Annual Report 2019/20
Leeds Trinity 2019 - 2020 Students' Union Annual REPOrT
Supporting you to reach your potential
SHAH
ZOHA ZOHA
President 2019-2020 PRESIDENT 2019-2020 ZOHA SHAH AND CHRIS DOW ZOHA STUDENTS’ UNION PRESIDENT & VICE- UNION PRESIDENT STUDENTS’ Big Plan over the past three years. years. the past three Big Plan over team, staff our incredible by been supported have They play an to who continue and trustees volunteers student success.” in the charity’s role integral A huge thank you to Chris and Zoha along with all the Chris and Zoha to A huge thank you of the been a part who have Presidents and Vice President
How is the Union run? run? is the Union How
DOW CHRIS We exist for the benefit of Leeds Trinity students. students. Trinity Leeds of the benefit for We exist
2019-2020 Vice-President external trustees. They are the first and final decision making body of and final decision making the first They are trustees. external the Union. Student the annually elected made by policy and decisions are Political team A staff and Vice-President. the President Council which includes to support with the officers sabbatical of the elected support the work of charity services. day running day to The Union is led by two annual elected Sabbatical Officers - the President - the President Officers Sabbatical elected annual two is led by The Union up of made As nine trustees led by and Vice-President. are charity we a four to and up student trustees three Officers, Sabbatical elected two 2 like no other. It’s our inclusive, our inclusive, It’s no other. like first student personalised, that means our approach if they as feel will never students or left bored. represented not are in collaboration work to continue We and thank staff University Trinity with Leeds and our officers them on behalf of students, team. staff who set a record-breaking recruitment of 616 members who of 616 members recruitment a record-breaking who set newly 8 of which were societies, part in our 37 clubs or took during 2019-20. formed and the environment to our commitment continued We Impact accreditation Green NUS achieving sustainability has also seen a running. The past year year third the for to Including efforts our Officers. led by of campaigns range GP the local it be for whether processes, simplify registration also were campaigns the National Elections. Climate or for and social price food choice, theme along with food a strong spaces. students ensure aim to and services Our campaigns at Leeds whilst the best possible experience have helping them gain University, Trinity and opportunities experiences We do this in five ways: this in five We do Leeds Trinity Students’ Union is a charity. Union Students’ Trinity Leeds student members at the core of their existence. They were were They of their existence. at the core members student to be led continue consultation, student after created flexible much desired and provides students and run by opportunities. employment also launched a new we the beginning of the year At support our 148 our ability to which has enhanced website cohort our 2019-20 volunteer to Congratulations volunteers. the service to our core value, personalised, saw over 100 saw over personalised, value, our core to the service our Student one by one to supported individual students Advisor. space, social on the launching a new this year reflect We whilst on campus support students to and continue StUdio, our have services profit’ Both ‘not for our shop. through number of nominations for positions. ‘Student Say’ positions. ‘Student number of nominations for and ideas submitted with seventeen flourish to continued policies. Council passing eleven the Student service an impartial SU led Advice to Our commitment with Wellbeing, being supported with students continues of A further commitment appeals. Housing and Academic “As we reflect on the last year of our current strategy we look we strategy of our current year on the last reflect we “As pride. As a charity we with journey back at the three-year a long way. come have has seen continued voice student to Our commitment with a record our members elections engagement from 4. We promote and protect the welfare of our members through the through of our members welfare the protect and 4. We promote activities. and advice information, of provision clubs, societies, student and co-ordinate encourage 5. We promote, activities. and student sports 1. We act as a medium of communication between the members of the of the the members between communication as a medium of 1. We act bodies. and other the University the Governors, Union, of the and students of our members education the 2. We advance as a whole. University as a channel of and act of our members the interest 3. We represent bodies. and other with the University in dealing communication INTRODUCTION 22% 422 246 64 11 4
22% Turnout 285 votes through Academic 64 11 New 9 SU on Tours, 4 student in the SU 2020 ‘Students Say’, Interest Course Council with 246 led staff Elections our online ideas Award Reps Policies Submissions: Our winners zone from 17 nominations Recruited passed way of sampling awarded submissions the pulse of student opinion
Course Rep Conference Student Course Reps met each other in February to discuss themes and share insight with Margaret House (Vice Chancellor, Leeds Trinity University). 15 Course reps were supported to feed back on course effecting topics.
“The Students’ Union has been an amazing help to me this year. From the start of university, Union staff have made themselves known to new students and made the effort to get to know them and build good professional relationships. This has resulted in me feeling comfortable to approach the Union and utilise the support provided by the them. Having participated in many events run by the Union it created opportunities for me to meet new people and develop new skills! This March I campaigned in the elections and Union was very helpful and made sure all the candidates were well briefed and supported through the journey. The Union has made a very positive impact on me and I am sure will continue do so for me and many others alike.” VOICE STUDENT - Vinay Verma, Primary Education Student
VINAY VERMA, Student Council Chair 2020-2021 3 with
Officer
LTU Chief CHRIS DOW Operating
PHILLIP DIXON,
SU Sustainability Officer 2019-2020. Officer SU Sustainability - Lauren Thomas, 3rd Year Forensic Psychology, Psychology, Forensic Year Thomas, 3rd - Lauren fantastic and it is not just about environmentally driven change driven environmentally and it is not just about fantastic our reduce to and the use of ebooks recycling things like through and about engaging in social change also footprint, it’s carbon wellbeing.” “Being involved in all the green impact campaigning has been impact campaigning green in all the “Being involved
4 Chris Combats Climate Change Climate Combats Chris - A guest speaker led a workshop for led a workshop speaker - A guest - Our SU Shop sold items from items - Our SU Shop sold - 3 Large bin bags of clothing were of clothing bin bags - 3 Large Divestment Green Impact Green and Sports Coaching and Sports - Reduced meat free meal offers in StUdio. in offers meal free meat - Reduced - James Austin, 3rd Year Secondary Physical Education Education Physical Secondary Year 3rd - James Austin, Projects that formed our Green Impact accreditation include : include accreditation Impact our Green formed that Projects students. Thursday’ away ‘Throw our venues. from collected ‘Go Green & Fairtrade’ Week & Fairtrade’ ‘Go Green Trade. Fair Monday’ Free ‘Meat Workshop’ & Planet ‘People policy. Divestment is one way we can help to weaken the fossil fuel industry; the fossil weaken to help can we is one way Divestment a greener to our University from the commitment it also shows Fuel in Fossil never invest to pledged has now Our University future. their investment fuel industry from the fossil and exclude companies investment ethical publicly accessible introducing whilst portfolio • • • • the future of us students today and the students of tomorrow.” of tomorrow.” the students and today of us students the future “Getting our University to divest from fossil fuels is such a big fossil from divest to our University “Getting like happen at a small university thought could I never achievement about it cares impact the SU has and how the show This goes to ours. STUDENT VOICE department’s students. provided usfeedback from her of childhoodandeducation) (Representative for institute Emma Stevenson take breaks for their mental health andwellbeing. This was to supportstudents duringtheirstudies reminding themto (recyclable) water bottles withChris’ Top 5Tipsto relieve exam stress. exams anddeadlinesDuring January we handedoutover 1000Volvic Exam Stress posted by heron‘Student Say’. around campus. Theidea was wantedThey more water coolers Chris Combats Dehydration “During my January deadline Iwas stuck“During myJanuary inthelibrary constantly the President. and theidea was actioned by at Student Council.Itpassed It got enoughlikes to beraised the friendly faces to thefreebees.” they probably don’t realise they have, justfrom The presence around campus theSUhashelpsinsomany ways that these helpedmerelax andrealise whatIneededto doto helpmyself. a bottleofwater andhistop tips.You don’t understand how much and stressing aboutmydeadlinesandthencomes alongChriswith 5 - Lucy Povah, 2ndYear Education Primary EarlyYears staff theidea became reality. collaboration withUniversity Through discussionand
STUDENT VOICE
Rainbow Laces Rainbow
Citizens
with Leeds Leeds with
CHRIS DOW DOW CHRIS & ZOHA SHAH SHAH ZOHA & Cabin Feever & Weekly Quiz & Feever Cabin Chris Combats Health and Equality and Health Combats Chris - Rachel Ward, 1st year Criminology and Policing Student Criminology and Policing year 1st Ward, - Rachel GP Dual Registration page on LTU and Students’ Union website. and Students’ on LTU page to upgraded was website The practices can and students online registrations allow forms. access now Was a collaboration with Leeds Citizens to Citizens with Leeds a collaboration Was with registering problems students’ solve The campaign GP’s. with their local Students” achieved a specific “University the relevant has links to which now page, our members who wore them in support of LGBT* in Sport. wore them in support of LGBT* our members who 4 in 10 LGBT* people don’t think sport is welcoming. Sport has an amazing power to bring people together. So, to help bridge this we to bring people together. So, Sport has an amazing power don’t think sport is welcoming. 4 in 10 LGBT* people 350 rainbow laces for the SU purchased over campaign support a national as possible. To and societies as inclusive support all our clubs During the Covid-19 pandemic and the UK’s lockdown we put together a series of exercise videos for students to join in with and engage within with and engage to join videos for students of exercise put together a series lockdown we and the UK’s Covid-19 pandemic During the night.ive live quiz a weekly interact we produced do. As well as this daily activity to a friendly face and gave students lockdown. This during the from our followers for these activities. seen over 6,000 views on Facebook The engagement “The rainbow laces campaign really helped unite teams throughout sports bringing awareness and inclusivity across the university. Not only the university. inclusivity across and sports bringing awareness throughout teams helped unite really campaign laces “The rainbow rejection.” of without fear their true colours show to okay it’s them know let to individuals the power but gave teams did it unite STUDENT VOICE 4 Vegan Options 22 HalalOptions V HALAL egan Zoha Addresses Food Choice since September menuhad22Halaland4 January butournew StUdio began to cater for students withinclusive food requirement reasonable price.” a lunchinasthey always have options for me andatacheap of StUdioithasmeantIdon’t have to aboutnotbringing worry recent years it’s beenhard to eatoncampus, butsince theopening “Being Vegan meansitcan behard to eatout sometimes and in times withitssuppliesofstationary!” lunch, adrinkandsometimes even essentials.Itssaved mesomany campus andeven thelocal shops,itgives meaplace to grab my “The SUshopisamazing,it’s socheapcompared to therest of friends.” thanks to Studio, I’ve spentmore timeonmaincampus withmy year, althoughIlived oncampus, Inever ate oncampus. Thisyear, “As aMuslimstudent Iuseto findithard to eatoncampus inmy first different vegan options. - Laura Pickering, 2ndYear Education Primary EarlyYears 7 - Robbie Dyson,2ndYear Sports Coaching - Fizza Masood,2ndYear Student Food Choice &Value
STUDENT VOICE
voter
JAMIE JAMIE student student HERON, - Charlotte Parker, 2nd Year Media and Marketing 2nd Year Parker, - Charlotte time to place my vote. Other incentives such as the Taxis and free food food and free as the Taxis such Other incentives my vote. place time to vote.” to down helped me get on the polling day “The SU helped me realise I could be registered at two addresses and addresses at two be registered I could helped me realise “The SU not be I would worried as I was at university here vote that I could home in get and not able to away so far me living due to vote able to 8 Chris and Zoha Combat Voting Combat Zoha and Chris (Polling day) (Polling National Elections National National Elections 2019 Elections National - Jamie Heron, Journalism Masters - Jamie Heron, - Frances Bridgewater, 2nd Year Physical Education Physical 2nd Year Bridgewater, - Frances station with 83 students taking advantage of free food in StUdio for in StUdio food of free advantage taking with 83 students station vote. the hill to down making the walk The Union supported voter turnout with taxis to the local polling the local to turnout with taxis voter The Union supported So many students lose their voice when coming to University by not being not by University to when coming voice lose their students So many to ability our members We supported their new address. from vote able to advent with 300 incentivising address secondary their university at register reminder. day 200 muffins all with a handy polling and calendars push to make sure students were registered and ready to vote. vote. to and ready registered were students sure make push to and snacks just calendars such as advent rewards free offered They also educated that they fantastic I thought it was registering. for General be their first it would many on the elections as for students vote.” eligible to were they Election where, “During the National Elections our Students’ Union made a massive Union made a massive Students’ “During the National Elections our could play. Chris’ register to vote campaign is a great example of example is a great campaign vote to Chris’ register play. could and the of their vote the importance on students this. Educating could make.” they difference “Over the Past Year the SU has done a great job at providing more more job at providing done a great the SU has Year the Past “Over to such as StUdio, social spaces, create and to on campus events Along with Community. a part of the Trinity people feel help more gain a helped students have ran the SU have this the campaigns what part they and situations of different understanding better STUDENT VOICE available via Free products SU Shop sanitary sanitary one to one supported 110 students the supportorthesevital andpositive members oftheteam. university experience would nothave beenthesamewithout needed advice, neededhelpwithalecturer My orwas hungry! “The Students’ Unionhave always beenthere, whether I for allthey do.” The supportthey show issecond to noneandI’msograteful
Black History events held
Month - Laura Edmonds, SUStudent Trustee 4 with academic
related issues supported students 25 Awareness Week Events/Videos/ Mental Health
Virtualised Posts for 10 undergraduates mental health 2/3rd
awareness trained in Outreach events Wellbeing 3
Housing Fair 100+ attended students 9 willing to helpanyone withany issues!” to rectify itbefore theendof day. They’re amazing and could do. TheSUteam thenworked quicklyand managed of hisway to findmethatdayoncampus to discusswhathe Having emailedtheSU, Chris(SUVice President) came out updated, Icouldn’t applyfor extensions Iwas eligible for. am adisabledStudent andwhentheextensions system was “The SUhashelpedmemore thanIcould ever imagine.I - Chelsea Tweed, 3rd year Philosophy Ethics andReligion student referrals
SU Shop through 20 health related
screenings 12 World Mental collaborative
Health Day events for 3 Launch of new Launch ofnew
Sexual health New
services services vouchers viathe with hardship supported students SU Shop
5
SUPPORTING STUDENTS STUDENT OPPORTUNITY
73 60 15 3 club and society Course Student Council Student Volunteers Representatives members trustees
“The welcome packs the SU provided when I first moved to campus really helped me, giving me all the vital information, I needed and where I could go for support! I loved all the New freebees they provided too, they all come in handy. The SU 700+ Mental Health ran an amazing Freshers week where it enabled me to meet Welcome bags referral project so many others and helped me make the friends I have today! brought to your with Yorkshire They did so many events, and a wide range too, so there was door something for everyone.” Sport - Jack Clarke-Scott, 1st Year Sports
“Being involved in a sports team has made my university “Coming to Trinity from another University meant I hardly experience 10x better than what it would have been. Without knew anyone when joining and not living on campus meant it the SU running and organising games and events I wouldn’t would be hard for me to make friends and meet new people, have made the amount of friend I have today, and Wednesdays but with the SU creating so many opportunities through the wouldn’t be my favourite day if the week!” events they do meant I had no problem in meeting and making - Beth Maull, new friends, I really owe it to them!” Masters in Mental Health in Children and Young People - Hannah Lee, PGCE Primary Education (QTS)
10 fullest.” All ofthatallowed meto enjoy mytimeatUniversity to the plenty ofopportunities to make themostoutofmyexperience. has helpedmemake amazingfriends. Itprovided mewith “The Unionhashelpedmegainconfidence atUniversity and Clubs andsociety, which were non- events, 50%of Freshers week alcoholic 8 new 8 new 31 37 3rd year andReligious Theology student
- Rachael Chapman, great opportunity.” training Ihave received from themwillstay withmethroughout mycoaching career andithasbeena and have played amassive partinhelpingmerunthefootball clubsuccessful onandoffthefield.The feel I withthesupportfromcan approach Chris(SUVice anysituation President) (SUstaff) andHarry year astheChairmanofMen’s Football andthey are partofthereason Idecidedto runfor therole. I “The supportandadvice Ihave received from Iamgoing into mysecond theSUhasbeenbrilliant, Club andSociety members 616 - BobbieAthey, 2ndYear Sport, Health &Physical Education 11 the hotchocolate after thesession was ayummybonus!” week before hittingreality relaxed mybodyandmindplus opportunity to unwindandfocus onmy wellbeing once a “Being aLaw student can bechallengingsoto begiven the - RhiarnaeCampbell,2nd Year Lawstudent, ‘Give itaGo’ 167 fixtures Sports participant social supported via ourvenues 25
STUDENT OPPORTUNITY
- Evie Mai Hudson, 1st Year Primary Education, StUdio Staff Member Staff StUdio Primary Education, Year Mai Hudson, 1st - Evie 12 hours around my studies and gives me some income, the working environment is environment the working me some income, and gives my studies around hours and helped me as here working through so many friends met amazing and I have Trinity.” at Leeds at home here feel year a first “It’s been great working for the SU as it has allowed me to have flexible working working flexible have me to as it has allowed the SU for working been great “It’s
. by the Union by Academic transcripts Academic 86 recognised on their 86 recognised ‘Very Good’ Green Impact Good’ Green ‘Very 45 students have been employed been employed have 45 students experience. To support this, we collaborate with collaborate this, we support To experience. on transcripts. recognition for the University We value our volunteer impact on the student impact our volunteer We value NUS Green Impact Award annually. Award Impact Green NUS Our students’ care about the environment. You You about the environment. care Our students’ undertake so we our impact, reduce us to asked This has put £67,952 back in the pockets of pockets in the put £67,952 back This has to is important us employment tell You students. and and Shop hire StUdio profit’ for Our ‘not you. staff develop our student ADDING VALUE and a new areaand anew to socialisein. We brought you SkySports, BT PubGames sport, You asked usto make campus more entertaining. StUdio, created oncampus 1 New socialspace, work, play andrestwork, inwhilstoncampus. It’s mademestay around Unialotmore.” has amore community andlively atmosphere, givingus Students ourown space to “Since theSUtook over from Lounge andcreated StUdiothecampus feels asifit first year somuchbetter thanIthoughtitwould have been!” during anopendayandwhenIarrived somuchhadchangedandithasmademy it asit’s convenient for meandissocheapcompared to otherplaces. Whenvisiting to dolike playpool,music,sports,food anddrinksamongstothers. I have enjoyed “StUdio isagreat socialspace for everyone attheuni.Itiswelcoming andhaslots opportunity to watch Live SportsonSky&BT!” The food optionsare cheapandaffordable butalso tasty andthey give methe whilst oncampus. Itfeels student owned andissomuchbetter thanprevious years. “StUdio hasbeensuchagreat additionto ourcampus itgives usaplace to rest bite 3rd year Secondary Physical Education andSports Education - Laura Holdsworth, 2ndYear Physical Education - Joshua Harris,1st year Sports Psychology 13 - Josh Illman,
ADDING VALUE Inaugural ‘Quality Volunteers now Students’ Union’ recognised on their award achieved academic transcripts BIG PLAN TIMELINE
‘Student Say’ Library lockers achieved 2017 2019
Winner of NUS Opened a new Students’ Union of social space, ‘Student Say’ the Year StUdio Microwaves achieved
Winner of Educate Divestment North Campaign Students’ Opened the achieved Union of the Year Inaugural Sports Varsity vs York St John SU Investors In Flagship 17 18 Volunteers
‘Big Plan’ 20 Accreditation
2017-20 19 2020 Launched Beyond 2020 research completed
2018 What about 2020 and beyond? Our ‘Beyond 2020’ research began to inform Leeds Trinity SU’s next strategic plan, signalling the end of our previous strategy, ‘The Big Plan’. The research undertaken for Beyond 2020 aimed to carry out a modified series of activities so as not to repeat what had gone before.
The areas of inquiry outlined for this project were as follows:
• Understanding what existing Leeds Trinity SU activity is important to students and other key stakeholders. • Defining the impact of Leeds Trinity SU. • Student needs and wants. • Engaging with specific student groups (Mature, BAME, Postgraduates, Foundation, Apprenticeship and Commuting students). • Developing a student hierarchy of needs and how Leeds Trinity SU’s work compliments these. BEYOND • Defining membership of the SU and what it means to students.
2020 New strategic plan 2020 BEYOND coming soon!
15 Find out what your Students’ Union is doing at: www.LTSU.co.uk