Tuesday 29-11-2022 - 10:59

We love working in a Students’ Union. We love it because there’s few better places to work where we encounter the widest range of people, perceptions and issues possible within a broad and diverse community.

Mostly this a positive, if occasionally challenging, privilege that allows us to get to understand the lived experience of the broadest possible range of students and expand our own appreciation of real world diversity. In terms of personal growth and developing awareness of differences it’s a fascinating position to be in as assumptions and inherited bias are constantly challenged in a good way.

People are people first and the opportunity to develop a personal bond with an individual based on shared experience can be a powerful tool to overcome difference. Whether we are a student, staff member or elected officer we are all connected by our association with the University of Cumbria, share a desire to deliver or receive the very best learning, and build friendships and support networks that will help us achieve our personal goals.

Perhaps the hardest part of working in a Students’ Union is bearing witness to someone in deep distress. We try to help students deal with many difficult situations, many are related to academic regulations, issues with housing or inter-personal challenges. It’s not uncommon for the anxiety or stress of these kinds of issues to be significant and we strive to offer a compassionate and non-judgemental student-centred space for them to express themselves.

Most difficult of all are the times when a student discloses a traumatic or violent incident and is seeking someone neutral but open to listen to them. In the moment it can be a challenge not to let ones’ own emotional response to a disclosure show. Even though we are not trained counsellors we understand that the individuals’ experience is valid, they should be enabled to express without a third party projecting their own emotional reaction into the mix.

With a student body that according to University data consists of nearly 64.5% who define as female it is a sad fact that the vast majority of the cases of students seeking advice or support following an act of violence or abuse come from women. We all too often find that the experience of these students, either in peer groups or in wider society, is one of being a target of inappropriate, predatory or even outright criminal behaviour.

As an organisation and as individuals we stand steadfast against violence against women and girls, indeed against violence full stop, however it is important that societal groups – like a Students’ Union, a sports team or even a University – openly and proudly states we will not countenance violence or oppression of any kind. This stance, both stated and lived, is a small but vital part of committing that we are advocates for societal change, one that rejects abuse and seeks to call out privilege for the benefit of everyone. We believe that individual and collective action can and will bring about a better society for all, where violence against women & girls, harmful behaviours and conditioning of men and recognition & acceptance of all gender definitions is universal.

If you’d like to join and support us in this quest then please get in touch with us at The University of Cumbria Students’ Union.