Your Officers.

Welfare and Community Officer- Carl Hawkes:

uuswelfare@shu.ac.uk

Add me on Facebook for more info about ‘Welcome Week’: HallamUnion Welfare and CommunityOfficer (Carl Hawkes)

0114 225 2006

Hi, I’m Carl, your Welfare and Community Officer. This role focuses on promoting students as members of the local community. I will be responsible for running campaigns that tackle welfare, social and community issues. If you are experiencing any problems with your neighbours or what to get involved with any campaigns just drop in to see me or send me an email.

Safe Taxi Scheme Blog

Nearly a year ago to the day I had a meeting with my predecessor Jake Kitchiner to discuss my plans for my year in office as the Welfare and Community Officer. One of the points of discussion was student safety in particular the development of the Safe Taxi Scheme which Jake had started work on in his year in office. Through my manifesto I promised the students of Sheffield Hallam University that I would develop the Safe Taxi Scheme. I stand here today with that promise delivered.

The whole aim of the project is to ensure the safety of our students in Sheffield. The scheme allows students to use their student card as a temporary form of payment if they feel unsafe and want to get home safely.

The service is simple and easy to use. If you feel unsafe and have no money, most of the time walking isn’t the safest way to get home.  All you have to do is;

1) Call City Taxis on 0114 2 39 39 39, and quote ‘safe taxi scheme’. They will then ask you for some details from you.

2) A taxi will be sent to you, and they will take you home. You provide your student card as form of payment. The driver will provide you with a receipt.

3) In the morning, come to the HUBS reception and pay the taxi fare and you’ll receive your student card back!

This service will hopefully give our students some reassurance if they ever feel unsafe on a night out. If you need any more information on the service contact me on uuswelfare@shu.ac.uk.

Carl Hawkes, Welfare & Community Officer

 Welcome to Hallam Union!!

Hi everyone!

Congratulations to all of you who have achieved your A-Level grades, and are coming to Sheffield Hallam this September! You have made the right decision coming to Sheffield and I can assure you, you will have an unforgetable 3 years!

My name is Carl Hawkes and I am your Welfare and Community Officer, I am one of 6 student officers who run the Students Union, and we are here to help with your every need.

You will see us all throughout freshers week, so come and have a chat! I will be running the ‘Wellfair’ on Tuesday 20th September. You can sign up to the doctors, grab yourself some free condoms (and more….) or you can just come have a chat and chill with you friends.

Look forward to meeting you all,

Carl Hawkes – Welfare and Community Officer

Carl’s original manifesto

1. WHAT EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS I BRING TO THE ROLE:

I am a final year student currently studying Sport and Community Development. Throughout my time on this course I have studied the keys theories and practices linked to community development and welfare. By voting me into this role, you will be voting for an officer who will bring new and intuitive ideas to the union’s current welfare and community projects in line with current theory and practice of which I have learnt throughout my time at Hallam. I have also been a course rep for my first and final year of university, whereby I have honed my skills in relaying the ‘Student Voice’ which is an essential part of being a Student Officer. In my three years at Hallam I have represented Hallam’s Swimming and Water Polo team. For two of these years I have sat on the clubs committee as social secretary and as secretary. I am also currently part of the Sports Committee again as secretary. I support all sports clubs and help organise both Varsity’s. Within these roles I have worked closely with both the union and students which has enabled me to gain a clear insight into the working links between the University and students.

2. IN THIS ROLE I WILL ACHIEVE FOR STUDENTS

My general aim will be to ensure that student welfare and safety are main priorities of the union. I will achieve this by developing and changing current policy in; – Student Safety: I will continue to push and develop the ‘safe taxi scheme.’ (If students do not have enough money for a taxi they can use their student card as initial payment. This will be returned upon payment of the taxi fare.) – House Signing: I will aim to change the mentality of ‘early’ house signing, as there is a direct correlation between students leaving tenancy agreements early and signing for those houses ‘early’. – Student Fee’s: I will aim to work closely with schools and colleges to tackle to problem of increased tuition fees. – HMO Policy: On the 6th April there will be a new policy which re-defines shared/student houses. This will effect landlords and by extension students. I will work towards ensuring students are affected by HMO policy. – Community Reps: The union’s community strategy plan aims to increase student community reps. I will ensure this is achieved, as I believe there is a gap between students and the Sheffield community which needs to be bridged.

3. STUDENTS SHOULD VOTE FOR ME BECAUSE:

“Your Time To Fly – Vote HAWKES”