn ddechrau fy ngradd meistr. Fodd bynnag dydw i ddim yn newydd i wleidyddiaeth myfyrwyr, rydw i wedi bod yn swyddog sabothol. Mae angen undeb arnom ni sy’n sefyll dros y myfyrwyr hynny sydd wedi dioddef rhagfarn a gorthrwm. Rydyn ni gyd yn ymwybodol pa mor ofnadwy yw TOTUM, ac mae angen i ni lobio UCM i dorri eu hymrwymiad gyda chwmni sy’n hyrwyddo diwylliant ‘lad’. Yn ystod twf hiliaeth a phoblyddiaeth gyda Brexit, mae’n amser i ni wneud popeth yn ein gallu i ddiogelu ein myfyrwyr Ewropeaidd, myfyrwyr BME, myfyrwyr LGBT+ ac ein myfyrwyr traws.

Helo Jeevan ydw i! Rydw i’n astudio Newyddiaduraeth, y Cyfryngau a Saesneg. Rydw i’n aelod rhagweithiol o gorff y myfyrwyr ac eisiau gwneud mwy i fynd i’r afael â materion sy’n eich effeithio chi. Rydw i’n gefnogol o, ac wedi fy ymrwymo at gefnogi mwy o ymgyrchoedd ymwybyddiaeth wedi eu hanelu tuag at wella profiadau a rhagolygon y Brifysgol yn y dyfodol. Buaswn yn ffocysu ar ymwybyddiaeth ehangach o amgylch ymarferion cynhwysol a chanolbwyntio ar greu ymdeimlad o gymuned amrywiol gref ar draws y campws. Cynorthwyais fyfyrwyr i leisio eu sylwadau fel Cynrychiolydd Myfyrwyr a Mentor Myfyrwyr, ehangodd hyn fy ngallu i gyfathrebu pryderon enbyd yn effeithiol a datrys problemau. Mae eich llais yn bwysig!

JANET WILLIAMS I believe passionately in the rights of all students and that this should be conveyed at a national level! I am 2019-20 NUS UK Representative Part -Time students and NUS Women’s Carers Representative. I need you to vote for me so I can vote in Conference. I want to do more to work on campaigns in relation to student life. I kept my promise last year-presented a motion on Student Rail Cards and it passed. If I am elected, I will listen to ideas that have enough support and take them forward to conference. Let me represent you! #yeswejan Rydw i’n credu’n angerddol mewn hawliau bob myfyriwr ac y dylai hyn gael ei gyfleu ar lefel cenedlaethol! Fi yw Cynrychiolydd Myfyrwyr Rhan Amser UCM DU a Chynrychiolydd Gofalwyr Benywaidd UCM 2019-20. Rydw i angen i chi bleidleisio drosof fel y gallaf bleidleisio yn y Gynhadledd. Rydw i eisiau gwneud fwy o waith ar ymgyrchoedd mewn perthynas â bywyd myfyrwyr. Fe gadwais at fy addewid llynedd i gyflwyno cynnig ar Gardiau Rheilffyrdd i Fyfyrwyr ac fe basiodd. Os caf fy ethol, byddaf yn gwrando ar syniadau sydd â digon o gefnogaeth a’u cyflwyno i’r gynhadledd. Gadewch i mi eich cynrychioli chi! #yeswejan

NUS NATIONAL DELEGATE

MANIFESTO 2019

CYNRYCHIOLWYR I GYNHADLEDD GENEDLAETHOL UCM

JAMES WAREHAM

JACKIE YIP

As your Vice-President Welfare, I fight to improve your student experience every day - it’s time to take that to the next level and fight for your rights nationally. With the student mental health crisis, climate emergency and the sorry state of university economies, we must come together to fight for change. My priorities, amongst other things, will include: HOUSING QUALITY – Mandating the NUS to lobby for improvements MENTAL HEALTH – Securing funding, campaigns, and overall prioritisation CLIMATE – Calling for national action on Climate Emergency BREXIT – Preparing for whatever happens PLUS anything else important to you!

Shwmae bawb! Having been Vice President Education and now current Students’ Union President, I have extensive experience of representing our students. Leading the best Students’ Union in Wales and the 3rd best in the UK means it is vitally important that I represent our collective voices on a UK level. This is to ensure that we inform national policy in a way that benefits our community. A vote for me will mean that I can use my understanding of our students to effectively support our needs on a national level, ensuring our voice is heard beyond Cardiff and across the UK.

Fel eich Is-lywydd Lles , rydw i’n brwydro i wella eich profiad fel myfyrwyr bob dydd - mae’n bryd mynd a hyn gam ymhellach a brwydro dros eich hawliau yn genedlaethol. Gydag argyfwng iechyd meddwl myfyrwyr, argyfwng hinsawdd a sefyllfa drist economi’r prifysgolion, mae’n rhaid i ni ddod at ein gilydd i ymladd am newid. Bydd fy mlaenoriaethau, ymysg pethau eraill, yn cynnwys: SAFON TAI – Mandadu UCM i lobio am welliannau IECHYD MEDDWL - Diogelu cyllid, ymgyrchoedd a blaenoriaeth cyffredinol HINSAWDD - Galw am weithredu cenedlaethol ar yr Argyfwng Hinsawdd BREXIT - Paratoi tuag at beth bynnag a ddaw YN OGYSTAL AG unrhyw beth arall sy’n bwysig i chi!

Shwmae bawb! O fod yn Is-lywydd Addysg a bellach yn Lywydd ar Undeb y Myfyrwyr, mae gen i brofiad eang o gynrychioli ein myfyrwyr. Mae arwain Undeb Myfyrwyr gorau Cymru a thrydydd Undeb gorau yn y DU yn golygu ei fod yn allweddol bwysig fy mod i’n cynrychioli ein lleisiau cyfunol ar lefel y DU. Mae hyn yn sicrhau ein bod ni’n cyfarwyddo ein polisi cenedlaethol mewn ffordd sydd o fudd i’n cymuned. Bydd pleidlais i mi yn golygu y gallaf ddefnyddio fy nealltwriaeth o’r myfyrwyr i gefnogi ein hanghenion ar lefel cenedlaethol yn effeithiol, gan sicrhau bod ein llais yn cael ei glywed y tu hwnt i Gaerdydd ac ar draws y DU.

JAKE SMITH

HANA DODHIA

Hi I’m Jake Smith, your former SU Vice President Postgraduate, standing to be a dedicated, experienced and strong voice for Cardiff in the NUS. I’ve worked hard to change NUS policy before, convincing SUs around the country to vote for my motion to prioritise increasing student living cost support. With your support, I will ensure the priorities of Cardiff students continue to shape our national union. I’ll work to make NUS more relevant to students, campaigning on our priorities so I will consult widely online and in-person. Let’s shape NUS together. Drop me an email at SmithJR2@cardiff.ac.uk.

Being a NUS delegate will allow me to represent the entire united student body of Cardiff University to the UK. Being a first year has allowed to already see how to improve student's lives all across the UK, by easing the transition period between secondary school and university this will allow students to settle in easier no matter where they have come from. Every year becomes more stressful for students, so by making the moving period easier this will ease some burden off student lives.

Helo Jake Smith ydw i, eich cyn Is-lywydd Ôl-raddedig, yn ymgeisio i fod yn lais ymroddedig, profiadol a chryf ar gyfer Caerdydd yn UCM. Rydw i wedi gweithio’n galed i newid polisi UCM o’r blaen, gan ddarbwyllo Undebau Myfyrwyr ar draws y wlad i bleidleisio dros fy nghynnig i flaenoriaethu cynyddu cefnogaeth costau byw myfyrwyr. Gyda’ch cefnogaeth chi, byddaf yn sicrhau y bydd blaenoriaethau myfyrwyr Caerdydd yn parhau i siapio ein hundeb cenedlaethol. Byddaf yn gweithio i sicrhau bod UCM yn fwy perthnasol i fyfyrwyr, yn ymgyrchu dros ein blaenoriaethau felly byddaf yn ymgynghori yn eang ar-lein ac wyneb yn wyneb. Gadewch i ni siapio UCM gyda’n gilydd. Anfonwch e-bost ataf ar Smithjr2@cardiff.ac.uk.

Bydd bod yn gynrychiolydd UCM yn caniatáu i mi gynrychioli corff myfyrwyr unedig Prifysgol Caerdydd i’r DU. Mae bod yn fyfyriwr blwyddyn gyntaf wedi caniatáu i mi weld sut i wella bywydau myfyrwyr ar draws y DU, drwy lyfnhau y broses pontio rhwng ysgol uwchradd a phrifysgol bydd yn galluogi i fyfyrwyr i ymgartrefu yn haws dim ots o ble y maen nhw’n dod. Mae bob blwyddyn yn fwy o straen ar fyfyrwyr, felly gan wneud y cyfnod pontio yn fwy llyfn bydd hyn lleihau’r baich oddi ar fywydau myfyrwyr.

NUS NATIONAL DELEGATE

MANIFESTO 2019

CYNRYCHIOLWYR I GYNHADLEDD GENEDLAETHOL UCM

DAVID DIAZ CLIFTON No Manifesto Submitted

Heb gyflwyno maniffesto

Am fwy na 3 mlynedd rydw i wedi byw oddi cartref mewn sawl lle gwahanol gyda phobl o bob math o gefndiroedd. Felly, mae gen i brofiad o sut i siarad gyda phobl, yn enwedig os nad oes gennym unrhyw beth yn gyffredin. Gan ei fod yn angenrheidiol i barchu gwerthoedd, traddodiadau, a barn pobl hyd yn oed os nad ydynt yn cyfateb â fy rhai i. Felly, credaf y gallaf gynrychioli eich barn gyda golwg ddiduedd. Yn bwysicach fyth rydw i eisiau gwneud mwy o ffrindiau yn enwedig o ddiwylliannau a gwledydd gwahanol. Felly, Diolch am eich ystyriaeth. Rydw i’n gobeithio y gwnewch chi bleidleisio drosof i.

DANIEL ONAFUWA Hello everyone my name is Daniel and I wish to be your new NUS National and Wales Delegate! Please find below the link to my manifesto for information about myself and what I promise I will do to you in order to bring the voice to our university students we need as well as deserve! https://danafuwa5.wixsite.com/dano Helo bawb fy enw i yw Daniel ac fe hoffwn eich cynrychioli chi fel cynrychiolydd UCM Cenedlaethol a Chymru! Gwelwch isod y ddolen ar gyfer fy maniffesto am wybodaeth amdanaf i ac am yr hyn rydw i’n addo y byddaf yn ei wneud er mwyn rhoi llais rydyn ni fel myfyrwyr prifysgol ei angen a’i haeddu. https://danafuwa5.wixsite.com/dano

ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S IN YOUR HANDS YN EICH DWYLO CHI

18:00 THURSDAY 21ST NOVEMBER THE GREAT HALL, 1ST FLOOR 18:00 DYDD IAU 21AIN TACHWEDD Y NEUADD FAWR, LLAWR 1AF

MANIFESTO 2019

NUS WALES DELEGATE CYNRYCHIOLWYR UCM CYMRU

NUS Wales delegates represent the views of Cardiff University Students at NUS Wales Conference, the annual policy making body of the NUS Wales, of which Cardiff University Students’ Union is currently a member. Mae cynrychiolwyr UCM yn adlewyrchu barn myfyrwyr Prifysgol Caerdydd yng Nghynhadledd UCM Cymru, sef corff llunio polisi blynyddol Undeb Cenedlaethol Myfyrwyr Cymru. Mae Undeb Myfyrwyr Prifysgol Caerdydd ar hyn o bryd yn aelod o UCM.

YIMING ZUO My name is YiMing Zuo and my major is Bsc accounting and finance. I am studying in Cardiff business school. I apply for this position is because I can be available during the underlined time period, which means I can devote myself the whole process. Additionally, I am very. responsible for work soI believe that I can do my best and is well qualified. I think this representative experience is vital for me because it can make me more knowledgeable and more mature. I'd appreciate that if I could be elected as a number of representatives. Fy enw i yw YiMing Zuo ac fy nghwrs gradd yw Bsc cyfrifeg a chyllid. Rydw i’n astudio yn Ysgol Fusnes Caerdydd. Rydw i’n ymgeisio am y rôl hon oherwydd fy mod ar gael yn ystod yr amser penodedig, sy’n golygu y gallaf gysegru fy hun i’r broses gyfan. Yn ogystal, rydw i’n hynod gyfrifol yn fy ngwaith, felly rydw i’n credu y gallaf wneud fy ngorau ac fy mod yn gymwys. Rydw i’n meddwl fod y profiad hwn o gynrychioli yn hanfodol i mi oherwydd y gall fy ngwneud i yn fwy gwybodus a mwy aeddfed. Buaswn yn gwerthfawrogi cael fy ethol fel sawl cynrychiolydd.

TOM EVANS Shwmae pawb, I'm Tom your VP Education, and I’m running to be your NUS Wales delegate! In my role, I represent the academic interests of every Cardiff Student and so far this year I have already succeeded in increasing SU engagement for international students; my next goal is to ensure that all students can access the same opportunities and support, regardless of academic school. I’m unafraid to speak up for students, a confident public speaker, and as a Welsh speaker, I would love to be able to represent our Students' Union at a national level! Shwmae bawb, Tom ydw i eich IL Addysg, ac rydw i’n ymgeisio i fod yn gynrychiolydd UCM Cymru arnoch chi! Yn fy rôl, rydw i’n cynrychioli buddiannau academaidd bob myfyriwr yng Nghaerdydd ac eleni, hyd yn hyn, rydw i wedi llwyddo i gynyddu ymgysylltiad yr Undeb gyda myfyrwyr rhyngwladol; fy ngôl nesaf yw i sicrhau bod bob myfyriwr yn gallu cael yr un cyfleoedd a chefnogaeth, dim bwys pa ysgol academaidd yr ydynt yn perthyn iddi. Does gen i ddim ofn siarad ar ran myfyrwyr, rwy’n siaradwr cyhoeddus hyderus, ac fel siaradwr Cymraeg, fe garwn allu cynrychioli ein Hundeb Myfyrwyr ar lefel cenedlaethol!

NUS WALES DELEGATE

MANIFESTO 2019

CYNRYCHIOLWYR UCM CYMRU

SYED WAQAR

NICHOLAS FOX

Hi everyone, My name is Syed Waqar; I am a third year Politics and IR student. I am standing for Student Senate, Scrutiny Committee and NUS Delegation(UK and Wales). The work of change can be bone-tiringly difficult. And there are no roadmaps, just a few newly worn paths in some places, wide open fields of possibility in others. With this understanding, I want to make sure that everyone feels represented, create an inclusive student union, and help make Cardiff a better place to study and engage in debate. Listening to voices unheard, and recognizing potential where others see despair.

Shwmae I’m Nick your current VP Postgraduate and I’ve been lucky to be involved with NUS Wales since 2017. Last year the NUS Wales team successfully lobbied for a £2.5M injection into student mental health initiatives in Welsh Universities, with an exciting initiative being spearheaded right here at Cardiff University. Its access to Welsh Government is unparalleled, lobbying on students’ housing; health; and education issues, continually winning for students in Wales. I’m running for the opportunity to help shape the future incredible work of NUS Wales to benefit our Cardiff students. For Fox sake vote Nick Fox for Delegate.

Helo bawb, fy enw i y Syed Waqar; rydw i’n fy nhrydedd blwyddyn yn astudio Gwleidyddiaeth a Chysylltiadau Rhyngwladol. Rydw i’n gweithio dros Senedd Myfyrwyr, Pwyllgor Craffu a Chynrychiolwr UCM (DU a Chymru). Gall y dasg o newid pethau fod yn hynod o anodd. Does dim ffyrdd amlwg, efallai bod rhai wedi dechrau troedio i rai mannau, ac mae caeau agored yn llawn posibiliadau mewn mannau eraill. Gyda’r ddealltwriaeth hon, rydw i eisiau gwneud yn siwr fod pawb yn cael eu cynrychioli, rydw i eisiau creu undeb myfyrwyr gynhwysol, a helpu gwneud Caerdydd yn le gwell i astudio ac ymwneud mewn dadleuon. Gan wrando ar leisiau nas clywir a chydnabod potensial lle mae eraill yn gweld anobaith.

ORLA TARN Shwmae! I’m Orla, your VP Societies and Volunteering, and I would be honoured to have the chance to represent Cardiff, the largest University in Wales, at the NUS Wales Conference as a delegate. So far, my role has hugely improved my confidence and ability to consult with students, and, if elected, I’d be sure to head off to conference with a full picture of what YOU want from NUS Wales, feeding your priorities into discussions at the top level and being a strong and persuasive voice for every Cardiff student. #OrlOrNothing Shwmae! Orla ydw i, eich IL Cymdeithasau a Gwirfoddoli, ac mi fyddai’n fraint i gael y cyfle i gynrychioli Caerdydd, prifysgol mwyaf Cymru, yng Nghynhadledd UCM Cymru fel cynrychiolydd. Cyn belled, mae fy rôl wedi cynyddu fy hyder o lawer yn ogystal â fy ngallu i ymgynghori gyda myfyrwyr, ac os caf fy ethol, byddaf yn siŵr o fynd i’r gynhadledd gyda darlun cyflawn o’r hyn rydych CHI ei eisiau gan UCM Cymru, yn bwydo eich blaenoriaethau i mewn i drafodaethau ar y lefel uchaf a bod yn lais cryf ac argyhoeddiadol i bob myfyriwr Caerdydd. #OrlOrNothing

Shwmae, Nick ydw i eich IL Myfyrwyr Ôl-raddedig presennol ac rydw i wedi bod yn ffodus i fod yn ymwneud â UCM Cymru ers 2017. Llynedd fe lwyddodd UCM Cymru i lobio ar gyfer mewnlifiad o £2.5M i fentrau iechyd meddwl myfyrwyr ym Mhrifysgolion Cymru, gyda menter cyffrous yn cael ei ddatblygu yma ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd. Mae ei fynediad at Lywodraeth Cymru yn ddigymar, lobio ar faterion tai myfyrwyr; iechyd; ac academaidd, yn parhau i ennill ar gyfer myfyrwyr yng Nghymru. Rydw i’n ymgeisio am y cyfle i siapio gwaith anhygoel y dyfodol yn UCM Cymru er mwyn bod o fudd i fyfyrwyr Caerdydd. Pleidleisiwch Nick Fox i fod yn Gynrychiolydd.

NUS WALES DELEGATE

MANIFESTO 2019

CYNRYCHIOLWYR UCM CYMRU

LIAM POWELL

JANET WILLIAMS

I am a new student to Cardiff starting my master's. I am however not new to student politics, I have been a sabbatical officer. We need a union that stands up for those students who have suffered prejudice and oppression. We all know how terrible TOTUM is, we need to be lobbying NUS to cut ties with a company that promotes lad culture. It's time during this rise of racism and populism with Brexit we do all we can to protect our European students, BAME students, LGBT+ students and our Trans students.

As NUS Welsh Representative last year, I promised to fight for the rights of students in Wales. I was instrumental in pinning down the First Minister of Wales to abolish letting agency fees from 1st September 2019. As last year's President of Housing Action, I helped to start a future policy regarding rented accommodation which should improve the lives of students. I am Welsh and passionate about the rights of all students. I have had many roles in the SU involved in the Welfare of students. I care please vote for me to help me carry on representing you. #yeswejan.

Rydw i’n fyfyriwr newydd yng Nghaerdydd ac yn dechrau fy ngradd meistr. Fodd bynnag dydw i ddim yn newydd i wleidyddiaeth myfyrwyr, rydw i wedi bod yn swyddog sabothol. Mae angen undeb arnom ni sy’n sefyll dros y myfyrwyr hynny sydd wedi dioddef rhagfarn a gorthrwm. Rydyn ni gyd yn ymwybodol pa mor ofnadwy yw TOTUM, ac mae angen i ni lobio UCM i dorri eu hymrwymiad gyda chwmni sy’n hyrwyddo diwylliant ‘lad’. Yn ystod twf hiliaeth a phoblyddiaeth gyda Brexit mae’n amser i ni wneud popeth o fewn ein gallu ddiogelu ein myfyrwyr Ewropeaidd, myfyrwyr BME, myfyrwyr LGBT+ ac ein myfyrwyr traws.

Fel cynrychiolydd UCM Cymru llynedd, fe addewais i ymladd dros hawliau myfyrwyr yng Nghymru. Roeddwn i yn allweddol yn sicrhau bod Prif Weinidog Cymru yn diddymu ffioedd asiantaeth o‘r 1af Medi 2019 ymlaen. Fel Llywydd Gweithredu ar Lety llynedd, fe helpais i ddechrau darpar bolisi yn ymwneud a lletai wedi eu rhentu. Dylai hyn yn arwain at wella bywydau myfyrwyr. Rydw i’n Gymraes ac yn angerddol am hawliau bob myfyriwr. Rydw i wedi cael sawl rôl yn Undeb Myfyrwyr yn ymwneud â Lles myfyrwyr. Mae o bwys i mi, pleidleisiwch drosof er mwyn fy helpu i barhau i’ch cynrychioli chi. #yeswejan.

LEO HOLMES My name is Leo, and I’m wishing to stand for your delegate for NUS Wales conference this year! I have a determination to represent students at this conference, fighting the corner of students every step of the way. Last year, I ran the Living Wage motion at the Cardiff Students’ Union AGM. Although we unfortunately lost the ensuing vote, the connections, experience and knowledge gained for standing up for students at the University was invaluable. This is the knowledge I’ll take into conference, representing you and your needs! Fy enw i yw Leo, ac rydw i’n dymuno i ymgeisio fel eich cynrychiolydd ar gyfer cynhadledd UCM Cymru eleni! Rydw i’n benderfynol o gynrychioli myfyrwyr yn y gynhadledd hon, brwydro ar ran myfyrwyr bob cam o’r ffordd. Llynedd, cynigais y cynnig Costau Byw yn CCB Undeb Myfyrwyr Caerdydd. Er na bleidleisiwyd o blaid y cynnig, roedd y cysylltiadau, profiad a gwybodaeth a gefais wrth sefyll dros fyfyrwyr yn y Brifysgol yn hynod werthfawr. Dyma’r wybodaeth y byddaf yn mynd gyda mi i’r gynhadledd, yn eich cynrychioli chi a’ch anghenion!

JAMES WAREHAM As your Vice-President Welfare and Campaigns, I work regularly with Welsh Government on issues that impact you. With your vote, I will get backing from other Welsh unions on these issues and fight for even greater, long-lasting, meaningful change. My priorities, amongst other things, will include: HOUSING QUALITY – the end to letting agency fees is just the beginning! MENTAL HEALTH – a unified Welsh approach to funding, campaigning and prioritisation CLIMATE – calling for joint action on the declaration of climate emergency BREXIT – preparing Welsh unions for whatever happens PLUS anything else important to you! Fel eich Is-lywydd Lles ac Ymgyrchoedd, rydw i’n gweithio’n rheolaidd gyda Llywodraeth Cymru ar faterion sy’n eich effeithio chi. Gyda’ch pleidlais chi, byddaf yn derbyn cefnogaeth gan undebau eraill Cymru ar y materion hyn ac yn ymladd am newid fwy fyth yn ogystal â newid hir-dymor ac arwyddocaol. Bydd fy mlaenoriaethau, ymysg pethau eraill, yn cynnwys: SAFON TAI - megis dechrau yw rhoi diwedd ar ffioedd asiantaeth! IECHYD MEDDWL - ymagwedd Gymreig unedig tuag at gyllid, ymgyrchu a blaenoriaethu HINSAWDD - yn galw am weithredu ar y cyd ar y ddatganiad argyfwng hinsawdd BREXIT - paratoi undebau Cymru at beth bynnag ddaw YN OGYSTAL AG unrhyw beth arall sy’n bwysig i chi!

NUS WALES DELEGATE

MANIFESTO 2019

CYNRYCHIOLWYR UCM CYMRU

JAKE SMITH Hi I’m Jake Smith, former SU Vice President Postgraduate, standing to be a dedicated, experienced and strong voice for Cardiff in NUS Wales. I’ve worked hard to change NUS policy before, convincing SUs around the country to vote for my motion to prioritise increasing student living cost support. With your support I will ensure the priorities of Cardiff students continue to shape our national union. As a postgraduate in Welsh policy I’ll work enthusiastically to ensure NUSW wins for students within Welsh Government. I will consult widely online and in-person. Let’s shape NUS together. Drop me an email at SmithJR2@cardiff.ac.uk. Helo Jake Smith ydw i, eich cyn Is-lywydd Ôl-raddedig, yn ymgeisio i fod yn lais ymroddedig, profiadol a chryf ar gyfer Caerdydd yn UCM Cymru. Rydw i wedi gweithio’n galed i newid polisi UCM o’r blaen, gan ddarbwyllo Undebau Myfyrwyr ar draws y wlad i bleidleisio dros fy nghynnig i flaenoriaethu cynyddu cefnogaeth costau byw myfyrwyr. Gyda’ch cefnogaeth chi, byddaf yn sicrhau y bydd blaenoriaethau myfyrwyr Caerdydd yn parhau i siapio ein hundeb cenedlaethol. Fel myfyriwr ôl-raddedig yn astudio Polisi Cymreig byddaf yn gweithio’n frwdfrydig i sicrhau llwyddiannau myfyrwyr UCM Cymru i fyfyrwyr o fewn Llywodraeth Cymru. Byddaf yn ymgynghori yn eang ar-lein ac yn wyneb yn wyneb. Gadewch i ni siapio’r UCM gyda’n gilydd. Anfonwch e-bost ataf ar Smithjr2@cardiff.ac.uk.

JACKIE YIP

DANIEL ONAFUWA Hello everyone my name is Daniel and I wish to be your new NUS National and Wales Delegate! Please find below the link to my manifesto for information about myself and what I promise I will do to you in order to bring the voice to our university students we need as well as deserve! https://danafuwa5.wixsite.com/dano Helo bawb, fy enw i yw Daniel ac fe hoffwn eich cynrychioli chi fel cynrychiolydd UCM Cenedlaethol a Chymru! Gwelwch isod y ddolen ar gyfer fy maniffesto am wybodaeth amdanaf i ac am yr hyn rydw i’n addo y byddaf yn ei wneud er mwyn rhoi llais rydyn ni fel myfyrwyr prifysgol ei angen a’i haeddu. https://danafuwa5.wixsite.com/dano

ALI SHAHID

Shwmae Pawb! I was Vice President Education 2018/2019 and now serve as the current Students’ Union President. As a result, I have extensive experience and understanding of representing our students. I was successfully elected as a NUS Wales delegate last year and ran for a position on the National Executive Committee where I was again successful. A vote for me will mean that I can use my understanding of our students to effectively support our needs on a national level, ensuring our voice is heard beyond Cardiff and across Wales.

For more than 3 years I have lived away from home in many different places with people from all kinds of backgrounds. So, I have experience in how to talk to someone especially if we have nothing in common. As it is necessary to respect someone’s values, traditions, and opinions even if my own differ from theirs. Therefore, I believe that I can represent your opinion with an unbiased view. Most importantly I want to make more friends especially from other cultures and countries. So, Thank You for your consideration. I hope you vote for me.

Shwmae bawb! Bues yn Is-lywydd Addysg 2018/2019 ac nawr rydw i’n gwasanaethu fel Llywydd presennol Undeb y Myfyrwyr. O ganlyniad, mae gen i brofiad a dealltwriaeth helaeth o gynrychioli myfyrwyr. Cefais fy ethol fel cynrychiolydd UCM Cymru llynedd ac fe ymgeisiais am rôl ar y Pwyllgor Gwaith Cenedlaethol lle bues yn llwyddiannus unwaith yn rhagor. Bydd pleidlais i mi yn golygu y gallaf ddefnyddio fy nealltwriaeth o’r myfyrwyr i gefnogi ein hanghenion yn effeithiol ar lefel cenedlaethol, gan sicrhau bod ein llais yn cael ei glywed y tu hwnt i Gaerdydd ac ar draws Cymru.

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MANIFESTO 2019

STUDENT SENATOR SENEDD MYFYRWYR

YUNFAN PU Hello everyone After studying A&F for the last two years, i realised accounting plays a very inportant role in our society. For example, it can let outsiders know a certain company's yearly performance by looking at its financial statements. Finance is even more inportant in our society. With the existence of Stock markets and financial institutions, investors can make more informed choices and companies can have various source of income. I achieved 79 percent of total marks. I will keep work hard in my final year and hope i can get this position and help more other peoples. Helo bawb Ar ôl astudio Cyfrifeg a Chyllid am y ddwy flynedd diwethaf, fe sylweddolais bod cyfrifeg yn chwarae rhan bwysig yn ein cymdeithas. Er enghraifft, gall bobl allanol wybod beth yw perfformaid blynyddol cwmni penedol drwy edrych er eu datganiadau ariannol. Mae cyllid yn bwysicach fyth yn ein cymdeithas. Gyda bodolaeth marchnadoedd stoc a sefydliadau ariannol, gall fuddsoddwyr wneud dewisiadau gwybodus a gall gwmnïau gael ffynonellau incwm amrywiol. Fe dderbyniais 79 y cant o farciau llawn. Byddaf yn parhau i weithio’n galed yn fy mlwyddyn olaf ac yn gobeithio y gallaf gael y rôl hon i helpu mwy o bobl.

Student Senators represent and act as the voice of Cardiff University students. Student Senators are responsible for creating and reviewing Union policies. Student Senate has the power to make policy which ensures the Union works in a way which reflects the values and ideals of the Student Body. Mae Seneddwyr Myfyrwyr yn cynrychioli ac yn gweithredu fel llais myfyrwyr Prifysgol Caerdydd. Mae Seneddwyr Myfyrwyr yn gyfrifol am greu ac adolygu polisïau’r Undeb. Mae gan Senedd y Myfyrwyr y pwer i lunio polisi sy’n sicrhau fod yr Undeb yn gweithio mewn ffordd sy’n adlewyrchu gwerthoedd a delfrydau Corff y Myfyrwyr.

YANG LIU No Manifesto Submitted Heb gyflwyno maniffesto

STUDENT SENATOR

MANIFESTO 2019

SENEDD MYFYRWYR

YIMING ZUO

WIKTORIA JANIAK

My name is YiMing Zuo and my major is Bsc accounting and finance. I know that this position is a key role in policymaking. If I'll be a number, I'll be very glad at debating with my partners. Debation is very significant because it's a way of brainstorming so as to gather different opinions which will be helpful to point out some key areas efficiently and effectively and it will also have a direct impact on the students union's decision. I like debation and I can always come up with constructing methods. Hope everyone votes for me. Many thanks.

I believe that regardless of our cultural background, we all have a voice in creating students' community. Diversity can be an actual key to the successful improvement of students' life on campus. Discussing the existing differences can help us discover the solutions that can satisfy everyone. I believe that each society's needs and ideas can contribute to greater unionisation of students and exchange of our values. I am running for Student Senate, to show you the importance of our voice. Together we can create the community based on equality and understanding. I hope you can help me with that!

Fy enw i yw YiMing Zuo ac fy nghwrs gradd yw Bsc cyfrifeg a chyllid. Rydw i’n ymwybodol bod y swydd hon yn chwarae rôl allweddol mewn creu polisïau. Pe byddwn i’n cael y cyfle, buaswn i’n hapus iawn yn trafod gyda fy mhartneriaid. Mae trafodaethau yn hynod o arwyddocaol. Mae'n ffordd o ystyried syniadau a chasglu amrywiaeth barn. Bydd hyn yn denu sylw at feysydd allweddol yn effeithiol. Bydd hefyd yn cael effaith uniongyrchol ar benderfyniadau Undeb y Myfyrwyr. Rydw i’n hoffi trafodaethau ac wastad yn gallu dyfeisio dulliau adeiladol. Gobeithio y bydd pawb yn pleidleisio drosof. Llawer o ddiolch.

WILLIAM DANKS As someone who feels very passionate about Cardiff Students' Union I am excited to apply for student senate. I have been part of a variety of societies, including LFA Mandarin, being a member of Model UN, CUAC, Tae Kwon Do, fundraiser for Make a Smile, and second year rep for Neuroscience. I have also recently provided tours with the SU and helped organise events through the GIAG scheme. This has given alot of insight into where there could be areas to enhance the student university experience, e.g. ways of making the start of SU nights smoother for sports and societies' socials. Fel rhywun sy’n teimlo’n hynod angerddol am Undeb Myfyrwyr Caerdydd rydw i wedi fy nghyffroi wrth ymgeisio ar gyfer y Senedd Myfyrwyr. Rydw i wedi bod yn rhan o nifer o gymdeithasau, gan gynnwys LFA Mandarin, bod yn aelod o Model y Cenhedloedd Unedig, CUAC, Tae Kwon-Do wedi codi arian ar gyfer Gwneud Gwên, ac yn gynrychiolydd ail flwyddyn ar gyfer Niwrowyddoniaeth. Yn ddiweddar rydw i hefyd wedi cynnal teithiau gydag Undeb y Myfyrwyr a helpu trefnu digwyddiadau drwy gynllun RHGA. Mae hyn wedi rhoi llawer o fewnwelediad i mewn i ba ardaloedd y gellir ehangu profiad prifysgol y myfyrwyr, e.e ffyrdd o wneud mynediad i nosweithiau clwb yr Undeb yn fwy rhwydd i glybiau chwaraeon a chymdeithasau.

Dim bwys am eich cefnidr diwylliannol, mae gennym, ni gyd lais i greu cymuned y myfyrwyr. Gall amrywiaeth arwain tuag at lwyddo i wella bywyd myfyrwyr ar y campws. Gall drafod y gwahaniaethau sydd eisoes yn bodoli ein helpu i ddarganfod yr atebion a all fodloni pawb. Rydw i’n credu y gall anghenion a syniadau bob cymdeithas gyfrannu tuag at uno myfyrwyr a chyfnewid ein gwerthoedd. Rydw i’n ymgeisio ar gyfer Senedd y Myfyrwyr, er mwyn arddangos i chi pwysigrwydd eich llais. Gyda’n gilydd gallwn greu’r gymuned wedi ei sefydlu ar gydraddoldeb a dealltwriaeth. Rwy’n gobeithio y gallwch fy helpu â hynny.

STUDENT SENATOR

MANIFESTO 2019

SENEDD MYFYRWYR

THOMAS MAHONY-KELROSS If you like pina coladas, and getting sensible policy passed in the SU, then I might be the candidate for you. I was a student senator last year, so I understand how senate works and I have a solid voting record on the motions that came up through the year. More importantly I'm determined to keep student senate lively. Last year some motions were brought to a vote immediatly after the proposer gave their first speach. I think if someone makes the effort to submit a motion to senate it should be senates responsibility to discuss it thoroughly and properly. Kind regards, Tom Os ydych chi’n hoffi pina coladas, a chael polisïau call yn cael eu pasio yn Undeb y Myfyrwyr, efallai mai fi yw’r ymgeisydd i chi. Bues yn seneddwr myfyrwyr llynedd, felly rydw i’n deall sut mae’r senedd yn gweithio ac mae gen i record pleidleisio gref ar y cynigion a gyflwynwyd drwy’r flwyddyn. Yn bwysicach fyth rydw i’n benderfynol o gadw senedd y myfyrwyr yn fywiog. Llynedd fe rhoddwyd rhai cynigion i bleidlais yn syth wedi i’r cynigydd roi eu haraith gyflwyniadol. Os yw rhywun yn gwneud ymdrech i gyflwyno cynnig i’r senedd, rydw i o'r farn ei fod yn gyfrifoldeb ar y senedd i’w drafod yn drylwyr ac yn gywir. Cofion gorau, Tom

SYED WAQAR Hi everyone, My name is Syed Waqar; I am a third year Politics and IR student. I am standing for Student Senate, Scrutiny Committee and NUS Delegation(UK and Wales). The work of change can be bone-tiringly difficult. And there are no roadmaps, just a few newly worn paths in some places, wide open fields of possibility in others. With this understanding, I want to make sure that everyone feels represented, create an inclusive student union, and help make Cardiff a better place to study and engage in debate. Listening to voices unheard, and recognizing potential where others see despair. Helo bawb, fy enw i y Syed Waqar; rydw i’n fy nhrydedd blwyddyn yn astudio Gwleidyddiaeth a Chysylltiadau Rhyngwladol. Rydw i’n gweithio dros Senedd Myfyrwyr, Pwyllgor Craffu a Chynrychiolwr UCM (DU a Chymru) Gall y dasg o newid pethau fod yn hynod o anodd. Does dim ffyrdd amlwg, efallai bod rhai wedi dechrau troedio i rai mannau, ac mae caeau agored yn llawn posibiliadau mewn mannau eraill. Gyda’r ddealltwriaeth hon, rydw i eisiau gwneud yn siwr fod pawb yn cael eu cynrychioli, creu undeb myfyrwyr gynhwysol, a helpu gwneud Caerdydd yn le gwell i astudio ac ymwneud mewn dadleuon. Gwrando ar leisiau heb ddeall potensial lle mae eraill yn gweld anobaith.

SIDDHI KHALE Shwmae! I am Siddhi, a second-year student. I got involved with the Students Union this year during the Welcome week and Give it a Go executive committee. My main area of focus will be introducing therapy animals around campus and starting cafe's in Libraries. As students everyone feels stressed during university. Recent studies show that interacting with dogs reduce the risk of academic stress and faliure preventing students from dropping out. The cafe in ASSL was a place where students could relax after or during spending extended periods of time in the library. I would like to re-introduce it and introduce cafe's in other libraries for student wellbeing. Shwmae! Siddhi ydw i, myfyriwr ail flwyddyn. Fe gymerais ran yn Undeb y Myfyrwyr eleni yn ystod yr Wythnos Groeso a Phwyllgor Gwaith Rho Gynnig Arni. Fy mhrif nod yw i gyflwyno anifeiliaid therapi o amgylch y campws a dechrau caffis mewn Llyfrgelloedd. Fel myfyrwyr mae pawb yn teimlo dan bwysau yn ystod eu cyfnod yn y brifysgol. Mae astudiaethau diweddar yn dangos bod rhyngweithio gyda chŵn yn lleihau’r risg o straen academaidd a methiant, sy’n atal myfyrwyr rhag rhoi’r gorau i’r brifysgol. Roedd y caffi yn llyfrgell yr ASSL yn le lle gallai myfyrwyr ymlacio ar ôl neu yn ystod amseroedd estynedig yn y llyfrgell. Hoffwn ail-gyflwyno hwn a chyflwyno caffis mewn llyfrgelloedd eraill ar gyfer lles myfyrwyr.

STUDENT SENATOR

MANIFESTO 2019

SENEDD MYFYRWYR

SALLY GU

RACHEL BEANEY

Dear people, Good morning/afternoon/evening! I am YUJIA GU or just call me SALLY and I want be elected as a student senator. As a member of Cardiff University,I will try my best to improve students' lives in our university using my experience/knowledge.I am studying psychology as my major now.During my high school,I participated in Junior Achievement Cyprus as a financial manager assistant in 2017 and I worked in my howntown for selling and marketing during summer holidays. It was a great time in my life. Thank you for reading. You can either VOTE FOR ME or be my friend :)

Shwmae I have studied Cardiff University since 2012. Following my BA, I am now a second year PhD student in MLANG. I engage consistently with the Students' Union, volunteering as a student rep and a member of postgraduate executive, working closely with Alex Kuklenko and Jake Smith as previous VP Postgraduate Officers. I'd value the chance to influence Students' union policy. Following uncertainty surrounding the position of the VP postgraduate students officer this semester, I want to represent PG and especially PGR voices, ensuring that the Union reflects the values and ideals of the entirety of the Student Body. Diolch

Annwyl bobl, bore/prynhawn/noswaith dda! Fi yw YUJIA GU neu galwch fi yn SALLY a hoffwn gael fy ethol fel seneddwr myfyrwyr. Fel aelod o Brifysgol Caerdydd, byddaf yn ceisio fy ngorau i wella bywyd myfyrwyr yn ein prifysgol gan ddefnyddio fy mhrofiad/gwybodaeth. Rydw i’n astudio seicoleg fe gradd nawr. Yn ystod ysgol uwchradd, fe gyfranogais yn Junior Achievement Cyprus fel rheolwr ariannol yn 2017 ac fe weithiais yn fy nhref genedigol drwy werthu a marchnata yn ystod gwyliau’r haf. Roedd yn gyfnod gwych yn fy mywyd. Diolch am ddarllen. Gallwch naill ai BLEIDLEISIO DROSOF neu fod yn ffrind i mi :)

Shwmae Rydw i wedi astudio ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd ers 2012. Yn dilyn fy BA, rydw i nawr yn fyfyriwr PhD ail flwyddyn yn MLANG. Rydw i yn ymwneud yn gyson gydag Undeb y Myfyrwyr, yn gwirfoddoli fel cynrychiolydd myfyrwyr ac yn aelod o bwyllgor gwaith ôl-raddedig, gan weithio’n agos gyda Alex Kuklenko a Jake Smith fel cyn Is-lywyddion Ôl-raddedig. Buaswn yn gwerthfawrogi’r cyfle i ddylanwadu polisi Undeb y Myfyrwyr. Yn dilyn yr ansicrwydd ynghylch swydd yr IL Ôl-raddedig y semester hwn, rydw i eisiau cynrychioli lleisiau Ôl-raddedigion ac yn enwedig Ôl-raddedigion Ymchwil, gan sicrhau bod yr Undeb yn adlewyrchu gwerthoedd a delfrydau corff y myfyrwyr. Diolch

RONAN WEST

PARUL JAIN

Hello! My name is Ronan West. I am a postgraduate student and I am running for Student Senate. Should you elect me, I promise to listen to your concerns to reflect your values. I will support innovative ways to make your Union more ‘green’, diverse, inclusive and safe for all. These aims are important. They will create opportunities, build bridges between students and the Union and have a positive impact on your experience at university. I am determined to give you a strong voice and drive the change you want to see. Thank you for your support. #VoteWest #West4Senate

Hi all, My name is Parul Jain and I am a second year undergraduate in the Law faculty. I believe I can have an impartial view to the matters of the school and as a result improve the compatibility of the school with you. As well as this I will endeavour to give you opportunities to inform me of what I can do to improve your experience – because you know best what you want to change. I would be honoured to be given the opportunity to make a positive impact on your university experience. Thank you

Helo! Fy enw i yw Ronan West. Rydw i’n fyfyriwr ôl-raddedig ac yn ymgeisio am Senedd Myfyrwyr. Pe byddech yn fy ethol i , rydw i’n addo gwrando ar eich pryderon er mwyn adlewyrchu eich gwerthoedd. Byddaf yn cefnogi ffyrdd arloesol i wneud eich Undeb yn fwy ‘gwyrdd’, amrywiol, cynhwysfawr a diogel i bawb. Mae’r nodau hyn yn bwysig. Byddant yn creu cyfleoedd, adeiladu perthnasau rhwng myfyrwyr a’r Undeb a chael effaith gadarnhaol ar eich profiad yn y brifysgol. Rydw i’n benderfynol i roi llais cryf i chi a gyrru’r newid yr hoffech weld. Diolch am eich cefnogaeth. #PleidleisiwchWest #WestI’rSenedd

Helo bawb, Fy enw i yw Parul Jain ac rydw i’n fyfyriwr israddedig yn fy ail flwyddyn yng Nghyfadran y Gyfraith. Credaf y gallaf gael golygwedd ddiduedd i faterion yr ysgol ac o ganlyniad gwella cydnawsedd yr ysgol gyda chi. Yn ogystal â hyn byddaf yn ceisio rhoi cyfleoedd i chi roi gwybod i mi o’r hyn y gallaf ei wneud i wella eich profiad - oherwydd chi a ŵyr orau am yr hyn yr hoffech ei newid. Byddai’n fraint i gael y cyfle i gael effaith gadarnhaol ar eich profiad prifysgol. Diolch

STUDENT SENATOR

MANIFESTO 2019

SENEDD MYFYRWYR

NILADRI SINGH

MARCUS POWIS

No Manifesto Submitted

Heb gyflwyno maniffesto

MARSHALL TISDALE No Manifesto Submitted Heb gyflwyno maniffesto

LUKE DOHERTY Coming to university a little older than most, I have extra, invaluable life experience. This includes one year as a college student governor, working with refugees, and the homeless. I have worked hard to better myself, overcome obstacles, and be here today. Family life is important: thus cooperating respectfully and cohesively, in a familial manner, is a productive way forward. As an advocate of social mobility, I am eager to help and encourage others to work hard, unlock their potential, and get on in life. I enjoy free and open, intelligent and healthy, debates and exchange of views. Drwy ddod i’r brifysgol, ychydig yn hyn na’r mwyafrif, mae gen i brofiad bywyd ychwanegol amhrisiadwy. Mae hyn yn cynnwys blwyddyn fel myfyriwr llywodraethol coleg, gweithio gyda ffoaduriaid, a’r digartref. Rydw i wedi gweithio’n galed er mwyn gwella fy hun, goresgyn rhwystrau ac i fod yma heddiw. Mae bywyd teuluol yn bwysig: felly mae cydweithredu yn barchus ac yn gydlynol, mewn modd deuluol, yn ffordd gynhyrchiol ymlaen. Fel adfocad symudedd cymdeithasol, rydw i’n awyddus i helpu annog a chynorthwyo eraill i weithio’n galed, datgloi eu potensial, a datblygu mewn bywyd. Rydw i’n mwynhau trafodaethau rhydd ac agored, deallus a iach, a chyfnewid barn.

STUDENT SENATOR

MANIFESTO 2019

SENEDD MYFYRWYR

LIAM POWELL I am a new student to Cardiff starting my master's. I am however not new to student politics, I have been a sabbatical officer. We need a union that stands up for those students who have suffered prejudice and oppression. We all know how terrible TOTUM is, we need to be lobbying NUS to cut ties with a company that promotes lad culture. It's time during this rise of racism and populism with Brexit we do all we can to protect our European students, BAME students, LGBT+ students and our Trans students. Rydw i’n fyfyriwr newydd yng Nghaerdydd ac yn dechrau fy ngradd meistr. Fodd bynnag dydi gwleidyddiaeth myfyrwyr ddim yn newydd i mi, rydw i wedi bod yn swyddog sabothol. Mae angen undeb arnom ni sy’n sefyll dros y myfyrwyr hynny sydd wedi dioddef rhagfarn a gorthrwm. Rydyn ni gyd yn gwybod pa mor ofnadwy yw TOTUM, ac mae angen i ni lobio UCM i dorri eu hymrwymiad gyda chwmni sy’n hyrwyddo diwylliant ‘lad’. Mae’n amser yn ystod twf hiliaeth a phoblyddiaeth gyda Brexit ein bod ni’n gwneud popeth yn ein gallu i ddiogelu ein myfyrwyr Ewropeaidd, myfyrwyr BME, myfyrwyr LGBT+ ac ein myfyrwyr traws.

JOSHUA NORTON My prerogative is to effectively communicate the opinions and desires of the student population in regards to the course in a concise and realistic manner. I believe I can act as a conduit for the lines of communication efficiently and honestly. Not only covering what students have genuine concerns about subjectively, but recognising the collective opinion which presided in the student sphere towards the course and the potential improvements that can follow. Fy mwriad yw i gyfathrebu barn a dyheadau poblogaeth y myfyrwyr yn effeithiol mewn dull cryno a realistig. Rydw i’n credu y gallaf weithredu fel sianel effeithiol a gonest ar gyfer y llinellau cyfathrebu. Nid yn unig yn trafod beth sydd gan fyfyrwyr bryderon gwirioneddol ynglŷn ag yn wrthrychol, ond cydnabod barn am y cwrs yng nghylchoedd y myfyrwyr a gwelliannau posibl y gall ddilyn.

KAVIAN SHIRKOOHI I believe university should be a place of education and personal growth for everyone. Having experienced struggles with mental health and LGBTQ+ identity issues throughout my undergraduate studies, I understand how easy it is to feel marginalised and fall through the net of what is expected by a typical student. We need to support each other and make sure our education and welfare isn't compromised. The Student's Union is a place where we have a voice to get the university experience we all deserve. By voting for me, I aim to do everything in my power to make sure no one feels left out! Rydw i’n credu y dylai’r brifysgol fod yn le ar gyfer addysg a thwf personol i bawb. O brofi trafferthion gyda phroblemau iechyd meddwl a hunaniaeth LGBTQ+ drwy gydol fy astudiaethau israddedig, rydw i’n deall pa mor hawdd yw hi i deimlo ar yr ymylon a disgyn drwy’r rhwyd o’r hyn a ddisgwylir fel y myfyriwr nodweddiadol. Mae angen i ni gefnogi ein gilydd a sicrhau nad yw ein haddysg a lles yn cael ei beryglu. Mae Undeb y Myfyrwyr yn fan lle mae gennym lais i gael y profiad prifysgol rydyn ni gyd yn ei haeddu. Drwy bleidleisio drosof i, rydw i’n bwriadu gwneud poeth yn fy ngallu i wneud yn siwr nad oes neb yn teimlo fel eu bod yn cael eu gadael allan!

JOSHUA LEWIS No Manifesto Submitted Heb gyflwyno maniffesto

STUDENT SENATOR

MANIFESTO 2019

SENEDD MYFYRWYR

JOSEPHINE TANNER Hey guys, I’m a fourth year Psychology student and I’m running for a place in the student senate! During my time at university I have really appreciated the role that the Students Union has had on my experience and would love to have a say on policies made! I am the secretary of the A Cappella society and if elected I would love to be a representative of the musical societies. As I am on committee, I understand how the SU works and would be able to represent what the student body want from their SU regarding the performing arts. Helo bawb rydw i’n fyfyrwyr Seicoleg yn fy mhedwaredd blwyddyn ac yn ymgeisio am le yn y senedd myfyrwyr! Yn ystod fy amser yn y brifysgol rydw i wir wedi gwerthfawrogi’r rôl y mae Undeb y Myfyrwyr wedi ei gael ar fy mhrofiad ac fe garaf gael gyfrannu fy marn at bolisïau. Fi yw ysgrifennydd y gymdeithas A Cappella ac pe cawn i fy ethol fe garwn fod yn gynrychiolydd ar ran y cymdeithasau cerddorol. Gan fy mod i ar bwyllgor, rydw i’n deall sut mae Undeb y Myfyrwyr yn gweithio, ac fe fyddwn i’n gallu cynrychioli beth hoffai corff y myfyrwyr gan eu Hundeb Myfyrwyr pan yn trafod y celfyddydau perfformio.

JOELLE THAM Hi! My name is Joelle and I am currently a third year student Mechanical Engineering student. Going into the 5th year since moving to Cardiff from Malaysia, I have grown to enjoy university life and want to help other students like myself get the most out of the 3-5 years of university life here in Cardiff. Hence, the reason I would like to be part of Student Senate is to involve myself in the changes that can be made in the Students' Union, to enhance the student experience. Haia! Fy enw i yw Joelle ac rydw i yn fy nhrydedd blwyddyn yn astudio Peirianneg Mecanyddol. Yn mynd i’r 5ed blwyddyn ers symud i Gaerdydd o Malaysia, rydw i wedi dod i fwynhau bywyd prifysgol ac eisiau helpu myfyrwyr eraill fel fi, i gael y mwyaf allan o’r cyfnod 3-5 mlynedd o fywyd prifysgol yma yng Nghaerdydd. Felly, y rheswm yr hoffwn i fod yn rhan o Senedd y Myfyrwyr yw i fod yn rhan o’r newidiadau y gellid eu gwneud yn Undeb y Myfyrwyr, i ehangu profiad y myfyrwyr.

JENNIFER GEMINIANI Dear all, My name is Jennifer Geminiani and I am studying Journalism and Communications in my final year. I have already been a Student Academic Representative for JOMEC for more than a year now and I love being the voice of the students and to stand up for your wishes and requests within university. As your student senator I would take decisions along with my 11 fellow student senators that all share the same aspiration: change. We want the best for our student body and I would like to make sure that even the quietest voices are heard. Annwyl bawb, Fy enw i yw Jennifer Geminiani ac rydw i’n astudio Newyddiaduraeth a Chyfathrebu yn fy mlwyddyn olaf. Rydw i wedi bod yn Gynrychiolydd Myfyrwyr yn barod ar gyfer JOMEC am fwy nag un blwyddyn bellach ac wrth fy modd yn bod yn lais i fyfyrwyr ac i sefyll dros eich dymuniadau a cheisiadau o fewn y Brifysgol. Fel eich seneddwr myfyrwyr buaswn yn gwneud penderfyniadau gyda fy nghyd 11 seneddwr myfyrwyr sydd oll yn rhannu’r un dyhead: newid. Rydyn ni eisiau’r gorau ar gyfer corff y myfyrwyr ac fe hoffem wneud yn siwr bod hyd yn oed y lleisiau tawelaf yn cael eu clywed.

JEEVAN KAUR Hi I'm Jeevan! I am studying Journalism, Media, and English. I am a proactive member of the student body and want to do more to tackle issues impacting you. I am supportive and committed to championing further awareness campaigns aimed at improving University experiences and prospects in the future. I would focus on greater awareness of inclusive practices and concentrate on strengthening a diverse sense of community on campus. I helped students voicing their comments as a Student Rep and Student Mentor, which enhanced my ability to effectively communicate pressing concerns and reach resolutions. Your voice matters! Helo Jeevan ydw i! Rydw i’n astudio Newyddiaduraeth, y Cyfryngau a Saesneg. Rydw i’n aelod rhagweithiol o gorff y myfyrwyr ac eisiau gwneud mwy i fynd i’r afael â materion sy’n eich effeithio chi. Rydw i’n gefnogol ac wedi fy ymrwymo at gefnogi ymgyrchoedd ymwybyddiaeth bellach wedi eu hanelu tuag at wella profiadau a rhagolygon Prifysgol yn y dyfodol. Buaswn yn ffocysu ar ymwybyddiaeth fwy o ymarferion cynhwysol a chanolbwyntio ar gryfhau yr ymdeimlad o gymuned amrywiol ar y campws. Cynorthwyais fyfyrwyr i leisio eu sylwadau fel Cynrychiolydd Myfyrwyr a Mentor Myfyrwyr, a ehangodd fy ngallu i gyfathrebu pryderon enbyd yn effeithiol a chyrraedd datrysiad. Mae eich llais yn bwysig!

STUDENT SENATOR

MANIFESTO 2019

SENEDD MYFYRWYR

JANET WILLIAMS I was a participating member of the senate 2018- 19 and partook fully in all decisions. I was able to centre some arguments to give a balanced representation to all students. I was able to get a proposal passed in the Senate to raise awareness of student carers. I had 13 jobs representing Student welfare last year including the banning of Letting Agents Fees and on 2 executive committees. I was part of TEAM CUSU during freshers. I wish to support students and policies that will affect them, on the Senate, please make sure I can vote #yeswejan. Roeddwn yn aelod cyfranogol o senedd 2018- 2019 a chyfrannu’n llawn at bob penderfyniad. Roeddwn i’n medru canoli rhai dadleuon er mwyn rhoi cynrychiolaeth gytbwys i bob myfyriwr. Llwyddais i basio cynnig yn y Senedd i godi ymwybyddiaeth am fyfyrwyr sy’n ofalwyr. Roedd gen i 13 swydd yn cynrychioli lles Myfyrwyr llynedd yn cynnwys gwahardd Ffioedd Asiantaethau Gosod ac ar ddau Bwyllgor Gwaith. Bues yn rhan o DÎM UMPC yn ystod y Glas. Dymunaf i gefnogi myfyrwyr a pholisïau a fydd yn eu heffeithio hwy, ar y Senedd, sicrhewch y gallaf bleidleisio #yeswejan.

JAMES WALLICE No Manifesto Submitted Heb gyflwyno maniffesto

HUI ZHANG Hi, I'm Serena from the law school, and I'm honored to have the opportunity to run for the student union. If I am successful, I will do my part to help every student at Cardiff university. When I was in high school, I was able to cooperate with others sincerely, coordinate the relationship between classmates,I've been on the Prime volunteer program for L.G.B.T. I've been on the welcome team for the student union, I'm a very enthusiastic person. Joining the student union is an honor, but also a responsibility. I know there are many challenges , but I am confident . Helo, Serena ydw i o ysgol y gyfraith, ac mae’n fraint i gael y cyfle i ymgeisio ar gyfer undeb y myfyrwyr. Os byddaf yn llwyddiannus, byddaf yn gwneud fy rhan i helpu bob myfyriwr ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd. Pan oeddwn yn yr ysgol uwchradd, roeddwn yn medru cydweithio gydag eraill, cydlynu perthnasau rhwng cydddisgyblion, rydw i wedi bod ar raglen gwirfoddoli Prime ar gyfer L.G.B.T. Rydw i wedi bod ar y tîm croeso ar gyfer undeb y myfyrwyr, rydw i’n berson brwdfrydig iawn. Mae ymuno ag Undeb y Myfyrwyr yn fraint, ond hefyd yn gyfrifoldeb. Dwi’n gwybod bod sawl her, ond rydw i’n hyderus.

HANNAH DOE I am passionate about making changes and ensuring everyone’s voices are heard. My priority is always what is in our best interest, whether that be in education, wellbeing or whatever the matter may be. It will always be important to me if it is important to you. Being President for two years at College has taught me how to turn voices into action. This year I have loved getting involved with the SU Welcome Team and EXEC. I wish to continue having a positive impact on everyone’s university experience and I hope to be given the opportunity to do so. Rydw i’n angerddol am wneud newidiadau a sicrhau bod llais pawb yn cael ei glywed. Fy mlaenoriaeth yw’r hyn sydd o’r budd gorau i ni, boed hynny’n addysg, lles neu beth bynnag arall y gall fod. Fe fydd wastad yn bwysig i fi os yw’n bwysig i chi. Mae bod yn llywydd am ddwy flynedd wedi dysgu i mi sut i newid lleisiau i weithredoedd. Eleni rydw i wedi caru cymryd rhan yn Nhîm Croeso Undeb y Myfyrwyr ar Pwyllgor Gweithredol. Rwy’n dymuno parhau i gael effaith gadarnhaol ar brofiad prifysgol pawb ac yn gobeithio y caf y cyfle i wneud hynny.

STUDENT SENATOR

MANIFESTO 2019

SENEDD MYFYRWYR

GEORGE SANDERSON

DAKSHITA CHANDRA

No Manifesto Submitted

Heb gyflwyno maniffesto

GEORGE MOORE

CHRISTOPHER DUNNE

Hi - I am George and I study undergraduate politics. I am standing for this position to make a difference for real people. I want to make sure you don't just get ahead, but stay ahead! That's why if elected I will ensure that regardless of who you voted for I will be your champion! In every choice that I make, I will bear you in mind to ensure that I make the best decisions for you! #YouDeserveMoore

Hi, I’m Chris, and I’m a 2nd year Law and Politics student. I’m running for election to improve the SU, and to ensure it puts students first. I would advocate implementing the following policies: Firstly, I want a greener SU, where single-use plastics are discouraged from being used, and where possible, prohibited. We also need to improve the student experience. Societies and Sports Clubs shouldn’t be able to charge different rates of membership for different students without justification, and descriptions for products bought on the SU website should be available. Thanks for reading my manifesto!

Helo - George ydw i ac rydw i'n astudio gwleidyddiaeth is-raddedig. Rydw i’n ymgeisio am y rôl hon i wneud gwahaniaeth i bobl go iawn. Dwi eisiau sicrhau eich bod chi nid yn unig ar y blaen ond yn parhau ar y blaen! Pe byddwn i’n cael fy ethol byddaf yn sicrhau y byddaf yn bencampwr i chi, dim bwys pwy y gwnaethoch chi bleidleisio drosto! Ym mhob dewis y gwnaf, mi fyddaf yn eich hystyried chi er mwyn sicrhau fy mod yn gwneud y penderfyniadau gorau drosoch chi #YouDeserveMoore

Haia, Chris dwi, ac rydw i’n fyfyriwr Y Gyfraith a Gwleidyddiaeth yn fy 2il flwyddyn. Rydw i’n ymgeisio yn yr etholiad i wella Undeb y Myfyrwyr, ac i sicrhau ei fod yn rhoi’r myfyrwyr yn gyntaf. Byddaf yn dadlau dros gyflwyno’r polisïau canlynol: Yn gyntaf hoffwn Undeb Myfyrwyr mwy gwyrdd, lle anogir pobl i beidio defnyddio plastig un defnydd, a lle bo’n bosib ei wahardd. Mae hefyd angen i ni wella profiad y myfyrwyr. Ni ddylai Cymdeithasau a Chlybiau Chwaraeon allu codi gwahanol raddfeydd aelodaeth ar gyfer gwahanol fyfyrwyr heb gyfiawnhad, a dylid cael disgrifiad ar gyfer cynnyrch ar gael ar wefan Undeb y M|yfyrwyr. Diolch am ddarllen fy maniffesto!

STUDENT SENATOR

MANIFESTO 2019

SENEDD MYFYRWYR

CHARLOTTE MALLINSON

ASHLY ALAVA GARCIA

Being an enthusiastic, innovative and progressive individual, I feel representing the student body's interests would be the perfect manifestation of my interests ideology. I firmly believe that every student, no matter where they have come from, are, or are going should have a voice embodied through an inclusive and open-minded representative, of which I know I am. University is one of the biggest adaptations most people have to make in their lifetime – and in a very short amount of time at that – and I would aim to make that as easy and seamless as possible through inventive policy contributions.

Hello! my name is Ashly and I'm a second year Engineering Student. I am standing for Student Senator because I want to contribute and make a difference so that present and future students get the most out of their university experience by ensuring that everyone's voice is heard and no minority is left unrepresented. I believe that this could be achieved by raising awareness of current policies and services available to students.

Rydw i’n berson brwdfrydig, arloesol a blaengar, dwi’n teimlo y byddai cynrychioli buddiannau corff y myfyrwyr yn amlygiad perffaith o ideoleg fy niddordebau. Rydw i’n credu’n gryf y dylai bob myfyriwr, dim bwys o ble y mae’n nhw wedi dod, neu’n mynd , gael llais wedi ei sylfaenu drwy gynrychiolydd gynhwysfawr a meddwl agored. Rydw i’n gwybod fy mod i yn ateb y glaw hwnnw. Mynd i’r Brifysgol yw un o’r addasiadau mwyaf y mae mwyafrif o bobl yn ei wneud yn eu bywyd - ac mae’n amser byr iawn hefyd - ac fe fyddwn i’n anelu at wneud hynny’n mor hawdd ac esmwyth a phosibl drwy gyfraniadau polisi dyfeisgar.

CAROLINE PILAT Have an idea but don’t know what to say? I’m Caroline Pilat, happy to take the message. The Student Senate is an amazing way to make Cardiff University respect your values. Shortlisted as Student Rep of the Year (PSE), I have defended student interests in the quality of teaching, study spaces and academic support. This year, I hope to include innovative ideas from my university experiences abroad to foster a melting pot of talent, ambitions and projects. As a 4th year student in Environmental Sciences, I see sustainability as easy and fun! (It isn’t, but actually it can be.) Oes gennych chi syniad ond ddim yn siwr beth i’w ddweud? Caroline Pilat ydw i, ac rwy'n hapus i fynd â’r neges. Mae Senedd y Myfyrwyr yn ffordd wych o wneud Prifysgol Caerdydd barchu ein gwerthoedd. O gael fy nghynnwys ar y rhestr fer ar gyfer Cynrychiolydd Myfyrwyr y Flwyddyn (PSE), rydw i wedi amddiffyn buddiannau myfyrwyr mewn ansawdd addysgu, gofod astudio a chefnogaeth academaidd. Eleni,rydw i’n gobeithio cynnwys syniadau arloesol o fy mhrofiadau prifysgol dramor i greu cymysgfa o dalent, dyheadau a phrosiectau. Fel myfyriwr blwyddyn 4 mewn Gwyddorau Amgylcheddol, credaf bod cynaliadwyedd yn hawdd ac yn hwyl! (Nid yw hyn yn wir, ond gall fod.)

Helo! fy enw i yw Ashly ac rydw i’n fyfyriwr Peirianneg yn fy ail flwyddyn. Rydw i’n ymgeisio i fod yn Seneddwr Myfyrwyr oherwydd rydw i eisiau cyfrannu a gwneud gwahaniaeth fel y gall myfyrwyr y presennol a gorffennol gael y mwyaf o’i profiad prifysgol drwy sicrhau bod llais pawb yn cael ei glywed a nad oes dim lleiafrif yn cael eu tan-gynrychioli. Credaf y gellir gwireddu hyn drwy godi ymwybyddiaeth o bolisïau presennol a gwasanaethau sydd ar gael.

ASHA ARMIN My name is Asha and I am studying French and Spanish. I believe that I am a good candidate for the scrutiny committee because I have dedicated many hours towards the Students Union. I have volunteered for many roles such as being a student rep and this has made me a good leader, an effective problem solver, a good team member and I can critically analyse opinions without judgement. I received the Bronze Tier academic rep award. I am hardworking, passionate and supportive of others. I love making students feel at ease and I received the Cardiff Award. Fy enw i yw Asha ac rydw i’n astudio Ffrangeg a Sbaeneg. Credaf fy mod yn ymgeisydd da ar gyfer y pwyllgor craffu oherwydd fy mod wedi ymroi nifer o oriau tuag at Undeb y Myfyrwyr. Rydw i wedi gwirfoddoli ar gyfer sawl rôl megis bod yn gynrychiolydd myfyrwyr ac mae hyn wedi fy ngwneud i yn arweinydd da, yn ddatryswr problemau effeithiol, aelod tîm da a gallaf ddadansoddi opsiynau yn gritigol heb feirniadaeth. Derbyniais wobr cynrychiolydd academaidd Haen Efydd. Rydw i’n gweithio’n galed, yn angerddol ac yn cefnogi eraill. Rydw i wrth fy modd yn gwneud i fyfyrwyr deimlo’n gyfforddus ac fe dderbyniais Gwobr Caerdydd.

STUDENT SENATOR

MANIFESTO 2019

SENEDD MYFYRWYR

ALI SHAHID For more than 3 years I have lived away from home in many different places with people from all kinds of backgrounds. So, I have experience in how to talk to someone especially if we have nothing in common. As it is necessary to respect someone’s values, traditions, and opinions even if my own differ from theirs. Therefore, I believe that I can represent your opinion with an unbiased view. Most importantly I want to make more friends especially from other cultures and countries. So, Thank You for your consideration. I hope you vote for me. Am fwy na 3 mlynedd rydw i wedi byw oddi cartref mewn sawl lle gwahanol gyda phobl o bob math o gefndiroedd. Felly, mae gen i brofiad mewn sut i siarad gyda rhywun, yn enwedig os nad oes gennym unrhyw beth yn gyffredin. Gan ei fod yn angenrheidiol i barchu gwerthoedd, traddodiadau, a barn pobl hyd yn oed os mae fy rhai i yn wahanol. Felly, credaf y gallaf gynrychioli eich barn gyda golwg ddiduedd. Yn bwysicach fyth rydw i eisiau gwneud mwy o ffrindiau yn enwedig o ddiwylliannau a gwledydd gwahanol. Felly, Diolch am eich ystyriaeth. Rydw i’n gobeithio y gwnewch chi bleidleisio drosof i.

ALEXANDRIA FOK Hi, my name is Alexandria Fok and I am running for the position of Student Senator because I am passionate about enhancing and developing your student experience at the University, both now and after you graduate. If I was elected I would aim to: 1. Bring awareness to the University of the importance of being more disabilityfriendly. 2. To create and harbour a safe and friendly environment, in which all students feel connected to their student senator. 3. Campaign and draw attention to the importance of exam and assessment feedback across all years. Helo, fy enw i yw Alexandria Fok ac rydw i yn ymgeisio am y rôl Seneddwr Myfyrwyr oherwydd fy mod i yn angerddol am ehangu a datblygu eich profiad myfyrwyr yn y Brifysgol, nawr ac wedi i chi raddio. Pe byddwn yn cael fy ethol, byddwn yn anelu at: 1. Dod ag ymwybyddiaeth i’r Brifysgol ar bwysigrwydd bod yn fwy anableddgyfeillgar. 2. I greu a chadw amgylchedd ddiogel a chyfeillgar, lle bydd bob myfyriwr yn teimlo’n gysylltiedig i’w seneddwr myfyrwyr. 3. Ymgyrchu a dennu sylw tuag at bwysigrwydd adborth arholiad ac asesiadau ar draws bob blwyddyn.

MANIFESTO 2019

SCRUTINY COMMITTEE PWYLLGOR CRAFFU

Scrutiny Committee members are responsible for holding the Elected Officers accountable to their commitments, monitoring any ongoing projects and ensuring the officers are at all times striving to improve the student experience and lead Cardiff University Students’ Union in the right direction. Mae aelodau'r Pwyllgor Craffu yn gyfrifol am gadw'r Swyddogion Etholedig i gyfrif o ran eu hymrwymiadau, monitro unrhyw brosiectau parhaus a sicrhau bod swyddogion yn ceisio gwella profiad y myfyrwyr ac arwain Undeb Myfyrwyr Prifysgol Caerdydd i'r cyfeiriad cywir.

YIMING ZUO I'm YiMing Zuo. The most important role in the scrutiny position is to give feedback to the student union president on time. I am very keen on chatting with leaders and I want to have a try to serve as the commuter. Hope everyone can vote for me! YiMing Zuo dwi. Y rôl bwysicaf yn y swydd craffu yw i roi adborth i lywydd undeb myfyrwyr mewn pryd. Rydw i yn hynod awyddus i siarad gydag arweinwyr ac eisiau ceisio gwasanaethu fel cymudwr. Gobeithiaf y gall bawb bleidleisio drosof i!

CHRISTOPHER DUNNE Hi, I’m Chris, and I’m a 2nd year Law and Politics student. I’m running for Scrutiny Committee to ensure the SU is run in the best way possible, and that elected officers are fulfilling the promises of their manifestos. As a member of the committee, I would want to provide constructive feedback on the implementation of officers’ policies, seek out problems where they exist, and ensure that they are resolved. In this way, I believe that the SU can be run effectively, and in a manner that students’ want it to be run. Thanks for reading my manifesto! Haia, Chris dwi, ac rydw i’n fyfyriwr Y Gyfraith a Gwleidyddiaeth yn fy 2il flwyddyn. Rydw i’n ymgeisio i fod ar y Pwyllgor Craffu i sicrhau bod Undeb y Myfyrwyr yn cael ei redeg yn y ffordd orau bosibl, a bod swyddogion etholedig yn cyflawni eu haddewidion ar eu maniffesto. Fel aelod o’r pwyllgor, hoffwn ddarparu adborth adeiladol ar sut y caiff polisïau Swyddogion eu gweithredu, darganfod problemau os ydynt yn bodoli, a sicrhau eu bod yn cael eu datrys. Drwy wneud hyn, credaf y gall Undeb y Myfyrwyr ei redeg yn effeithiol, ac yn y ffordd yr hoffai myfyrwyr iddo gael ei redeg. Diolch am ddarllen fy maniffesto!

SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

MANIFESTO 2019

PWYLLGOR CRAFFU

THOMAS MAHONY-KELROSS

MUSKAN ARORA

No Manifesto Submitted

Heb gyflwyno maniffesto

SYED WAQAR

LUKE DOHERTY

Coming to university a little older than most, I have extra, invaluable life experience. This includes my time as a college student governor, where I sat on the Education and Student Services Committee. This allowed me to engage with, and discuss, policy; practices; and priorities. Experience in the retail industry, coupled with academic study, has sharpened my eye for detail, and enhanced my skills as a critical and analytical thinker. I am a determined and hard working individual - with a pragmatic and optimistic outlook.

Helo bawb, fy enw i yw Syed Waqar; rydw i’n fy nhrydedd blwyddyn yn astudio Gwleidyddiaeth a Chysylltiadau Rhyngwladol. Rydw i’n ymgeisio ar gyfer Senedd Myfyrwyr, Pwyllgor Craffu a Chynrychiolwr UCM (DU a Chymru) Gall y dasg o newid pethau fod yn hynod o anodd. Does dim ffyrdd amlwg, efallai bod rhai wedi dechrau troedio i rai mannau, ac mae caeau agored yn llawn posibiliadau mewn mannau eraill. Gyda’r ddealltwriaeth hon, rydw i eisiau gwneud yn siwr fod pawb yn cael eu cynrychioli, creu undeb myfyrwyr gynhwysol, a helpu gwneud Caerdydd yn le gwell i astudio ac ymwneud mewn dadleuon. Gwrando ar leisiau nas clywir a chydnabod potensial lle mae eraill yn gweld anobaith.

Drwy ddod i’r brifysgol, ychydig yn hyn na’r mwyafrif, mae gen i brofiad bywyd ychwanegol amhrisiadwy. Mae hyn yn cynnwys fy nghyfnod fel myfyriwr llywodraethol coleg, lle bues yn rhan o Bwyllgor Addysg a Gwasanaethau Myfyrwyr. Fe alluogodd hyn i mi ymgysylltu â, a thrafod, polisi, ymarferion, a blaenoriaethau. Mae profiad o’r diwydiant manwerthu, wedi ei gyplysu gydag astudiaeth academaidd, wedi hogi fy ngallu i sylwi ar fanylion, ehangu fy sgiliau meddwl y feirniadol ac yn ddadansoddol. Rydw i’n unigolyn penderfynol ac yn gweithio’n galed - gydag agwedd bragmataidd a chadarnhaol.

SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

MANIFESTO 2019

PWYLLGOR CRAFFU

JOSHUA LEWIS No Manifesto Submitted

HUI ZHANG Hi, I'm Huizhang (Serena ) from the law school, and I'm honored to have the opportunity to run for the student union. If I am successful, I will do my part to help every student at Cardiff university.When I was in high school, I was able to cooperate with others sincerely, coordinate the relationship between classmates, I've been on the Prime volunteer program for L.G.B.T. and I've been on the welcome team for the student union, and I'm a very enthusiastic person.Joining the student union is an honor, but also a responsibility. I know there are many challenges, I am confident.

Heb gyflwyno maniffesto

Helo, Huizhang (Serena) ydw i o Ysgol y Gyfraith, ac mae’n fraint i gael y cyfle i ymgeisio yn etholiadau Undeb y Myfyrwyr. Pe bawn i’n llwyddiannus, byddwn yn gwneud fy rhan i helpu bob myfyriwr ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd. Pan oeddwn yn yr Ysgol Uwchradd, roeddwn yn gallu cydweithio gydag eraill, cydlynu perthnasau rhwng fy nghyd-ddisgyblion, rydw i wedi bod ar y rhaglen wirfoddoli Prime ac wedi bod ar dîm croeso Undeb y Myfyrwyr, ac rydw i’n berson hynod frwdfrydig, Mae ymuno ag Undeb y Myfyrwyr yn fraint, ond hefyd yn gyfrifoldeb. Dwi’n gwybod bod sawl her, rydw i’n hyderus.

JANET WILLIAMS As Joint Chair of Scrutiny last year, I have the necessary experience to scrutinise the work of your Officers fairly. I also have an understanding from my role as Mature Student Officer 2017-18 what it feels like to be scrutinised. It is important to make sure your Officers are delivering on their promises and to support them in their roles. I had 13 jobs representing Student welfare last year including the banning of Letting Agents Fees and on 2 executive committees. I was part of TEAM CUSU during freshers. Let my experience speak for itself, vote #yeswejan. Fel cyd-gadeirydd y Pwyllgor Craffu llynedd, mae gen i‘r profiad angenrheidiol i graffu ar waith eich Swyddogion yn deg. Mae gennyf hefyd ddealltwriaeth drwy fy rôl fel Swyddog Myfyrwyr Hyn 2017-18, o sut deimlad ydyw i gael rhywun yn craffu ar fy ngweithredoedd. Mae’n bwysig sicrhau bod eich Swyddogion yn gweithredu eu haddewidion ac i’w cefnogi yn eu rolau. Roedd gen i 13 swydd yn cynrychioli lles Myfyrwyr llynedd yn cynnwys gwahardd Ffioedd Asiantaethau Gosod ac ar ddau Bwyllgor Gwaith. Bues yn rhan o DÎM UMPC yn ystod y Glas. Gadewch i fy mhrofiad siarad drosto ei hun, pleidleisiwch #yeswejan.

SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

MANIFESTO 2019

PWYLLGOR CRAFFU

ASHA ARMIN

ALI SHAHID

My name is Asha and I am studying French and Spanish. I believe that I am a good candidate for the scrutiny committee because I have dedicated many hours towards the Students Union. I have volunteered for many roles such as being a student rep and this has made me a good leader, an effective problem solver, a good team member and I can critically analyse opinions without judgement. I received the Bronze Tier academic rep award. I am a hardworking, passionate and supportive of others. I love making students feel at ease and I received the Cardiff Award.

Fy enw i yw Asha ac rydw i’n astudio Ffrangeg a Sbaeneg. Credaf fy mod yn ymgeisydd da ar gyfer y pwyllgor craffu oherwydd fy mod wedi ymroi nifer o oriau tuag at Undeb y Myfyrwyr. Rydw i wedi gwirfoddoli ar gyfer sawl rôl megis bod yn gynrychiolydd myfyrwyr ac mae hyn wedi fy ngwneud i yn arweinydd da, yn ddatryswr problemau effeithiol, aelod tîm da a gallaf ddadansoddi opsiynau yn gritigol heb feirniadaeth. Derbyniais wobr cynrychiolydd academaidd Haen Efydd. Rydw i’n gweithio’n galed, yn angerddol ac yn cefnogi eraill. Rydw i wrth fy modd yn gwneud i fyfyrwyr deimlo’n gyfforddus ac fe dderbyniais Wobr Caerdydd.

Am fwy na 3 mlynedd rydw i wedi byw oddi cartref mewn sawl lle gwahanol gyda phobl o bob math o gefndiroedd. Felly, mae gen i brofiad mewn sut i siarad gyda rhywun, yn enwedig os nad oes gennym unrhyw beth yn gyffredin. Gan ei fod yn angenrheidiol i barchu gwerthoedd, traddodiadau, a barn pobl hyd yn oed os mae fy rhai i yn wahanol. Felly, credaf y gallaf gynrychioli eich barn gyda golwg ddiduedd. Yn bwysicach fyth rydw i eisiau gwneud mwy o ffrindiau yn enwedig o ddiwylliannau a gwledydd gwahanol. Felly, Diolch am eich ystyriaeth. Rydw i’n gobeithio y gwnewch chi bleidleisio drosof i.

ANGHARAD WILLIAMS No Manifesto Submitted Heb gyflwyno maniffesto

ALEXANDRIA FOK Hi, my name is Alexandria Fok, and I am running for the position as a Scrutiny Committee Member. I am dedicated to ensuring that not only are your concerns heard, but that they are being actively resolved. If elected, I would: 1. Remain unnbias and personal when consistenly representing the views of all students. 2. Develop a system in which progress and status on a certain concern can be monitored, as to offer full transparency to students. 3. Ensure that your representatives hold up their promises, and that change is made. Helo, fy enw i yw Alexandria Fok, ac rydw i’n ymgeisio i fod yn aelod o’r Pwyllgor Craffu. Rydw i yn ymroddedig i sicrhau nid yn unig bod eich pryderon yn cael eu clywed, ond eu bod yn cael eu datrys. Os caf fy ethol, buaswn yn: 1. Parhau yn ddiduedd a phersonol pan yn cynrychioli daliadau myfyrwyr yn gyson. 2. Datblygu system lle gellir monitro datblygiad a statws ar bryderon penodol, er mwyn cynnig tryloywder llawn i fyfyrwyr. 3. Sicrhau bod eich cynrychiolwyr yn cadw at eu haddewidion, a bod newid yn cael ei weithredu.

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COLOFN 16

Indigo Jones

COLUMN ROAD

My “fake” disability

Raising awarenes of invisible illnesses: Doing various acitvities and travelling to different places does not mean that I’m taking the mickey. Source: Kathy Jones

n 2019, there is a need to raise awareness of Invisible Illnesses now more than ever. Within this article I will discuss my own experiences with an invisible illness and how we should react to and treat those with this variety of illness. Invisible illnesses can vary whether that is a mental illness, or a physical illness that can’t be seen straight away. The stigma surrounding these illnesses stems from the lack of awareness and education on what they are and how to address those with them. Although the title of this column sounds incredibly like ‘clickbait’, I didn’t intend for it to be. My intention was to demonstrate what people believed my illness was, which is “fake”. At the age of five, I was diagnosed with Perthes Disease, a hip condition which according to the NHS in scientific jargon means that, “part or all of the femoral head (top of the thigh bone: the ball part of the ball-and-socket hip joint) loses its blood supply and may become misshapen. This may lead to arthritis of the hip in later years.” Symptoms of the condition aren’t easy to notice. My parents noticed there was something wrong when I consistently walked with a limp and complained of pains in my legs. Children who suffer from the disease are able to have surgery, although my doctors wanted to see how my body would naturally recover. Therefore, instead of missing

school whilst recovering in hospital, I persevered through the pain and to minimise said pain I was advised to use a wheelchair until my hip naturally resolved the problem. This meant attending hydro and physiotherapy sessions twice a week, coping through the pain and then catching up on what I missed in primary school those two days a week for around three years of my childhood and, after that, I remained on crutches until comprehensive school.

Disbelief can often lead to misunderstandings, rejection by friends, family and health care providers IDA

Being in a wheelchair seems like a pretty obvious indication that somebody has a form of disability. You would be wrong to think that everyone assumed this. Although the wheelchair may have been visible, my illness very much wasn’t and therefore everyone’s first assumption was that I was faking it. During most of my childhood whilst suffering with this disability and being in a wheelchair, most children

and adults doubted that I even had anything wrong with me. My family and close school friends understood my condition, and how to go around what I needed to live an accessible life, but parents of fellow students and even the teachers lacked a belief in my condition and often thought I was faking it. I would hear teachers or teaching assistants gossiping about me and my condition saying things like “I saw her running around earlier” or “she was sat on the floor”, demonstrating how little they took note of my condition and the fact that I was a young child who often didn’t want to stay in my chair. My illness wasn’t taken seriously, and former carers took advantage of that by saying things like, “Can’t you just walk down the stairs?” to make their jobs easier. There was never a lift or a ramp built in the school during my time there, meaning that the school was never accessible and they did not accommodate to my disability. These very small changes can alter a child’s school experience as well their experience growing up with a disability. It was only towards the end of primary school where I had a teacher and carer who truly sympathised with my condition, and it made such an influential difference on the remainder of my primary school years. Don’t get me wrong, students, teachers and parents around me still

misunderstood my condition, but this small change in understanding makes the world of difference. When going to comprehensive school, my headmaster had one final meeting with my mother where he stated that he now understood the pain I had gone through and the restless nights, because now his dog had been diagnosed with Perthes disease, as if that was some commiseration.

Let’s destroy the stigma, invisibility doesn’t necessarily indicate fiction. According to the NHS, Perthes’ disease is rare and one in 9,000 children are affected. Due to the rarity of the condition it meant that very few people were aware and educated on how it affects sufferers. Last month, Invisible Illness Awareness Week took place, an opportunity for those who do suffer with invisible disabilities to raise awareness of their daily struggles and educate those who previously had no understanding of said struggles. Whether those conditions are arthritis, endometriosis or perhaps mental illnesses, the constant battle to have to argue on your own behalf to get your voice heard about your condition is an unneces-

sary added struggle to the disability. The Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA) state that as a result of the disbelief many people have of invisible illnesses, it can “lead to misunderstandings, rejection by friends, family and heath care providers. It may also lead to accusations of laziness or faking an illness.” This is why they raise awareness of these disabilities, to let people know that their conditions are in fact real and they shouldn’t question themselves. We shouldn’t have to have a physical condition that is visible to the eye just to be taken seriously. I have not written this article to share my story, but to raise awareness of invisible illnesses and shed light on how ignorance towards these disabilities only makes the lives of those suffering with them more difficult. I hope that no more children have to be made to feel guilty for their condition and suffer further because of the ignorance of the adults around them. Hopefully, my own primary school learnt from their mistakes from their mistreatment of my disability and accommodate to those who need the help now. If you see a disabled blue badge or somebody use the disabled toilet, don’t automatically judge them, don’t automatically begin to question them and do not automatically assume they are lying. Let’s destroy the stigma, invisibility doesn’t necessarily indicate fiction.

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CYNGOR

The truth behind PTSD

Disclaimer: This article deals with sensitive themes which some readers may find distressing.

Molly Govus Advice Editor

ou may have heard of the term PTSD before, you may have not. Maybe, you’ve heard the term ‘shell shock’ or ‘war neurosis’ to describe what we now call Post Traumatic Stress Disorder since the 1980’s in the UK. As much as the disorder can affect soldiers of war, due to education within the field of mental health, it is now well-known that the disorder can affect far more people than just those on the battle field. Unfortunately in this modern day, the mental health problem has become common in casual ‘banter’ (ever heard someone say that something has given them PTSD as a joke?) and therefore diminishes its harsh affects and the struggles of those who suffer with the disorder. So, how does it come about? As with most mental health problems, there isn’t a set boundary or checklist to confirm that you do or do not have PTSD. Each case is subjective and must be taken so; there is no right or wrong way to be diagnosed with it. According to PTSDUK, some examples of traumatic events include personal assault, bereavement, childhood neglect and prolonged bullying. Of course, there are only a few possibilities out of

hundreds listed, but each has the same affect on the person for the disorder to develop. It is important to consider that exposure to a traumatic event can happen in more than one way, and this doesn’t mean you have any less right to say you have PTSD. For instance, you could be the person to experience the traumatic event, you could have witnessed the traumatic event or someone close to you could have experienced the traumatic event which takes a knock-on effect.

PTSD is not something that comes and goes in waves. Those who work in dangerous fields, such as first responders, also may be exposed to trauma. The most important thing to take from this is that no matter how you were exposed to the trauma, you are still valid. PTSD isn’t something that comes and goes in waves, it is an underlying and constant condition that causes fear and helplessness when exposed to a similar situation to the trauma that first caused the disorder.

Unfortunately, it is never really expected for the person to ‘be cured’ from the trauma, but for things to gradually improve through acceptance of the traumatic experience and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). From a personal perspective, dealing with the symptoms of PTSD is something that I struggled with the most. After being diagnosed with PTSD and put on medication, I was left to myself and my therapist to sift through what felt like hundreds of years of trauma. Due to the way our brains are biologically programmed, we are supposed to process memories. This becomes extremely difficult when the memories that you need to process are traumatic and triggering. It can easily become a vicious cycle which can go on for years when avoiding the memory of the trauma becomes easier than reliving it. This is often the reason why many sufferers can go years without seeking help or guidance, because avoidance is better in the short-term. In our lives, one in two people will experience trauma. This isn’t hard to believe when trauma can be a result of anything which causes fear, helplessness and horror. Around 20% of those people can go on to develop PTSD. The

Tips on how to stay connected with your friends during univeristy

Molly Govus Rhiannon James Columnist Satwik Shivoham

Surviving trauma: You are worthy of help and support, no matter the stage or issue. Source: Camila Quintero Franco (via Unsplash)

Maintaining a long-distance friendship Katie Waits Contributor

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symptoms vary from case to case, but some of the most common are flashbacks, outbursts of anger, panic attacks, muscle aches , tensions, exhaustion and even chronic pain. It isn’t hard to understand how PTSD can be debilitating. There is hope, though. PTSD is a mental health issue that can be treated at any stage; all you have to do is know that you are worthy of the help and support.

rom year nine, my best friend and I spent a great deal of time together during school, holidays and weekends. We only lived a short drive away from each other which meant that it was easy to make last minute plans and hang out for hours and hours at a time. It was perfect. That all changed in the summer after year 13 when they moved away to Scotland. Many people talk or write about maintaining a long distance relationship, but long distance friendships can be just as important. With these friendships, you have to make a deliberate, sustained effort to be a part of each other’s lives. It’s very common for friendships to split in different directions due to university. Luckily, this friend who lives in Scotland goes to a Welsh university which makes the distance a bit easier, but nonetheless, it is far from ideal. They still live a few hours away. Fortunately, before they moved away, we established that we would definitely stay friends and after a year and a half of long distance friendship, it’s all still going strong. If you too are trying to maintain

Staying in touch: Make the effort to spend time together. Source: Helena Lopes (via Unsplash ) a long distance friendship, here are some tips. Firstly, social media is a godsend, whether you’re messaging a friend who lives an hour or several hours away from you. By following them on social media, you can send them a quick message just to say hello, or to let them know that you’re thinking of them. It’s definitely a nice feeling to receive a message from someone you

care about. Whether it’s messaging or just sharing memes, videos and photos, it allows you to keep up with and be a part of each other’s lives. For example, my best friend and I snapchat pretty much every day, whether that’s to show each other something, ask an opinion, or just to talk about anything. It’s definitely helped maintain our

friendship. Secondly, call and voice chat! Apps like Facetime and Skype are brilliant if you’d rather talk to your pals face-to-face. It’s definitely more fun when you can see them and hear their voice, plus it avoids any awkward miscommunications that can sometimes happen when messaging! Video chats can allow you to get on with whatever you’re doing whilst being in your friends’ familiar company. You can also easily take each other on tours of your university room, house, or even town if you want, involving them in your life all the more. Finally, visit your friends! Recently, I visited my best friend in their university and I came home feeling very content, appreciative and refreshed. Jumping on a bus allowed me to spend the weekend with them and make the most of their company. As cheesy as it sounds, it can remind you of how much you enjoy being around your long distance friends! It requires putting in a bit of effort and money, but it can definitely be worth it. Hopefully, it will be like you’ve never been apart.

CYNGOR 19 The benefits of a part-time How to recognise that the “perfect” Instagram lifestyle isn’t real job

Improving your Insta experience

Rhiannon James Advice Editor

nstagram aims to be a positive platform where people can share their favourite images. How Instagram makes you feel is up to you, it can be a positive platform but it can also be one that leaves you feeling miserable. In my opinion, this depends on who you follow and your self-confidence. If you’re already feeling a bit down about your appearance or your life in general and you come across an influencer’s post that screams perfect, it isn’t going to make you feel any better. In the current social media climate that we live in, there is an intense pressure to look and live in a certain way. Instagram has been a key element in enforcing unachievable beauty standards and the image of the “perfect life”. In order to avoid feeling deflated or “not good enough” after scrolling through Instagram you need to change the way you use social media. Following accounts that present the realities and struggles of daily life is a refreshing change to your feed. Chessie King is an influencer that posts realistic pictures of herself and her body on Instagram in order to combat the trend of comparing yourself to the “perfect body” you see a lot of the time. Chessie King aims to project the message that what you see on Instagram is the best parts of someone’s life, therefore it is a waste of your time to compare your real self to the carefully constructed and staged version

Molly Govus Advice Editor

of someone else. It isn’t only appearance that is envied on Instagram but the whole “perfect” lifestyle. The luxurious and lavish getaways and the constant state of happiness that is presented on Instagram can be damaging to social media users. For example, someone could post about the amazing new job they’ve secured, but they wouldn’t have shown the hard work and many disappointing job interviews that came before their success. Instagram is a business for influencers and it is often forgotten that the accounts we follow on Instagram are real people with struggles and worries just like everyone else, and the “perfect life” they’re presenting isn’t a reality.

Comparison is the thief of joy. Theodore Roosevelt

If you catch yourself wishing you had someone else’s life, take a reality check and remember that the content of their Instagram is a small fraction of their real life. Similarly to Chessie King, Malin Andersson maintains an aesthetically pleasing Instagram whilst also lifting the veil of unrealistic positivity. Andersson often highlights issues such as mental health, body confidence, domestic abuse awareness,

The “perfect body”: Instagram has contributed to the culture of unachievable beauty standards. Source: Taylor Smith (via Unsplash) cancer and many other real-life worries that affect so many of us every day. Andersson recognises that Instagram can be a positive platform but also a damaging one therefore she continues to make the conscious effort to present reality to her 479,000 followers. In order to make scrolling through Instagram a positive experience, I urge you to unfollow anyone that makes you feel deflated and miserable, and to follow accounts such as Chessie King’s and Malin Andersson’s. Accounts such as these are creat-

ing a new trend on Instagram, not the “perfect life” but the real one that everyone can relate to. Many of the people you see in the images on Instagram don’t even look like their images. It’s important to remember that there are editing apps and multiple shots taken before it reaches Instagram. As Theodore Roosevelt famously said, “Comparison is the thief of joy”, therefore spending time comparing yourself and your life to others is time you could’ve spent embracing yourself and growing as a person.

How to spend your reading week

Finding the balance between academic work and personal life

Lois Brooks Contributor

ith reading week fast approaching, it’s important to get organised. It’s the first time since joining university where you can spend a significant amount of time at home, but it’s also best to keep in mind that deadlines are fast approaching. It is no coincidence that your essay deadlines are situated around the week off, it is important to make the most of it. Looking back at my first reading week, I would definitely recommend trying to complete essay plans and readings or maybe even an essay before you make the trip home. Whilst this might be inconvenient leading up to your departure, it will be a saving grace when you’re at home and wanting to go out and about and meet friends. This is the only time in the academic year where you get a break, it’s important to enjoy and make a conscious effort to relax. Take the time to enjoy luxuries that university doesn’t quite offer, mine is always a bath. It’s important to remember it’s not called a reading week for nothing; it’s the perfect opportunity to get work done.

Change of scenery: Reading in the comfort of a coffee shop can make univeristy work more enjoyable. Source: ThoughtCatalog (via Unsplash) Use the time wisely, it’s a week away from university commitments and any possible distractions. Personally, I find living with my friends can sometimes result in a decline in productivity because I always end up socialising. Therefore, reading week is a great time to focus and get as much done as possible until you return to all the madness… Oh, and more deadlines! In order to achieve a good work-

life balance, how about spending weekends socialising and then the weekdays are spent working? Another option could be at the beginning of the day setting yourself a task and unless you’ve achieved that you can’t go out and socialise. With a routine in place, you might find that you will get through the deadlines quicker. I sometimes set myself challenges, such as: by Tuesday, I will want to have writ-

ten 750 words and then 500 the next day, therefore leaving yourself plenty of time to make any corrections. That being said, giving yourself a break is crucial to your academic success, especially if you’re a first year and it has been a whirlwind thus far. I like to embrace all the home comforts I’ve been missing: home cooked meals and a catch up with school friends who I don’t get to see regularly anymore. A way to stay motivated during reading week is to change up your working routine. Go to the local coffee shop you enjoy but take your work with you – you could even combine this with seeing a friend. Getting the perfect balance is sometimes tricky, but don’t let that weigh you down. I recommend that if you’ve got more than one essay due after reading week try and complete one before you leave for home - it will relieve some stress further down the line. Make sure you do relax and catch up with sleep though, have some time to yourself, but also read! Reading week is the perfect time to try and maintain your work ethic and keep up with deadlines. It is called reading week for a reason.

’ve had some laughable and fun part-time jobs in my time. Haven’t we all, though? I’ve been a stressed barista, a wand-making entertainment fairy, a Saturday girl for a local hairdressers, a summer school teacher and a server at a burger chain. As much as I may have loathed and dreaded the early starts, the commutes and the endless glitter in my hair, I have definitely learnt from each of them and took something valuable away from my experience. As cliché as it sounds, having a part-time job truly does help to set you up for the real world. I didn’t even know that I had a National Insurance number until I got my first job and I had no idea what a payslip was or what to do with it. I’m pretty certain I threw all mine away until I realised it was important and worth keeping. All these things become important to consider when you get a part-time job. When I worked as a summer school teacher, I really had to focus on my time management. It was an hour-round commute every day, there and back. Going straight from a lax university timetable to a full-time teaching schedule, I had to be really careful with my time. I had responsibilities; I had students to teach who were relying on me to show up on time. It sounds daunting, but having a part time job where I was responsible for something really motivated me to find a working routine, whilst fitting in any summer work and reading for my university course. Now, I know that some people may be lucky enough to not need a part-time job. This wasn’t my case, but I stand by saying that it is worth getting a job even if you wouldn’t necessarily benefit from the financial gain. I’m not sure how I would split my time between study, work and play if I didn’t have a job. Having a job really helps me prioritise and put into perspective what’s important and what isn’t. I’m secretly grateful for the nights where I have a closing shift, because it means I can’t go out and spend money that I really just don’t have. It allows me to separate my day into what’s important without feeling like a wandering and lost student. I have purpose with my job, and that makes me feel better. On a more serious note, as a student that suffers with mental health (like many, I’m sure), I often find it hard to leave my house when I’m having an off-day. Having a shift can often make or break days like this because it forces me to walk into town and back which is a good 40 minute walk. I always feel better after coming back though, because at least I can say I did something that day and I managed to get outside and be productive.

COLOFN

SATWIK Speaks

Satwik Shivoham

Getting the most out of your team

lot of our work is involved around people. At university, we all get allotted into groups of people in seminars, at work, during assessments and volunteering too. More often than not, we are faced with difficult situations with people who we think aren’t as “easy-going” or considerate to our way of things. While we all realize that working in teams gets the job done faster, none of us want to face the music when it comes to dealing with different personalities with different ideas. Your team mates may have conflicting opinions, different priorities and separate motivations at times. Some may want to complete the task “for the heck of it”, some may be too “passionate” to allow mistakes, some may just act as “bystanders”, but in all the cases, the stakes remain equally high and the group is expected to deliver, nonetheless. You can never complain about your group’s incompetence- because you are very much a part of it- and so you feel “trapped”. This begs the question- how then, do you deal with the task at-hand? How can you get past differences and make sure that the team aces the assignment, irrespective of individual viewpoints and conflicts? This is a “teamwork 101” for anyone who has had trouble in the past, man-

Transforming your “group” into a team: Three things to remember. Source: Pexels (Left); Piqsels (Right) aging work and assessments simply because of communication gaps, which can be resolved with very simple tricks. Ultimately, what you need to remember is that it is about setting and pursuing a common goal, despite having individual motivations. It just doesn’t matter if someone is doing it half-heartedly for the CV or with unmatched enthusiasm to fulfil their passions, or to simply get it over with- what’s common to all is that they are all task-oriented and want to get the job done. Everyone has that common destination, just varied levels of determination. If you learn to crack that and manage the team, reaching your target will be cakewalk.

You have to pursue a common goal, despite individual motivations. I believe that in a team, individual motivations do not matter so long as everyone is goal-oriented. Everyone works for different reasons, personal to them, but it is important you remain accepting towards their ideas nonetheless. Adopt some management tactics to gain maximum results. Firstly, encourage open communica-

tion. Explain your strengths, ideas and motivations at the very beginning to save time and allocate roles more effectively. Encourage others to do the same. It is crucial to understand your fellow teammates to get the best out of them. It does more harm than good to delegate work randomly as opposed to a carefully thought-out allocation, which will also make your teammates more comfortable. If someone prefers to avoid publicspeaking but can contribute in other manners, you must allow that. If you do what you love, they will love what you do. Open communication also involves allowing others to criticise or counter your views. I know it can be annoying at times, especially if you have been nominated as a “team leader”, but I’ve often benefitted greatly from others’ criticisms. Considering their perspectives will often help you to spot loopholes in your work, so hear them out anyway. Rather than thinking of them as uncompliant or non-cooperative, think of them as valuable assets who can spot potential failures. Moreover, listening never hurts! Secondly, find the middle ground in conflicting situations. Whether you have a “creative genius” pursuing perfectionism or a “rebel” who attacks all your ideas, there is always a middle ground you

can choose which will satisfy everyone. It may be against your wishes, but it will keep your teammates motivated. Inculcate the perfectionist’s ideas in your presentation rather than discarding them completely, use the rebel’s attacks to spot problems, and encourage the shy person to observe and suggest changes as a “bystander”. Everybody has a talent you can inculcate, you just have to find it. It is completely okay if it doesn’t show noticeably in the final result. Thirdly, if all else fails, lead the way anyway. Sometimes, things are just too chaotic and mixed-up, or the task is too complicated for everyone to suggest their own ways of doing it. Your teammates may themselves feel frustrated and lost, and that’s the perfect opportunity to step up and guide them. Give your team and yourself a direction to pursue and everything else will fall in place. You’ll be respected for it even if the team fails at the task. Failing with direction is more comforting than failing with no sense of purpose. If you fail having had a set goal and a plan of action in mind, you’ll have plenty to reflect upon and learn from, so, avoid going in blind. Take a leadership stance anyway, and draw up a plan of action anyway. Although most teams often form an “alpha” or a leader automatically, it’s a good idea to step up if that doesn’t hap-

pen. It will promote clarity of thought and coordinated efforts. If your idea leads to the destination, your peers will follow anyway, irrespective of personal biases and ideas. Finally, you should know that there is no perfect team. You’re mostly given your members at random, so it is crucial you learn to adapt efficiently, and also help others adapt. You can rarely change their personalities and their temperaments, but you can always devise ways to deal with them and turn their apparent weaknesses into strengths.

There is never a ‘perfect team’. Adaptability is key. For the sake of the task, always remain goal-oriented, not process-oriented because that’s where it gets complex. It invites unnecessary debate and it is you will have deadlines to meet. Should you choose to reject an idea, be courteous to hear it out first and encourage more anyway. Groups turn into teams because of positive morale and a common objective, so the primary goal is to maintain the two first, and then inculcate individual motives and “personal touches”.

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Your science desk Hollly Giles

Cardiff University’s Bernard Schutz given prestigous US physics award Gair Rhydd takes a look at the man behind the prize

Holly Giles Science Editor

fter nearly 40 years working on gravitational physics, Professor Bernard Schutz has been well rewarded this month with the prestigious Richard Isaacson Award in Gravitational-Wave Science. This $5,000 award is worth so much more than the money, including a press release and scientific conference where Schutz will be invited to share his findings in spring 2020. He has been at Cardiff University since 1998 and is a great asset to our institution as this award highlights.

The man behind the work:

Bernard Schut, 73 years old, has had a lifelong love of physics, having graduated with a Physics degree from Clarkson University and then a further Ph.D. from Caltech in 1972. He then moved to Cardiff University and built a research group studying the stability of neutron stars. This then led to a move to Germany, where he set up the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics. He was the director for this centre until his retirement in 2014, when he returned to Cardiff. He now holds a part-time professorship at Cardiff University (both in the School of Physics and Astronomy and the Data Innovation Research Institute) as well as being the Emeritus Director for the Max Planck Institute and an Adjunct Professor of Physics at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Despite these commitments and responsibilities, Schutz has also completed his own research, supervised upcoming scientists, written three books and co-authored nearly 300 referenced papers. His resume is not only impressive in content but in his commitment to his field, his subject

Gravitational Waves: “I am delighted that the American Physical Society recognises our long-term contribution to gravitational-wave data analysis”, says Schutz. Source: Chalie. W Karl (via Flickr) and his colleagues.

His Science:

Gravitational waves are a concept first proposed by Einstein nearly a century ago but they were only detected in September 2015 in Schutz’s team. Schutz explains his work as “signal hunting” where he finds signals buried in background noise and then extracts information from them. “My contribution to gravitational wave science has been to understand what information these very weak signals could contain and then to try to perfect our ability to recognize and extract the signals that nature provides for us, against detector noise. “Although our detectors are won-

derfully quiet, detecting signals and understanding what they tell us requires as much information as we can get beforehand about what the signals might look like. This involves using supercomputers to make models of sources of gravitational waves, inventing clever analysis methods to match signals with these supercomputer predictions, and keeping up with the latest information that other astronomers and astrophysicists can provide” explains Schutz on his blog, The Rumbling Universe.

The award:

The citation provided by the society explained Schutz received the award for “pioneering and decisive contributions to the development

and successful implementation of analysis techniques required to detect and interpret gravitational-wave signals”. This citation captivates the heart of Schutz’s research: to understand Einstein’s theory of gravitational waves, why they occur and how we can see them better. In response to receiving the award Schutz said: “I am delighted that the American Physical Society recognises our long-term contribution to gravitational-wave data analysis”. Here he recognises the team that have helped him achieve his success. This is an amazing result not only for the physicist and his team but also to Cardiff University, where he has spent over 21 years.

New technology developed to remove carbon dioxide from the air It may be vital in the fight against climate change

Charlotte King Deputy Editor

he battle to limit the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has progressed recently as engineers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have discovered a “revolutionary” way to remove carbon dioxide straight out of the air. Methods of removing carbon dioxide from the air have already been discovered, however, this new development is significant because MIT has been successful in removing the gas at any concentration level from the atmosphere. Previously, carbon dioxide could only be removed from a stream of gas when in high concentrations.

Moreover, the new method of removal is significantly less expensive and energy-intensive than older processes, MIT researchers say. MIT researcher Sahag Voskian is credited for this discovery. The device he and his team have created is essentially “a large, specialised battery” which is able to absorb carbon dioxide from the air passing by its electrodes as the battery charges up. The new device requires no “intermediate chemical processing steps” or the input of heat or pressure differences to work, unlike other methods of removing the greenhouse gas from the air. Some are speculating that this advance in technology may be vital in reducing the concentration of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere.

Whilst this device is being piloted in the US, in September 2019, the UK’s offshore oil and gas industry announced that it intends to reduce its carbon emissions and hopes to make greater use of “carbon capture technologies” in an attempt to offset its carbon footprint. What’s more, earlier this year, the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee warned that heavy industries in the UK, such as the oil and gas industry, could be made to close down unless they and the government adopt carbon capture methods. Currently, the MIT researchers who made the new discovery have set up a company called Verdox and they hope to commercialise the method. Over the next few years,

they are expected to develop a pilot carbon capture plan, says MIT, and the system should be easily scaled up to allow one to draw more carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.

The new device can draw any concentration of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.

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Obesity risks different between the genders, new study finds

It also increases the risk of more health conditions than previously thought Charlotte King Deputy Editor

recent study by the University of Oxford has reported that obesity is linked to a far greater variety of life-threatening conditions than previously thought and that whilst it increases the risk of one suffering from heart disease and diabetes, for example, excess body fat can exacerbate different causes of death in men and women. Obesity is one of the most common health conditions across the globe and reportedly contributes to the development of an array of health problems in both men and women, and the University of Oxford states that “[their] study has...found that obesity causes or contributes to the majority of the leading causes of death worldwide that are not linked to infectious diseases”. However, the research recently published by the university has also reported that obesity is linked to more health conditions than originally thought, including type one and type two diabetes, coronary artery disease, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and kidney failure, marking an increase in the number of conditions doctors previously believed obesity contributed to. These are “life-threatening” conditions, the university reports, which the World Health Organisation (WHO) has ranked as leading causes of death and disability around the world.

Within the report, the authors also emphasised that prior to their research, “sex-specific relationships [were] largely unexplored” and researcher Cecilia Lindgren reports that their study discovered that not only is obesity linked to a wide array of conditions, but it also increases the risk of different conditions in men and women. For example, obesity increases the risk of type 2 diabetes in women more greatly than in men, whilst for men, it exacerbates the risk of them suffering from COPD and chronic kidney disease more than women. To identify obesity, the researchers measured individuals’ body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio and waisthip ratio adjusted for their BMI, using a cohort of over 228,000 women and 195,000 men. One of the authors of the report says, “this study shows just how harmful carrying excess weight can be to human health, and that women and men may experience different diseases as a result.” Michael Holmes, who helped Lindgren to supervise the research, has said that the findings “highlight the critical need for public health measures to stem the tide of obesity” and therefore, the report states that preventing obesity and treating it promptly is crucial to limit the emergence of these other health conditions linked to obesity. Globally, the University of Oxford reports that obesity rates have tripled

Nina Fowler Contributor

I An ever-growing nation: 28.7% of adults in the UK are obese and the figure is ever-growing. Source: Wikimedia Commons since 1975. As for the UK, in 2017, the During 2017/18, the NHS reports Health Survey for England reported that there were 10,660 admissions to that approximately one third of the UK hospitals which were directly atUK’s population are overweight with tributable to obesity, a slight decrease the greatest cohort being individuals from 2016/17, but there were 711,000 aged between 45 and 54 years old. The admissions where obesity was a concohort aged 16-24, on the contrary, tributing factor to illness, and increase sees the most underweight individu- almost 100,000 from the year before. als by far. Ultimately, these new findings by According to the National Health the University of Oxford have altered Service (NHS), obesity is estimated to our understanding of obesity and how affect one in four adults and one in five it affects individuals. children in the UK. They recommend The university states that it believe that the best way to combat obesity is theses findings “have potential implito reduce the number of calories one cations for the design of public health eats, eat slowly, and exercise regularly strategies and suggests that different through activities such as walking or preventative measures targeted at swimming for two and a half to five men and women may be warranted” hours each week. in the future.

Will a universal flu vaccine ever be possible? New research this month brings us one step closer to answering this age-old question

Holly Giles Science Editor

lu is often referred to as The Silent Killer, being a condition far worse than a sniffly nose and a tickly cough. It is estimated to have caused up to 79,000 deaths annually since 2010, meaning around 700,000 people have been killed by the flu since 2010. The development and implications of the “flu shot”, an injection of a weakened strain of the virus used to protect people from the condition, had drastically decreased the number of hospital admissions and ultimately fatalities from Influenza, but it is far from perfect as Barney Graham, Deputy Director of the Vaccine Research Centre, explains: “The 2009 pandemic made it obvious and clear that we didn’t have good enough solutions for influenza vaccines. We knew the virus, but we weren’t able to make enough vaccine quickly enough”. Viruses can mutate and change meaning a specific flu vaccine can have between 60% protection and as

low as 10% protection if the patient is exposed to a different strain. The phrase “universal flu vaccine”, a vaccine which could provide protection against all strains of the virus regardless of mutations, has been a far-off pipedream for many but with recent developments it may be a step closer to becoming a reality. This is due to the work of Washington University School of Medicine and the Icahn School of Medicine in a team headed up by three senior co-authors, including Ali Ellebedy. This idea was first formed by Ellebedy when he found unexpected antibodies in the blood sample of a flu patient. Upon examination he found one of these antibodies blocked all known types of flu virus activity, both human and nonhuman strains. Krammer, another senior coauthor, explained: “The breadth of the antibodies really came as a surprise to us. Typically, anti-neuraminidase antibodies can be broad within a subtype, like H1N1, but an antibody with potent activity across subtypes was unheard of. At first, we did not believe

Tiny beetle stands up against climate change

our results. Especially the ability of the antibodies to cross between influenza A and influenza B viruses is just mind-boggling. It is amazing what the human immune system is capable of if presented with the right antigens.” They then tested this theory further using mice given a fatal dose of influenza. When given the antibody all the mice survived; this is a ground breaking result and suggests “you might be able to use this antibody in an intensive care scenario when you have someone sick with flu and it’s too late to use Tamiflu” explains Ellebedy. Tamiflu must be administered within 24 hours of symptoms but in this experiment mice survived even if they were given the antibody 72 hours later. This extra time could transform medical practice and save thousands of lives. The investigation has now continued with new vigour as researchers know the targets and the scope of their findings. They hope to be able to run clinical trials in the near-distant future meaning a universal flu vaccine is now only a matter of time.

Flu got you feeling blue?: The flu vaccine prevented an estimated 5.3 million cases last year but it still has a long way to go. Source: Wikimedia Commons

’m sure you have all heard of climate activist Greta Thunberg, most famously known for calling-out the human race in their destruction of the plane. Recently, scientists at the Natural History Museum have honoured her by naming a beetle after her. The insect has been called Nelloptodes gretae and was first discovered in 1965 by Dr William Black whilst in Nairobi, Kenya before it was donated to the museum in 1978. The goldencoloured arthropod is a member of the Ptiliidae family containing the world’s smallest beetles. Being only 1mm long, it is too small to even have eyes. The Natural History Museum tweeted at the time of announcement, saying “you are never too small to make a difference”, an obvious praise to Greta’s never-ending advocacy for climate action. Greta was initially recognised for missing school every Friday to protest the lack of change from the Swedish government to help slow climate change. Dr Max Barclay discovered the, previously nameless, beetle amongst Dr Black’s donated collection whilst studying the range of insects donated. He chose to honour Greta Thunberg as “it is likely that undiscovered species are being lost all the time, before scientists have even named them, because of biodiversity loss”. Biodiversity is essential for homeostasis and the balance of our everchanging planet. Greta’s push for a radical change in the way we use the environment will not only slow global warming but will also aid in biodiversity of the planet, some say. Many news articles are also highlighting the likeness of the beetle’s long antennae to Greta’s signature plaits. These have recently been ridiculed by a small but loud proportion of the population, who compared her to Nazi propaganda. This came a week after she organised a global strike for climate change, where 150 countries took part in over 5,000 events. After another recent barrage of hate, Greta released a video explaining the ‘Greta Thunberg Helpline’ – a helpline dedicated to adults who get irrationally angry at children. This came after President Donald Trump shared a video of her speaking at the UN climate action summit, which she travelled to by boat to reduce her carbon footprint, in which he called her a “happy, young girl” as she tore-down world leaders for not doing enough in the face of climate change.

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Your @Caerdydd desk Tirion Davies Natalie Graham

A city of stars

How Hollywood's discovery of Wales has become an allyship Tirion Davies @Caerdydd Editor

id you realise that Sherlock’s Mind Palace is actually Cardiff University’s Main Building? Or that Sarah Jane’s house from Sarah Jane Adventures is actually in Penarth? Did you realise that the Hydra base Bucky Barnes is held at in Captain America: The First Avenger isn’t in Germany, but actually Caerwent? And that Pam and Mick’s house from Gavin & Stacey isn’t Essex at all, but rather Dinas Powys? Wales has been used for film and television sets for years, but recently – more notably than ever – Wales and Cardiff have been an ally in the Hollywood filmmaking process. These past few weeks, Cardiff ’s been abuzz with the news that a Hollywood film crew have shut down Newport Road and transported it to a New York road, with Americanstyle traffic lights and New York Police Department-branded cars. It was hard to walk around Cardiff city center these past few weeks and not hear the whispers about the Hollywood heartthrob walking around the city. and the Hollywood fog felt across the streets of Cardiff. Filming for a new Mark Wahlberg blockbuster, Hollywood has taken over Newport Road and filming is taking place outside of Mercure Holland House Hotel. Luckily for some guests who booked their stay at the hotel long before the Hollywood star touched down in the 'Diff, they may get a glimpse of the Hollywood actor himself, as the hotel remains open for guests. Gunfire, an Aston Martin car being flipped and New York Police Department cars being covered in rubble and caught up in car crashes aren't exactly everyday occurrances. Despite the fact filming for the blockbuster is set to take place across the United Kingdom, scenes filmed in the Welsh capital are being described as a "major sequence" in the film's plot. The film, set to be released late next year, is about a man who discovers his hallucinations are in fact visions from a past life. Look out for Infinite in cinemas, the adaptation of the 2009 novel, The Reincarnationist Papers by D. Eric Maikranz, as it’s sure to make a few Cardiff-natives perk up in their seats at the sight of the Mercure during a (supposed) New York police chase scene. But it's not completely abnormal that Cardiff is being used for filming purposes. Many born and bred in Cardiff would have barely bat an eyelid when they were told their bus would be diverted in order to avoid disrupting the illusion. New York doesn't exactly have green and orange buses with place names like 'Llandaff ' on them, I'm afraid. Wales is used to production crews at this point. A few years ago, during the filming of Sherlock’s multiple series, it was hard to walk around the university’s Cathays Park campus and not see a multitude of trailers. Being a BBC Cymru production, I'm sure many are aware Sherlock films across Wales. Cardiff Univer-

Shell Cottage at Freshwater West: The cottage made popular in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 is actually based in Pembroke. Source: Russ Hammer (via Wikipedia) sity is a backdrop for other television programmes, too. Since Sherlock's last appearance on our television screens, the university's Main Building has also been used for scenes between the Doctor and Bill in Doctor Who as well as a main set used for television programmes such as Requiem and Class. Cardiff University is open to being used as sets, and it's rather encouraged by the university. Many Cardiff University students have even appeared in the hit Netflix tv-show Sex Education, with its filming taking place across South Wales and Cardiff, despite the rather American high school theme the series seems to have. Broadway superstar and Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda recently revealed his love of South Wales, having spent months filming for the star-studded television adaptation of Phillip Pulman’s His Dark Materials this past summer. Wales can sometimes be forgotten about in relation to the United Kingdom, but LinManuel Miranda's discussion about Wales helped to further magnify our place on the world map. The actor and script writer was enamoured with our castles and our landscapes, and even tweeted about some Welsh myths and legends otherwise forgotten about outside of Cymru. If we're lucky, Lin-Manuel Miranda may even pitch a Disney film about a Welsh myth (God knows we have plenty to choose from). He must have an in with Disney, after his involvement in the music of the 2016 animation Moana. Wonder Woman 1984, the longawaited sequel to the 2017 fan favourite has decided on Wales as a filming destination, filming having already begun in North Wales this year. Because Wales seems to have a landscape perfect for any kind of film. You know that tear-jerking scene on the beach in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I (you know the one)? It was filmed on a Pembrokeshire beach. The beautiful ‘English’ town Lou lives in (with that picturesque castle) during the film adaptation of JoJo Moyes’ Me Before You? Cymru, not England – the town was actually Pembroke. A 2007 film, 28 Weeks Later, about

repopulating a small section of London after a rare virus, has a scene within London’s Wembley Stadium. But the stadium seen in the film isn’t Wembley at all – it’s Cardiff ’s Principality Stadium. But Cardiff is also being used more and more frequently in television and film. Often this city is used as an alternative to London. Obvious examples of this are Doctor Who and Sherlock, and it does the trick; most Americans won’t be able to tell the difference between Cardiff 's Queen Street and London's Bond Street. A scene from popular American sitcom The Big Bang Theory had its characters discussing Doctor Who and mentioning "for someone who has a machine that can travel anywhere in time and space, Doctor Who sure does have a thing for modern-day London". Ironic, as 'modern-day London' is actually the Welsh capital city. There's even a scene during David Tennant's run as the 10th Doctor, filmed in front of Cardiff Bay's Wales Millennium Centre, which many on the internet believed was London, despite the site becoming an iconic part of the Torchwood series - which was based in Cardiff Bay. Wales is becoming a popular filming location amongst Hollywood producers. But within Wales, Cardiff has always been a popular venue for those hoping for an urban feel. Of course, the BBC drama Torchwood was based and filmed primarily in Cardiff Bay as part of the Doctor Who franchise.

Torchwood: Filming the series. Source: Stuart Lee (via Wikimedia Commons)

The programme garnered such a response that following the beloved character Ianto Jones’ death on the show, fans flocked to Mermaid Quay to pay their respects to the fictional character. A few years ago, the management of Mermaid Quay even created a plaque to formerly mark the commemoration of the character. Eddie’s Diner, and Americanthemed restaurant also in Mermaid Quay even boasts photos on its wall of its time as a set for Doctor Who episodes based in the US. More recently, Keeping Faith (and its Welsh-language counterpart Un Bore Mercher) filmed various scenes of the second series in Cardiff, as opposed to the West Wales scenery more commonly found in the first series. But who could forget of course, the likes of programmes such as Casualty? Long running, with its filming hub mainly in Tiger Bay, Casualty finds a new section of Cardiff and the Vale to visit each week for a dramatic storyline. The show has been loyal to Cardiff for years, and the showrunners must be glad the show’s filming in Cardiff – there’s an abundance of shooting locations. Of course, who could forget Gavin & Stacey? The show that swept the nation, and swept the globe, too – it made James Corden a superstar. The show has been brilliant for drumming up visitors in Barry, a part of Wales otherwise left alone for years. With the long-awaited return this Christmas, the cast and crew of Gavin & Stacey returned to Cardiff and the Vale this summer when it comes to filming locations at this point – it’s no surprise Gavin & Stacey were eager to snap up Cardiff and the Vale filming locations for their much-anticipated return to our screens. Wales is beautiful, there’s no doubt about it. The combination of tradition in many parts of Wales, and the modern in cities like Cardiff mean that film crews flock. With streets that aren’t too overcrowded, and landscapes hard to find anywhere else in the world, it’s not too surprising that the movies have seen their chance to use Wales to their advantage. Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan tourism has even grown over the years as a result – with tours of the Cardiff Bay sets available, and a Gavin & Stacey tour running around the Vale of Glamorgan and even many jumping at the opportunity to visit cult-classic locations from Doctor Who and Sherlock. We’ve gifted Hollywood many of our finest actors, and in return it’s made us its ally in the filmmaking process. Although we've lost Catherine Zeta Jones and Anthony Hopkins to the allure of Los Angeles, we've earned the Hollywood seal of approval when it comes to filming locations. Even if there are many films and television programmes shooting in Cardiff each year, it's doubtful it’ll ever stop being cool that it's possible to stumble upon a New York-styled street in the heart of Wales on a Tuesday afternoon.

The future is female

Warrior Womens Event: A celebration of female success Natalie Graham @Caerdydd Editor

get to network and interact with some pretty inspiring ladies.”

What has the reaction been since you started the events?

n a world where women are still pushed to the side, Warrior Women have stepped up to the mark creating an outlet for women to flourish and step into the spotlight. I first read about Warrior Women Events after seeing a Facebook advertisement, my first impressions? A welcoming, inspiring and safe place to express individuality and creativity. Rather than have me describe to you the refreshing and much needed female only events, I have asked the founders of Warrior Women’s Events to do it for me!

How would you summaris Warrior Women Events to young women aren’t aware what it is?? Perhaps what would be the benefit to students who are about to graduate and enter the workplace? “Warrior Women Events are

monthly events that aim to inspire and celebrate women. The thought provoking and feel good events, bring together like-minded women in a relaxed and friendly environment. Each month has a different theme and shines the spotlight on some inspirational ladies who share their journeys and stories with us. "The events are suitable for all women at all ages – especially those who are about to graduate or enter the workplace as they are a great way to learn and they are also an opportunity for you to meet other women and make connections. The aim of our events are that our tribe leave feeling inspired and motivated – but most importantly leave feeling good. At every event we have a guest blogger who captures the event in their own words. So if you have your own blog and fancy covering one of our events – get in touch! Or if you can’t make it to one of our events, our Warrior Women Wednesday feature on our social media channels is a great way to learn about a variety of different inspiring women.”

Why and when was Warrior Women set up? “We would always come across amazing women doing unbelievable things in Wales - whether that was in business, society or the community – and we were always blown away by the abundance of talent and inspirational journeys on our door step.We noticed that the networking events available were mostly just suited to one type of audience, and there wasn’t a space in Cardiff where we could network, celebrate the successes of women and learn from their experiences. "We wanted to find a way to bring together the amazing women

Warrior Women Events: These networking events are for women only. Source: Amy Holland and Charlie Morgan (Co Founders) of Wales and so in 2017 Warrior Women Events was born – with the aim to produce thought provoking, feel good and inspiring events. Over time the events have evolved, we’ve constantly asked for feedback and listened to what our attendees want so that they can get even more out of coming along.”

place, win prizes and sample some of their delicious work.You’ll also get the chance to mingle with some pretty awesome ladies – whether that’s other attendees, our speakers or those who have a stall in our market place. It’s a really relaxed and friendly environment and the aim is that you leave feeling inspired and feeling good!”

Why is this a woman only event, is there a need/ Do you have a theme for demand for women only each meet up or is it all networking groups? about open discussion? “The events aim to inspire and celebrate women. We wanted to create a space where like-minded women could come together and we could learn from the successes and experiences of women. We also wanted to create a platform for female run businesses and brands to share their stories but also showcase their products and talent. "The events started as a passion project and we have been blown away by the support and positive feedback that they have received. The events really demonstrate what an amazing community that we have in Wales.”

“Each month the event has a different theme and we cover a variety of relevant subjects. Past topics have included self-love, career, interior design, sustainable fashion and our last event was part of Cardiff Design Festival and featured three amazing creative ladies who turned their passions into successful businesses. "We really welcome audience participation especially in the Q&A part of the evening – the audience always have such interesting questions for our panel.”

“The reaction from those who have attended our events has been really positive. We love the fact that people leave inspired and feeling good – whether that’s from being motivated by one of our talks, learning something new or just making a new connection. "You can take as much or as little as you like from the event, you may come with a group of friends for a night out or come to network like a boss – the event is there for whatever you want it to be. "We love reading everyone’s messages on social media after the event – one of our favourites was ‘I think it’s officially on my list of reasons to love Cardiff.’”

When and what is your next event? “Our next event is Thursday 14th November at Tramshed Tech and is all about ‘Women at the Top’. "We’ve got two inspirational ladies, both at the top of their game, sharing with us their journeys and experiences of getting to where they are today. "So if you are just starting out on your career or even just fancy listening to some inspiring stories – then make sure you grab yourself a ticket!”

For more information on Warrior Women Events visit: www.warriorwomenevents.co. uk

we’ve been lucky to work with some amazing businesses who have shared our vision of empowering and celebrating women. "We’ve recently just entered into a new partnership with Tramshed Tech which we are really excited about as it means even more women can benefit from our events. "We always support local businesses and are lucky to have worked with some inspiring female run businesses and showcase the work of some really talented ladies at our events. We think it’s great that attendees get to meet the makers and

Events - November 2019 National Museum of Wales Cardiff: Dippy the Dinasour on Tour Display available until January 26 2020 Photography Season Display available until March 1 2020

Wales Millennium Centre: Eddie Izzard: Wunderbar November 6, 8:00pm

Cardiff and Vale Events: Penarth Fireworks Fiesta Tuesday November 5, 6:00pm Penarth Athletic Club Cardiff Winter Wonderland Opens November 8!

Cardiff Winter Wonderland. Source: Michael Curi (via Flickr)

Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama presents BlackRAT: Art Thursday November 7, 7:45pm Cardiff Christmas Market

Sherman Theatre Cardiff: Daliso Chaponda: Blah Blah Blacklist Main performance on November 8, 7:30pm Mags Evening performances November 12 until November 15, 7:30pm

Story Cardiff: Dick & Dom Quidz Mondays: Source: Rich305245 Dick & Dom in (via Wikimedia the 'Diff Commons) Monday November 11

Is this a profit/Not for profit organisation and do you have commercial Can you explain for po- support from businesses tential new attendees or charities? what happens at one of the meet ups? What “Warrior Women Events started should they expect to as a passion project and has evolved gain from attending? over time. As we’ve grown in size, “At every event you step into our Warrior Women Events bubble for a few hours. Each event consists of a different theme and features a panel of three inspiring ladies who talk to us about their experiences. We hear the highs and lows of their journey and really peel back the layers of a topic. "As well as getting a friendly welcome and a drink on arrival, the event features a range of amazing local female run businesses - you have the chance to browse and see their awesome work at our market

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Y Plas:

Loyle Carner November 5 Reel Big Fish November 14

Warrior Women Events in action: From left to right - Charlie Morgan Co-Founder, Amy Holland Co-Founder, Ailsa Meredith Events Assistant. Source: Amy Holland and Charlie Morgan (Co Founders)

Clwb Ifor Bach

Loyle Carner. Source: Nicolas Volcker (via Wikimedia Commons)

Souljam: Make it Funky Tuesday November 5, 11:00pm Declan Welsh & the Decadent West Wednesday November 6, 7:00pm

SPORT

To contact our sport desk, drop us an email at sport@gairrhydd.com

Your sport desk Reece Chambers George Willoughby Ella Fenwick Luke Wakeling Olly Allen

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CHWARAEON

Mental Health in Sport How does the sporting world deal with mental health issues?

Gair Rhydd Sport investigates the state of play regarding mental health in sport. Head of Sport, Reece Chambers, speaks to professional athletes, people who have turned their lives around through the power of sport and Cardiff University students taking part in Movember. Reece Chambers Head of Sport

hen I first considered running a feature on mental health in sport, ideas started jumping into my head about what statistics I could use and which graphics would look best. But, whilst the figures to the right deserve attention, if there’s one thing I’ve learnt in the last few weeks, it’s that experiences of mental health in sport are not best illustrated through data. Everyone’s experiences with mental health and indeed sport are different in every respect of the word and that’s something data can’t quite represent - at least not yet. As a result, this feature includes in-depth interviews with three people from the world of sport who all have different stories to tell: an Ospreys rugby player, an ex-professional footballer and an NHS employee who has created a platform for people to share their experiences in sport.

As I hope you will see from all three interviews, there is no blueprint to overcoming mental health issues through sport. Issues outlined in this feature range from retirement and injury struggles, to grieving over the loss of loved ones through sport. Such delicate topics deserve close attention, and so this feature seeks to illustrate that sport can often be a power for good in society, whilst also pointing towards some of its flaws. Movember means that men’s mental health is at the forefront of debate within society - which is great, to an extent. However, what must be strongly reiterated is that this campaign deserves attention all year round. Whilst data cannot fully paint the picture, the fact that 84 men take their lives per week in the UK is a national tragedy. We, the public, must do everything we can to bring that number down and, through this feature, I hope to have shown how sport can help to do that.

In numbers: mental health in sport

75%

Three out of four suicides in the UK are committed by men (ONS)

1 in 6

One in six men suffer from mental health issues (Mind)

£8.2m

Sport England have invested £8.2m into mental health projects (Sport England)

£440m

The Movember Foundation has raised over £440m for men’s mental health (Movember Foundation)

Sharing life-changing experiences through sport Sam Dale founded Sporting Heads in 2017 after losing his father to cancer

n all aspects of life, it is often said that community and togetherness can get people through the toughest of times. Through the power of story-telling, Sam Dale founded Sporting Heads 18 months ago with the aim of showing that sport can be a positive benefit for those who need it most. Sporting Heads is a website that provides people recovering from mental health issues the opportunity to share their experiences of empowerment through sport. Ranging from extreme running to indoor rowing, it is now home to roughly 50 personal stories exploring mental health recovery through sporting activity. For Sam, though, the creation of Sporting Heads was borne out of difficulties he was facing in his own personal life. After the loss of his father to cancer two years ago, his ability to process such a difficult time in his life proved challenging. “I struggled to process it with a busy life having three little kids, a full-time job and a host of other commitments. “I knew I needed to find the time to stop and think about it all, but life was just too hectic. I just simply couldn’t find the right time or place.” As a keen open water swimmer,

Sam found it to be the best way he could escape from difficulties in life. “The cold water, being surrounded by nature, the physical challenge and meeting like-minded people through exercise was a huge help to me. I found the whole process incredibly therapeutic and that’s not something I’d ever used sport for before in the past.” With a close friend, he completed a challenging 10-mile swim across Lake Windermere, which allowed him to devote time to training and channelling his emotions. After such a positive experience with using sport for mental health benefits, Sam created Sporting Heads in 2017 to give people a platform to share their personal experiences. “I knew several people who were using exercise to help cope with anxiety, alcohol addiction and depression. I thought there needed to be a platform out there for these people to share their experiences to help others.” In essence, Sporting Heads is a place for people struggling with issues - no matter how big or small - to find inspiration from how sport can change people’s lives. It’s often said that life is much more than sport, and in most cases that’s right. But, for many of Sam’s contributors,

sport has helped bring their lives back from the brink. “Sometimes it’s just about having a place that you find comfort in whilst moving and growing with other likeminded people.” By speaking with people about their experiences with sport improving mental health, Sam has found that story-telling is a therapeutic method of coming to terms with your experiences.

Through storytelling, you start to understand your journey a little better.

Sam Dale, Sporting Heads

“It helps people to plot exactly what they have been through, why it happened, how exercise had a positive effect and therefore what reason they need to maintain motivation. “The feedback has been incredibly positive both from the story tellers and the readers. I have received so many messages on social media saying thank you for the opportunity of sharing and from those who have been given renewed hope by what they have read.”

With November being a pertinent time to talk about men’s mental health and sucide awareness through the Movember campaign, Sam believes that discourse on the subject is increasing, but there is still plenty more to do. “It feels a more regularly discussed topic but I still think men find it incredibly difficult to talk about their feelings. I include myself in that and I run a whole website about mental health. “It definitely has improved and everywhere you see the slogans: ‘it’s ok to talk” or “it’s ok not to be ok.’ “The awareness has improved, but what are the next steps we need to take to improve mental health rather than just talking about it?” Sam’s creation of Sporting Heads shows just how important a community can be for people dealing with mental health issues.

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Overcoming the stigma of speaking out Lloyd Ashley discusses mental well-being, coming back from injury and lowering the stigma in a male-dominated environment

erforming at the highest level of any given sport requires huge amounts of sacrifice, determination and mental strength. Within Welsh rugby, those qualities are perhaps more relevant than in any other sporting environment. The strain upon which players put their bodies under on a daily basis to become the very best is quite remarkable. Players are becoming stronger and the game is getting more physical, but are steps in place to improve player welfare from a psychological perspective? With over 100 appearances and ten years experience at Ospreys, Lloyd Ashley’s experiences in professional rugby show the complex nature of mental health in a professional sporting environment. The Welsh-born second row has spent the entirety of his rugby playing career at the Swansea-based club and represents mental illness charity Hafal as their Young People’s Ambassador. For Ashley, his experiences within a professional sporting environment have shown that speaking about mental health is a more regular occurrence now than ever before. “It’s been a huge thing to hear boys say they support people and are there to care for other people,” said Ashley. “I think we’re in a place where, when it gets really bad, people will speak before that point and that probably wasn’t there before.” However, despite noticeable progression in recent years, Ashley is still aware that there must be continued

development in breaking the stigma surrounding mental health. “I think we’re still in a place where there are a lot of people not coming out and speaking. “We’re still in a place of stigma but I think it’s slowly coming down.” Given the nature of professional sport, in which there are extreme highs and lows, Ashley is keen to point out that full-time athletes can struggle off the pitch. Ranging from retirement to long-term injuries, Ashley often sees rugby players struggle mentally. “I see a lot with retirement struggles. You see the change from doing something you love to something else. “With injuries, we live in a world where you rely on your body. That’s obviously a hard thing when you’re throwing it around week in week out. “Until the last two years I don’t think that we’ve properly thought about the mental side of those injuries.” One key thing to state here is that Ashley believes things are improving within professional rugby. In years gone by, players had struggled to face mental issues, but now, he states that “everybody knows the reality” thanks to help from

the Welsh Rugby Players Association raising awareness. “If somebody gets injured it’s going to be tough and we know that it’s an ongoing process even when they’re back on the field you’ve still got that anxiety of future injuries.”

You’re allowed to be down in the dumps, everyone has those periods where they struggle.

Lloyd Ashley, Ospreys

The very nature of any sport dictates that athletes are bound to undergo difficult periods. Part of coming to terms with such struggles require the sporting community to come together and lower the stigma of speaking out. Especially in male-dominated quarters, players have often felt reluctant to speak out about their feelings. “I think the stigma is starting to come down about the fact that people know that it is ok to talk.” For Ashley, the life of

a professional athlete can often be misinterpreted by those from the outside. “Everybody associates professional athletes with things they do on the field, but we’ve also got a life outside of it as well. “I think sometimes it’s forgotten that those people who are role models and idols, they’ve still got to balance family lives, education, finances and loads of other things around playing and that has an effect.” Despite professional sports challenges, Ashley maintains that he wouldn’t change it for the world. “I don’t think you get that in any other job. Sometimes you sit back and think: ‘this is the reason I love my job.’” “Enjoying being outside all of the time is just a huge benefit on your health and happiness.” With awareness of mental health improving exponentially within rugby, Ashley states that he’s noticed an improvement of awareness at Ospreys. “People want to know you’re okay, they want to know how your family is, what your weekend plans are. They genuinely care about you and want to know that everything is ok.” “Movember is an important way to break the stigma in whatever way we can. But also, commit to raising awareness all through the year as well.” Overall, professional sport looks to be heading in the right direction with regards to mental health. Whilst more can be done to continue improving awareness, it’s imperative that Ashley’s story of positivity is celebrated.

Movember at Cardiff Uni

Students from Cardiff Uni sports teams tell us why they are taking part in Movember 2019

“The real men are the ones who seek help when they need it” Harry Bellamy, CURFC

“My mum always said that real men cry” Connor Madden, JOMEC Football

What happens when professional sport becomes too much? Fabian Spiess dealt with several mental health issues during his playing career at Notts County, Bristol Rovers and Torquay United

nderstanding the life of a professional athlete is near enough impossible for those outside such an intense environment. The highs of elite sport are well documented in the media with celebrations of individual and team success. The lows, too, can be given media attention - but such coverage often fails to consider that athletes are not invincible. Of course, sports people are open to public criticism - that comes with the very nature of their job. However, in many cases, the mental well-being of athletes is often forgotten. For ex-professional footballer Fabian Spiess, who played for Notts County, Torquay United and Bristol Rovers, the duty of care from football clubs is naively limited. “We always have physical checks but why is there no such thing as a mental well-being check when clubs are signing players?” Through experiencing fluctuating form on the pitch, the nature of being

a goalkeeper under severe pressure led to a decrease in Spiess’ well-being. However, it wasn’t until he met with his step-father in a McDonald’s on the A50 where he was advised to see a sports psychologist. “I wasn’t performing well, I was making lots of mistakes and it just became a very difficult time. I didn’t really know what it was down to at the time.” “I was never offered any support at all from the club.”

It was my step-dad who actively paid for a sports psychologist at the time.

Fabian Spiess, ex-pro footballer

Now working at Athletes USA to help young athletes in the UK get onto sports scholarships in the States, Spiess, now 25, has put a halt to his footballing career. Through

working at Athlete USA, he wants to make sure that young athletes coming through the system have good mental health. “For me, it’s more about trying to help support athletes whilst they are in sport. That’s what gives me my purpose and my rewards now.” Given that Spiess has taken some time away from professional sport, he has reflected on his experience in such an intense sporting environment. The 25-year-old believes that finding a passion away from the game is the most sustainable way of living. “Sport is a 24/7 environment, you’re always thinking about your last game or your next game. It’s very hard to separate yourself from that in a way.”

“Find another identity that gives you some other passion in your life. It’s hard because you think you have to have a tunnel vision to be successful in sport. Whether it’s family, education or hobbies, you need something to separate yourself from a 24/7 environment.” However tough his time in the professional game was, Spiess says he has no regrets from his footballing career. “I’ve had a lot of ups and downs and every athlete would have had that, that’s just inevitable in sport.” “When I look back now, there are no regrets that I have. It’s allowed me to become the person I am today, learning through mistakes and experience.” Spiess’s time in football shows just how important it is to consider the mental well-being of professional athletes and illustrates that football in particular can be a very difficult environment.

“Movember helps men realise it’s ok not to be ok” Aled Biston, Gym Gym Football

“Raising awareness for men’s mental health is vitally important” Jack Vavasour, CARBS Rugby

28 SPORT Jack Vavasour Cardiff Blues Columnist

nce again I must be the bearer of bad news for all fans of the Cardiff Blues. They ran out against a superior Ulster side and brutally fell short. The game was a close one with only nine points separating the sides, yet here we stand in familiar territory as the Blues return home without any points to their name in the league. With only one win from their first four matches, the Blues look to be in a precarious position at the lower end of the table. They have now been leap-frogged by Benetton who will soon be bolstered by the return of their absent World Cup players, and what a dangerous side they will be if last season is anything to go by. Alternatively, Cardiff are looking down the end of a very long and painful barrel with Munster at home next. Munster have only lost one game of the campaign so far and will look to gain any foothold they can at the top of the table with a crushing victory over the Blues. The Welsh side cannot afford to drop any more points as teams will be newly replenished following the conclusion of the World Cup. Cardiff have a few players to return, but not nearly enough to change a poor start to the season into a title winning one. The season is long and is still very much in its infancy, yet I cannot see this side inspiring as drastic a turnaround as is necessary. However, the Blues will be excited to welcome new signings - and returning of World Cup players - Josh Adams and Hallam Amos who will do wonders for the Blues’ attacking game. I am also excited by the prospect of the Welsh province succeeding, sadly it may have to wait another year. The only let up Cardiff will have this season comes against Rugby Calvisano. It should be a walk over for all sides in the group - including the Blues - but rugby is a funny old game and anything can happen. Hopefully this might kickstart the Blues into gear and they can re-invigorate their season. We must wait with baited breath. Elsewhere, Wales were knocked out of the Rugby World Cup by South Africa in a truly painful-forthe-viewer fixture. We had hoped, following a shock victory for England, that Wales might find courage from their fellow Northern Hemisphere nation. It was not to be. The scrappy game was almost forced into over-time by an intelligently worked Josh Adams try. Ultimately, it was to be South Africa’s game as the ever reliable Handre Pollard kicked his team into the final. Seeing Alun Wyn Jones crying is a sight no man should witness. Wales stuck to their game of refusing to let the opposition play and once again they almost forced victory out of it. For the Blues, though, Adams’ semi-final score - and multiple other tries in the rest of the World Cup should lay a reminder that he will provide many tries this season.

Rugby World Cup 2019: A review of Gatland’s final campaign John Jones looks back at Wales’s run to the semi-final in Japan

John Jones Contributor

hey say it’s the hope that kills you. Going into the World Cup off the back of a historic Grand Slam, Wales knew that their chances of getting their hands on the Webb Ellis Cup had never been better. The players believed. Warren Gatland and his coaching team believed. Back home, from Bangor to Barry, Welsh supporters believed. Yet those expectant hearts sank last Sunday as Gatland’s men succumbed to a 19-16 defeat at the hands of South Africa and missed out on a first ever World Cup final appearance. Unlike the tournament classic contested by England and New Zealand the previous day, this was no festival of rugby. Both teams were sloppy for long periods of the game, with decisions too slow and the ball too airborne. The Springboks held firm in defence, though, nullifying the Welsh attack, which made an average gain of just 1.6 metres per carry – an all-time World Cup low. In the end, the men in red could only watch on as Handre Pollard sent his 76th minute penalty attempt sailing through the posts along with his team into the final. What makes this all the more frustrating, perhaps, is that this game is

exactly the sort that Wales have learnt how to win. Or, rather, the sort that they have forgotten how to lose. Flashback to a rainy Paris at the start of February. Wales find themselves 16-0 down at half-time after a hapless first 40 minutes, the prospect of a Grand Slam fanciful. But yet, they emerge as 24-19 victors, coming out on top in an errorstrewn match with a second-half performance unrecognisable to the first. The French imploded, but Wales demonstrated the hunger and mentality that has made them a team that can win from anywhere. Even though they pushed this to the limit when the two teams met again in Oita for the quarter-final, as they trailed by six with five minutes remaining, you couldn’t help thinking that Wales were going to do it – and they did.

They came so close to rugby’s top prize with pivotal members missing. The same goes for the pool stage matches against Fiji and Georgia – both ultimately comfortable scorelines, but with frenetic periods in which it all could have gone very wrong indeed for Wales. After the Fijians flew out of the

Heartbreak in Japan: Wales’ World Cup campaign came to an end in Yokohama. Source: Wikimedia Commons blocks and the Georgians rallied late on, Gatland’s side relied on the same discipline, desire and ability to do the basics right to emerge victorious. Then there’s Australia. For many the finest display of Wales’ campaign and certainly the one that exemplifies their never-say-die mentality of late. A huge defensive shift from an experienced pack, combined with a calculated kicking game, meant that the Welsh were just too composed, too clever and too confident for the Wallabies. Tomos Williams’ incredible aerial acrobatics to keep the ball alive epitomised this. As with any team, there were the standout individuals. Josh Adams has

shown to the world his abilities as an outstanding finisher and Aaron Wainwright looks set to be another Warburton, whilst Alun Wyn Jones has, yet again, been talismanic. But, with a mile-long injury list featuring names like Anscombe, Faletau and latterly Navidi and Williams, it is a testament to the whole squad’s ability and mentality that they came so close to rugby’s top prize with pivotal members missing. With the Rugby World Cup 2019 marking the end of Gatland’s tenure as Wales boss, his team’s performance mirrored much of what they learnt from the New Zealander over 12 glorious years.

KSI vs Logan Paul

Is the YouTube Boxing match good coverage for the sport? Or does it taint its credibility? FOR AGAINST Olly Allen Sport Editor

n August 2018, the white-collar boxing match between YouTubers Olajide Olatunji (KSI) and Logan Paul received 1.05 million pay-perviews, making it the largest non-professional boxing match of all time. Only three other fights, two of which included Anthony Joshua, recorded a higher audience in the whole of 2018. That viewership figure alone should show why KSI vs Logan Paul is good for boxing. A large section of people tuning into the fight will be YouTube fans as opposed to boxing fans, meaning a whole new generation may become interested in the sport. This could be learning to box themselves or simply tuning in for future fights that don’t involve YouTubers. As Eddie Hearn said when discussing the original fight: “What I

saw was a phenomenon; a sold-out arena, over 1 million PPV buys but more importantly an energy of a new audience to the sport of boxing.” The involvement of Hearn’s promotion company Matchroom Boxing as well as Sky Sports in this second fight adds further legitimacy to the bout. With Hearn’s charisma and the YouTubers’ natural ability to entertain, there’s no doubt that it will be one hell of a spectacle at the Staples Center. One thing that is abundantly clear is that KSI and Logan Paul are taking the fight extremely seriously. They have gruelling and intense training schedules similar to that of elite athletes. While no one is suggesting they are better fighters than Billy Joe Saunders on the undercard, they’re certainly in as good shape. In turning professional with ten ounce gloves and no head guards, they’re giving the sport the respect it deserves.

George Willoughby Deputy Head of Sport

ou know that guy who was screaming at Fifa pack openings and that other American guy on YouTube? Well, yeah, these two are headlining a Matchroom Boxing event on November 9. This is the second installment between the two online giants with their first bout ending in a controversial majority draw. Now, Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing have taken over the spectacle meaning KSI and Logan Paul will be facing off in a professional fight. My problem is not that these two want to become boxers, that is absolutely fine, it is more so the damage it does to the credibility of an already tainted sport. It reaffirms the notion that boxing is driven exclusively by money. Whilst KSI and Logan Paul may have improved their boxing ability,

they are still at amateur standard and should not be headlining professional cards. They very well might be training like this is a title fight, but it is for a YouTube belt. A belt KSI himself decided to award himself after beating Joe Weller back in February of last year. The undefeated Billy Joe Saunders (28-0-0) has had to sacrifice hours in the gym and hone the fine art of boxing. Instead he is being overshadowed by two YouTubers who have never fought professionally. Saunders has earnt the right to be the main event anywhere he chooses, yet here we are with the boxer defending his Super Middleweight title on the undercard. It is quite simply obscene. This event is supposedly all about bringing new fans to the sport of boxing, but all it does is tarnish boxing’s reputation in a money-making stunt that will most certainly do more harm than good.

BUCS Highlights

CHWARAEON 29

A round-up of Cardiff University’s sporting action from the latest BUCS Wednesday of the season

Cardiff 2s 6-0 USW 1s

Oxford 2-4 Cardiff 2s Men’s Hockey

Men’s Tennis

Rebecca Astill Contributor

ardiff men’s second team had a resounding 6-0 win against the University of South Wales first team on Wednesday in a home match at the House of Sport. The first doubles pair was made up of two new players on the Cardiff team, Ben McManus and Ollie Crossley, who had a comfortable 6-3 6-2 victory. The second doubles pair was first year student Seth Price and second year student Michail Bradinoff who went onto win the other doubles match 6-0 6-0. In the singles match, Ben McManus picked up the first win 6-3 6-3, matched by Seth Price winning the second singles 6-2 6-0. Following suit, Ollie Crossley went

onto win 6-1 6-0 in the third singles match, with lasso forehand specialist Michail Bradinoff obliterating the final singles in an incredible 6-0 6-0 win. It was a big achievement for the Cardiff team, with many of the players being first year and fresh to the team. This has placed them at the top of the Western 2B league with hopes still intact of a promotion at the end of the season to Western 1A. On November 13 the team will be facing a tough match against Bristol University’s second team in a top of league battle. With the recent successes from the new team members, it looks like it will be an exciting season for the men’s teams this year. The men’s first team have also started well which has created a lot of optimism around tennis at Cardiff University.

Plymouth 99-65 Cardiff Men’s Basketball

Cameron Delaney Contributor

or stretches of this game we really played some of our best basketball all season. We handled the pressure of their guards stepping forward and took advantage of their weak defensive schemes to convert easy baskets in transition. If we were able to convert some of our missed lay-up attempts in the opening few minutes of the game, we easily could have built a small lead through the first quarter. Our big struggle offensively continues to be our play in the half-court game. Spacing, timing and patience continues to be our enemy in this aspect. We must give players enough room to operate in a five on five game. It’s not just the wing players either, our PF and C are struggling to be in

unison and understand their space and where they should operate also, particularly when the C is sometimes needed to play high (the PF and C are completely interchangeable). Players’ patience is continually short in understanding when to take a screen or if they should sit in a corner for what may seem like a prolonged period of time. I’m not saying be inactive, but sometimes we need to let the game come to us. The timing of when to take a screen is critical in its success. The basic pick ‘n’ roll action we run looks sloppy and rarely has given us good looks, but is deadly to defences if timed appropriately. Overall, the score doesn’t reflect how well we played and if we were able to convert more chances and execute plays better, the result would’ve been the other way.

Olly Davies News Editor

ardiff University Men’s First XI travelled to Oxford for the opening game in their 2019/20 BUCS campaign. After achieving promotion last season, the team were keen to begin with a strong performance. Cardiff, in their traditional Red Black Red strip, faced the dark blue of Oxford University First XI at Iffley Road. Initially, the game was frantic with a fraught tempo. Oxford pressed the Cardiff defence hard attempting to split on the centre backs; Ed Carr and Henry Brearey. This forced them to look for aerial balls over the top. Despite the pressure, Cardiff maintained possession. High work rate from the front line of Jacques Tasker, Isaac Hocking and Tom Dodwell led to turnovers and unforced errors from Oxford’s left-back. Whilst Cardiff kept the ball for large periods of the first half, they were unable to neutralise the counter-attacking threat of the men

in blue. With 11 minutes left in the half, an Oxford counter produced a short corner, giving them their first opportunity on goal from which they scored. Another quick break in the dying minutes of the half led to a second Oxford goal from close range. Losing 2-0 at half time, a stern team talk from the captain, Will Hopkins, rejuvenated the team. In the second-half, Eddie Evans began to impose himself in midfield creating space for those around him. Cardiff quickly opened their account and reduced the deficit to one, with pressure building from excellent play from half-backs; Ben Harris and Matthew Goldsmith, Cardiff equalised shortly after. With 15 minutes left in the game, Cardiff pulled ahead with a penaltyflick after a short corner was body blocked on the line. Near the end of the game, Cardiff scored their final goal with a back post-tap-in, with the scoreline now reflecting the second-half dominance of the Cardiff University team.

Ready for the new season: CUHC in the huddle. Source: Mark Stanley

Cardiff 1s 1-0 Aberystwyth Cardiff 2s 91-106 Bristol 3s Men’s Football

Ryan Dabbs Contributor

e started the game very well with the only goal of the whole match coming in the first ten minutes through Alex Levy. A free-kick on the corner of the box was whipped into the back post and went straight through into the bottom corner without anyone touching it. Chance after chance kept coming and going for the boys as we were all over them, with Tiago Soares and Will Stone playing extremely well down the wings. Aberystwyth didn’t really create anything substantial, as we played well all over the pitch and kept the ball for large parts of the first half.

The second half was a bit more tentative as Aber played a lot better with a change of tactics. We continued to create chances and Munashe Mandaza and Jack Harvey both had glaring opportunities that should have killed the game. Jack Fosberry in goal made an unbelievable double save to stop them from scoring an almost certain goal and earn himself the man of the match award. A few injuries to some players meant that we had to shuffle the pack a bit but we managed to thankfully see the game out and get three wins from three in the league. With this victory, Cardiff have been excellent, conceding just one goal all season. Defensively they have been great, and they will look to continue this next week against Hartpury.

Women’s Squash

Lucy Maybury Contributor

ardiff women’s squash second team were back in action against Bristol women’s third

team. Cardiff, who were beaten by Southampton last time out, were looking to replicate their opening match which was a perfect 4-0 win over Bristol’s fourth team. After a late start and a short warm-up, the matches against Bristol got going in full swing with Cardiff ’s captain, Lucy Maybury, playing at string 2 against Bristol’s Martha Makin. After a 3-0 loss to Makin last season, Lucy was happy with a comfortable 3-0 win this time around. Also on first, Cardiff ’s secretary,

Annabelle Hodson, at string 4 against Bristol’s Mia Grater. Struggling to return Mia’s fast-paced serves, Annabelle sadly took a 3-0 loss. Up next, was Cardiff fresher Robyn Morley with her BUCS debut at string 3 against Bristol’s Mariella Williams. Despite much running and grafting, Robyn lost with an unfortunate scoreline of 3-0. At string 1, Cardiff ’s president, Flo Carr-Smith, then pulled it out the bag with a convincing 3-0 win against Bristol’s Ellie Wills. Although drawing 2-2 matchwise and 6-6 game-wise, Cardiff lost to Bristol after it coming down to points: Cardiff 91-106 Bristol. Cardiff ’s next game will be a difficult away fixture against Bournemouth’s first team.

Getting to know...

Rhi Ryder Kickboxing

or the new year, Gair Rhydd Sport has been interviewing athletes across various clubs at Cardiff University. We get to know everything from the first experience with their respective sports, to their favourite sporting moment whilst at university. This week, in our very latest “Getting to Know” segment, Sports Editor, Ella Fenwick, sat down with Rhi Ryder who is from the Cardiff University Kickboxing Club. Ryder joined the kickboxing club in her third-year of university and has continued in the club during her masters which shows her dedication to the martial art. Since doing karate at the age of 10, she then began to pick up kickboxing. “I loved it so much I used to go to the club to train every day after school,” said Ryder. Recently, Rhi Ryder became the Vice President of the kickboxing club and works alongside the committee to ensure that the training is organised and that members thoroughly enjoy their time in the club. “I’m a member of the fighting squad - I go to most of the training sessions and work pretty hard so hopefully that encourages my training partners and me to work hard,’’ Ryder said. When asked about what the highlight of her time in the club was, she mentioned winning her fight at Varsity. Being a masters student, Ryder has a very busy workload, but she replied, “I try and get all my work done during the day before training, but work takes priority.” Ryder carried on to say “Sports has been super beneficial – it’s given me way more structure in my life, improved my fitness and gives me a break from work which improves overall mental wellbeing plus it’s great socially. I have made loads of friends through the club.” Ryder has previously competed in Varsity, “It’s the biggest university competition of the year, it makes you feel part of the major Cardiff vs Swansea rivalry and it’s just overall such a fun day to celebrate,” “Initially I joined the club to improve performance, but the social aspect has definitely been a major reason why I am still a member.” Ryder continued to say; “Performance is probably most important because that’s the reason I train as often as I do but without the social aspect I wouldn’t enjoy it anywhere near as much.” Ryder went on to talk about the other sports she would have considered while at University. “It probably would be Netball, I play a lot when I’m at home and have more time, but kickboxing always wins if I have to choose.” If Ryder was to give her Fresher-self some advice three years on, she said, “I’d tell myself to join kickboxing in first-year because there is definitely more to university than my flatmates and going out every night even though that was fun.”

To contact our sport desk, drop us an email at sport@gairrhydd.com

sport

BUCS Highlights Men’s football, squash and more Page 29

CHWARAEON

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YouTube Boxing How will it impact the sport? Page 28

Blues Column Adams and Amos huge boosts Page 28

Feature: Mental health in sport Reece Chambers Head of Sport

ith November kicking off last week, men’s mental health is at the forefront of public discourse. In this Gair Rhydd Sport feature, Head of Sport, Reece Chambers, speaks to an Ospreys rugby player, ex-professional footballer and others about what is being done to improve mental health awareness within sport. Head over to pages 28 and 29 for an in-depth feature on mental health 26+27 in sport.

RWC 2019: Reviewing the Welsh campaign

Edwards: “Representing the jersey is an honour” Men’s rugby: Cardiff are winless since the beginning of October in BUCS Super Rugby. Source: LNC Images.

Ella Fenwick Sport Editor

ith the BUCS rugby season now well underway, Gair Rhydd Sport caught up with the chairman of the Cardiff University rugby team, Ben Edwards. The season started off with a strong start from the Men’s First Team with two consecutive wins. The first match was a 20-16 victory over Hartpury, before a 20-10 triumph against Northumbria a week later. Unfortunately, four tough fixtures followed with losses to Leeds Beckett, Bath, Loughborough and Northurmbia in a second match. Despite the losses, Edwards has kept high spirits saying 'But that is the beauty of BUCS Super Rugby, every game is a challenge and you cannot take anything for granted.” Edwards went onto praise the team, “We’re in a better place than we were last year in the league, so

we’re remaining positive for the season and just taking every game as it comes.’’ One of Edwards’s personal favourite matches of the season was the win against Hartpury, “It’s one of the best games in the club’s history and to put a marker down that early on in the league was phenomenal.” The squad is made up of a number of important players, but when asked who the rising star is, Edwards said, “A real stand out is Marcus Ramage. I have never played with him or seen a player as dangerous as him with ball in hand, and his speed is terrifying.” With a long tough season ahead, Edwards explained how the team have been preparing, “We had a fantastic pre-season led by our Head of Conditioning, Tom Dickens, who really put us through our paces to ensure we can compete at the level of BUCS Super Rugby week in week out.” As well as working hard on the pitch, the team have been working

on their team culture by also having sessions from Andries Pretorious. “It has really ensured the boys understand what it means to wear the jersey and the honour it brings which continues to be evident every single week within the squad,” commented Edwards. When asked what challenges Edwards thought the team would face he replied positively, “I don’t think we take note of any challenges in the league. If I had to say a challenge I would say the Welsh weather.”

We have a number of coaches who work tediously throughout the year

Ben Edwards, CURFC Chairman

With exciting fixtures upcoming in the season, Edwards said “Every single match in the [BUCS] Super League is a spectacle, and as players we are very lucky to be playing in

some fantastic grounds. But without a doubt the stand out fixtures this year for us will be both Swansea and Cardiff Met.” The next match Cardiff face is on November 6 against one of those rivals, Swansea, and Edwards is looking forward to the match. “There’s nothing better than a rivalry game against Swansea, and especially now as the game is in the BUCS Super Rugby League the levels have been heightened.” However, Edwards was also keen to play down the hype ahead of a famous Welsh derby. “But away from all the hype it’s important to remember it’s just another game for us in the league and that’s how we’re thinking about it as a squad. I’m sure it will be a great day for everyone involved and a huge boost for Welsh University Sport.” Ahead of Wednesday’s showdown, Edwards and his side will be preparing for a fierce test against their local rivals.

John Jones Contributor

fter 12 years as Wales boss, Warren Gatland’s reign came to an end in Japan at the semi-final stage. The narrowest of defeats only heightened the pain of defeat for Wales who were missing several key players through injury. Other than an impressive victory over Australia, injury was somewhat a consistent theme of the tournament despite Wales coming close to a final against England. Turn to page 30 for a reflection on Gatland’s final 28 campaign as Wales boss.

Getting to know: Rhi Ryder of Kickboxing Ella Fenwick Sport Editor

his week, Rhi Ryder the Vice President of the kickboxing club was interviewed for the “Getting to Know” segment. Ryder talked about her previous martial arts experience, in karate and her journey into kickboxing. Representing the University as part of the team, Ryder talked about winning her Varsity fight last year, and the training and social benefits of being part of the club. 29