I’m Astrid and I’m a second year economics student. During my time at UEA I’ve thought a lot about what I would change to enhance student wellbeing. If elected, I would love to collaborate with all of you to address areas where you think the SU can improve. My ultimate goal is to better the student experience at UEA and ensure that everyone feels safe and welcome. In order to achieve this, I will specifically focus on:  

Improving the counselling services on campus

It can be difficult to access mental health support on campus. Sometimes, even if you know where to go, it can be an emotionally draining process regardless. The single session counselling currently provided by UEA is not enough for everyone. I want to support students by offering more individualised mental health support rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

I will improve mental health services on campus by:

• Lobbying for different types of counselling as opposed to exclusively offering single sessions

• implementing follow up appointments for UEA’s single session counselling

• signposting where to access help (on campus and with the Norfolk Wellbeing service)

• improving the UEA wellbeing app and wellbeing related social media content

Adjusting how students are granted exam extensions

Students have struggled to access exam extensions and extenuating circumstances due to lack of specified proof. Through these difficult times, I think it is important for students to feel especially supported by the university.

I will achieve this by:

• finding ways of reimplementing the 10 day extension

• making extenuating circumstances easier to access, especially for students going through health issues and bereavements

Increasing student safety when travelling to and from UEA

With Bowthorpe being a prominent affordable student area in Norwich, the lack of bus services between there and campus is unacceptable. Currently there are no other options past 8pm other than walking in dark and secluded areas to get home. This is inaccessible and unfair, especially for disabled students as well as those who need to access university resources.

I will bring this issue forward by lobbying for buses to/from Bowthorpe so that all students have easy access to campus.

Skills that make me well suited for Wellbeing and Diversity officer:

I have experience advocating for young people working with the Young Carers charity and Allsorts LGBT charity who both help young people access counselling and other wellbeing resources in a safe community.

I want to hear what you would change about UEA. Connect with me on:

Facebook: Astrid Hanna

Instagram: astrid.ueawelfare