I am Amala Tes Bonnie, a Masters student in Social and Public Policy at the School of Sociology and Social Policy. I’m from Kerala, India, and I arrived in Leeds in September 2025. Over the past six months, I have actively connected with students from a wide range of disciplines, age groups, and backgrounds across the University. Through my part‑time roles at Morrisons and the University of Leeds Galleries, I have gained valuable insights into the everyday experiences of students and the wider Leeds community. These interactions have shaped my understanding of how to engage meaningfully with diverse perspectives.
I believe that Students’ Unions can be an empowering presence that cares for students and protects their rights. As Union Affairs and Community Student Executive at LUU, I hope to champion students’ interests with fairness, community-building, and collaboration. In my former university, I was actively involved in student governance, serving in both the executive and legislative student bodies. I was also a member of the first Student Election Commission and part of the committee that redrafted the Students’ Constitution. Before coming to Leeds, I spent seven years as a faculty member providing capacity‑building programmes for government officials in India, working closely with civil servants and public sector organizations through projects, training, and consultancies. These experiences, together with my ongoing Masters, have equipped me with the skills and confidence to contribute meaningfully to the responsibilities of a Student Executive at LUU.
Motto: Improve students’ lives through participatory and collaborative student governance.
Vision: The University can feel formal and structured, but LUU should be the place where students feel humanity and connection - a space where they feel seen, supported, and heard. As a Student Executive, my goal is to make LUU more present in students’ everyday lives - not waiting for students to come to us but actively reaching out to them. By ensuring regular engagement, proactive communication, and open feedback channels, I hope to strengthen how our Union reflects and responds to student voices. Together with the other Student Execs, I aim to advocate for students’ voices locally and nationally through stronger collaboration with City Council, Russel Group Students’ Unions and National Union of Students (UK).
Fair Work & Student Welfare
• Ensure minimum wage for all students who work part‑time jobs outside of the university and protect them from unfair labour practices.
• Joblink to act as a one‑stop hub for all part‑time opportunities across job boards.
• Ensure students experiencing visa‑related challenges are signposted and supported through LUU to the University’s Student Visa Advice Service.
Financial Accessibility & Cost of Living
• Extend the working hours of LUU Essentials to better support student schedules.
• Secure University‑backed authorisation for first‑year students with no UK credit history to purchase essential tech (e.g., via Currys).
• Make society memberships more affordable by exploring flexible pricing models and advocating for reduced costs.
• Provide food-options until Library closing hours.
• Extend free laundry to all University residences.
Career Support
• Enter into MoUs with Leeds‑based organisations to provide short‑term internships for students.
• Provide database of sample CVs (across disciplines), CV guidance, and peer mentoring through Joblink.
• Ensure job fairs reflect the full diversity of student interests by expanding beyond STEM and including sectors such as journalism, policy consultancies, media, creative industries, etc.
• Conduct a talk series led by PGRs for PhD aspirants, including talks and Q&A sessions on PhD admissions and scholarships.
• Facilitate alumni interaction and mentoring through former LUU Student Officers.
Well‑being & Belongingness
• Set up school‑based mutual‑aid stations (similar to Little Free Libraries) to foster sharing, support, and community.
• Make mental health and student support services more visible across Schools and LUU.
• Provide easily accessible Orientation and Welcome Week information for students unable to attend those.
• Prepare and publicise a detailed International Students’ Handbook as a guide to starting life in UK.
• Conduct more conversation‑led, budget‑friendly socials.
• Organise more intra‑school and inter‑school socials, especially for PGRs.
• Facilitate school‑based peer support systems for academic and wellbeing needs.
• Restructure the PGR Hub at LUU into a dynamic space with regular events managed by PGR volunteers across schools.
Inclusion, Language Support & Digital Access
• Engage psychology students from different language and cultural backgrounds to offer culturally informed peer‑support or translation support for students seeking Wellbeing services.
• Support societies to proactively include and engage students from diverse backgrounds.
• Push for University‑funded translation and accessibility tools to support students with language and disability barriers.
• Provide intercultural communication sessions to help bridge cultural and language gaps. Housing, Rights & Accommodation
• Compile and circulate a list of credible private accommodation providers for incoming students.
• Ensure students have clear, accessible information about their tenancy rights via in-person sessions, digital content, and handbooks.
• Improve visibility of ‘Rate the Landlord’ website and active participation of students for safer and fairer renting.
• Facilitate increased availability of family accommodation through Unipol.
Visibility & Accountability
• Improve awareness of LUU, student representation, and Exec roles among the wider student body.
• Raise awareness about National Union of Students (UK) and Russell Group Students’ Unions among students. Create feedback channels to strengthen informed collaboration.
• Regular drop‑in sessions at LUU ground floor, schools, library buildings, and common areas.
• Circulate an interactive bi‑monthly newsletter covering:
o Union Affairs & Community Exec updates
o Mental health and wellness services, events, internships, and part‑time opportunities
o Feedback‑options via surveys, Assemblies, and Better Forum
• Use student media (newspaper, radio, etc.) for Execs updates to students.
• Signpost LUU and the Student Execs through the University website.
LUU & Leeds Partnerships
• Strengthen “The Leeds Student Union Network” create shared spaces for collaboration, campaigning for students’ rights, and problem‑solving.
• Convene quarterly interactions between Leeds City Council members and LUU to discuss cost of living, housing, transport affordability, safety, and other key student concerns.
• Collaborate with credible Leeds‑based organizations and charities to increase volunteering opportunities for students. Widely publicize about opportunities in LUU and University spaces and digital platforms.
• Organize heritage walks and neighbourhood tours to help students connect with Leeds’ history and communities.
• Launch an annual Civic Engagement Week connecting students with local organizations, civic institutions, and community groups
