Hi, I’m Rene, a second-year Medical Biosciences student, and I’m running to be your Welfare Officer!
In my high school, I once served as a class rep, listening to classmates’ concerns, offering advice and helping organise activities. What I valued most was being someone others felt comfortable turning to. Friends always tell me that talking things through with me helps them feel at ease.
That’s the feeling I want to help create within IQ. As a gay international student, I know how much it matters to feel understood. Whether you’re questioning your identity, feeling isolated, having a relationship crisis or simply just going through a difficult week, I want you to feel comfortable reaching out and know you’ll be heard without judgement.
If elected, I would focus on:
• Being approachable: Offering a friendly, non-judgemental listening ear, respecting your privacy and helping you find appropriate support.
• Making resources easier to find: Working with the committee to create a clear, regularly updated guide to College, Union and LGBTQ+ support services, including health check resources.
• Creating opportunities to connect: Working with the Events Officer on relaxed socials and wellbeing activities, alongside awareness sessions with relevant services or organisations.
• Turning feedback into action: Providing an anonymous feedback option and raising members’ welfare concerns with the committee without identifying individuals.
As a international student and LGBTQ+ community member, I would bring awareness of different cultural backgrounds while listening openly to experiences beyond my own.
Queer voices, Proud choices. Please vote Rene.