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So no matter what you want to speak about phone 0114 222 8788 (information line) or 0114 222 8787 (listening line)
- It's the best thing since sliced bread!
I also want to say a huge thank you to the people who wait by the phones and run Nightline day in, day out. You are a wicked bunch of people whose best work goes unseen. Thank you.
Thursday, 21 February 2008
Wednesday, 30 January 2008
Community Officer
Hi
Sorry it’s been ages since I’ve last ‘blogged’. So what have I been up to?
Well, there’s loads of conversations about the Officer Roles Review currently going through Council which will be put towards referendum in a few weeks. One of the most exciting things about this proposal is the creation of a Community Officer.
This Community Officer will have represent you to the local community whether that is your Landlord, the Police, or the City Council. For the first time one person will have the responsibility for representing us on issues where we live- especially housing and safety. At the moment these issues get floated in between myself as Welfare Officer and the President. Never coherent. Never sufficient attention is given to these issues.
Fantastic! And it couldn’t come at a better time. When student burglary has increased. When students are being ghettoised by planning laws. When new Housing Laws mean that students are going to have better rights we need to make sure these are followed through.
This Community Officer would also represent those students in University accommodation which we know has been of pressing concern to many students this year.
Over the next few weeks I’m going to chat about what the other roles will involve however all have come about through a complete blank page review which had the largest engagement of people in a governance review of the organisation.
OVER 1000 PEOPLE WERE ENGAGED IN THE PROCESS!
So we’ve listened. We’ve learnt and what we’ve come up with will progressively move forward our Students Union and make sure that standing up for students is our core purpose.
Speak to you soon
Sorry it’s been ages since I’ve last ‘blogged’. So what have I been up to?
Well, there’s loads of conversations about the Officer Roles Review currently going through Council which will be put towards referendum in a few weeks. One of the most exciting things about this proposal is the creation of a Community Officer.
This Community Officer will have represent you to the local community whether that is your Landlord, the Police, or the City Council. For the first time one person will have the responsibility for representing us on issues where we live- especially housing and safety. At the moment these issues get floated in between myself as Welfare Officer and the President. Never coherent. Never sufficient attention is given to these issues.
Fantastic! And it couldn’t come at a better time. When student burglary has increased. When students are being ghettoised by planning laws. When new Housing Laws mean that students are going to have better rights we need to make sure these are followed through.
This Community Officer would also represent those students in University accommodation which we know has been of pressing concern to many students this year.
Over the next few weeks I’m going to chat about what the other roles will involve however all have come about through a complete blank page review which had the largest engagement of people in a governance review of the organisation.
OVER 1000 PEOPLE WERE ENGAGED IN THE PROCESS!
So we’ve listened. We’ve learnt and what we’ve come up with will progressively move forward our Students Union and make sure that standing up for students is our core purpose.
Speak to you soon
Saturday, 10 November 2007
Make the Smart Move
Hey
Looking for a house can be the most exciting experience you can get at University. You snoop around other peoples houses and you decide on who you want to live with. However it can also be a journey of many pitfalls. That's why the Student Advice Centre, Welfare Committee and PropertywithUS have come to bring you the Smart Move housing campaign.
So next week throughout the whole week we will be in the Residences and out and about giving out information and advice on how to avoid those and make finding the right house an experience you'll never forget.
One thing you should remember though: THERE ARE MORE STUDENT HOUSES THAN STUDENTS. So don't rush. So even pick up a pace make sure you make the right steps to finding the right house.
And what are those steps? Well..
1. Choosing who to live with. What a massive question and make sure you know exactly who is going to be right for you and don't worry if you haven't decided yet because loads of people in that situation and there are events in the Union next semester to help you out.
2. When should you look? Well January is the best answer as that's when the accredited houses come on the market and they are the ones checked by the University to make sure they are OK.
3. Where should you look? Loads of different places, from PropertywithUS to online groups and agencies, newsagents and the accommodation board in the Union by reception.
4. Victorian terrace or modern apartment? Know what type of property you want to look for and make sure you set clear boundaries that all of you can agree to. Like setting a maximum rent you could all afford, or even listing the things you want in the house like a bath and double beds. It helps to narrow things down.
5. Location, Location, Location. Really look around the whole of Sheffield from Broomhill, Crookes, the city centre, Walkey, Sharrowvale, Ecclesall Road, Crookesmoor. Think about how far it is from lectures but also whether its the right house for you.
6. Choosing the Right House? Check the whole house from security to locks on front doors and make sure you know what your looking for.
7. Signing on the Dotted line. Don't sign anything you haven't read and understood. The Advice Centre run a housing contract checking service and can go through your contract with you to identify any problems to you that you might have.
Above all enjoy yourself. Watch out for the step by step guide in the Union and pick it up and have a read. The Student Advice Centre sees loads of problems with accommodation every year and we really want to make sure you don't suffer the same fate. Check the website for more information www.sheffieldunion.com/housing
Remember the most important thing however is that to find the right house, you can make the right home.
Take it easy
Looking for a house can be the most exciting experience you can get at University. You snoop around other peoples houses and you decide on who you want to live with. However it can also be a journey of many pitfalls. That's why the Student Advice Centre, Welfare Committee and PropertywithUS have come to bring you the Smart Move housing campaign.
So next week throughout the whole week we will be in the Residences and out and about giving out information and advice on how to avoid those and make finding the right house an experience you'll never forget.
One thing you should remember though: THERE ARE MORE STUDENT HOUSES THAN STUDENTS. So don't rush. So even pick up a pace make sure you make the right steps to finding the right house.
And what are those steps? Well..
1. Choosing who to live with. What a massive question and make sure you know exactly who is going to be right for you and don't worry if you haven't decided yet because loads of people in that situation and there are events in the Union next semester to help you out.
2. When should you look? Well January is the best answer as that's when the accredited houses come on the market and they are the ones checked by the University to make sure they are OK.
3. Where should you look? Loads of different places, from PropertywithUS to online groups and agencies, newsagents and the accommodation board in the Union by reception.
4. Victorian terrace or modern apartment? Know what type of property you want to look for and make sure you set clear boundaries that all of you can agree to. Like setting a maximum rent you could all afford, or even listing the things you want in the house like a bath and double beds. It helps to narrow things down.
5. Location, Location, Location. Really look around the whole of Sheffield from Broomhill, Crookes, the city centre, Walkey, Sharrowvale, Ecclesall Road, Crookesmoor. Think about how far it is from lectures but also whether its the right house for you.
6. Choosing the Right House? Check the whole house from security to locks on front doors and make sure you know what your looking for.
7. Signing on the Dotted line. Don't sign anything you haven't read and understood. The Advice Centre run a housing contract checking service and can go through your contract with you to identify any problems to you that you might have.
Above all enjoy yourself. Watch out for the step by step guide in the Union and pick it up and have a read. The Student Advice Centre sees loads of problems with accommodation every year and we really want to make sure you don't suffer the same fate. Check the website for more information www.sheffieldunion.com/housing
Remember the most important thing however is that to find the right house, you can make the right home.
Take it easy
Tuesday, 6 November 2007
Reignition
Hi everyone,
I've just been looking back at my last post which seems like such a long time ago! boy there has been loads going on!
The one thing that has been striking me however is that at the core of what we're doing as a students union is community. Take my week for example. Last tuesday I spent two hours talking to local residents groups about issues which they face and how we as a students union can work with them to address them.
Last night I sat in on an Activites and Events Committee meeting in Opal 2. These committees have the sole responsibility to promoting community in the Residences (by the way you can still get involved go to www.sheffieldunion.com/residences or head along to the relevant meeting this week)
From that I went to meet residents of the Nook and Harcourt Road in Interval to chat about the success of the Love Where You Live event which took place on the 27th October. This event brought non-students and student residents to paint bins, pot plants, tidy streets and make the place feel loved. The biggest thing I can notice is the hedge oppostie the Hadfield on Barber Road has been chopped down- finally we can walk on the pavement!
But then I regularly look at our activites and societies which all help promote community. Be it Debating society going to interval on a Monday evening or any of the activites on the Give It a Go programme. But it also shocked me how community isn't a 'new' thing.
I mean we as a team have got for this year a community team objective and yet community is one of the oldest concepts around. Community was around in Aristotle's day and it will be around long after you and I are gone. But it's core to us as a Students Union. That word 'Union' rings with it a community of students, bound together by common values and goals (we're all here to get the best degree!)
But community cannot be discovered, nor can it be invented. Infact community can be reignited. From the Love Where You Live events, AEC's, or societies community cannot be discovered because it already exists. Instead we have to help reignite the pilot flame of community and fan it throughout Sheffield.
So it doesn't matter what I do (well it does but for this it doesn't), because community cannot be dictated, degreed or decided on in committee but it has to be acted and active from the bottom-up in society. From me saying hello to my next door neighbours Sue and Ian whilst they light fireworks in their back garden to please their son Jamie who just lost his pet Rabbit (true story as I was walking home) to you saying hello to people on the street we need to reignite community.
Next week I'm going to launch the Smart Move Housing campaign with the strapline that to find the right house can make the right home. Most of us are here for three years (or more!) so I ask you to regnite the community around you, knock on the door of your neighbour,get involved in events around campus and be part of a community, a union, your Students Union.
I've just been looking back at my last post which seems like such a long time ago! boy there has been loads going on!
The one thing that has been striking me however is that at the core of what we're doing as a students union is community. Take my week for example. Last tuesday I spent two hours talking to local residents groups about issues which they face and how we as a students union can work with them to address them.
Last night I sat in on an Activites and Events Committee meeting in Opal 2. These committees have the sole responsibility to promoting community in the Residences (by the way you can still get involved go to www.sheffieldunion.com/residences or head along to the relevant meeting this week)
From that I went to meet residents of the Nook and Harcourt Road in Interval to chat about the success of the Love Where You Live event which took place on the 27th October. This event brought non-students and student residents to paint bins, pot plants, tidy streets and make the place feel loved. The biggest thing I can notice is the hedge oppostie the Hadfield on Barber Road has been chopped down- finally we can walk on the pavement!
But then I regularly look at our activites and societies which all help promote community. Be it Debating society going to interval on a Monday evening or any of the activites on the Give It a Go programme. But it also shocked me how community isn't a 'new' thing.
I mean we as a team have got for this year a community team objective and yet community is one of the oldest concepts around. Community was around in Aristotle's day and it will be around long after you and I are gone. But it's core to us as a Students Union. That word 'Union' rings with it a community of students, bound together by common values and goals (we're all here to get the best degree!)
But community cannot be discovered, nor can it be invented. Infact community can be reignited. From the Love Where You Live events, AEC's, or societies community cannot be discovered because it already exists. Instead we have to help reignite the pilot flame of community and fan it throughout Sheffield.
So it doesn't matter what I do (well it does but for this it doesn't), because community cannot be dictated, degreed or decided on in committee but it has to be acted and active from the bottom-up in society. From me saying hello to my next door neighbours Sue and Ian whilst they light fireworks in their back garden to please their son Jamie who just lost his pet Rabbit (true story as I was walking home) to you saying hello to people on the street we need to reignite community.
Next week I'm going to launch the Smart Move Housing campaign with the strapline that to find the right house can make the right home. Most of us are here for three years (or more!) so I ask you to regnite the community around you, knock on the door of your neighbour,get involved in events around campus and be part of a community, a union, your Students Union.
Saturday, 29 September 2007
Be a shaper!
Good evening,
I hope you are all enjoying the second Intro weekend of 2007 and as I get ready for a Saturday night out I thought I would let you know what I had been up to on this manic Freshers week.
Well it's been exactly that and more. From the Intro talks on Monday to the Activities Fair on Thursday with various Intro talks in between it has been non-stop. Throughout all this however it is easy to forget that next week will being new challenges and opportunities and I continue to get on with representing you on loads of different issues.
The highlight of my week however hasn't been welcoming students in talks or helping students move in over the weekend but spending my Wednesday evening with the men and women who protect the city centre- the police. Yes on Wednesday Mark Willoughby and I headed out with the bobbies on the beat checking out what they do for safety in Sheffield. It was amazing to see everyone in their blue, red, orange and yellow t-shirts wander down West St moving from bar to bar.
The amount of cameras and patrols they have on a regular night out in Sheffield is really impressive and we are quite literally in the safest city in the UK. This said however we all need to use our common sense by not walking home alone and keeping to well lit areas. Enjoy your night out and stay safe in shef.
Even though this stands out in my week there are many more things I could mention. For those who made it the Advice Centre tea party was fantastic and really well done. Even without tea however its a great place to go into for advice on housing, academic, international and money issues. Hopefully you won't need it, one the police in your time at Sheffield but it's worth knowing where to go when things don't go right.
For most students there is alot which you can have in common, We are all studying (to a greater or lesser extent), we are all at this University and we are all members of Sheffield Students' Union. This said however there are many options open to help you move away from the crowd. To stand out not just on paper but in person. On Thursday and Friday there was fairs helping students to do just do that, but your opportunities don't just stop there.
The best way to separate yourself out from the crowd is to become a Departmental Councillor. The Students Union Council this year will be elected from all Departments and Representative groups and we are looking for passionate people to shape your Union. So be a shaper, not just shaped. Be a leader, not just a follower. Nominations open on Monday and it couldn't be easier but have your say and represent your peers.
Stand out from the crowd.
I hope you are all enjoying the second Intro weekend of 2007 and as I get ready for a Saturday night out I thought I would let you know what I had been up to on this manic Freshers week.
Well it's been exactly that and more. From the Intro talks on Monday to the Activities Fair on Thursday with various Intro talks in between it has been non-stop. Throughout all this however it is easy to forget that next week will being new challenges and opportunities and I continue to get on with representing you on loads of different issues.
The highlight of my week however hasn't been welcoming students in talks or helping students move in over the weekend but spending my Wednesday evening with the men and women who protect the city centre- the police. Yes on Wednesday Mark Willoughby and I headed out with the bobbies on the beat checking out what they do for safety in Sheffield. It was amazing to see everyone in their blue, red, orange and yellow t-shirts wander down West St moving from bar to bar.
The amount of cameras and patrols they have on a regular night out in Sheffield is really impressive and we are quite literally in the safest city in the UK. This said however we all need to use our common sense by not walking home alone and keeping to well lit areas. Enjoy your night out and stay safe in shef.
Even though this stands out in my week there are many more things I could mention. For those who made it the Advice Centre tea party was fantastic and really well done. Even without tea however its a great place to go into for advice on housing, academic, international and money issues. Hopefully you won't need it, one the police in your time at Sheffield but it's worth knowing where to go when things don't go right.
For most students there is alot which you can have in common, We are all studying (to a greater or lesser extent), we are all at this University and we are all members of Sheffield Students' Union. This said however there are many options open to help you move away from the crowd. To stand out not just on paper but in person. On Thursday and Friday there was fairs helping students to do just do that, but your opportunities don't just stop there.
The best way to separate yourself out from the crowd is to become a Departmental Councillor. The Students Union Council this year will be elected from all Departments and Representative groups and we are looking for passionate people to shape your Union. So be a shaper, not just shaped. Be a leader, not just a follower. Nominations open on Monday and it couldn't be easier but have your say and represent your peers.
Stand out from the crowd.
Saturday, 22 September 2007
Welcome
hi
Well it's here. It seems to come round pretty quick this year but Intro Week 2007 is here. Today and tomorrow thousands of you are heading here for the first time or returning after the summer.
And what are you coming back to....
a new Foundry and Fusion, a new food outlet with New Leaf, 8 new Union Officers, 6 new communities in the Residences and loads more aside.
And what are you coming to (for the first time)...
Well a beautiful, friendly, welcoming city which I'm sure your fall in love with and a Students Union which had loads of different opportunities to get involved.
Anyway I'm sure your here all about everything going on over the coming week so I'll leave you and do a proper blog some point during this week. In the mean time if anyone has any questions then pop and say hello to either myself or one of the other Union Officers. Ciao for now.
Well it's here. It seems to come round pretty quick this year but Intro Week 2007 is here. Today and tomorrow thousands of you are heading here for the first time or returning after the summer.
And what are you coming back to....
a new Foundry and Fusion, a new food outlet with New Leaf, 8 new Union Officers, 6 new communities in the Residences and loads more aside.
And what are you coming to (for the first time)...
Well a beautiful, friendly, welcoming city which I'm sure your fall in love with and a Students Union which had loads of different opportunities to get involved.
Anyway I'm sure your here all about everything going on over the coming week so I'll leave you and do a proper blog some point during this week. In the mean time if anyone has any questions then pop and say hello to either myself or one of the other Union Officers. Ciao for now.
Saturday, 1 September 2007
Thanks/ One Potato. Two Potato. Three Potato. Four.
Hi,
Well firstly apologies for not updating my blog last week as you can probably tell there is a lot going on and this is why I'm posting this on a Saturday as I sit and attempt to get some work done before my holiday.
The last couple of weeks have seen loads of different things going on and if your visiting this site foe the first time and are looking forward to starting at Sheffield university then I'm Tom the Welfare Officer of the Union. Elected by you to represent you.
Over the last couple of weeks I've been focusing on my objectives for the year, which will appear on the website soon. One of them solely focuses on financial and employment issues students face. Most people have summer jobs to pay for university and increasingly there are loads of you working to pay your way. Well this year one my objectives is to work with University and the Advice Centre to inform students of their rights at work. From minimum pay, to holiday leave we all need to know our rights in the workplace. In the last couple of weeks I've been padding out this idea to work with the Careers Service, the Job-Shop and the money Advisors in the Advice Centre so that students are empowered employees.
I've also disappeared for a couple of days to Leeds in order to brush up on the new housing law in place. Basically it helps protects your deposit, you, and is there so that students don't get ripped off in houses. It was also a great way to meet other Welfare Officers from around the country and compare Sheffield Union to them. Trust me we are good! But we could be even better.....
As a team we've been planning for the year ahead over the last couple of weeks and there is still lots to be done in the run up to the 22nd September when everyone descends on Sheffield for Freshers 07. With all this planning a lot of people go unnoticed in the Union From people in Marketing, the Advice Centre, the Bars and the Entertainments and loads of other departments. All working incredibly hard. Some haven't even had a summer holiday! Personally I just wanted to say thank to you all for your hard work it's much appreciated. Without their support we couldn't do half the things we do.
Anyway I will leave you. Oh I bet your wondering why my title talks about potatos. Well, I went to another Nursery event this week and walked off with some Jacket Potatos. Thanks again to everyone at the Nursery for organising it and thanks for the goodie bag.
Tom
Well firstly apologies for not updating my blog last week as you can probably tell there is a lot going on and this is why I'm posting this on a Saturday as I sit and attempt to get some work done before my holiday.
The last couple of weeks have seen loads of different things going on and if your visiting this site foe the first time and are looking forward to starting at Sheffield university then I'm Tom the Welfare Officer of the Union. Elected by you to represent you.
Over the last couple of weeks I've been focusing on my objectives for the year, which will appear on the website soon. One of them solely focuses on financial and employment issues students face. Most people have summer jobs to pay for university and increasingly there are loads of you working to pay your way. Well this year one my objectives is to work with University and the Advice Centre to inform students of their rights at work. From minimum pay, to holiday leave we all need to know our rights in the workplace. In the last couple of weeks I've been padding out this idea to work with the Careers Service, the Job-Shop and the money Advisors in the Advice Centre so that students are empowered employees.
I've also disappeared for a couple of days to Leeds in order to brush up on the new housing law in place. Basically it helps protects your deposit, you, and is there so that students don't get ripped off in houses. It was also a great way to meet other Welfare Officers from around the country and compare Sheffield Union to them. Trust me we are good! But we could be even better.....
As a team we've been planning for the year ahead over the last couple of weeks and there is still lots to be done in the run up to the 22nd September when everyone descends on Sheffield for Freshers 07. With all this planning a lot of people go unnoticed in the Union From people in Marketing, the Advice Centre, the Bars and the Entertainments and loads of other departments. All working incredibly hard. Some haven't even had a summer holiday! Personally I just wanted to say thank to you all for your hard work it's much appreciated. Without their support we couldn't do half the things we do.
Anyway I will leave you. Oh I bet your wondering why my title talks about potatos. Well, I went to another Nursery event this week and walked off with some Jacket Potatos. Thanks again to everyone at the Nursery for organising it and thanks for the goodie bag.
Tom
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