‘Making life better for students’

SUEi SILVER AWARD

The SUEi process of reflection, planning, action and evaluation makes sure

that we are focussed on making a positive impact

on the life of students at the University and we are really pleased to say

we are an award winning Union. We achieved the SUEi award at silver level in July 2012 and received

our award at a reception in the House of Commons in

February 2013.

OUR AWARDS‘Only 10 Unions have received a

SUEi Silver Award and this puts us firmly in the premier league

of Union’s nationally.’Pete Shilton Godwin, Chief Executive

RHS NORTH WEST BRITAIN IN BLOOM AWARD

The Union received a RHS North West in Bloom - Our Neighbourhood Award for the creation of The Secret

Garden.

BEST BAR NONEA national award scheme supported by the Home

Office and aimed at promoting responsible

management and operation of alcohol licensed premises.

INVESTORS IN PEOPLE (IiP)

IiP is a nationally recognised framework

that helps organisations to improve their

performance and realise their objectives through

the effective management and development of their

people.

GREEN IMPACT AWARD 2014 -

BRONZEThe Green Impact Award

is an accreditation programme with an

awards element designed specifically for Students’ Unions to improve their environmental impact.

UCLan won Gold in 2008 and has retained the award

at Bronze and Silver in subsequent years.

INTRODUCTION

StevieSeymourEducation

Officer

JosieLinsel

Activities & Participation

Officer

Matt Murphy

MediaOfficer

LucyHaigh

CampaignsOfficer

Lee MacStudents’

UnionPresident

The Union is a Registered Charity No. 1142616 and our charitable objectives are to advance the education of the students of the University of Central Lancashire (the ‘Students’) for the benefit of the public by:

• Promoting the interests of Students during their course of study and to represent, support and advise Students;

• Providing social and recreational activities for Students.

This Annual Report 2014 sets out the many things the Union has achieved in the past year. Most importantly these are all activities are in response to what student have told us they want through our democracy, the BIG Vote, the BIG meeting, Student Council and our student networks.

In the 2014 National Student Survey the Union achieved a score of 73% in response to a question about what Impact we make on the lives of students. This year we’re trying to improve that by being more proactive, by being more welcoming, engaging effectively and creating change for the better in everything we do.

We started the year on a great high, with freshers week reaching more students than ever and with students on so many different levels. Through the events that we ran we ensured a great welcome with our hugely successful, freshers fair, a revitalised ‘Give It A Go’ programme and new twilight and no alcohol events.

This year we have worked hard to develop and improve the working relationship between the Union and the University. We worked together closely on Welcome 2014, the Campus Masterplan, student first program and through the Higher Education Review Student Submission we have made recommendations about student involvement in quality assurance. All of these activities will ensure that we will ‘make life better for students’.

We’re currently working on ensuring that students are represented in the general election by ensuring, through an exciting partnership with Preston City Council that students are registered to vote.

LEE MAC, STUDENTS’ UNION PRESIDENT 2014/2015

1,207In autumn 2014 we recruited 1,207 Course

Reps for 347 programmes of study.

537 We delivered training to 537 Course Reps so

they do a great job for students.

83Our third Course Rep Conference was

attended by over 83 reps.

ThemeOne CHANGE FOR THE BETTER ‘Because we’re passionate to

make a change.’ Hamza, Burnley Rep 2014

2,875A total of 2,875 students have engaged with

The Green Ladder Project to date.

84%84% of Green Ladder volunteers stated it has made them behave differently towards the

environment.

32Two areas on campus have been transformed

by students includes the creation of The Secret Garden, and construction

of 32 allotments.

6.9%

6.9% of UCLan

students voted for one of 44

candidates in our annual

elections.

A record 14 Schools

have elected School

Presidents to promote change and champion projects.

14

ThemeTwo WORKING WITH STUDENTS

In 2014 student cast 1,902 votes

in our annual elections to decide who

runs the Union.

1,902 1,439

1,439 students

nominated staff, schools and services for golden

roses awards in

appreciation of their

dedication.

4,826

4826 students

voted in the Big Vote to

set our plans for the year.

‘Representing the student voice isn’t about me it’s about being the voice of

everyone else.’ Anon.

310

We support 310 student volunteers

to run societies.

150

Over 150 students

attending our training programme to develop

and empower

volunteers to help them

Stand Up and Stand

Out.

ThemeThree AN ACTIVE STUDENT COMMUNITY

1,980At the end of 2014 there are 1,980 volunteer roles currently available across all the Unions student led societies, clubs, activities,

media and projects.

11,063Since September 2014 1,702

hours have been logged on the Unions the Livesey

Award worth £11,063 (based on national minimum wage).

300Over 300 media

volunteers create the Pluto website with 50,000

views and a new article every two days and

2,600 online listeners to Frequency radio.

1,685Over 1,685 students went to a Give It A Go event with an

overall satisfaction rate of 88%.

‘An opportunity to do something I love whilst

helping others.’ Abigail Law, final year, on societies.

128Since Oct 2013, 128 students

have volunteered on the Green Ladder Project.

2,110This year 2,110 students

joined 76 student led societies.

1,262This year 1,262 students

have joined 38 Team UCLan sports clubs.

620On a regular basis, 620

students compete against other Universities.

ThemeFour SUPPORTING EMPLOYABILITY

94%Of students who

attend Green Ladder events state that is

has helped them gain new skills.

948The Opportunities

Centre advertised 948 jobs and voluntary roles in 14/15 to help student

get the experience they need.

560Each week we provide

an average of 560 hours of paid employment

opportunities.

140We employ an average of 140 students a week, giving them experience and essential funds to remain at University.

210This year the Bridge

has helped the Union and University to

recruit 210 student employees.

7We have funded or supported 7 paid

interns roles in sport, social media, business development, licensed

retail and sustainability.

4We support 4 students

in sport activation roles funded through sport

National Governing bodies.

1The University is funding

the Green Ladder Project to support an intern leading

project to embed education for sustainable development

into all course content.

Last year 3565 students trusted our advice team to give them free, independent advice.3,565

Our advice team supported students to receive financial gains of £486,767 between Jan and Dec 2014.

£486,767Students responded to our ‘Love it or Hate it? Rate It!’ survey about living in halls.562

Students applied for Befriending support and 18 people were placed in a Befriending relationship. 423 We gave 3 awards to recognise good

practice in student accommodation.

In Fresher’s Fortnight we provided 2900 hours of work for students, that’s around £19,000 for students to spend.

£19,000The Union paid £802,000 in wages to student employed by the Union helping them to make ends meet.

£802,000In the year 2014 we sold 4,341 NUS extra cards, generating over £26,000 for the Union. £26,000

On average students save over £500 with an NUS extra card throughout the year.£500

SUPPORT ON THE STUDENT JOURNEYThemeFive

‘The Union means giving yourself and others the opportunity to grow as people through

support and having fun.’ Rachelle Cohen, final year.

ThemeSix RESPONSIVE UNION

ThemeSeven A UNION IN THE COMMUNITY ‘Giving something back to the

community or an organisation as well as helping others who may

be less fortunate’ Gracie Donaghue, 1st year, on Volunteering

with the Union.

24% University Block Grant Funding

20% Retail

17% Bars & Entertainment

15% Grant For Serviced Accommodation

8% The Bridge

7% Catering

5% Clubs & Societies

3% Marketing

1% Other

ThemeEight A UNION FOR THE FUTURE

GOVERNANCEThe Union is administered by a board of 10 Trustees comprising five elected students, two students appointed by the Board and three external Trustees. This arrangement ensures the Board has the range of skills, knowledge and experience to carry out its role effectively.

The plan, details of our Governance and the Trustees can be viewed in full and downloaded at:

www.uclansu.co.uk

To achieve our charitable objectives the Union adopted a new long term plan called the ‘Union Plan - We are changing the way we work with students’.

The eight themes of the plan are:

• Creating Change For The Better

• Working With Students• An Active Student

Community• Supporting Employability• Support On The Student

Journey• A Responsive Union• The Union In The

Community• A Union For The Future

Our progress in these areas is reflected in this report.

OUR RESOURCESThe Union’s total income in YE 31st July 2014 was £4.17 million, £0.6 million lower than the previous year representing fall of 12.7% on the previous year.

Funding from the University fell by £175k from £1.1 million in the previous year to £0.92 million in 2014. Grant funding fell by 6% on top of 5.9% reduction in the previous year as UCLAN failed to recruit students as many students following the introduction of tuition fees.

The continuing economic challenges, pressure on student numbers and incomes and competition all provided the Union with challenges in the last year. For the period to 31st July 2104 the year-end outcome for the union is an operating deficit of £132k as a consequence the union’s reserves have fallen from £47.8k to negative reserve position of £85K.

We are grateful to the Board of the University for their support of the Union.

DETAILS OF THE UNIONS’ INCOME

Thank You!

Thank you for taking the time to read our Impact Report and a massive thank you to all staff and elected officers who contributed to the contents.

An electronic copy of this document and the Unions financial statements are available to download at: www.uclansu.co.uk

Registered Charity No. 1142616 | Company No. 7623917

uclansu.co.uk

@uclansu

01772 893000

uclanstudentsunion