Blog
Term TWO!!!
An Apology
My blogs haven't been as prolific as I'd hoped in the naivety of that blog posted way back in the Autumn term. I can blame many factors, technological incompetence (or at least fear) not being least in these, but none of them quite survive when under scrutiny, so here is a new years commitment to regular blogs: I promise you'll get one a week, or more, from now on.....and if you don't I'll mandate myself at council to do a regular blog. Who know it might even transcend into the video next time, although my "please run for welfare" video, which you can find on the official YUSU channel in youtube (after repeated attempts I can't embed it I'm afraid!) suggests that might be a bad idea....!On which note if anyone IS interested in running please drop me an email: I'm always willing to talk to you about potential ideas, policies and potentialities to let you go into the elections as well informed as possible!
Chlamydia testing & GUM clinic success
The first major success of this term has been the access of the sexual health testing on campus over the first few weeks of term. In conjunction with Yorscreen, (www.yorkhospitals.nhs.uk/index) Chlamydia testing service, the colleges and JCRCs and the University we've been walking around blocks offering people the opportunity to get tested! Its been a massive success, with over 700 people tested...and the numbers broke down something like this:
Alcuin 73
Derwent 102
Goodricke 106
James 50
Langwith 60
Vanburgh 111
Wentworth 23
Halifax 193
...which, if my mental arithmetic is correct, makes 722 tests in total...which (may) be a record of voluntary testing, although it took us by surprise so we didn't apply! Next time maybe....! This puts Derwent, with almost a third of its members tested, in a clear lead and as such the winners of the inter college chlamydia championship. For this mammoth achievement all members who were rtested will receive free pants, keyrings and the college itself will get a giant furry chlamyda for the common room! I'd originally intended to present it tomorrow...but Viking raid has taken its place, so the JCRC shall ahve to wait for a week....look forward to hearing times and dates on that soon!
Activism, training and a (second) promise
Week 3 was a big training week for both YUSU welfare its officer! On Wednesday 60 people attended welfare training, with a run down of all the basic essentials you need to now to meet the needs of friends, co - studiers, committee members and everyone else! This represents the first level of several that we're hoping to give to YUSU welfare training this year - so that those who are more involved, JCRC welfare reps etc can get thoroughly trained, but everyone has the opportunity to access some useful information t help them deal with the basics! What's more I then went on the Thursday and Friday of this week to the NUS' "Activist Academy" training. This is a really useful session, and I've taken several things from it...two are probably key though. Firstly I'm in the process of putting up a massive map of campus on the wall behind my desk...if all goes well I'll be posting up pictures with each blog of the map, and slowly filling it in as I make my way round campus putting out campaigns out there, but also hearing what everyone's got to say on everything from mental health to rent banding....
Secondly I used the training to develop a whole new campaign training session for, initially, welfare reps on the Sunday of that week. It seemed to go down well, so I'm going to be trying to push these two training sessions out again in week six/seven for a bigger audience...
Housing, safety, a review and ‘ NEYHA.
The housing campaign is now very much in full swing....after teasing you with posters promising checklist, information an more we've got a huge number going out round campus: If you're a resident look out for them in your kitchen, otherwise pop along to one of the many college events, into the Advice and support centre or along to our main housing event in week 6: We'll be taking the early part of the B Henry's slot (6:00 p, - 7:30 pm) for a "find a housemate" event - so if you're still looking dont worry! Alongside this there's going to be a safety campaign going round campus over the next couple of days...so look out for free bits and pieces, tagging and some checking of the strength (or otherwise) of bike locks...although crime is down on campus right now, bike thefts aren't....so please make sure its tied up carefully, we don't need to loose any more. I've also started on working with the Uni to look into the Periodic (every 6 years) review of a department: health sciences. If you've got a special interest in the department...for instance if you study there...or have anything you'd like to highlight just drop me an email and ill get it in there! Finally on this section I attended last week a meeting of NEYHA...the rather clumsily named North east, Yorkshire and the Humber group of Unions (conveniently just over the road in york st john) to discuss where we can gain from cooperation over the next few months...so expect some exciting bits for the general elections coming up, as well as other projects...
I've also moved out of my old office. For anyone who hasn't had the opportunity to see the open plan yet (if you want to ahve a look email me and we'll give you a tour...its a great place really!) I (as welfare officer) used to be in a side office just off the main area of the sabbs. This is all rejigged now, so if you're looking for me I'll be on he left as you come into the Open plan office - much more accessible and always up for a quick chat about anything that's bothering you!
There are plenty of other exciting things going on at the moment....and hopefully I'll be able to let you know about them as this new resolution kicks in over the enxt few weeks! As always, if you have a student welfare orientated campaign you'd like to run, be it sexual health, student finance, ton the state of accommodation or number of places in the nursery just get in touch: we'll push forward with it and make a difference!
Much Welfarey love as always....
Ben
