Tuesday 26-05-2026 - 11:52

When I first became Students’ Union President, I knew the role would be demanding. What I did not fully understand was how much of it would be emotional and personal.

It was not just about attending meetings or representing students in formal spaces. It was about carrying student stories into rooms where decisions are made, challenging things that did not feel right, and learning how to keep going even when progress was slow.

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What I've learned 📝

This year has been one of the most challenging and meaningful years of my university experience. I have grown not only as a representative, but as a person. I have learned that leadership is not about always having the loudest voice, but it is about listening carefully, asking the difficult question, staying calm under pressure, and making sure students are always considered when decisions are being made. A major part of my year has been focused exactly on doing this, whether if it was through university meetings, conversations with senior leaders, or partnership work across Greater Manchester.

I have also learned a great deal about leadership behind the scenes. Much of the work that matters is not always visible. It happens in preparation before meetings, in follow-up emails, in careful wording, in pushing a point again when it would be easier to move on, and in building relationships that allow change to happen. I have learned patience and resilience, and most importantly, I was reminded how fundamental trust is. Every student who shared a concern, asked a question, challenged me, invited me into a conversation, or trusted me with part of their experience shaped how I approached this role. I am grateful for that. Those conversations made the work real.

One area I have been especially proud to work on is transport. For many students, getting to university is not just a small inconvenience; it affects attendance, finances, wellbeing, and whether they feel able to fully take part in university life. Raising issues around affordability, safety, reliability, and accessibility of travel options, as well as provisions and dedicated spaces on campus for commuting students reminded me how practical issues can have an enormous impact on students’ everyday experience.

Sometimes, representing student voice meant pushing through difficult and sensitive moments too. I had to navigate complex conversations around university processes, student safety, freedom of speech, external speakers, and how the Union and University respond when students feel unheard or let down. These moments were not always easy, but they taught me a lot about responsibility. Real representation means being willing to engage with complexity, not avoiding it. It means trying to be fair, principled, and constructive, while still remembering the students at the heart of the issue.

Work in progress...⚙️

This year also involved work that I know cannot be finished in one term, and I think that is an important part of honest leadership. Some projects need time, persistence, and collective ownership. I will be handing over the work I have done so far on sleeping spaces on campus and support for neurodivergent students to the next President, hoping that these issues remain firmly on the agenda. I will also be handing over work on prayer spaces and graduate outcomes differentials to our Islamic Society and Inclusion Team, so that the students most affected continue to shape what happens next. I am also proud to have helped set up a People & Planet Society, who will continue pushing the University to divest from all forms of unethical investments. I will be asking the Trustee Board at The Union to mandate this objective to the next officer team, so the work continues.

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Thank you 💛

As my time as President comes to an end, I am leaving with a much deeper understanding of what student leadership means. It is not about pretending everything is perfect. It is about caring enough to improve things, even when the process is slow. It is about listening, showing up, and using the position you have to make space for others.

I am proud of what we have worked on this year, but more than that, I am proud that some of this work will continue beyond me. The work does not end with one president, one officer team, or one year. It continues with every student who speaks up, gets involved, and believes that things can be better.