Support to You 1:
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Background:
This priority was highlighted the most in consultations with 71/251 respondents discussing the need for robust support for their Mental Health & Wellbeing. In the priority vote, 55% of students voted for this priority as their first or second preference.
Key Findings:
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Students highlighted Mental Health & Wellbeing as a key obstacle and challenge they personally face during their time at University
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Through participatory budgeting exercises, students voted for more funding on wellbeing services within the Students’ Union and University
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Support needs to extend outside academic life to those in halls and on placement
“My working hours put a lot of stress and strain on my mental health to the point where I have been very close to dropping out.”
What is the University/Students’ Union currently doing?
The University/Students’ Union is currently undergoing an external review of its support services, upon which student consultations were held in June. Further to this, the Students’ Union Advice Service goes into the second year of its strategy.
Officer Team Action Plan:
These are the key actions laid out by the Officer team to address the Priority. A GSU Officer and Faculty Officers will work on these actions throughout the year and communicate their progress to students.
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Look at how different rooms can address the different needs of students struggling with mental health.
E.g Silent Room– either a room to shout in/ a confessions room
Sensory room- a room with light textures and colors
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Ensure evidence-based on mental health for extenuating circumstances is not rigid with the evidence students need to provide.
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Ensure there is clear information and timely availability for students to see counsellors for 1-to-1 sessions
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Investigate opportunities for group therapy activities such as “tea and talks”.
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Continue providing de-stressing activities such as swimming, cycling and therapy animals
Support to You 2:
Employability & Career Events
Background:
This priority was highlighted in four consultations, especially by representatives in Faculty Forums and Postgraduate students. 45% of students voted for this priority as their first or second preference.
Key Findings:
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The University should hold more recruitment fairs throughout the year
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There needs to be a specific focus for Postgraduate students and specialist career fields
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The transition from graduation to entering a career field needs to be better communicated to students in order to adequately prepare them.
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Events should be organized that connect students with the alumni community.
“Career events are always dominated by the Business Faculty.”
What is the University/Students’ Union currently doing?
The University currently provides students with a career service and employability support within each Faculty. The Dreadnought and GK Union space has been used previously for companies to advertise opportunities to students.
Officer Team Action Plan:
These are the key actions laid out by the Officer team to address the Priority. A GSU Officer and Faculty Officers will work on these actions throughout the year and communicate their progress to students.
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Lobby the university to implement industry places as apart of courses to ensure degrees as useful as apprenticeships.
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More networking opportunities for students if mentoring can’t be widespread between departments.
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Ensure every school provides opportunities for mock job days/assessments to try out roles/interviews
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Make sure CV workshops are widely communicated and accessible to students
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Greenwich version of NCS the challenge
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Look at innovative ways to help students get advice on business plans and ideas they may want to peruse during and after university.
E.g Introduce Burger and Business – free lunch and discuss business plans with similar people