Owen Marques
Vice-President Welfare
Hey Everyone! My name is Owen and I am currently a 3rd year forensic science student and I’m running for Vice-President Welfare.
For many students this will be their first proper experience with being on campus and perhaps a troubling return for others. Nonetheless, if this year has taught us anything, it is how resilient we are as a community, and through this community I want to show just how important the support we can offer is. It is all about #GOwenInTheRightDirection.
My Key Aims:
Mental Health:
Mental health has been prevalent in these difficult times and I want to increase the ease of accessibility for support. Increasing points of contact for students in which they can feel safe enough to express their issues through training academics around this topic.
Increasing the number of services obtainable and making services more readily available for students by utilising external support systems.
Community and Inclusivity:
Providing support for the vast diverse student demographic we have will be a main priority, representing and supporting them more throughout the university. Increasing outreach to students living in private housing or from home.
Societies that create safe spaces need to be heavily advertised by the university, creating support groups and community for many. With further emphasis for underrepresented minorities.
Working closely with the Vice-President of Activities and sports clubs/societies to increase training and support within these areas to improve accessibility and inclusivity.
Students Supporting Students:
An expansion on the already implemented student helpline to be continued and accessible to all students for the purposes of providing support with mental health for those struggling with feeling isolated. Offering opportunities to students for mental health training and work experience.
Why me?
I have had a respectable amount of experience within the Union of Students, having volunteered for 2 years as a Programme Rep and 2 years as an active committee member in a sports club. I also happen to work as a Student Ambassador for the best part of 2 years. In addition to all of this, I am the current Part-Time Officer for Human Sciences, all of which has has taught me the importance of the support structures we have and need throughout the university and is one of the many reasons why it has led me to pursue the role of Vice-President of Welfare. My experience with the Union has given me a more thorough understanding as to how changes can be made and how to execute them.
I consider myself a friend to all, and a shoulder to lean on. My personal experience with mental health has been a character-building experience. Due to these experiences, I take pride in being compassionate towards others and understanding the many factors that affect us in our day to day lives, especially in university. All of this has allowed me to become the confident and caring person I am today and I know what it means to be heard and valued. I know I can make the changes needed to ensure YOU get the most out of YOUR university experience.
Vote for Owen and together we will be #GOwenInTheRightDirection