If so why not enter our competition to win a Wattson- The Wattson energy monitor shows you how much electricity your home is using at any given time. It can show you in watts or in £s. It even expresses your energy use with pulsing colour-changing lights!

All you need to do is film a 1 minute video on anything environmental, from how to be green or carbon footprints anything that has an environmental message behind it.

The Video doesn’t need to be fancy as it is about the content, all you do once you’ve filmed it is load it onto youtube then send the link as well as 100 words explaining the video to sucampaigns@uclan.ac.uk by Weds 27^th January. The videos will be judged the next day and the winner will be announced! Its simple

Do your bit for the environment  and take part!

Firstly, I hope you have all settled back into Uni in the second semester after the break, and that you are ready for a great semester.

There are lots of things happening so lots to let you know about and get involved with.

My main priority being the upcoming General Election informing students about it and asking the vital question are you registered to vote?

Registering to vote sends a message. If you are registered you become a potential voter. When the word gets out that record numbers of young people and other students are registering to vote, MPs will get the message and will be more interested in what’s important to young people as well as students. It helps you, young people and all other students everywhere if you register to vote.

To vote in any UK election, you have to be on the electoral register.

One of the candidates will be selected to represent you whether you vote or not, so if you register to vote you’ll have the chance to have a say on who represents you when you use your vote.

Elections can be called at short notice, and if you’re not registered you will not be able to vote. For example a UK parliament general election can be called as late as 17 working days before Election Day.

If we want our voice to be heard, if we want our issues to be debated, students need to stop the apathy and vote. If we want to save our future, we need to vote. More and more of us are starting to vote now more than ever, but it is not enough. We need our voice to be heard.

Your voice counts don’t let it be drowned out. Register to vote, and do it.

Samantha Hutchinson
Campaigns officer
Email: sucampaigns@uclan.ac.uk
Tel: 01772 89 4891

 Here is just a few things about me and what my role involves.

What have you graduated in/are you studying?
I have just finished studying Public Relations and Management

What’s your hometown?
My hometown is Stafford, but I have grown up all over the place

What have you previously been involved in at the Union?
Before being elected as Campaigns officer, I was employed by the Union as I worked in the student shop, Essentials. I also have been a member of the Dance Club for all three years I have been a student, its good fun and a great way to meet lots of people.

Why did you stand for election?
I stood for election as I wanted to make a difference and get students involved in the union as there is so much a student can do here. I also wanted to raise the unions profile by possible getting involved with more national campaigns. I also wanted to make a difference with student safety I want students to know that they can feel safe at UCLan. 

What does your role involve?
My job entails looking out for student welfare by working with the Advice Centre on such issues such as sexual health. I also run change and awareness campaigns in areas that I think will help the students. I also look after the liberation forums, these include LGBT, Women’s, Black Minority Ethnic (BME),  Disabled and Environmental, any student can get involved in a forum and make a difference within the Union. Another part of my role is to ensure that the University support services meet and reflect the needs of the students, also that the environmental responsibilities in the union are maintained. I also want to raise the unions profile by possibly getting involved with more national campaigns.

Three main priorities of my year as Campaigns Officer are…
1. Get students passionate about going out and campaigning on the issues that affect them, and have student led campaigns that students think will help them.

2.Safety of students, this involves working with the safety bus scheme and advice centre. Also working with the University and the University Ward Police officers, this also links to the welfare and health issues , this involves mental health awareness and also working with the other members of the Student Affairs Committee to promote a healthy lifestyle for students.

3.Environmental issues and developing the environmental forum, organising campaigns for awareness and involving students to make the Union more environmentally friendly.