This week on the Membership Services Show, we’re exploring how students’ unions are adapting creatively to rising challenges – from shoestring event budgets to shifting university leadership.

Livia visits Edinburgh Napier Students’ Association to hear how a small team pulled off a Welcome Week for under £900 – complete with a petting zoo – by embracing creativity, partnerships, and popcorn machines. What’s the real purpose of Freshers’ now, and how do you encourage a culture of “good enough” over perfection?

Later, Alan catches up with Essex SU to delve into their strategic work on reshaping the student experience through collaborative influence. In the face of leadership change, demographic shifts, and budgetary pressures, Essex SU led a project to map out students’ lives across campuses – culminating in an unconventional conference that united staff and students in reimagining the university journey.

Hosted by Livia Scott (Partnerships Coordinator, Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (Director, Counterculture).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the Membership Services Show Alan and Liv talk to West Chester University, who share how their Division of Student Affairs is drawing on the healthcare concept of social prescribing to reshape “Weeks of Welcome” – a six-week induction period designed to tackle loneliness and foster community.

They also speak to Nick Smith about the pitfalls of mixed category trustee boards – and why the path to high performance lies in cohesive teamwork, not representational silos. And Jo Walters talks us through media law, outlining the legal risks of social campaigning, the importance of officer training, and what staff need to watch for in the age of always-on student activism.

With West Chester University, Nick Smith (Governance Consultant), and Jo Walters (Communications Consultant), and hosted by Livia Scott (Partnerships Coordinator, Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (Director, Counterculture).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the Membership Services Show Alan and Liv talk to Rachel from Highlands and Islands Students' Association about insights on the pressures officers face within the current sector crisis and how universities can step up to support manifesto delivery.

Meanwhile, Tom from Citizens UK explores how community organising is evolving in SUs, and at Middlesex SU, Sarah talks us through their innovative Senior Leadership Fast Track Scheme aimed at nurturing early-career professionals into the movement.

With Sarah Kerton (Middlesex Students’ Union), Tom Snape (Citizens UK), and Rachel Byrne (Highlands and Islands Students’ Association) and and hosted by Livia Scott (Partnerships Coordinator, Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (Director, Counterculture).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.