Introducing... jmsYOU
Knock, Knock!
Who’s there?
It’s me, Gaby, your VP Community & Wellbeing Officer!
It has been 4 months since I started this role as full-time student officer at JMSU. Wow! Time flies! But I am having the best time of my life meeting all of you at one of our many events. This is exactly why I wanted to be your VP Community and Wellbeing Student Officer; to listen and learn from you and make sure you are listened to and represented. A big part of my manifesto is connecting people together from all backgrounds, lives, and nationalities, and that’s what I aim to do.
My jmsYOU Podcast series
There’s lots of work going on behind the scenes in regard to my manifesto that I can’t keep to myself for much longer… My podcast project will officially go on air this month. With the help of LJMU’s podcast ‘1823’, we are creating a mini-series just for you… Aptly named ‘jmsYOU’. Each month, a different guest will be invited to speak about a topic of discussion in the hope to voice their personal experiences, provide a platform of freedom and to ensure a safe, thoughtful, and comfortable space for them to talk. We hope to educate, inspire, and empower guests to share their experiences and help anyone who listens to it by signposting to places of support and help in and around the university. Hosted by students, for students, we’re here to voice your personal experiences as naturally as possible. You will also get to know the lovely Lois, the host of jmsYOU. "Hi! I'm Lois. I hope this podcast becomes a safe space for us, as students, to share personal stories about our lives at university. I really hope you enjoy it!"
Topic 1: The Cost of Living Crisis
We know that the Cost of Living Crisis is an issue the nation is now facing. Students are one of the biggest groups in our society that are going to be hit the hardest, and we hope to help raise awareness and opportunities for students to feel supported. According to NUS survey on Cost of Living with 3417 students and students across the UK, there was 29% of respondents had under £50 left per month after rent and bills, moreover, 77% of respondents said they had cut back on socialising, 52% said they cut back on food, 42% on heating, 42% on transport and 41% on healthcare.
As Officers, we agreed these alarming figures are unacceptable, and urged us to take immediate action to help students through the crisis. We requested for the university to form a working group on the Cost of Living Crisis in which to discuss how to help students and minimise the impact it. Furthermore, do you remember Shaquita and Marie’s costumes at Freshers Fair? We dressed up and conducted our own Cost of Living survey, asking students to tell us their personal experiences, and how the Cost of Living is costing them. We received hundreds of responses, provoking emotional and powerful messages that we aim to pass onto the to the university working group. This will ensure we are helping you in all the best possible ways we can.
Join us
I can’t wait to share this first episode with you, so keep your eyes peeled for when it goes live. If you would like to learn more and get in touch, please don’t hesitate to do so.
Thanks, and see you soon!
