Joanne Copson is running for the position of Vice President Wellbeing and Community (VPWC). She is a University of Lincoln Masters student researching the impact of COVID-19 on disabled students.
Jo is currently working on improving accessibility on campus, in terms of academia and wellbeing, within her role as Disabilities Officer for the SU. She has also created a disabilities support booklet to aid students with academic, financial and wellbeing assistance.
“There are still things that need to change on campus. A lot has improved over the past few years, but there’s a lot to do with wellbeing that isn’t accessible to all students.”
“Some international students don’t know where the right information is for certain things.
So it’s all about making things more inclusive for everyone.”
With Jo’s goal of becoming a more inclusive campus for all students in mind, she hopes to create an All-Student Community Scheme to involve distance and mature students, ensuring they feel more supported with university life.
Furthermore, she hopes to introduce an Accessible Sports Programme with the intent to extend the Feel Good Programme.
“Introducing more sports like sitting down volleyball will give more people a chance to be involved with sport, which is a huge thing that can improve mental health.”
A Student Experience Support Scheme is also in mind to ensure everyone can benefit from all aspects of university life, such as financial advice, and introducing free STI testing on campus which is already accessible within other universities.
“I want to introduce an Accessible Accommodation Scheme which will improve and extend the Housing Accreditation Scheme to make sure that students are getting the housing that they deserve.
“Information about accessible accommodation needs to be available online because if you need, for example, ground floor facilities it never says if they do that. So it would be useful to have a section that has accessible places to live.”
Jo wants students who struggle to get involved on campus, such as those struggling with disabilities and students that can’t get onto campus, have the chance to experience the fullest opportunities the university has to offer.
“I’m very eager to listen to what issues students are facing and responding to what they want to change on campus. It’s going to be about listening to what students want and acting on that.”