Within the last couple of years, society has began to notice the barriers that affect people of BAME backgrounds. Whether that is in education, politics or access to basic services. The role of a BAME representative is to create a safe space in which students are able to discuss issues that affect them. Through my training with Citizens UK; a community organising charity, I have learnt how to effectively run listening campaigns to try and identify key issues.

I have been campaigning on various issues for around 4 years now. Examples are around youth violence and our relationship with the police, community sponsorship programs for refugees and affordable housing. I plan on using these skills and training to facilitate conversations among students and to lead on campaigns to better improve the student experience for BAME students at ARU.

 My goal this year is to have students who are better trained in listening, planning campaigns and building relationships. I believe that the goal of a representative is to empower students to be able to better their own experience at university, create spaces around the table for them and to access places that they might have not been able to get to before. We have a diverse group of students at ARU Chelmsford who have and do give a lot to the overall student experience. I will work hard to continue to improve the student life for us students from BAME backgrounds. 
 

Nouf