My name is Mel Kinkead, I am a third year BSc. Psychology student and I am running for Union chair. I am running because SAUWS is an organisation whose ultimate goal is supporting students and improving their university experience, it is a democracy where students have the right to shape the unions destiny. The task of perfecting our union, moving forward falls to the students. To move forward the union needs the support and spirit of the students, who, whilst pursuing their own goals and ambitions at UWS, can stand together as members of SAUWS.

As a current active student rep and an engaged student, I know what the position of Union Chair requires, alongside running my own successful business for numerous years I also hold voluntary roles where I have chaired meetings, attended national meetings, addressed issues and contributed to the development and improvement of several policies. I have gathered the appropriate expertise to represent YOU and YOUR life here at UWS.

Sabbatical officers leave a legacy after their time in office, it is the union chair’s job to ensure that future Officers are held up to such legacy, that they are held accountable for their contribution to SAUWS, to ensure they fight to succeed with their campaign aims and directions, to ensure that they fulfil promises made to the students. I look forward to talking to this year’s sabbatical officers and seeing where we can work together in taking SAUWS forward.

I want to ensure that every student voice is heard, that’s why I am running and that’s why this election matters. It's not small, its big, its important, the single student voice can be lost amongst the other thousands of Students' voices, each having their own opinions and beliefs, however, when decisions are made that can affect us, each voice is important, and it is the Union Chair's job to ensure they are heard. We want our team at SAUWS to be working for the betterment and it is crucial for student moral that how this is being done is fed back to the students. I, myself want to see the union become more intrinsic to student life, for mental health to be supported in all areas, for SAUWS to have a supporting effect on all students within UWS.

I would like to thank past and future sabbatical and executive officers for their contributions to making SAUWS what it is today. I want to represent the students and pass on to future officers an establishment that is respected and admired by the other University’s to do that I hope to be elected this year. My name is Mel Kinkead and I am running for Union Chair. Please consider voting for me between 5th-8th March