DoWell

About my role

I represent students on welfare, equality, diversity, and inclusion. I work a lot on the University and Union’s approach to dealing with issues like mental health, harassment and discrimination, sexual violence, physical health, and safety. I support many of the Students’ Association’s volunteer officers and subcommittees focusing on equality and welfare. I also organise the Students’ Association Elections in Semester 2.

You can find out more about my role below, and feel free to get in touch if you have any questions!

Equality

The Director of Wellbeing works closely with our volunteer officers to advocate for equality, diversity, and inclusion, working on initiatives like the Zero Tolerance Policy and BAME Action Plan. They chair the Association Equal Opportunities Committee, and line manage a number of subcommittees and officers focusing on equality:

The Director of Wellbeing also works closely with the University on equality issues, representing students on University committees like Equally Safe; Central EDI Committee; Race, Ethnicity, Religion, and Belief Group; and the Interfaith Steering Group. They also work closely with the University on initiatives like Report and Support and the Emily Test Charter.

Welfare

The Director of Wellbeing works closely with the University on student welfare, health and wellbeing. They are the Students' Association's liason with Student Services and Nightline, and they also sit on the Community Council Health and Wellbeing Subcommittee. They also line manage some volunteer officers and subcommittees focusing on student welfare:

Student Health Officer
First Years Officer
Postgraduate Development Officer (with the DoSDA)
Wellbeing Subcommittee

Mental Health

The Director of Wellbeing is the Students' Association's lead on the Student Mental Health Agreement - a collaboration between the University and the Students' Association looking at joint projects to involve mental health and wellbeing.

The Director of Wellbeing also represents students on the University Mental Health Task Force, Mental Health Strategy, and Suicide Safer Strategy. They also chair the Schools' Wellbeing Advisory Group (SWAG).

Physical Health

The Director of Wellbeing works closely with the Student Health Hub to support access to health care, and supports projects like Saints Sport For All.

Sexual Health

The Director of Wellbeing supports condom distribution across the University, free period products, and promoting sexual health resources and services alongside the Wellbeing Subcommittee.

Safety

The Director of Wellbeing works on safety, including night out safety schemes like Ask For Angela, Raisin and May Dip safety, and promoting bystander intervention.

StAnd Together

Alongside Student Services, the Director of Wellbeing line manages the three StAnd Together strands. StAnd Together focuses on peer-led interventions, and each strand is supported by a team of student volunteers looking at an aspect of student welfare.

Got Consent?: events, training, and workshops on consent, SGBV, and bystander intervention.
Got Limits?: events, workshops, and resources on alcohol safety.
Peer Support: student volunteer supporters meet students one-to-one for coffee, a chat, or to accompany them to society events to help combat issues like social anxiety and loneliness.

Elections

The Director of Wellbeing leads on organising the Students' Association Elections in Semester 2. Councils is a great way to get involved in the Students' Association and make a difference in the student community. For more information about the student elections and how to run, visit the elections page.

Manifesto pledges

1. Tackle inequality and discrimination

Revamp Equal Opportunities Committee to encourage intersectional collaboration and policy change
Review the Union's Zero Tolerance Policy to harassment and discrimination
Run a StAnd Against Hate campaign to draw attention to experiences of discrimination and how we can intervene
Support student representatives and implementation of the BAME Action Plan and the results of the Disabled Students' Survey

2. Improve student support

Encourage the University to subscribe to TogetherAll
Improve the Student Services website
Advertise support available during matriculation
Improve feedback mechanisms for Student Services

3. Support students through COVID-19

Work with Peer Support to provide support for students experiencing loneliness or social anxiety/li>
Ensure students have appropriate academic support and leniency (including support transitioning back to in-person learning)
Provide resources on dealing with issues like bereavement, health anxiety, or isolation.

4. Tackle sexual violence

Provide clear information on what happens when you approach Student Services for support with sexual assault
Train societies on dealing with harassment at their events (including processes for removing and reporting people)
Provide resources on healthy and consenting relationships
Improve night out safety in the Union
Ensure Student Services are offering the appropriate support

5. Promote sexual health, and alcohol and drug safety

Advertising sexual health services and free contraception in the Union and halls
Making free condoms available to collect without having to ask a member of staff
Running workshops on sexual health and healthy relationships throughout the year
Promote basic alcohol and drug first aid
Webpage on the Union website on drug safety and addiction
Improve night out safety in the Union with a quiet room and a better procedure for dealing with people who are too drunk

Previous holders

Note that the role became a sabbatical position in 2017, when DoRep split into DoWell and DoEd. Past DoReps (Director of Representation) are included here for reference.

Year	Name	Resources
2021/22	Anna-Ruth Cockerham	Manifesto Page @AnnaRuthForDoWell Linktree
2020/21	Emma Walsh	Manifesto Page
2019/20	Flora Smith
2018/19	Nick Farrer
2017/18	Claire Shirey
2016/17	Jack Carr
2015/16	Joe Tantillo
2014/15	Ondrej Hajda
2013/14	Teddy Woodhouse
2012/13	Amanda Litherland
2011/12	Sam Fowles

Director of Wellbeing and Equality