I’m Sophie (she/her) from BA3 Fine Art at Chelsea. I am on the life drawing society committee focussing on student interactions within online learning, alongside a collaborative art practice centred around emotional wellbeing, and have been involved in the writing of the UAL Action Group letter to the vice chancellors, from whom we have received an unfortunate response and will continue to push towards recognition and transparency from UAL.

I have an invested interest in student mental health both within and outside of disability and support services. I am dedicated to a structure of mental health support that expands to every student accessing a learning and social environment that matches their individual needs; accessible, inclusive, and representative of the varied backgrounds of our student body. I recognise that no single individual has a normative relationship to their studies, and wish to represent these needs through targeted funding, led by conversation with current students.

I feel strongly that nobody should be forced to reach rock bottom to receive psychological or physical support from their institution, in halls or local services. I am lucky to have experienced enormous support from UAL's disability & mentoring services, and recognise from conversation that this has not been the case for too many. The SU’s recent win in ensuring UAL increases its counselling spending must be upheld and used effectively.

I would massively appreciate your support, and vow to make a concerted effort to engage in diverse student experience to the fullest extent of my abilities. On election as welfare officer, I aim to bring transparency and more reliable communication to the role, and to UAL as a whole; I am invested in this issue to a degree that I feel I would be a strong contender to fulfil this goal.