Campaigns

 

A Fair Deal for Our Future
This national campaign aims to put more money in students' pockets by demanding:

• Fair Pay – End age-based pay discrimination and ensure equal pay for apprentices.

• Fair Funding – Secure support like bursaries and affordable transport.

• Fair Education – Guarantee quality education that meets students' needs.

We launched "Money Monday" to raise awareness, collecting over 300 petition signatures in one day—outperforming SUs across the country and winning the national challenge.

We also hosted a Curriculum & Assessment Review Workshop with 60 students to discuss the future of education, attended by colleges from across the region.

---

Zen Den Project
We lobbied the college to restart the Zen Den project and pushed for an approved design focused on creating social spaces that help students connect with nature and de-stress. Jack, as Project Manager, oversaw the full implementation and managed contractors to ensure successful delivery.

---

Funding the Future
Under Jack’s leadership, the SU significantly increased its financial resources:

• Initial Growth: The block grant rose from £15,800 to £24,800—a £9,000 increase.

• Further Increase: The next year, the grant increased again to £26,800.

• Strategic Boost: An extra £7,000 was secured to fund a new SU website.

This brings the total budget to £33,800—over 50% growth since Jack took office—allowing for stronger campaigns and student support.

---

Know Your Status
Partnered with The What? Centre to introduce regular HIV testing and sexual health advice drop-ins across all major campuses.

---

Turn Up Campaign
Successfully lobbied the college to implement opt-in voter registration during student enrolment, making the process easier and more accessible. Dudley College is among the first to do this. We also added voter registration links to induction surveys and encouraged democratic education in PIP sessions.

---

My Present, Our Future
Created a Local and National Student Manifesto, sharing what students want from the next government. Hosted a “Big Conversation” on education and launched a “What Students Think” page on the SU website. Jack also spoke in Parliament on behalf of Further Education students.

---

Politics Made Better

• Held the first Student Parliament since COVID—giving students a voice, voting power, and leadership accountability.

• Pushed election campaigns like “Vote for a Coke” and “Be a FANTA-stic Voter.”

• Ran the biggest SU election in history, supporting 18 candidates across six roles, with over 1,000 students voting and 6,000+ votes cast.

---

Israel-Palestine Conflict
Lobbied for more support for students affected by the crisis and urged the college to proactively address hate crime.

---

Trans+ Together
National Impact: Helped shape the student response to the government's transgender guidance and built an FE-inclusive campaign.

Local Wins:

• Approved name changes on ID badges and Teams.

• Allowed pronoun display options for staff and students.

Public Action: Released a statement against the puberty blocker ban for Trans and non-binary youth, calling for collective solidarity.

Direct Support: Launched a Gender Expression Fund for Trans+ students.

---

Students Deserve Better
Worked with NUS to push for student rights—like including students in renters' rights legislation and ending the need for guarantors. At the NUS National Lobby Day, Jack lobbied MP Sonia Kumar on issues like transport, votes at 16, and BTEC cuts. The campaign led to two student-friendly amendments passing in the bill.

---

Our Green Future
Declared a Climate & Ecological Emergency, giving the SU a new environmental focus. Wrote and enforced a policy banning balloons, divesting from Amazon, reducing plastic, and cutting SU energy use.

---

 

Key Actions

 

SU Leadership & Participation Reform
Created new leadership roles (twice), centralised Liberation Networks, launched SU Crew for casual volunteers, and rebranded Student Council to Student Parliament. Introduced office hours, training days, and the first Leadership Residential to train and bond the team.

---

Constitutional Reform
Rewrote the constitution—streamlining articles, schedules, and appendices. Removed the need for a Board of Trustees, introduced more leadership reforms, and created Presidential Accountability Panels.

---

Strategic Oversight
Developed a 3-year Strategic Plan and the first Operational Development Plan, focusing the SU’s work around policies and priorities.

---

National Policy
Submitted and passed a motion at NUS National Conference to increase FE representation, guaranteeing a minimum of 2 delegates for FE Unions. Also submitted policy priorities around FE investment and tackling hate crime.

---

National Elections
Ran a strong campaign for NUS Vice President for Further Education—only missing election by one vote.

---

NUS Democracy Reform
Worked with NUS and other unions to reform how national democracy works, resulting in the creation of NUS England and new ways for students to hold NUS accountable.

---

 

Media & Marketing

 

SU Website & Digital Platform
Launched a new, user-friendly website with MSL after 10+ years on Wix. Held a launch event and upgraded SU Base tech with a high-tech touchscreen to replace the old projector system.

---

Branding Tools
Designed new SU marketing tools, including 2 pop-up shops and 10 banners—helping engage students who don’t attend the main Broadway campus.

---

Social Media Presence
Boosted digital engagement with more social content. Invested in DJI microphones to improve content creation.

---

Get Involved Campaign
Launched a major engagement campaign during induction talks—speaking to 3,000 students in one week. The campaign led to over 100 students expressing interest in getting involved with the SU in the first month alone.

---

Digital Student Noticeboard
Worked with the college to introduce a "Master Team" on Teams where all students are auto-enrolled—ensuring equal access to important updates and opportunities.

---

 

Skill Development

 

Leadership & Management Qualification
Started a Level 5 qualification with the Chartered Management Institute to build leadership and organisational management skills.

---

Lead & Change Training
Attended a 3-day leadership course at the University of Birmingham SU to learn how to build student power.

---

Small & Specialist Lead & Change
Hosted this college-specific training at Dudley SU for two consecutive years.

 

Meet the Leadership Teams during Jack's Presidency

 

SU Leadership Team- Year 1

SU Leadership Team- Year 2