Key Manifesto Points

• Mental health training for society committee members
• Improve support awareness and engagement
• Redesign of campus recycling options
• Support Solent's links with the greater community

Main Manifesto

I am Eithne Hackett, a 3rd year Psychology student and I’m running for the Head of Student Wellbeing.

I wish to make a difference to Solent’s Community, and to improve the University experience for all students, current and future.

I plan to provide students with better support systems from their peers, and that they themselves are in better places to, in turn, support others.

Raising awareness of support available is another key aspect, Solent has many different measures that are under utilised. Primarily due to many simply being unaware that they exist or are available for all.

Ideally I will make a marked increase in student engagement with positive interventions and events as Happy Cafe, and advice services. As well as supporting Solent’s links with public organisations such as Mind.

Environmentally, I feel that Solent’s recycling systems currently result in recyclable waste being contaminated with non-recyclable products. Potentially meaning that none of the waste can actually be recycled. I propose resolving this through a more realistic number of non-recycling bins available. While I applaud the presence of recycling bins, having them as the primary bins available causes less environmentally-friendly waste rather than more.

These plans will be achieved through implementing mental health ‘first-aid’ training for all society committee members, so they are placed in a better position to support those around them. Providing these individuals with training and materials to assist them in this. In addition to this, I will work in cooperation with groups such as the Student Hub, Wellbees and the Psychology Department.

I believe I will be effective in this role due to my prior experience in project management, which has developed throughout the last 3 years on my course. Along with the work I have done as the President of one society and the Vice Captain of another. Through being a part of these committees I learnt a great deal about effectively implementation and time organisation.

Thank you for reading my manifesto.

I hope you will vote for me and give me the chance to make the SU about US!

Questions & Answers

1. How would you help build a community of students at Solent University?

I will encourage greater student involvement in Student Union events and help to provide the support needed so that students here can experience University life, and the Solent student community, to the fullest.

2. What types of events for students would you like to see on campus?

I would like to see more events that encourage the learning of new skills on campus. I think that the library workshops implemented are a great start to this, and hope that such events continue and develop further.

3. What improvements would you push for catering facilities on campus?

A later option for those that remain on campus after lecturers, for library work or society meetings etc. The trial of late night food available from the Costa was particularly helpful, and I hope that it will continue next year to offer more options to students at these times.

4. How would you make the university and Students’ Union more inclusive?

I believe the best route to being fully inclusive is through offering everyone a space for their voice to be heard in a supportive environment. And to ensure that all feel that they are welcome to contribute within this.