Hi everyone, I thought I’d give a little update on what I’ve been up to since term started as it's been a few weeks since Freshers' and we've so busy planning campaigns, supporting fundraisers, and attending fixtures. A part of my role is to help the activities department with sports and societies, so with fixture days and society sessions now well underway, I just want to say a huge well done to all of the committee members for working so hard, your efforts have definitely not gone unnoticed.
If you moved into halls at the start of the year you may have noticed some period products laid out, free for anyone who needed them. After receiving lots of messages from students and the accommodation staff saying how grateful they were for them, I emailed the right people to see if I could make it a permanent feature in halls… and I have. So, over the next few weeks look out for free pads and tampons being placed in either halls receptions or in the laundry rooms. Periods are expensive. Pads, tampons, new underwear, pain relief and all the extras that go along with it. Even if you only focus on the costs of period products, the average menstruator can spend over £18,000 in their lifetime. We believe that the last thing you should be worrying about when you're bleeding and cramping is if you can afford to buy another pack of pads or tampons to make it through your cycle. We are committed to talking about period poverty and ending the taboo surrounding menstruation to support our students.
The last part of this update that I’m very excited to tell you all about is Movember. Movember is the leading organisation that works in men’s mental health, suicide prevention, and prostate and testicular cancer. Their aim is to reduce premature death of men by 25% before 2030. So far, they have funded 1250 men’s health projects since 2003. Movember is most known for growing a moustache or beard over the month of November and you can be a part of the movement by joining in with our fundraisers. If you feel you want to grow a mo, get shaved down, or just help by donating, head over to our fundraising page and join our team. I can't wait to see you all at the shavedown on Monday 31 October, where you Movember Ambassador will be facing the shave and getting rid of his beard.
I hope you’ve enjoyed the start of term as much as I have and as always my door, and inbox, is always open if you ever want to chat.
- Jess, Vice President Student Involvement.