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‘Making life better for students’
SUEi SILVER AWARD
The SUEi process of reflection, planning, action and evaluation makes sure
that we are focussed on making a positive impact
on the life of students at the University and we are really pleased to say
we are an award winning Union. We achieved the SUEi award at silver level in July 2012 and received
our award at a reception in the House of Commons in
February 2013.
OUR AWARDS‘Only 10 Unions have received a
SUEi Silver Award and this puts us firmly in the premier league
of Union’s nationally.’Pete Shilton Godwin, Chief Executive
RHS NORTH WEST BRITAIN IN BLOOM AWARD
The Union received a RHS North West in Bloom - Our Neighbourhood Award for the creation of The Secret
Garden.
BEST BAR NONEA national award scheme supported by the Home
Office and aimed at promoting responsible
management and operation of alcohol licensed premises.
INVESTORS IN PEOPLE (IiP)
IiP is a nationally recognised framework
that helps organisations to improve their
performance and realise their objectives through
the effective management and development of their
people.
GREEN IMPACT AWARD 2014 -
BRONZEThe Green Impact Award
is an accreditation programme with an
awards element designed specifically for Students’ Unions to improve their environmental impact.
UCLan won Gold in 2008 and has retained the award
at Bronze and Silver in subsequent years.
INTRODUCTION
StevieSeymourEducation
Officer
JosieLinsel
Activities & Participation
Officer
Matt Murphy
MediaOfficer
LucyHaigh
CampaignsOfficer
Lee MacStudents’
UnionPresident
The Union is a Registered Charity No. 1142616 and our charitable objectives are to advance the education of the students of the University of Central Lancashire (the ‘Students’) for the benefit of the public by:
• Promoting the interests of Students during their course of study and to represent, support and advise Students;
• Providing social and recreational activities for Students.
This Annual Report 2014 sets out the many things the Union has achieved in the past year. Most importantly these are all activities are in response to what student have told us they want through our democracy, the BIG Vote, the BIG meeting, Student Council and our student networks.
In the 2014 National Student Survey the Union achieved a score of 73% in response to a question about what Impact we make on the lives of students. This year we’re trying to improve that by being more proactive, by being more welcoming, engaging effectively and creating change for the better in everything we do.
We started the year on a great high, with freshers week reaching more students than ever and with students on so many different levels. Through the events that we ran we ensured a great welcome with our hugely successful, freshers fair, a revitalised ‘Give It A Go’ programme and new twilight and no alcohol events.
This year we have worked hard to develop and improve the working relationship between the Union and the University. We worked together closely on Welcome 2014, the Campus Masterplan, student first program and through the Higher Education Review Student Submission we have made recommendations about student involvement in quality assurance. All of these activities will ensure that we will ‘make life better for students’.
We’re currently working on ensuring that students are represented in the general election by ensuring, through an exciting partnership with Preston City Council that students are registered to vote.
LEE MAC, STUDENTS’ UNION PRESIDENT 2014/2015
1,207In autumn 2014 we recruited 1,207 Course
Reps for 347 programmes of study.
537 We delivered training to 537 Course Reps so
they do a great job for students.
83Our third Course Rep Conference was
attended by over 83 reps.
ThemeOne CHANGE FOR THE BETTER ‘Because we’re passionate to
make a change.’ Hamza, Burnley Rep 2014
2,875A total of 2,875 students have engaged with
The Green Ladder Project to date.
84%84% of Green Ladder volunteers stated it has made them behave differently towards the
environment.
32Two areas on campus have been transformed
by students includes the creation of The Secret Garden, and construction
of 32 allotments.
6.9%
6.9% of UCLan
students voted for one of 44
candidates in our annual
elections.
A record 14 Schools
have elected School
Presidents to promote change and champion projects.
14
ThemeTwo WORKING WITH STUDENTS
In 2014 student cast 1,902 votes
in our annual elections to decide who
runs the Union.
1,902 1,439
1,439 students
nominated staff, schools and services for golden
roses awards in
appreciation of their
dedication.
4,826
4826 students
voted in the Big Vote to
set our plans for the year.
‘Representing the student voice isn’t about me it’s about being the voice of
everyone else.’ Anon.
310
We support 310 student volunteers
to run societies.
150
Over 150 students
attending our training programme to develop
and empower
volunteers to help them
Stand Up and Stand
Out.
ThemeThree AN ACTIVE STUDENT COMMUNITY
1,980At the end of 2014 there are 1,980 volunteer roles currently available across all the Unions student led societies, clubs, activities,
media and projects.
11,063Since September 2014 1,702
hours have been logged on the Unions the Livesey
Award worth £11,063 (based on national minimum wage).
300Over 300 media
volunteers create the Pluto website with 50,000
views and a new article every two days and
2,600 online listeners to Frequency radio.
1,685Over 1,685 students went to a Give It A Go event with an
overall satisfaction rate of 88%.
‘An opportunity to do something I love whilst
helping others.’ Abigail Law, final year, on societies.
128Since Oct 2013, 128 students
have volunteered on the Green Ladder Project.
2,110This year 2,110 students
joined 76 student led societies.
1,262This year 1,262 students
have joined 38 Team UCLan sports clubs.
620On a regular basis, 620
students compete against other Universities.
ThemeFour SUPPORTING EMPLOYABILITY
94%Of students who
attend Green Ladder events state that is
has helped them gain new skills.
948The Opportunities
Centre advertised 948 jobs and voluntary roles in 14/15 to help student
get the experience they need.
560Each week we provide
an average of 560 hours of paid employment
opportunities.
140We employ an average of 140 students a week, giving them experience and essential funds to remain at University.
210This year the Bridge
has helped the Union and University to
recruit 210 student employees.
7We have funded or supported 7 paid
interns roles in sport, social media, business development, licensed
retail and sustainability.
4We support 4 students
in sport activation roles funded through sport
National Governing bodies.
1The University is funding
the Green Ladder Project to support an intern leading
project to embed education for sustainable development
into all course content.
Last year 3565 students trusted our advice team to give them free, independent advice.3,565
Our advice team supported students to receive financial gains of £486,767 between Jan and Dec 2014.
£486,767Students responded to our ‘Love it or Hate it? Rate It!’ survey about living in halls.562
Students applied for Befriending support and 18 people were placed in a Befriending relationship. 423 We gave 3 awards to recognise good
practice in student accommodation.
In Fresher’s Fortnight we provided 2900 hours of work for students, that’s around £19,000 for students to spend.
£19,000The Union paid £802,000 in wages to student employed by the Union helping them to make ends meet.
£802,000In the year 2014 we sold 4,341 NUS extra cards, generating over £26,000 for the Union. £26,000
On average students save over £500 with an NUS extra card throughout the year.£500
SUPPORT ON THE STUDENT JOURNEYThemeFive
‘The Union means giving yourself and others the opportunity to grow as people through
support and having fun.’ Rachelle Cohen, final year.
ThemeSix RESPONSIVE UNION
ThemeSeven A UNION IN THE COMMUNITY ‘Giving something back to the
community or an organisation as well as helping others who may
be less fortunate’ Gracie Donaghue, 1st year, on Volunteering
with the Union.
24% University Block Grant Funding
20% Retail
17% Bars & Entertainment
15% Grant For Serviced Accommodation
8% The Bridge
7% Catering
5% Clubs & Societies
3% Marketing
1% Other
ThemeEight A UNION FOR THE FUTURE
GOVERNANCEThe Union is administered by a board of 10 Trustees comprising five elected students, two students appointed by the Board and three external Trustees. This arrangement ensures the Board has the range of skills, knowledge and experience to carry out its role effectively.
The plan, details of our Governance and the Trustees can be viewed in full and downloaded at:
www.uclansu.co.uk
To achieve our charitable objectives the Union adopted a new long term plan called the ‘Union Plan - We are changing the way we work with students’.
The eight themes of the plan are:
• Creating Change For The Better
• Working With Students• An Active Student
Community• Supporting Employability• Support On The Student
Journey• A Responsive Union• The Union In The
Community• A Union For The Future
Our progress in these areas is reflected in this report.
OUR RESOURCESThe Union’s total income in YE 31st July 2014 was £4.17 million, £0.6 million lower than the previous year representing fall of 12.7% on the previous year.
Funding from the University fell by £175k from £1.1 million in the previous year to £0.92 million in 2014. Grant funding fell by 6% on top of 5.9% reduction in the previous year as UCLAN failed to recruit students as many students following the introduction of tuition fees.
The continuing economic challenges, pressure on student numbers and incomes and competition all provided the Union with challenges in the last year. For the period to 31st July 2104 the year-end outcome for the union is an operating deficit of £132k as a consequence the union’s reserves have fallen from £47.8k to negative reserve position of £85K.
We are grateful to the Board of the University for their support of the Union.
DETAILS OF THE UNIONS’ INCOME
Thank You!
Thank you for taking the time to read our Impact Report and a massive thank you to all staff and elected officers who contributed to the contents.
An electronic copy of this document and the Unions financial statements are available to download at: www.uclansu.co.uk
Registered Charity No. 1142616 | Company No. 7623917
uclansu.co.uk
@uclansu
01772 893000
uclanstudentsunion