This week on the Membership Services Show Ed Moloney from University of Salford SU shares how they've repositioned themselves as an "anti-loneliness charity" – a strategy that's united everything from their bar to their advice service around tackling what affects 42 per cent of their student population. Drawing on World Health Organization research and working with Professor McWalter from University of Manchester, Ed explains how this North Star has given them unprecedented focus and university buy-in.

Later, Alan reunites with some old friends – Gary Hughes (Durham SU), Trish McGrath (Aberystwyth SU), and Paul Norman (Manchester Metropolitan SU) – to reflect on 10 years of Membership Services Conference. They explore how staff networks have evolved, the importance of accessible professional development, and why bringing together advisors, activities coordinators, and commercial managers under one roof has been transformative for the sector.

With Ed Moloney (University of Salford Students' Union), Gary Hughes (Durham SU), Trish McGrath (Aberystwyth SU), Paul Norman (Manchester Metropolitan SU), and hosted by Livia Scott (Partnerships Coordinator, Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (Director, Counterculture).

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This week on the Membership Services Show Liv catches up with Liz and Nat from Lincoln Students’ Union to explore paying part-time officers. In a sector where volunteer leadership roles often clash with student financial realities, they reflect on how Lincoln SU’s governance review reshaped student voice, representation, and accountability – and what they’ve learned a year in.

Later, Hannah Sketchley from NUS UK joins Alan to unpack the themes behind this year’s plenary sessions. From building a powerful student movement under a new Labour government, to representing students when the worst happens, she previews a stellar lineup of contributors – and hints at a few tactical disagreements worth watching.

With Liz Wylie-Smy (Head of Student Voice, Lincoln SU), Nat Baldwin (Student Voice Coordinator, Lincoln SU), Hannah Sketchley (Senior Policy Officer, NUS UK), and hosted by Livia Scott (Partnerships Coordinator, Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (Director, Counterculture).

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This week on the Membership Services Show, Alan and Livia dive deep into the complexities of change management and student engagement across the students' union sector.

Ellis Page from Sheffield SU opens up about their controversial decision to restructure liberation committees – including dissolving the LGBT committee – and the intense backlash that followed. From being compared to Margaret Thatcher to navigating angry freshers months later, Ellis shares hard-won lessons about co-creation, communication, and the delicate balance between necessary change and community ownership.

Rosie Hunnam from Organized Fun reflects on a decade of student opportunities development, exploring how the sector has evolved from siloed activities to strategic, cross-cutting approaches. She discusses the elevation of ops work, the challenge of supporting students who are increasingly cash and time-poor, and why the traditional volunteering model in students' unions might need reimagining.

Finally, Beth Rogers from Sheffield SU examines what it means to be an "outsider" coming into the students' union movement after years in higher education. She explores the different risk appetites, decision-making speeds, and the shift from specialist to generalist leadership – plus why the insider/outsider distinction might be less important than willingness to embrace change.

With Ellis Page (Sheffield SU), Rosie Hunnam (Organized Fun), Beth Rogers (Sheffield SU), and hosted by Livia Scott (Partnerships Coordinator, Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (Director, Counterculture).

https://www.organised.fun/

https://wonkhe.com/blogs-sus/reflections-on-my-first-year-leading-a-students-union-as-an-outsider/

https://wonkhe.com/blogs-sus/reflections-on-leading-a-students-union-as-an-insider/

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