THE BIG PICTURE 2017/18
IMPACT REPORT 2017_18 LW FINAL.indd 1
22/11/2018 14:09
WELCOME!
As you will read, this past year has been a challenging and transformational one for the Students’ Union. We have seen changes to our officer roles as well as welcomed new people to our staff teams to help improve and enhance the student experience. However, this has not held us back in delivering key objectives and striving to ensure that the needs and voices of the students continue to pave the way for everything we do. We present this impact report on behalf of the previous officer team and thank them for their contributions they have made throughout the year. Going forward, the three of us – Jade, Nabil and Aida - are your officers for the academic year of 18/19 and as a team, we are looking forward to developing campaigns and awareness around issues that are at the heart of the student body and our manifestos in which we were elected upon: inclusivity, mental health, empowering our members to drive for change and helping to enable students in having a rich academic experience as well as more participation in the life and community found at university. The foremost of our role is to be there for students, to listen to our students and represent their views to the University and the local community helping to make positive changes to the student experience here at Wolverhampton. We are really looking forward to working with our students and stakeholders to continue the vision and mission of the SU for 2018/19. We also want to take this opportunity to remind you that there are so many different ways that you can get involved with Wolves Student Union, from being in a society, using our free advice and support service to representing your course mates. You could even run to be a Student Officer in our next batch of elections and have input in setting the strategic direction of Wolves Student Union for the next coming year. Make sure that you continue to get more involved, tell us your thoughts and make the most of the University of Wolverhampton’s Students’ Union to enhance your student experience. Best Wishes, Jade, Nabil and Aida
IMPACT REPORT 2017_18 LW FINAL.indd 2
22/11/2018 14:09
CONTENTS
HIGHER EDUCATION SECTOR
P. 3 - 4
ADVICE & SUPPORT
P. 5 - 6
WELL@WOLVES
P. 7 - 8
EVENTS & ACTIVITIES / BAR &
P. 9 - 10
P. 11 - 12 P. 13 - 14 FINANCIAL STATEMENT
IMPACT REPORT 2017_18 LW FINAL.indd 3
P. 15 - 16
22/11/2018 14:09
HIGHER EDUCA
3 IMPACT REPORT 2017_18 LW FINAL.indd 4
22/11/2018 14:09
TION SECTOR UK Higher Education Landscape The Higher Education (HE) landscape has been particularly changeable this year. This included the first major piece of regulatory reform for 25 years with the passing of the Higher Education and Research Act through Parliament. The Act evolved the Teaching Excellence Framework further and created a new regulator for HE, the Office for Students (OfS). The Office for Students (OfS), remit is to champion the interests of students, promote choice and help to ensure that students are receiving a good deal for their investment in higher education. Our students want to know where their money goes and be protected and supported if something goes wrong.
The SU worked closely with the University this year in developing its Student Protection Plan and will continue to ensure that students receive value for money. We were lucky enough to have Nicola Dandridge, Chief Executive of the OfS to introduce our Student Union Teaching Awards this year.
4 IMPACT REPORT 2017_18 LW FINAL.indd 5
22/11/2018 14:09
ADVICE & SUPP Advice and Support 17/18 This year the ASC passed re-accreditation of the Advice Quality Standard (AQS) in February 2018, which means it is again endorsed for its quality of service provision, until at least 2020. Up until 31st May 2018, the Advice and Support Centre had dealt with a total of 1,218 enquiries in person, by telephone and online/email, this academic year. This represents a 12% increase on previous academic year, 2016/17. Of the enquires received, 46% have been directly related to finance issues, 44% academic and 7% housing related. The remaining 3% of enquiries related to other topics ranging from food bank referrals to improving English, and health and wellbeing; which includes mental health disclosures. Our enquiries have come from students on all five campuses, plus partner colleges and TNE. Advisers additionally engaged with over 150 prospective applicants and their families on University Open Days this year.
Next 12 months •The Advice and Support Centre hopes to replace its current Case Management System in September 2018, in order to improve the quality of statistics and reports the service can produce. It is hoped this will give us the ability to monitor trends and report on impact, for the first time. •We will continue to source and facilitate bespoke training for ourselves and our University counterparts, to add to the excellent learning we have already received this year in areas of Rape and Sexual Assault, Coercive Control and Domestic Abuse Awareness from our links with The Haven Refuge in Wolverhampton. •We will continue reaching more students across all campuses, with an increased presence on Walsall Campus from next academic year, along with more regular trips to Telford and Burton Campuses. •We have also renewed our commitment to support distance and TNE learners, specifically in the areas of academic and wellbeing advice, with a short information video that has been produced, to be shown at TNE induction talks in the coming year
5 IMPACT REPORT 2017_18 LW FINAL.indd 6
22/11/2018 14:09
ORT Case Study Hi, my name is Fiona. Throughout my time at the University I have used the services of the Advice and Support Centre for a variety of enquiries, including help with Extenuating Circumstances in my Foundation Year to requesting assistance with my Student Finance England application for my current study year. The team at the SU Wolverhampton City building are literally a dream team! They have made such a difference to my experience at Uni, to the point where I wanted to leave because of the trouble I had. Between them, the advisers sorted it all out and restored my peace! I went through a really tough time and I was so grateful for their help. I really do believe they are part of the reason I am still in Uni. They have truly been amazing with their no-nonsense, professional but compassionate approach.
1,218
individual enquiries
12%
increase on the total number of enquiries from 16/17.
6 IMPACT REPORT 2017_18 LW FINAL.indd 7
22/11/2018 14:09
Well@Wolves Well@Wolves 2017/18 This year was the first year of having a dedicated member of staff to lead the Well@Wolves agenda. As a service, we delivered 231 in-house activities and events focused on helping students to improve and/or manage their own wellbeing. These activities and events were accessed 1,170 times. Several awareness campaigns were run throughout the year, most successfully was for British Sign Language week in March 2018, where we collaborated with the University to create 5 very basic BSL videos. These were viewed over 9,400 times. Our online hub of self-help information was viewed a total of 14,798 times, which peaked during the exam periods and support drop ins, delivered by qualified and recognised external providers, were accessed 1,126 times over the year. The on campus sexual health clinics were so well attended that we extended the times of the weekly Embrace clinic at City Campus and for 2018/19 we have added an extra weekly clinic at City Campus.
Next 12 months • Help students explore all the support available to them while study at University. • Following feedback we will be running a variety of activities such as cooking workshops and exam de-stress activities. • Grow the services we offer at Walsall campus, as well as greater range of external support drop ins on campus. • Strengthen partnership working with the WLV gym via our Wellbeing Referral Programme which enables students to look after their own wellbeing by accessing gym classes and fitness suites 5 times in a 2-week period, free of charge.
7 IMPACT REPORT 2017_18 LW FINAL.indd 8
22/11/2018 14:09
Case Studies Hamza Shaikh Hi my name is Hamza. Well@Wolves is really fantastic. It’s one of the best things they’ve ever had here at the university and I recommend that you come along. The workshops make me feel totally chilled, and are good for my blood pressure! You never know where it will lead you in life. Well@Wolves can have a positive effect on your life, your social, emotional and psychological development. You will then be ready for the next stage in your life and you will leave university with a “can do” attitude, which is really important. I would like to thank the SU who have all changed my life. Come to Well@Wolves it really is good for you! Wilson Tatnell Hi, my name is Wilson. I came to University in September 2017 and I discovered the activities at the SU and since then have been regularly attending Well@Wolves. As someone who struggles with my mental health it’s an environment in which I can relax and be productive whilst socialising and de-stressing. Without Well@Wolves I would engage much less at University and it’s a good distraction when stress levels are high. With the stress of moving away from home, I haven’t been taking the time out to engage in hobbies, however, the craft sessions have allowed me to rediscover my passion in art and I have been doing craft regularly, even at home. It keeps me busy and helps me to manage my wellbeing.
8 IMPACT REPORT 2017_18 LW FINAL.indd 9
22/11/2018 14:09
EVENTS & ACTIVITIES Events and Activities 17/18 This year Events and Activities hosted a massive 87 events across 4 weeks on Wolverhampton, Walsall and Telford Campuses. To achieve this, we worked in collaboration with Accommodation Services, WLV Gym, External Relations and Cool It Events; to run a diverse range of events and activities. We also arranged our annual Fresher’s Fairs at both Wolverhampton and Walsall campuses, where we saw just over 6,000 members of our University community join us to find out what’s on offer both on campus and around our wider community. The SU Bar & Café, based within our Walsall Students’ Union has been the home to our Weekly Quiz, which came directly from student feedback on the campus. The Weekly Quiz received great support, bringing a large number of students together every week to battle it out to be top of the leader board. We have also hosted monthly live music and karaoke events, again, bringing the campus alive in the evening and providing somewhere for our students to socialise, kick back and relax on campus. We have also partnered on many campus experience events this year, adding to our diverse menu of activities on offer to our students. These have included regular local Food Markets, Family Friendly Half Term Fun Days, Christmas Celebrations and an Outdoor Cinema event.
Next 12 months • Looking at later openings at the SU Bar & Café, with the introduction of our SU LIVE nights on a Friday till midnight. • Continuing to grow our Weekly Quiz • Introducing more content on our SU Bar and Café Facebook page and including ticketed events to support out research and data capture. • Engage with our sporting students, working in partnership with the Institute of Sport. • Grow our student experience offer by partnering with the new look Arena Theatre to co-host and promote the new evening events offering and venue.
9 IMPACT REPORT 2017_18 LW FINAL.indd 10
22/11/2018 14:09
SU BAR & CAFE Case Study Hi, my name is Jessica. I am a third year student studying Criminology and Criminal Justice. I have worked at the SU for the past two years. Due to having a University degree to do full time, finding a part time job that works well with managing my time was easy when I started working at the SU. I was able to study and work alongside each other. I have learnt valuable skills since I started working here such as confidence building, especially when it comes to serving customers. I am pleased to say I have seen this improve a considerable amount. I am also more confident to work on my own as well as working alongside a diverse team of university students. I would recommend to other students that are part of this university that are looking for a part time job to join this team due to its understanding of student life.
594
Facebook likes an increase of 192 likes
Up to
11,482
students attended events last year
Next 12 months • Refurbishment of space upstairs in order to bring together all SU services under one location. One designated area for students to use twice a week and provision of facilities for the other 3 days a week • Increase of ASC outreach for students • Continue with development of Well@Wolves events and presence • Weekly Quiz and introduce a once a month event on Friday, based off students feedback, with different type of entertainment
10 IMPACT REPORT 2017_18 LW FINAL.indd 11
22/11/2018 14:09
SOCIETIES Societies 17/18 Student led societies are vital to our students’ union as they help us to build our community. Unique, and delivered by, for students, our societies help us to create a sense of belonging. Societies currently range from educational societies, religious societies, liberation groups and a huge range of hobbies and interests. This year Societies saw weekly meetings, events, speakers, marches, national training days and balls over the course of this year. With 12 new societies forming, ranging from a mental health and wellbeing society to 3 new political societies. It has now become a regular sight on a Friday evening to see the SU space full of different societies, all with their own interests but also enjoying the night together. The development of foundation training for committee members and ensuring the elections pass the torch appropriately has allowed our societies to continue year on year. Overall, they remain a foundation of our student led community.
Next 12 months • • • •
Create a development plan for year for each societies Provide more training to enhance skills Increase society involvement with procedures to enable it to be more student led Involve societies in the decision making process of fund allocation
11 IMPACT REPORT 2017_18 LW FINAL.indd 12
22/11/2018 14:10
Case Study Hi, my name is Mike. I wanted to start a band society at the city campus because I felt the students were lacking a musical outlet, also to give the university more connections to the people around it. From the local talents in need of a place to play, to the potential venues nearby (as well as on campus) it was hope that this would generate a more positive working attitude with the university. I also thought the Venue would be the perfect place to put on a battle of the bands competition. After working closely with the SU the society is now up and running, helping to showcase an array of talent. I would like the band society to become one of the top societies at the university and its events to be looked forward to by all students whatever their musical taste may be. The Student Union have been clear and concise in their help and it has been a pleasure working with them, not just on the band society but in other ventures as well. I look forward to working with them throughout the year.
116
12
new societies made
3
members within a total of 75 societies
societies held end of year balls
12 IMPACT REPORT 2017_18 LW FINAL.indd 13
22/11/2018 14:10
STUDENT VOICE Student Voice 17/18 Student Voice is a key pillar of both the existence of a Students’ Union and the on going improvement of the University. The SU spent 17/18 working to increase the reach of the academic rep program. Representation at every level of study is a fundamental requirement for the delivery of an effective and powerful Student Voice. With this in mind, the SU increased it’s course rep numbers from 527 academic reps in the previous year to 782 in 17/18. This year we tackled a variety of themes in Student Voice this year, the biggest has been around behaviour and the perception of how students should act at a University. The information was picked up at the first round of Faculty Council meetings where behaviour was trending across all four faculties and has been one of the main focuses for improvement in collaboration with the University. Focus groups were conducted with students in order to determine whether the services that SU provides align with student need, from this we obtained a clearer insight into how our students interact with the service. In response to this feedback we have changed ‘student voice to ‘Student Change’ and we will continue to build and reshape based upon this feedback in the next 12 months.
Next 12 months • After building up the numbers of Academic Reps, this year’s focus for representation will be on building quality. With refreshed systems for recruitment, training and communication, reps will have better access to the SU for support and guidance. • Build the Create Change ideas platform and promote the use of one feedback system for all students to use. We hope this will bring about rise in engagement in both our decision making and democratic process. • Refresh democracy and councils within this. We will create a Shadow Council, for both Officer and overall accountability to be challenged and improved. New sub-committees will be created to focus on specific remits of our elected team. • Create a new Education Council, Liberation Council and Community Council. This will take charge on leading on changes derived from our democratic process and Create Change platform.
13 IMPACT REPORT 2017_18 LW FINAL.indd 14
22/11/2018 14:10
Case Study Hi, my name is Reece. Throughout my four years at University I felt like it was a growing importance for students to provide feedback and liaise with academics so in my fourth year I decided to become a course rep. During my time as a course rep for my postgraduate course the students’ union has helped me get my point across with a number of issues and helpful information for my course and my faculty of social sciences. I believe being able to go to University meetings has been a benefit to every single course rep throughout the university and helped us build a rapport with lecturers and ensure the students’ are represented. It has helped me make more friends, leadership skills and build my confidence. As a course rep this role has taught me how to improve and overcome a number of issues students’ were concerned with, on my course.
782
Course Reps. Elections saw
53
candidates for 30 positions
57%
increase on the total number of reps from 16/17.
4,551 votes cast in our Spring Elections.
14 IMPACT REPORT 2017_18 LW FINAL.indd 15
22/11/2018 14:10
FINANCIAL STAT Financial Statement 17/18 Expenditure has taken place this year to enhance the Students’ Union at the Walsall campus to ensure we provide proportional services for our students such as our Advice and Support service and develop our wellbeing agenda. We have also adapted the use of the space in the Students’ Union at City to ensure our services and activities are accessible to all of our students. There has been considerable investment in IT equipment during the year to enable mobile working, which is essential to allow the staff to deliver a responsive service to our students. We received funding of £5K again this year from the Partnership Agreement with Santander to support our Employment Support Fund and £4,612.25 of the Fund was distributed through the year to our students. We employed Part Time (Student Staff) during the year and paid them a total of £44,336.98, for 4,732 hours of work. Our students raised and donated to other charities the sum of £ 3,225.10 during the year. Income generated by our Societies was £9,190 and they spent £7,711, with the SU supporting their activities via the Society Development Fund by £3,538. Our total income this year was £968,091, with 75.4% of the Students’ Union’s total income coming from the Block Grant. 9.05% of the total income was Trading Activity Income. The Students’ Union’s total expenditure for 2017/18 was £953,584 .
15 IMPACT REPORT 2017_18 LW FINAL.indd 16
22/11/2018 14:10
TEMENT
16 IMPACT REPORT 2017_18 LW FINAL.indd 17
22/11/2018 14:10
City Campus Ambika Paul Building Wulfruna Street Wolverhampton WV1 1LY
Walsall Campus WS Building Gorway Road Walsall WS1 3BD
Telford Campus SA Building Shifnal Road Telford TF2 9NT
Tel: 01902 322021 Fax: 01902 322020 E-mail: info.wolvesunion@wlv,ac.uk Website: www.wolvesunion.org