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I’m involved in many societies, and I’m passionate about making them accessible to everyone. The first and key step is to remove financial barriers by introducing more accessible and flexible grants - while plus programme grants exist, most students don’t know about them, and furthermore the £200 of funding doesn’t accommodate for the different costs associated with different societies - certain societies cost more, and the grants should reflect this.  

5-6pm lectures are another barrier to students fully participating in societies - it’s unfair for students to choose between societies and lectures, and unsafe walking home in the dark in the winter. I will lobby the university to reschedule these lectures to earlier time-slots, without affecting contact hours. 

Finally, I believe martial arts should be accessible to absolutely everyone. Due to the edge not having a dedicated martial arts space, many students are too busy or nervous to travel off campus. Introducing a martial arts space to the edge would open up the opportunity to train martial arts to everyone.

A few other changes I would love to integrate is to make the society formation process smoother - having formed Vegsoc this year, I can confidently say it is an inefficient process that needs streamlining! I’d also love to make the coach service provided by the university

more affordable, as currently coaches are completely unaffordable to smaller societies. I would also encourage societies to host mid semester give it a go sessions or provide non-member session passes, so people find it easier to join societies outside of freshers week. Last but not least, given the closure of Revolution Electric Press, it would be amazing if Terrace could remain open until 1am on Wednesdays! 

A vote for me is a vote for a better, more accessible student union which will not isolate students for their financial status, or any other reason.

DON’T BE A WALLY, VOTE FOR NOLLY!

Hi, I’m Nolly (she/ her) and I am running to be your Opportunities and Development Executive!

I am your candidate for:

More collaboration!

More inclusivity!

Better representation!

Collaboration:

• Work with our Society & Sport committees, local venues and council on a city-wide student safety campaign, empowering our societies to see how they can contribute to Leeds-wide student safety, shape policy and express creativity through collaboration!

• Develop city-wide student community by connecting all Leeds Student Unions’ societies!

• Develop a student-led Fruity Friday incorporating all our societies and invite more societies to participate in Leeds Ball to celebrate student talent!

• Work with Green Action refillable co-op to encourage more student and society volunteering and improve university sustainability

Inclusivity:

• Expand and promote society accreditation schemes to educate on topics such as reproductive health, BSL, neurodiversity and hidden disabilities as training for societies and students

• Improve financial accessibility through encouraging societies to offer more free and low-cost events and utilise university and union spaces to reduce travel costs and improve accessibility for disabled, low income, part time and mature students

• Push for societies and clubs to use clear, inclusive language and promote inclusive cultures by working directly with society welfare officers!

• Support all societies in developing events and projects centred around inclusivity, safety, political advocacy, wellbeing and sustainability to make meaningful change on campus and in Leeds!

Representation:

• Push for increased funding for creative, welfare, cultural and social societies

• Lobby for greater equality in sports society funding to address gender inequalities and encourage full gender participation in sports

• Broadcast Student Radio and TV in the union to facilitate student led communication and improve society visibility!

As a member of Drag, Karate, Feminist, Vertical Fitness and Hiking Society, I know

what’s important to societies and how to engage with other students. I will use these

experiences to work towards change by centring student feedback, to provide more

opportunities for all students here at Leeds.

I would love to hear any questions or talk more about my ideas via my Instagram-

@nolly4luuoppsanddev or email @kvkh9764@leeds.ac.uk !

Remember, to avoid being a wally, you should vote for Nolly.

I have LOVED university, I found my people, been given amazing opportunities, studied in Australia, built a community, been a part of progressive change and explored different career paths, but I know that’s not the case for everyone - and that’s exactly why I’m running. Every student deserves the chance to feel supported, connected and able to thrive, not just survive, at Leeds.

My best experiences have come from being part of societies and student‑led spaces. They gave me confidence, leadership skills and a sense of belonging I never expected. I’ve seen how transformative these communities can be, and I’ve also seen how many barriers still stop students from accessing them. That needs to change.

As your Student Opportunity & Development Executive, I will work to make LUU a place where every student feels informed, empowered and included. I will strengthen the Sports and Societies Assemblies, so they become genuine platforms for change, not just meetings. I will champion the work of committee members and society leaders, ensuring their contributions are recognised as real leadership and employability experience. I will use student insight - your stories, your challenges, your ideas - to shape decisions and drive advocacy across the University.

Students have said they feel overwhelmed by information, unsure where to go for help, and disconnected from the spaces meant to support them. That’s why my priorities are simple and student‑driven:

• Clearer guidance and support when things feel overwhelming, because no one should feel lost navigating university life.
• More accessible spaces to study, relax and connect, because community and wellbeing start with the environments we share.
• Highlighting society and committee achievements to support students’ future employability, because your work deserves recognition that opens doors.

A future with me in this role is one where societies feel seen, student leaders feel supported, and every student, regardless of background, confidence or experience, can find their place at Leeds. My campaign is about making opportunity the norm, not the exception, and building a Union where every student can say: “I found my people too."

I’m Issy, (she/her), a final year undergrad in Classical Civilisations and English! I am running for opportunities and development student exec :D 

I am running on the equality and justice slate with AJ (union affairs and community), amyra (welfare and liberation), and nico (academic experience). The growing crises in society, from genocides and wars to the rise of the far right, mean we need a collective fight back against the system. We are students that believe in a free Palestine, anti-racism, and trans rights, and we are committed to building a bottom-up student movement that can challenge the increasing attacks on our community.

PROTECT THE RIGHT TO PROTEST

Clubs and societies are the most important aspect of the LUU’s activities; 18,000 students are involved in various societies. It is through these vehicles that much student campaigning and activity happens. Student democracy starts at protecting student societies. Societies often run into the many barriers that the LUU bureaucracy creates, 21 days to get protests approved, ridiculous standards for risk assessments, etc. It is contradictory that students have to gain permission from the very institution that they are protesting, and I aim to improve our health and safety policy to accommodate for greater democracy and protests on campus. I also want to protect those societies that get punished for protesting by improving the advice team and providing more resources on protests and campaigning for societies.

MORE MONIES FOR SOCIETIES

Student societies form the pillars of our student communities on campus, especially for students from marginalised backgrounds. Societies often struggle with the burden of providing a real community for these students, due to a lack of funding from the LUU. I would fight to direct more money to community building and investing in societies. This will foster a stronger sense of community for students of all backgrounds, particularly those, such as trans students, international students, or refugee students, that face massive amounts of attacks in society.

ARMS COMPANIES OFF CAMPUS

A massive part of a student’s life is what they do after university. The university invites those such as BAE Systems, an arms manufacturer that supplies weapons to genocidal states, to careers fairs, and defends itself by saying it’s the student’s choice who they work for. I would bring student oversight onto things such as the University Council committee of Ethics and Values, and the Research and Innovation board. Students through ‘mycareer’ are directed towards BAE, the Ministry of Defence, and the Armed forces, we deserve better options than perpetuating violence. Instead, I would direct students towards sustainability industries, and other ethical careers.

University is a place where students arrive with ambition, ideas, and a vision for their future. But for many students, turning those ambitions into real experiences can be difficult. Throughout my time at the University of Leeds, I’ve noticed that while students are talented and motivated, opportunities often feel out of reach. Many students have creative ideas for projects, events, or initiatives but struggle to find the funding or support to make them happen. I want to work towards creating a Student Opportunity Fund, which would help students access small grants to develop their ideas, represent Leeds in competitions, or start projects that contribute to the university community. When students are given the right support, their ideas can turn into meaningful achievements that benefit everyone.

Another challenge students often face is building professional connections while still at university. Networking can feel intimidating, and many students are unsure how to connect with industry professionals or alumni who could guide them in their careers. If elected, I want to create more accessible opportunities for students to engage with professionals through networking events, industry talks, and alumni collaborations supported by Leeds University Union. By strengthening these connections, students can gain insight into different career paths, develop confidence, and build relationships that may support them long after graduation.

Getting involved in societies is one of the most valuable parts of university life, but for many students, committing to a society can feel like a risk because of membership costs or uncertainty about whether it’s the right fit. I believe students should have the freedom to explore their interests without feeling pressured to commit immediately. I would work towards introducing a system where students can try different societies and activities before committing to membership, helping them discover communities that truly match their interests and passions.

University should also be about experiences that go beyond lectures and assignments. Many students want to develop practical skills, leadership experience, and real-world exposure, but they often don’t know where to begin. As Student Opportunities & Development Officer, I want to support initiatives that encourage students to take part in projects, competitions, volunteering opportunities, and leadership roles across campus. By creating clearer pathways to these opportunities, more students will be able to build the confidence and experience that shape their future careers.

I am also passionate about making sure every student feels included in the opportunities available on campus. International students, in particular, sometimes find it difficult to navigate new systems, communities, and networks when they arrive. I would work to support initiatives that encourage collaboration and interaction between students from different backgrounds, ensuring that everyone feels connected and valued within the Leeds community.

My goal is simple: to help create a university experience where opportunities are more accessible, more inclusive, and more meaningful for every student. University should not only be a place where we gain knowledge, but also a place where we grow as individuals, discover our potential, and build experiences that stay with us for life.

If elected as Student Opportunities & Development Officer, I will work to ensure that students at Leeds are not just studying here but truly making the most of every opportunity the university can offer.

Vote Vishesh Kapoor