Hi, I’m Sophie, I’m currently the SU Executive Wellbeing Officer and I have been Treasurer of the Scuba Club for the past three years. I have held positions on the EUSU Inclusion and Finance Committees, each for a year. I am in my fourth year of a Classics degree and have realised over this past year that what I enjoy doing most in my day is my work as part of the SU. I’m running to be SU President, as so much of my positive experience at university has come through sport and the people I’ve met through it. I would love to continue contributing to that environment.

The community of Sport at Edinburgh has an amazing capacity to shape student experience, whether through competitive participation or providing a social group. I am committed to supporting this existing community as well as working for the inclusion of more diverse participants. My work this year has all been with these goals in mind.

I believe that well-being and inclusion are improved most through practical support. For example, 1-2-1 meetings with those affected by mental and physical well-being issues, providing advice and guidance to Club Presidents and Well-being Officers, and providing access for all committee members to attend Mental Health First Aid courses. The areas I have spotlighted this year, include anxiety, disordered eating, depression, gender-based and sexual violence. I want to expand beyond these areas in future.

Through my own experience of being Treasurer of a club for three years, being part of the Finance Committee and holding 1-2-1 meetings with most clubs throughout the year, I know that the ways in which the SU can support each club must be tailored through open and consistent communication. As a scuba diver, from a club of less than 100 members, which historically has been very independent in outlook, I understand these niche requirements and how a club can excel when it has proper support.

The skills I have developed as an SU club, committee and executive committee member are necessary to improve the experience of each student and I will continue to develop the support and resources the SU and University can offer existing and future members of our sporting community at Edinburgh.

1. Community
   1. Include Peffermill on the Shuttle Bus route.
   2. Centralised Sports Union calendar.
   3. Safer bike racks at St Leonard’s Land.
2. Development
   1. Sport specific networks of umpires and coaches.
   2. Specialist media and injury recovery training.
   3. ‘Careers in Sport’ – SU-wide event.
3. Support
   1. Wellbeing conference and safeguarding audit support.
   2. Clearer pathways to participation grants for Treasurers and SU members.
   3. Student to Graduate transition support, using Platform 1.