Harvan Bahia

Hi everyone! I’m Harvan, and I’m running to be your Year 5 Welfare Rep because I care about making this year survivable and even enjoyable as we transition back into full clinical medicine after the intercalated year.

A bit about me: I’ve spent time as president of South Asian society, tutoring with In2Med, working as Publicity Officer for MSF, and I’ll be taking on the role of Year 5 Coordinator for Medical Education next year. I also work at McDonald’s alongside my studies, so I understand what it’s like to juggle work, placements, exams, and everything in between, while still finding time to hit the gym or binge watch to unwind. Welfare isn’t just a nice idea to me; it’s something I actively practise to stay sane.

What I’ll focus on:

• Peer support network: Setting up informal check-ins and study/decompression sessions, especially around assessments and applications season.

• Placement welfare audits: Gathering honest, anonymous feedback on rotations so problem placements get addressed quickly, not after the fact.

• Practical wellbeing resources: Bringing in low-cost fitness sessions, mental health workshops, and destress events (think: gym socials, gaming nights) that fit around our packed schedules.

• Clearer signposting: Making sure everyone actually knows how to access university and NHS support services when things get tough.

• Financial wellbeing: Helping students navigate the NHS bursary, including travel reimbursement, highlighting available funding routes.

The year will be a big shift, let’s make sure no one goes through it alone. Vote Harvan!