IMPACTREPORT

2011

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CONTENTS

WELCOME TO LIVERPOOLSU

01 CHANGING STUDENT LIVES

02 MORE STUDENTS kNOW AND

LOVE US

03 WE ARE WORkING WITH

STUDENTS TO IMPROVE THEIR

COURSE AND LjMU

04 WELCOMING STUDENTS TO LjMU

05 HELPING STUDENTS bE THE

CHANGE

06 fINANCIAL REPORT

page 04

page 06

page 09

page 11

page 14

page 17

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...We do this through running sports, clubs, societies and events, campaigning with and on behalf of students and offering support advice and information. We want our students to have the best academic and social experience Liverpool can offer.

LiverpoolSU has been on an amazing journey in the past 12 months. This report is a summary of what we have achieved and outlines the impact LiverpoolSU has had on its members’ lives in the university they study at and the community they are citizens of, from january to December 2011.

2012 promises to be an equally exciting year as we start work on our new strategic plan which takes us to 2014. Overwhelmingly 97% of members voted ‘yes’ to approve this plan in October and so we are confident of our priorities and of enabling our members to love student life.

As the students’ union for over 24,000 students At LiverpooL John Moores university we exist to heLp ALL of our MeMbers Love student Life...

jANE WHALEN – CHIEf ExECUTIVEkyLIE MILLS – CHAIR Of TRUSTEE bOARD

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01

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01Jemma Dudley, studied Ba (Hons) Business Studies at LJMU and graduated in 2009

“In my first year I wasn’t really settling into University as well as I hoped so, after a few months I joined the LjMU Hockey team through LiverpoolSU. I made so many great friends though sport some of whom I am still very close to 6 years on. Most importantly it meant I stayed at LjMU and continued to get involved with the Students’ Union. I then started to get more involved with LiverpoolSU when I was elected as a Course Rep for my course – the Students’ Union supported me by providing training. This is when I really got to find out what LiverpoolSU is about and became passionate about standing up for my fellow students to improve their education. As my knowledge grew of LiverpoolSU grew I decided to run for election as Disability Rights Officer. being dyslexic myself, I felt I would be able to support students in the role and talk to the university about the different types of issues.

When I was elected as Vice President in 2009 and again 2010 it gave me the opportunity to learn about business strategy, how a University and an charity worked and put it into practise. It has influenced my career massively; it was my first full time position and I was at board level, sitting in senior level meetings, influencing people with far more experience than me and being a Trustee of an organisation with a £2million annual

turnover.LiverpoolSU has had such a positive impact on my life - firstly I made great friends through the Students’ Union but secondly it made University more than just about academic work. being involved gave me a great social, work and academic life at LjMU.

“I aM now on tHe Co-operatIve’S LeaDerSHIp

prograMMe - BUSIneSS

ManageMent aS a graDUate

proJeCtS offICerS. BeIng InvoLveD wItH LIverpooLSU

anD tHe SkILLS anD experIenCe gaIneD Here waS

a key faCtor In HeLpIng Me aCHIeve

tHIS.”

CASE STUDy

LIverpooL SU IS CHangIng StUDent LIveS

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02More StUDentS know anD Love US

Students are at the heart of who LiverpoolSU are and we are striving to excite and engage as many of our members as possible in the range of activities we undertake. This year we are pleased to be able to demonstrate that this is a reality!

44% of students said we were the

BeSt SU in the Uk

VOTE! 3963

votes cast in Sabbatical officer elections

19% Turnout | 58% Increase

ONE THOUSAND& TWENTY FOUR

members of our sports, clubs and societies

33% increase

51ST final british University and

College Sport (bUSC) League Position 2010/2011

up 14 places

105 students nominatedin the LiverpoolSU

Loves you awards

2549 follow up advice actions

on behalf of students

47% increase year on year

help youHere to

110 students participated in

our first annual Dodgeball Tournament

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Sam pullinger - Chairman/player LJMU Men’s football team and phD student

As a new student many years ago I understand the importance of new students having a mentor, someone who has a positive influence on their University experience. It is never easy moving away from home for the first time, but being part of a club or society does make a difference. When facing problems you always have someone looking out for you, whether it’s the chairman, a manager, a fellow player or the team at LiverpoolSU. In addition, with my PhD, I often rely on favours when it comes to research and having friends, made through the football team, is contributing to the successful completion of my PhD.

being a member of the football team is having a life changing impact on my future, as a committee member I responsible for the wellbeing of 80 players. Not many of my peers can say they have been in charge of 80

individuals, managed finances, worked to a budget and coordinated a number of events. Although problems have occurred, it has all been a learning curve and lessons have been learnt for my future.

LiverpoolSU are really supportive of the team, helping find potential sponsors to generate income, organising travel, ensuring pitches are booked for games and training and there to offer guidance with other difficulties.

Many people might say that a PhD and being a committee member is too much to take on, however the support available through LiverpoolSU allows me to do both successfully. I really appreciate the support and guidance offered by LiverpoolSU to ensure the football team is the best that it can possibly be and enable our members to get the most out of their social life whilst at LjMU.

CASE STUDy

“ I HAVE NOW BEEN A MEMBER OF THE MEN’S FOOTBALL TEAM FOR 6 YEARS AND IT IS HAVING A LIFE CHANGING IMPACT ON MY FUTURE”

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03Deborah Borrett – part-time student, studying BSc nutrition

“LiverpoolSU’s Advice Centre provided me with advice and support through my appeal stage 1 and stage 2 against a decision to withdraw me from my studies and my subsequent formal complaint and hearing.

I felt that there was actually someone there who supported me. I also gained a clear understanding of the University’s regulations regarding the matter. The service given was excellent and very much needed; it provided me with a beacon of hope.

without the advice Centre I would no longer be a student at LJMU”

aisling o’neill – Studying Criminology

“I was accused of colluding with another student within two pieces of coursework. LiverpoolSU’s Advice Centre provided support and advice on this matter. The service I received was brilliant; it made such a big difference to my life. I was very stressed and without their help and support I honestly don’t know how I would have got through.

If I had not sought help from the advice Centre my grades would have been severely affected which no doubt would have affected my overall degree classification, which would have had a further effect on my future career.”

we are very proud of the impact we have had on our members and that more people know who we are and take advantage of what we offer but our new strategic plan pushes us even more and we are committed to ensuring that by 2014:

• our welcome events are attended by 1 in 3 students

• we involve 1 in 3 students in forums, clubs and societies, give it a go and evening events

• 75% of students agree that they trust us to advise and support them

• 70% of students say we have had a positive impact on their time at LJMU

THEFUTURE

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Our Course Reps drive our improvement of the academic experience at LjMU and in 2010/2011 have been trained and supported by LiverpoolSU to deliver, for example:

• Changes in lecture times for a Criminology student with childcare responsibilities

• Replacement lectures when absence disrupted normal teaching in forensic Science

• Renegotiated assessment deadlines after poor communication in building Surveying

• An apology and alternative lectures from the business School after cancelling a day’s teaching for an Open Day at short notice

• When courses were being closed we secured face-to-face meetings between all Deans of faculty and impacted cohorts, facilitated by a LiverpoolSU Officer

• A survey of over 100 students in Zoology to check which modules were meeting the LjMU feedback Policy

Going out and talking (GOATing) to our members is a really important part of LiverpoolSU’s work – we wouldn’t know what you wanted unless we asked you.

On average we are talking to 400 students a week!

4500 students have been GOATed by LiverpoolSU since September and as a result of this we can say that LjMU has;• Reviewed its software licenses to allow students on specialist subjects in Art and Design to access programmes in the main library, after key buildings close• Changed the opening times of the Education Library so that it was open earlier for education students before school, not later as originally planned• Revised Programme Literature to make professional registration fees in Sport Science clear in advance, where they are not compulsory for study but are for practice.

we are workIng wItH StUDentS to IMprove tHeIr CoUrSe anD LJMU.

LiverpoolSU wants to ensure students have the best academic experience whilst at LJMU and we are working with and on behalf of our members to make this happen.

GOATingCOURSE REPS

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LIverpooLSU’S aMazIng teaCHer awarDS prove that inspiring teaching and learner support is crucial to delivering an outstanding student experience.

“It is without a doubt one of the best things that has ever happened to me; to know that in these difficult, complex times that students will take the time to tell people what they think about you – it is truly incredible. I’ve always just done the best that I could for my students; I consider it a privilege to be in this position and my reward has always been about their successes. The awards are an amazing idea! Thank you”

julie Connolly, winner of the Amazing Personal Tutor Award 2011, Senior Lecturer, faculty of Health and Applied Social Science

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ensuring you get the most from your learning experience is now central to our strategic plan to 2014. we will represent your views and lobby on your behalf when something needs to change. we are committed to delivering our members the following:• Move LJMU to the top 75 Uk Universities• Challenge LJMU for continuous feedback so members rate assessment and feedback above the sector average in the nSS• produce an annual statement of student priorities for education• Make local level changes by having at least one active Course rep per course• ensure LJMU staff consider students to be partners in developing education

THE FUTURE200

LjMU staff nominated intHe aMazIng teaCHer

awarDSa 33% increase

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weLCoMIng StUDentS to LJMU

Coming to University for the first time, changing courses or Universities and even just returning to your studies can be a daunting experience but LiverpoolSU aims to be there for you to make sure you love your student life and your time in Liverpool. Over the past 12 months we have developed our welcome activity and launched new services to ensure you are supported when you arrive.

10,000

students visited the Students’ Union during Welcome Week

new students attend our Welcome fest events including the Welcome

ball with Dj fresh, a 64% Increase.

1472

04

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Laura ansbro, welcome assistanteducation Studies and early years student

“I really enjoyed being a Welcome Assistant. I found the role very rewarding as I was able to help others, especially when some of them felt very vulnerable in a new city and didn’t know anybody.It was great for new students to have someone to talk to who had experience of student life. We were able to recommend places for a night out, places to eat and things to go and see. We guided students in the enrolment process and helped them find University buildings and different campuses”

Jack powell, Level 1 Undergraduate, faculty of education, Community and Leisure.

“The Welcome Assistants were mature, responsible, professional, friendly and most of all helpful. They greeted everyone with warmness and spread a fantastic atmosphere throughout the daunting experience. Many students had never been away from home at this point, but they were an asset to the Students’ Union. Even for me, being 25 and having lived independently for 8 years, they made me feel at ease and were a real aid to my settling in.”

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the Better Union forum is a key opportunity for users of the building, as well as sports and society volunteers, to feedback on their experience. Specific feedback received and changes made includes:

• A request for LiverpoolSU to better financially support student groups and to facilitate sponsorship arrangements The union has introduced a ‘cash-back’ system so that clubs and societies receive 10p of every pound they spend through LiverpoolSU; 17 student groups are part of this scheme.

the Better University forum has sought to deliver continual change through the Course Rep system to improve LjMU; the forum has also changed the way that LiverpoolSU delivers services and activities, for example:

• The Study Union campaign saw LiverpoolSU responded to member feedback that there weren’t enough

computers at the Mount Pleasant campus: by persuading the Library to bring forward capital purchases and install them in our building, LiverpoolSU provided immediate relief to stress on equipment during assessment period. We have also been having discussions about permanently changing our unused former nightclub space into a social study area, with discussions nearly complete.

the Better City forum focuses on ensuring students are welcomed to the city and are positive active citizens.

Our policy submission to the National Union of Students National Conference was taken through three meetings of the different forums, allowing students to read, write and approve policy that mattered to them and send this to NUS. Our better University forum, for example, saw Course Reps from Education Studies comment that the union and NUS knew lots about policy for HEfCE funded programmes and course-closures but

little about TDA programmes. In 2010-2011, LiverpoolSU submitted our first policy for many years, on this issue. Our President spoke to it at Conference and saw it approved by the movement.

• The Union’s forums have been adopted in many other Unions as good practice because they allow students to ask questions as and when they want to, without the need to wait to occupy an office to do so. Examples have included:• Questioning the union’s support for the National Demo in 2010, over Officer recommendation• Refusing to adopt changes to safe space policy, over officer recommendation• Refining our safe-space policy after a difficult Welcome Week incident• Calling in University departments, such as Catering, Libraries and Student Support, to explain themselves directly to interested students• Suggesting ways that the University Police Support could improve their offer to students

05HeLpIng StUDentS Be tHe CHange

LiverpoolSU is a campaigning organisation and we undertake this activity with and on behalf of students on issues that are of importance inside the University and beyond. As a student led organisation we are providing opportunities for students to be at the centre of this change – with over 24000 students, all different, but together we have a strong voice.

Better UnIverSIty, Better UnIon anD Better CIty forUMS

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students engaged with our ‘Dear VC’ campaign to ensure student priorities were at the forefront of Professor Nigel Weatherill’s mind, the new Vice Chancellor. As a result Professor Weatherill released a webcast in November 2011 stating his determination to put students and the student experience at the heart of the

decision making process to ensure their time at LjMU is a truly meaningful and life changing experience. He requested LjMU students to provide feedback and voice their opinions by sharing them with LiverpoolSU Officers and Course Representatives.

Over 1200 students have now engaged with LiverpoolSU’s consultation on the new LjMU strategic planInsert pictures of Dear VC activityLiverpoolSU ensured students needs

and ideas were central to the universities decision to launch 3 new multi faith spaces for all students to use for prayer, contemplation and reflection in february 2011. We undertook a consultation exercise to ensure the spaces took the views of all students groups into consideration.

Dear vC

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Our delegates are lead change-makers at LiverpoolSU. They work with groups of students with specific issues and use our Officer and staff support and campaign fund money to improve the student experience.

Tom Aldus, our LGbT (Lesbian, Gay, bisexual and Trans) delegate in 2011 worked to:• deliver toilets in the Haigh building gender neutral

• share time with the LjMU staff group and celebrate LGbT History Month in the Haigh building• help LGbT students attend and debate national policy at the NUS LGbT Conference• support LiverpoolSU’s students to march with our University in Liverpool Pride and Manchester Pride• become a Stonewall National youth Leader

LIverpooLSU DeLegateS

we will campaign with you on the issues that are important. By 2014 we will;• Use feedback to demonstrate our democracy is easy to understand• train 100 students in our activist academy• Deliver campaigns that our informed, planned and create change we know students want• win nUS Campaign of the year award• ensure 80% of students are involved in shaping our priorities

THE FUTURE

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fInanCIaL report

LiverpoolSU is a not for profit social enterprise. This means we use all our profits to fund the services we provide for students. Each year we budget for a small profit which ensures our sustainability.

The following charts show where LiverpoolSU gets its funding from and how we prioritise our expenditure to deliver for students and with students

FUNDING

66% Grant

19% Trading contribution

3.5% Media Sales

3.5% Activity income

3.5% Other income

3% fee income

1.5% Memberships

19%

3.5%

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The Union started the year with negative revenue reserves of £47k. The Union was able to generate a surplus of £93k for the 2010/11 financial year, which has led to a positive revenue reserves position, for the first time in several years, of £46k.

Total spend in relation to the year was £2,041k. £1,404k was spent on direct Charitable Activities, representing the cost of running the Union, including providing support and facilities to students. Other spend included trading purchases of £579k relating to the Union’s bar, catering and retail operations and governance costs of £26k.

financial information relates to the period of

August 2010 to july 2011

EXPENDITURE

15%

15%

Org

anis

atio

n co

sts

Mem

bers

hip

serv

ices

Clu

bs &

Soc

ietie

s

Mar

ketin

g

21% Premises inc Depreciation

8% Union Pension Costs

4% Affiliations

3% Insurance

9% Central Staffing

6% Accounting, audit and legal

2% Other53%

4% Info & Advice

3% Training & Development

9% Executive Committee

1% Campaigns

17%

4% Community Rep

4% Hall Re

6% Marketing

1% Welcome Week Activities

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• actively seek to collaborate with key partners, particularly the university to deliver for students• Maintain £200k reserves• work with students to ensure the new students union development is at the heart of campus and the heart of their student experience

THE FUTURE

Call into our buildings:• Haigh building – Maryland Street• LiverpoolSU @ Tithebarn Street – The Space• LiverpoolSU @ IM Marsh – The Student Centreemail: studentsunion@ljmu.ac.uk web: www.LiverpoolSU.com

STUDENT OFFICERSTo find out more or to get involved with LiverpoolSU you can get in touch with the Elected Officer team

Student officers:

president

vp Community

vp activities

vp academic Quality

from June 2011

Darren McCabe

james McGarvey

Tom Aldus

Paul Abernethy

www.LiverpoolSU.com