Why I wanted to become the Welfare Officer at QMU

Hello! My name is Jill, I’m a 3rd year Applied Pharmacology student and I became the Union’s first Welfare Officer. I wanted to become an officer for lots of reasons, but mainly to increase the awareness of different mental health disorders around campus.

What have I achieved?

I have organised multiple events to run during Eating Disorders Awareness Week (27th Feb – 5th March). A main goal of mine was to raise awareness of mental health disorders, especially eating disorders, throughout campus and what better way to do this than to talk about them?!

I have arranged a talk for students and staff with a best-selling author who is also an eating disorder survivor to come. I have encouraged students to write anonymous blog posts talking about their experiences of living with an eating disorder to be published across the QMUSU social media over the course of the week. Additionally I have also helped at events during Stress Busting Week, like Therapets, helped with Fresher’s Week events as well as QMU Round 2.

I have had the opportunity to be involved in meetings with the other officers to arrange events and other exciting things happening within the Union and with staff to look at wider issues. I have attended a number of stalls highlighting welfare areas in 1875 (the canteen) as well. By being in this role I have been able to engage with other students and work on a subject I’m really interested in.

                                                                                               

Thoroughly enjoying cuddles with Peggy at the December 2016 Therapets Session

What have a gained during my time as an Officer?

Being an officer took me out of my comfort zone a huge amount. The meetings, especially ones with other staff, were intimidating at first but I was able to overcome this and gain so much from each and every meeting I’ve attended. I had the opportunity to complete my Mental Health First Aid Training which I otherwise would not have had and alongside this I’ve gained many life skills; communication, teamwork and leadership to mention just a few! 

I have had great feedback from lecturers and students about our plans during Eating Disorder Awareness Week and to make it a real success we need you guys to get involved! If you want to learn more about Eating Disorders and get a better understanding of them, make sure to keep an eye on the QMUSU facebook page and for any posters popping up very soon with all you need to know about the events! Check out more here

Heidi, Megan and I after our Mental Health First Aid Training.

If you want to become an officer, check out the QMUSU facebook page for all the information you’ll need to know about the up-coming elections!

We will be hosting our Extra Ordinary General Meeting on Friday 10th of February where we will be proposing changes to some of the officer roles, so make sure you come along to voice your opinion. It will also be a great opportunity to talk to the current officers to get to know more about what they have been up to and what it's like to be an officer at QMUSU.

Registered address: The Students' Union, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, EH21 6UU              

Telephone: 0131 474 0170

Email: union@qmu.ac.uk