The Willoughby Year

It is with some sadness that I write this which is probably to be my last blog.

I've no idea how many of you will read it but it's worth it even if it is just one of you.

I have 14 days left in office as of today. It is unbelieveable how quickly time passes. It sounds cliched perhaps but I seriously cannot believe how quickly it has all gone.

Someone just asked me if I've enjoyed the year and my response was as it has been to everyone who has asked that - "mostly".

Whilst "mostly" doesn't seem as enthusiastic and positive as one might expect, it is a realistic and honest answer.

There has been a lot this year which has been exceedingly hard and challenging. I have been majorly disliked and opposed by certain sections of our membership. This has been a great experience to have but equally been tough. I have had mass sleep deprivation and sacrificed closeness of many of my friendships to put in the hours necessary to fulfill this role. I have been put in numorous situations where I have never been before and had no idea how to handle myself.

Yet on that point I can begin the list of positives from the year. It has been an immense privilege to be able to lead a fantastic team of Union Officers and staff into situations where I and them have never been before. I also count it a huge honour to be able to represent the 24,000 students at this University nationally, locally and within our University structures. I have met some fantastic and inspiring people (and some not so inspiring for sure..) and developed skills I never thought I had.

Last night we welcomed Alastair Campbell to the Union as part of the Broomhill Festival, supported by the Leukemia Appeal. It was great to be able to spend time prior to the event chatting to him. Despite denials that he knew what 'spin' evens means, he was certainly good entertainment and a very intriguing and influential guy.
For the audio soon to be uploaded to the website, check out http://www.shef.ac.uk/union/student-voice/theexchange/

I wonder whether my year in office will be as memorable as The Blair Years...

Write a book (or maybe a small pamphlet) about me and you'll see.

Thank you.

Officially the Best Union in the World!

What an evening!!

Whilst regularly banging on about being the best in the country, we are now, once again, officially recognised as such.

This is a great award to win on several counts.

Firstly, John Sargeant presented it and he's a legend.

Secondly, Monday night was the first NUS awards ceremony ever to be held. And in this inaugural event we were recognised as being the best Higher Education Students' Union in the country - a fantastic achievement as the award recognises excellence in student participation, democratic engagement, strategic planning and vision setting and inclusion.

Thirdly, and most satisfying in winning this award, is that it comes from the student movement itself - we are recognised by our peers to be the very best.

We were the first to win the Club Mirror Students' Union of the year (which we retained this year).
We were the first to win the Virgin Guide Students' Union of the year.

So alongside all our many other awards, it really is a fantastic achievement.

Whilst I would love to say it is all my doing that brought us this award, I can't even utter those words with any integrity! One of the key reasons why we won is because of the excellent collaborative work which exists between staff and students. The enthusiasm, creativity and drive of students and the student leadership is matched beautifully by the support, wisdom, expertise and continuity of staff. This adds a depth and substance to our services, activities and representation which is second to none.

And that is why we won.

Thank you so much to all of you for playing a part in winning yet another award. It's students engaging in all the areas in which you do that gives us the richness of diversity and creativity which brings the Union to life.

Let's enjoy the success but not be complacent. Many Unions are bucking up their ideas and for us to remain at the forefront we must remain open to change, innovative and reponsive and most importantly - student led.


I've never looked so shiny..

Mind you, Rob Ellerington who took the photo was blinded by the light bouncing off Bill Rammell's head.

the year to date - what a year it's been!

I was reflecting recently on what this job is like. A parallel came to mind. It’s kinda like being an engineer, but learning how to be an engineer on the job (no 4yr degree or anything) and doing it all well in the public eye. It can be tough at times, mistakes are made and sometimes it feels like your feet just aren’t anywhere near the ground.

However, I consider it an immense privilege to be able to say I have been your Students’ Union President for this academic year. It’s be a great and stretching challenge and one which I have relished and grown through. I have realised throughout the year, as I’ve been to meetings around the country and met officers of other Unions, what a fantastic Union this is. This is not just because of the services and activities provision available but also because of the opportunities for representation of our student body within the University, locally and nationally.

Whilst not all of the achievements listed have been done alone due to the excellent and committed staff support we receive as officers, I have been the driving force behind each one:

• I have reviewed the Union leadership which although unsuccessful in passing through referendum this time around, gained majority of support and began important debates around what our leaderships should look like – debates which won’t end until the necessary changes are made and there are many students still around who want to see these changes passed.
• I have campaigned nationally in support of the NUS governance review changes and the passing of radical new NUS education policy.
• Alongside Pete and Emily, I have organised a high profile and successful Higher Education debate titled ‘University, is it worth it?’
• I have worked hard at maintaining and developing positive community relationship – in particular:

- Co-ordinated the ‘sshh’ campaign
- Co-organised the ‘love where you live’ initiative
- Initiated the SummerVolidays project – the first of its kind
- In partnership with Hallam, University security and the police, I organised the ‘Like it? Lock it, Keep it!’ crime prevention campaign
- Been involved in creating a new University Community Strategy.
- Been actively critical of the crookesmoor parking permit, winning an extension to consultation period
- I have achieved groundbreaking collaboration with Hallam

• I have overseen relationships with the University, forging positive working relations with a new Vice-Chancellor and have engaged proactively in the shaping of the University governance changes which bring about significant changes to the faculty structures in particular. Although the majority of the credit must go to Pete, I have put forward the case to the University for increase funds to improve our building, succeeding in £9.9m to develop the building.
• Working with the chaplaincy, I have helped co-ordinate a new Inter-faith tandem learning project – the first of its kind in any university.
• I have ensured, as far as possible, that Nursing and Midwifery students have had as few problems as possible in their difficult period of time since the University lost the nursing contract. In particular, working alongside the N&M Councillor, I have ensured that mental health placements for N&M students have been secured with smooth transitions between placements. I have also overseen the new N&M councillor and the induction of the new committee.
• I have overseen and engaged directly and extensively with the Union’s strategic planning ‘Vision 2012’. Connected to this is the guiding of the Union into being part of SUEI, the Students’ Union Evaluation Initiative which is an initiative to evaluate Students’ Unions and their efficiency and effectiveness in all areas. Surprising huh?
• And I’ve been to Cyprus.