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Hi! I’m Zaya, and I’m running for Activities & Opportunities Rep this year.
I have experience as an event organizer for volunteer programs like Pink Spot and have
worked in part-time jobs where I actively interacted with customers and team members.

These experiences have given me the confidence that I can excel in this position.
I am not only to improve existing LUU events but also to introduce exciting new events that I
believe LUU is currently needs.

1. Making Sports Clubs More Accessible & Affordable
My first mission is to make sports clubs more accessible and affordable for low-income
students. I strongly believe that sports—especially team sports—should be accessible to
everyone for both physical and mental health benefits. However, high membership fees can
be a significant barrier for those who want to participate casually. I will work to reduce
these costs and create more opportunities for students to get involved in sports.

2. Boosting Society Event Attendance
One major issue societies face is low attendance. Despite our societies having amazing
events, turnout remains low, often because students are either are uninformed or lack the
motivation to attend. After all, going home straight after long lectures sounds more
appealing at 6 PM. That’s why I plan to introduce an incentive reward system to encourage
higher participation in societies.

3. Increasing Paid Work & Volunteering Opportunities
I want to create more opportunities for students to improve their employability by
increasing paid work positions on campus, allowing students to earn money without
traveling long distances. Additionally, I will push for more volunteering events within LUU,
both for the sake of goodwill and also to enhance students’ chances of securing future job
opportunities.

4. New Fun & Rewarding Events
• Gaming Competitions – Whether you're in a gaming society or not, if you enjoy gaming, I
have some exciting competitions planned! Don’t worry if you’re a beginner—just try your
luck! There will be prizes for the winners.
• LUU Fair – If you love crocheting, drawing, or have books you already read, why not sell your
items at the LUU Fair? It’s a great way to meet new people and make some extra money.
• Culture Days – As an international student and an ethnic minority, I’ve rarely had the
opportunity to celebrate my culture and I know many students feel the same way. So why
not make Culture Day happen? Let’s create a space where we can all share and embrace our
cultures together!

If you vote for me, I will make all of this happen. Better academic and social experiences,
more fun, more friends! Let’s make our university life more enjoyable together

Guess who’s back, back again...

Financial Accessibility
Rising costs for extra-curricular activities are shutting students out - it’s time to stop this. I pledge to work with the university and union to cut costs, including fees at The Edge and Stage@Leeds. I’ll also simplify funding access, making it easier for students and staff, while advocating for grants (specifically Gryphon’s funding. Activities grant and Plus Programme) to increase at the same rate that other costs do, to truly make it as accessible and inclusive for everyone.

Women’s+ Sports Participation project
As part of a wider piece of work, titled ‘Women’s+ Sports Participation Project’, I aim to create a job role for a Women’s+ Sports Coordinator at LUU. This role will work with societies to ensure they are nurturing the rapid increase in participation, ensuring that financial stability and sustainability can be achieved, and to support more women and trans/non-binary students to have equal access to sports and facilities, which leads onto the next goal

Club and society facility access
I have advocated consistently over the last 7 months for the University to help transform unused space into club/society facilities. Whether this be new dance studios and martial arts space in a Cromer Terrace house, or further storage options across campus to help ease this major issue that our societies face, I’ve ensured that this is a top priority as it majorly impacts the accessibility for student groups to function effectively.

Inclusive Spaces
Inclusivity and accessibility drive everything that I do. While we have made great progress, we still have a long way to go. My next big aims are to make sure campus is fully wheelchair accessible, that there are hearing loop/captioning/interpreter options available for all events and shows, and there is funding available for societies that are proactively trying their hardest to be inclusive for all, as this financial barrier should not mean that accessibility is neglected.

Vote Lydia ‘Slim Shaley’ Shale for activities

PICK ME, CHOOSE ME, ESME 4 Acitivites

STANDING UP FOR YOUR SOCIETIES!

FAIR FUNDING FOR SOCIETIES
Creating an improved funding system ensuring financial resources
are distributed fairly across all societies. A focus will be placed on
underrepresented arts and sports clubs who often have faced limiting
budgets despite their contributions to the University community.

STOPPING SOCIETIES FROM MISSING OUT
Streamlining communication between LUU and student socieities, fostering
a culture of transparency and collaboration. I will implement consistent and
accessible channels of communication to ensure societies recieve regular
support, feedback sessions and dedicated platforms where society leaders
can voice concerns and share ideas. Encouraging open conversations will
help strengthen the relationship between LUU and societies, creating a more
supportive and responsive student community.

IMPROVED ACCESSIBILITY TO ACTIVITIES
Enhancing the accessibility to extracurricular activities by increasing
student awarenesss of The Plus Programme to support students from
underrepresented backgrounds and inform them of the resources and
financial aid available. I will push for improved benefits at The Edge for
society members, making sports, S&C and facilities more affordable and
therefore accessible.
As an active society member, I understand the impact that societies can
have on the university experience and the importance of access to these
opportunities. By focusing on these issues, I hope to create a more inclusive
and supportive environment where all students can fully participate in and
benefit from university life.

@esme_4activities
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VOTING STARTS 17TH - 20TH FEB