Impact Report 2013/14 by The Students' Union at UWE

IMPACT REPORT 2013/14

01 | Impact Report 2013/14

WORKING TOWARDS OUR STRATEGY 2013/14

Representing your voice

Building your community

▪▪ We researched and presented a plan to make our Academic Representation structure renowned ▪▪ We increased participation in all areas of the elections

▪▪ We increased participation in social events ▪▪ We reviewed the Union provision at the campuses and changed the roles of the staff to reflect the role of building communities

Giving you opportunities ▪▪ We improved the scope and participation in Freshers 2013 ▪▪ We enhanced the provision for Societies, Networks and International students ▪▪ We increased membership in clubs, societies & networks

Essential foundations ▪▪ We continued to improve communication with our members and stakeholders ▪▪ We have in place a robust three year financial plan ▪▪ We continued to strive towards achieving a new building that will be capable of providing the facilities and services that the students of UWE deserve ▪▪ We finalised, communicated and implemented the new strategic plan

Photography by: Kod Nguyen, Emma L Brown, Jenni Need, Dave Pratt, Rachel Seed & UWE Students' Union. Apologies if uncredited.

Impact Report 2013/14

INTRODUCTION Welcome to our 2013/14 Impact Report, I am honoured and delighted to share with you how UWE Students’ Union has made a positive difference to many students’ lives over the past year. 2014/15 is set to be a year of opportunity and change, ending with us moving into a brand new Students’ Union building. I look forward to leading UWE Students’ Union through another successful and exciting year. Charlie Roper Students’ Union President 2014/15

| 02

03 | Impact Report 2013/14

WE MADE A DIFFERENCE BY LISTENING TO STUDENTS

'The Only Way Is Wessex?' Survey of students to seek feedback on buses at UWE. Number of students engaged: 1,021 Impact: Prompted engagement from Wessex and First Bus about improving services for students, improved communications and the introduction of frequent reporting to students. Reach: all bus users at UWE as well as community and commuters in Bristol.

Impact Report 2013/14

Hidden Course Costs Gather feedback from students about extra expense from courses. Number of students engaged: 500 Impact: £15 printing credit for every undergraduate, £75 art materials for each creative arts student. Total amount of £1.5million back to students over three years. Reach: approximately 21,500 students Shortlisted for Campaign of the Year at the 2014 NUS Awards.

Off the Wall – Something for All Number of students engaged: 1,690 Impact: The bid proposed a project with three core elements, to increase participation, to increase accessibility and to aid employability, for students not currently engaged in physical activity. The bid was successful and the project will receive funding of £323,319 over the next three years.

| 04

05 | Impact Report 2013/14

WE MADE A DIFFERENCE BY GIVING STUDENTS OPPORTUNITIES

Elections

Societies & Networks

▪▪ 53 candidates (^18) ▪▪ 4,851 votes (^317) ▪▪ 28% of all candidates were international students ▪▪ 24% of the voting population were international students ▪▪ Students from 109 nationalities voted

Networks became free to join and Society Passport removed. Impact: removing possible barriers to participation. Reach: 4,264 students (^2,089)

^ denotes increase 2012–13

3,818 jobs advertised

JobShop

“The JobShop provided me with a valuable and quick and easy way of obtaining staff for my son who has special needs in a quick and easy manner. So ultimately, by advertising our vacancy you have made a huge, positive difference to our family which was in great need of help.” Anon.

Impact Report 2013/14

Employability The Students’ Union believes in creating opportunities for students to maximise their experiences and development whilst at university.

“It has enhanced both my personal and career development by boosting my confidence and business acumen. It has enabled me to pursue my legal career. It has made me feel like an important part of the Union, which in itself is the best part of the whole experience.” Holly Manners, Board of Trustees Student Member

“Boat Club has given me more opportunity to improve than I can account for, and it has been a huge benefit to me now that I have finished university. Employers are impressed when they read about how I handled the demands of the club and it has meant I have been considered for every role I applied for.” Hannah Eardley, Boat Club President

| 06

07 | Impact Report 2013/14

FACTS AND FIGURES OF 2013/2014

Over £460,000 in wages paid to student staff

1,1 Studen 2,154,820 webpage views

2,035 Advice Centre queries 6,344 Sports, Societies and Network Members

30 Freshers’ events sold out

Impact Report 2013/14

121 nt Reps ÂŁ18,000 fundraised by students

1,800 students found accommodation through Student Lettings

84 Green Leaders recruited

9,233 Extra Mile and Volunteer Hours

| 08

09 | Impact Report 2013/14

WE MADE A DIFFERENCE BY BUILDING STUDENTS’ COMMUNITIES

Charity Groups We launched charity groups formed by students coming together to support a cause that they felt passionately about. This may be by organising fundraising events or volunteering for that charity. Impact: This year our two charity groups raised enough money to pay for 16 hours of a cancer nurse’s time and fund emergency foster care for a child. Number of Students involved: Through these charity groups over 40 students boosted their CV’s with new skills, new experiences, and met new people.

International Student Welcome Fair Number of students involved: approximately 150. Impact: Welcomed International Students to UWE and the Students' Union and provided useful information in a fun, friendly setting.

Impact Report 2013/14

| 10

'Settle-In Team' expansion Impact: Working with Unite Students, the 'Settle-In Team' visited all Unite Students properties and the UWE Student Village to welcome students and give a face to face welcome to all. Reach: Approximately 3,500 students.

Accommodation Fair We held an Accommodation Fair to help students look for accommodation in the private rented sector, and to educate students on their rights as tenants. Impact: The range of stalls at the fair gave students a variety of accommodation options, as well as giving students the opportunity to gather information about deposits, TV licences, gas safety etc. Reach: Over 800 students attended.

Bristol Big Give The Bristol Big Give encouraged students to donate their unwanted items to charity and correctly sort their refuse as they moved out of halls or their privately rented housing. Impact: 6,500 bags donated across Bristol leading to income of over ÂŁ150,000 for the British Heart Foundation.

11 | Impact Report 2013/14

WE ADDED VALUE BY WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHERS “The Twitter wall discussion on students’ expectation and experience of technology provided a graphic way for CUC members to experience some of the tools available to students and their lecturers. It was an important contribution to one of our most successful “The Student Settle“Working in Plenaries to-date.” In project has really partnership with Sir Nicholas Montagu, made a difference to UWESU is vital in Chair of the Committee of UWE students in our order to provide a University Chairs accommodation and I’m strong student voice for happy that we’re able to Bristol. Together we can support its roll-out across the make a big impact on whole of Bristol this year.” the city!” Steve Glew, Rob Griffiths, City Manager for Bristol, “Engaging students in our University of Bristol Unite Students future technology strategy President 2013-14 is essential and by working in partnership we have been able to gain invaluable student insight and feedback which might not otherwise have been possible.” Tracy Willis, Director of IT & CIO UWE

Impact Report 2013/14

This year we supported the following Charities:

“I know the Green Leaders will engage in a range of sustainability projects, challenge the SU and UWE about policy and implementation decisions and, in so doing they will build their skills, knowledge and confidence to engage.” Jim Longhurst, AVC Sustainability

“We are thrilled to have such a generous donation from UWE. Not only will it help disadvantaged young people access sports health and fitness but they will also know the community of Bristol wants to play its part in supporting them.” Sandy Hore-Ruthven, Creative Youth Network

| 12

13 | Impact Report 2013/14

FINANCIAL SUMMARY 2013/14

Income

Trading Surplus 6% [£119k] Student Contribution 34% [£639k] Block Grant and Other Charitable Income 60% [£1113k]

Expenditure Community 11% [£206K] Representation 14% [£258K] Organisational Costs 22% [£393K] Opportunity 53% [£961k]

N.B. Nursery income and expenditure is accounted separately. Full accounts are available online www.uwesu.org/accounts

Impact Report 2013/14

| 14

THE FUTURE In 2014/15 we will achieve great things. Our commitments:

Representing your voice

Essential foundations

▪▪ To develop an Academic Representation system and structure that is nationally renowned ▪▪ To ensure our members, staff and stakeholders have an informed level of understanding of the Students' Union services and that we listen to their feedback ▪▪ To engage our members with the General Election build up, promoting the importance of registering to vote

▪▪ To prepare our members, staff and stakeholders for a move to a new building whilst trialling innovative ways and initiatives ▪▪ To embed the organisation's strategic plan, making sure our aims and goals are resourced effectively ▪▪ To ensure effective implementation of the Partnership Board with the University and make progress on the four work streams of Sports, Academic Societies, Representation and Funding

Giving you opportunities ▪▪ To improve scope and participation with a diverse range of events ▪▪ To become a leading Students' Union in widening participation and outreach activity

Building your community ▪▪ To promote active engagement with the local community through a range of initiatives and activities ▪▪ To review the Students' Union's provision at the campuses and agree sustainable plans for the future

We were recognised for the work we do: Advice Quality Standard for the UWESU Advice Centre Bristol Business Awards 2014: Shop won Best in Category – Multiple Retailer, Full of Beans won Gold – Caterer NUS Awards 2014 – Hidden Costs Campaign Shortlisted for Campaign of the Year

Registered charity no. 1143067 and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales no. 7675253.