Wednesday 08-04-2026 - 09:44

As a Students’ Union, we’re run by elected student officers who are here to champion your voice. This year’s Officer team is:

• President – Komal Ashfaq
• Education – Forum Yadav
• Wellbeing – George Charlton
• Societies and Development – Vanessa Nongo
• Sport – Imogen Holland

They work closely with the Uni to represent your interests and improve your overall student experience.

 

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This year, their current work has been focused on three key priorities; financial support, community and inclusion and spotlighting students.

Here’s a quick update on what they’ve been up to since January:

 

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💸 Financial Support

With the cost of living still impacting students, your Officers have been pushing for practical changes to make student life more affordable.

Led by your President, Komal, the team have been working with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and the Greater Manchester Student Partnership (GMSP), including meeting with the Mayor to push for more affordable public transport. This includes campaigning for discounted tram travel and better multi-modal student passes across the Bee Network.

There’s also been a continued focus across the Officer team on financial literacy and support, helping students better understand funding options and access the support available when facing financial challenges.

Within the Union, Vanessa, your Societies and Development Officer, and the wider team have been running Society Grant Panels. So far, five panels have taken place, supporting a wide range of societies with funding for events and activities. It’s been great to see so many creative ideas and strong applications from students across the University.

 

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🤝 Community & Inclusion

Creating a students’ union where everyone feels welcome, supported, and heard remains a top priority.

Imogen, your Sports Officer, has been leading a region-wide Rainbow Laces campaign with Officers across the Northwest and the Union’s inclusion team to promote inclusivity in sport and encourage students to reflect on how their clubs can be more inclusive.

The team have also been piloting a new rest space in The Union, designed to support commuting students, neurodivergent students, and Muslim students during Ramadan. It offers a quiet, accessible space for anyone needing a break from the city or university environment.

Other work across the team includes:

• Lobbying for more prayer spaces on campus
• Working with the University to improve support for neurodivergent students, including during the diagnostic process
• Making Union events more inclusive, such as introducing noise-cancelling headphones
• Beginning conversations to create a BAME student exhibition in collaboration with the Poetry Library

Komal has also been leading conversations around ensuring students are better represented in regional strategies, including transport planning, as well as pushing the University to strengthen its ethical investment policy.

Forum, your Education Officer, has been representing students in wider conversations. From attending the 77th Republic Day Reception hosted by the Consulate General of India in Manchester to contributing as a panellist at the Student Future Commitment event, she’s been ensuring student voices are part of key decision-making spaces.

Within societies, Vanessa and the team, have:

• Delivered committee training sessions to support student leaders
• Approved new societies, with a strong increase in academic groups
• Hosted Society Town Halls, giving committees space to share feedback and shape how the Union supports them

 

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🌟 Spotlighting Students

Celebrating student voices, achievements, and causes has been a major focus for your Officers this year.

Alongside ongoing work led by Imogen to protect Wednesday afternoons for sport, helping to reduce timetable clashes and increase participation, the team have:

• Supported Varsity preparations
• Introduced a new 70% kick-back scheme, ensuring clubs directly benefit from the money they raise
• Connected with the BUCS Student Officer Network to share ideas and best practice nationally

There’s also been strong momentum across the team around campaigns and events:

• Reclaim the Night, with George, your Wellbeing Officer, and Imogen working in collaboration with the University of Manchester, including awareness events and sign-making sessions
• Man Met Lads Club, led by George, focusing on men’s mental health
• Work with RISE to deliver Islamophobia awareness training
• Ongoing work across the Officer team campaigning for a more holistic approach to student wellbeing, recognising wider global and national challenges

A key campaign this semester, led by Komal and Vanessa, is “The Real Cost”, focusing on ethical consumption and global awareness. Working with student societies, this campaign explores issues in Sudan and Congo, helping students understand how global systems of exploitation connect to everyday consumer choices.

As part of this, the team hosted a free Ethical Consumption Campaign event, giving students the opportunity to learn more and get involved in the conversation. The aim is to empower students not just as learners, but as consumers, voters, and future leaders.

Alongside this, the Officer’s recently hosted ManMet Got Talent, bringing students together for an incredible showcase of creativity and performance. They’ve also launched the Societies Monthly Spotlight, led by Vanessa, highlighting the amazing work student groups are doing and helping more people discover ways to get involved.

 

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What's Next?

Your Officers will continue working on these priorities throughout the rest of the year as they push for meaningful change, support student communities, and make sure your voice is heard.

If you want to get involved, share feedback, or find out more, keep an eye on Union channels or even send us a message.