Holly Amber for Welfare and Liberation Officer

“Thrive, not just survive.”

Who am I?

As a Foundations in Clinical Psychology MSc student at Anglia Ruskin’s Cambridge campus, I have personally experienced the challenges that the student body faces in reaching its full potential. This personal journey, which I share with many of you, has deeply committed me to this cause. As your Welfare and Liberation Officer, I would fight tirelessly so you can thrive, not just survive.

My Key Promises

More support for Mental Health

• I am committed to adding a comprehensive Mental Health Hub to the SU website. This hub will be a safe space where all students, regardless of their struggles, can access resources when they are in distress, such as crisis lines and mindfulness apps. It will also include resources for students struggling with alcohol or drug problems.
• Introducing Wellbeing Days around exam times to help students with their stress. At my previous university, we ran Wellbeing Days, which included a variety of activities such as dog therapy, plate smashing, yoga, and coffee mornings. These days will be carefully planned to ensure a diverse range of activities that cater to different student interests, thereby providing a high-quality stress-relief experience.
• I am deeply committed to introducing more Mental Health Awareness Campaigns. The best way to destigmatize mental health is to talk about it openly and honestly. These campaigns will include guest speakers and collaborations with charities as we cover a wide range of topics, from anxiety to personality disorders.

More support for people with disabilities

• Hold the university accountable for making campuses and their events more accessible. This includes ensuring that events like graduation are wheelchair accessible and provide support services for those who need them.
• I also aim to improve access to disability support. Students should not have difficulty obtaining the services they deserve, and they should be informed about the reasons behind any refusals of their appeals.
• I wish to collaborate with societies to make them more inclusive for individuals with disabilities. Socialisation is widely recognised as contributing to improved mental health, and we should do more to ensure that everyone has access to any society of their choice. Your input and participation in this process are crucial.  

Improving equality at ARU

• I would like to introduce an Inclusion and Equality Committee to give more representation to disabled, LGBTQ+, and minority students. This committee would meet once a term to inform the Welfare and Liberation Officer on issues affecting their university community. By giving these students a voice, I hope to gain better insight and take more action to improve equality at this university.
• Strengthen zero-tolerance policies on sexual harassment and campaign for mandatory student consent training. The university should be a safe space for people to be educated, have fun, and explore themselves. I am deeply committed to ensuring that people who abide by these values do not ruin the university for anyone else.

Why vote for me?

• I have worked for nearly four years in Student Wellbeing, achieving multiple milestones. This includes leading the first volunteering group to receive an NSVA award at the University of Essex and organising a March For All to raise awareness that sexual violence can affect anyone, regardless of race, gender, age, sexuality, or any other factor. I believe my proposals will be effective for the student body, as I have implemented them before, such as my suggestion to introduce Wellbeing days around student exam times. I have also already begun implementing my ideas to improve Anglia Ruskin University by running a Student Night Life Safety Campaign with the collaboration of the student union and Jeena Thomas.

  While I may not have lived experience of every issue I wish to change, I am eager to listen to those who have and ensure they receive the representation they deserve. 

  Let’s Make It Happen!

  Vote for Holly Amber for Welfare and Liberation Officer!

  Voting opens on the 2^nd of April at 9 am.