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“After too many Education Officers worked on this campaign, I felt incredibly lucky to be in the role when the University finally opened up a 24 hour library. I’ve loved working with the library team to see this into implementation.”

“I’ve had the privilege of working with my colleagues to create two University Challenge teams! This was a super unexpected part of the role that I had kind of dismissed at the beginning of my term. It turned into a really fun event that gathered the best of the best that Leeds has to offer. The winning students have had the opportunity to head to the TV studios! Fingers crossed for this year’s team.”

“Rerunning successfully has to be in my top 5. It was the most exhausting and overwhelming few weeks, trying to balance the role and convince everyone around me that I should continue. It makes me feel so proud of myself that I did it and can now look back at these two years knowing that I ticked off pretty much my whole list!”

“The removal of resit fees feels like an enormous win for students. As soon as I was reelected, I knew this would be my focus for the next year. Realistically, I didn’t think I could do it within the year and would more than likely be launching a long campaign I wouldn’t see the end of. Instead, by January the University agreed to remove all resit fees for taught students which opens up the experience of learning so much more. I feel so incredibly proud to have led this project and can’t believe it’s happened!”

“Creating relaxed graduations at Leeds felt like a real passion project for myself. These graduations are different from the traditional experience with all the focus being on accessibility. I knew too many people not enjoying their graduation because of how overwhelming the day was. We held the first one of these graduation ceremonies in January and it was such a lovely experience – not perfect, but a start. I’m really excited to see where this goes in the future.”

“Activities Exec – established and embedded in LUU, creating greater ownership over student activities – the Riley’s, Lead LUU endorsement rules, etc.”

“Activities Exec input has led to: improved health & safety policy, Fruity black cards, Lead LUU rules on endorsements and more.”

“Redesigned Gryphon Colours awards based on student feedback to create a more accessible event.”

“Varsity Colour Run – a new opening event for Varsity in which 700+ students took part.”

“Women’s Football Festival – regionalised competition which has offered playing opportunities to over 100 women at Yorkshire Universities and has since been replicated across Yorkshire.”

“Removed the clubs and societies membership levy and reviewed society insurance needs.”

“Helped achieve 3* accreditation for Leeds University football development.”

“The creation of the Essentials hub to support any students who might be struggling financially and to help dismantle some of the barriers that prevent students from enjoying an affordable, equitable and fulfilling university experience.”

“Launching a free drug testing kit scheme in LUU and working with the University to officially adopt a harm reduction policy.”

“Creating the ‘Let’s Talk About…’ sessions as a new space for open discussions between students, staff and decision makers about the issues really impacting students at Leeds.”

“Working to support our societies and activist groups at an institutional level, challenging the University to engage in meaningful dialogue with students from across all parts of our community. It’s been a really challenging year in a lot of ways but I’ve felt overwhelmed by how empowered our students are to use their voices for what they believe in.”

“The General Election! Right at the end of our term, it’s been super exciting getting students engaged with the Election, getting them registered to vote and hosting an all-student hustings for candidates standing for Leeds Central and Headingley.”

“Working with so many incredibly talented, ambitious and kind people across LUU, the University and beyond. I’ve felt very lucky to learn from and be inspired by some of the best that there are.”

“I created and launched the Society Wellbeing Network to train, inform and support welfare roles elected onto their society committees. Newly elected welfare roles had informational training recently at the Committee Conference, and I successfully passed a Better Forums policy for the work to be continued!”

“I worked with the University to redesign the Leeds Student ID Card – in September the card will have a QR code on the back, which you can scan to access support on campus.”

“Let’s Talk About… Moving Out – the first event of its kind! It featured a giveaway, free sustainable swap, and stalls hosting LUU Advice, Unipol, The Sustainability Service, and Get My Deposit Back – so students could ask questions and learn about their rights as tenants.”

“I worked with Haryati to create our Students & Work survey, to better understand the varied experiences of students who work alongside their studies, so they can be better supported by the University.”

“I contributed to the University’s first-ever sexual violence campaign – which lead to a 25% increase in disclosures within the first month.”

“Essentials! Definitely one of the biggest wins of the year. This new cost of living hub supports students with housing and financial advice, and also free food for students.”

“I was involved with improving awareness of our free Night Bus service through increased comms – the service has become 5x more popular than last year!”

“I passed a Better Forums policy for the University to work in co-creation with students to improve the Student Counselling and Wellbeing Service.”

“I was inspired by Force of Nature to host Eco-Anxiety Climate Cafes so students can network and speak openly about their emotions surrounding their futures and the climate crisis.”

“ I advocated for campus-wide period products to be accessible to all students.”

“I relaunched the Wellbeing & Safety Advisory Board, so appointed students can voice their opinions, feedback and suggestions for wellbeing and safety related projects on campus.”

“Liberation Hub – completion after June. It’ll be a place for liberation group students to call their own, where they can be themselves, connect with others to learn, advocate and campaign together, and hopefully have fun while doing it.”

“Gender Expression Fund – while it’s a pilot for now, it is proving to be popular, and we are looking at where funding can come from for it to continue next year, supporting more of our trans, non-binary and gender nonconforming students.”

“LISN (Liberation and International Student Network) – bringing our Liberation Coordinators and International Student Advisory Board student representation together, championing diversity and inclusion. Changing the way we recruit the students and work with them. The focus is on intersectionality and how different groups can come together to learn, advocate and campaign together (just like with Liberation Hub).”

“Advocacy work – in particular, working with student-parents, and Muslim students.”

“Initiated and implemented diverse food outlets with LUU teams.”

“Initiated LUU’s existence in pre-boarding events for international students.”

“Successfully opened PGR Lounge.”

“Attended UKCISA – UK Council for International Student Affairs.”

“Collaborated with LISN to set up different cultural events at WU Fest.”

“Represented student housing issues with our local MP, Alex Sobel, in his parliamentary amendment.”

“Policy approved at Better Forums: ‘LUU Campaign for Fair and Transparent Student Housing Processes’.”

“On the way to establish a Guarantor Scheme at our University.”

“Working on having a community fridge available at one of the libraries.”

We would like to wish Bethan, Ella, Emily, Hannah, Haryati and Rimsha all the best on their future endeavours. Thank you for working so hard and with such passion to enhance the student experience at Leeds!

And welcome to the incoming Student Exec team – Amara, Felix, Freshta, Lucy, Lydia and Shivani!