The Bottom Line

You told us what matters most to you. We've analysed every comment, identified 7 key themes, and we're already making changes. From facilities to better campus presence, your voice is shaping real improvements across all five campuses.

Here's what you need to know:

Theme 1: "Where Even Are You?" - Making the Union Visible

What You Told Us

"I feel like there's very little communication from the union outside emails that students don't check."

The Reality Check: Only 39% of you know who your student rep is. 84% of London students weren't even aware of us. We heard you loud and clear and we are making changes.

What We've Done

• Social media explosion - 309% more Instagram engagement, 800k TikTok views
• Real presence - 3 new Student Engagement Assistants including one dedicated to London
• Events - Minimum 2 Union events per month on every campus
• Physical spaces - New desks, screens, and visible Union areas at Ayr, Lanarkshire, and London

What's Next

We're launching a new website with better tools, improving signage across all campuses, and starting a regular newsletter (that's actually readable).

Theme 2: "How Do I Even Run?" - Making Elections Clearer

What You Told Us

"I didn't stand for election because I lacked confidence and didn't know how."

The Reality: No home students stood for election in 2025. Courses like nursing and social work have NEVER had a sabbatical officer.

What We've Done

• Democracy Review passed - 1,798 of you voted YES (95% support!)
• New officer structure - 2 full-time + 4 part-time school-based VPs starting 2026
• Better support - Information sessions starting in December for anyone interested
• Big wins - Election turnout up 50% since 2021

What's Next

We're creating a "What We Stand For" policy framework and piloting School Assemblies where YOUR voice gets heard directly.

Theme 3: "I Didn't Know That Existed" - Finding Union Support

What You Told Us

"International students didn't know much about the student union or what it does."

The Reality: Our Advice Service is EXCELLENT (91% felt better after using it), but most of you don't know it exists.

What We've Done

• Better inductions - 28 welcome events across all campuses with 1,429 attendees
• New access points - Desks at Ayr, new offices at Lanarkshire, London advice service drop-ins starting November 18th

What's Next

Monthly Advice drop-ins across campuses, improved signposting, and making sure every new student actually KNOWS what we do.

Theme 4: "Can We Do More Together?" - Events and Activities

What You Told Us

"More student-friendly events that help boost networking and skills!"

What We've Done

• More events - 2 events minimum per month at every campus
• One-off activities - Nepalese Nursing event (100+ attendees), Diwali celebrations, open mic nights
• No commitment needed - You can join activities without joining a society

What's Next

Partnership with UWS Careers for employability workshops, networking events with industry, and recognition for skills you develop through Union roles.

Theme 5: "I Feel Alone Here" - Building Belonging

What You Told Us

The stats broke our hearts: 33% of you feel lonely at uni. 37% of undergrads have NO close friends at UWS.

What We've Done

• Massive society growth - Up 113% since 2020
• 60+ active societies - 30 new ones just this September
• Academic societies - Building communities within your courses (like midwifery and paramedic societies)
• Flexible options - One-off events for when you're too busy for long-term commitments

The Impact: 77% of society members feel a sense of belonging. 74% say it improves their student experience.

What's Next

Expanding academic societies to every school, supporting student-led networks (women's network, disabled students' network), and creating more informal ways to connect.

Theme 6: "Who's My Rep?" - Improving the Rep System

What You Told Us

Only 39% know who their student rep is. 65% weren't encouraged by staff to stand as a rep.

What We've Done

• Training transformation - 92% of trained reps report confidence boost
• New accountability - Reps must complete training or they're removed
• Support structure - 4 new skills workshops: Research Skills, Communication & Negotiation, Leadership, Chairing Meetings

What's Next

80% of reps will complete training by March 2026. School Assemblies launching where reps can actually share YOUR concerns with the University.

Theme 7: "I'm Skipping Meals" - Financial Security and Food Access

What You Told Us

This one hit hard:

• 59% of you experienced financial hardship
• 29% have skipped meals due to lack of money
• 13% considered dropping out
• 416 of you signed the petition to save free breakfasts

The National Context

You're not alone. Across Scotland:

• 56% of 18-34 year olds say cost of living has hurt their mental health
• 7 in 10 students have considered dropping out due to costs
• 1 in 4 students regularly go without food or necessities
• Food prices are STILL 19.2% higher than in 2021

What We've Done

• High-quality Advice Service - 91% satisfaction, always here for you
• Documented the crisis - Collected comprehensive data showing the scale of the problem
• Raised it with University
• What We're Fighting For Now: KITCHENETTE FACILITIES ON ALL 5 CAMPUSES

Our officers are requesting:

• Microwaves for heating food from home
• Kitchenette areas with prep space
• Hot water taps for hot drinks and instant meals
• Basic facilities so you can bring lunch instead of going hungry

Why this matters:

• Saves money - Bring food from home instead of expensive campus options
• Better nutrition - Eat proper meals instead of skipping them
• Supports wellbeing - Food insecurity destroys mental health
• Fairness - All 5 campuses deserve the same basic facilities
• Helps you study - Stay on campus between classes instead of leaving hungry

The Bottom Line: When 29% of our students are skipping meals, kitchen facilities aren't a luxury - they're essential. We're advocating HARD for this.

The Numbers That Matter

What's Improved:

• Election turnout up 50% since 2021
• Society membership up 113% since 2020
• 92% of trained reps feel more confident
• 91% felt better after using Advice Service

What Still Needs Work:

• Only 39% know their student rep
• 33% feel lonely at university
• 59% experienced financial hardship
• 29% have skipped meals

What Happens Next?

Your Turn: Keep Telling Us What Matters

5 Ways to Stay Involved:

• Give feedback - Use our new Everything Matters Survey for live feedback that actually gets acted on
• Join something - 60+ societies waiting for you, or start your own
• Become a rep - Training available, confidence-building included
• Stand for election - Info sessions starting in December
• Get support - Our Advice Service is free, confidential, and here for YOU

Find us:

• Instagram / Facebook / TikTok
• Visit your campus Union office
• Check "What's Happening" on our website

The Real Talk

We're not perfect. We know there's still work to do. But this report proves something important: when you speak up, things change.

• You told us you were invisible → We're now on every campus
• You told us elections were confusing → We're restructuring everything
• You told us you felt alone → We're building communities
• You told us you're hungry → We're fighting for kitchen facilities

968 of you took our survey. 416 signed the breakfast petition. 1,798 voted in the Democracy Review.

That's not apathy. That's engagement. That's power.

Thank You

To every student who filled out a survey, signed a petition, voted in the referendum, joined a society, became a rep, or just told us what you need - thank you.

You're not just telling us what's wrong. You're telling us what UWS could be.

And together, we're making it happen.

You said. We listened. We're doing.

Want to read the full detailed report? Click Here

Questions or feedback? Contact Katie O’Gorman the Senior Student Democracy & Insights Coordinator at katie.ogorman@uws.ac.uk