Liberation Officer – Student Parent, Carers & Guardians
Deepak Banoth
What Liberation Officer Role are you running for, and why?
I am seeking the position of Liberation Officer, Student Parents, Carers and Guardians since I would like to ensure that students with family or caring needs feel empowered and heard. This may be a difficult task, balancing between studies and taking care of the patients, and I wish to contribute to making the university more supportive, more flexible, and understanding. I would like to create a more robust, inclusive society in which student parents and carers will be able to exchange experienc
If elected, what would be your top 3 priorities you would focus on and why?
Three things that I would prioritize given the opportunity to be elected include: Enhancing support and flexibility: Collaborate with the university to enhance flexible learning, the explicit instructions on extending the studies, and childcare or financial assistance. Community building: Establish community events and online groups to connect student parents with student carers and provide support to one another. Greater visibility: See to it that the university takes notice of us when making decisions and that the policies are made to benefit us.
Why should students vote for you to represent their community?
The students are supposed to vote in my favor because I am aware of the issues of juggling between study and caring responsibilities. I will listen to and hear the concerns of our students who are parents and carers and strive to enhance support, flexibility, and community. I will ensure that we are heard and be respected.
Harsh Bhaveshkumar Trivedi
What Liberation Officer Role are you running for, and why?
I am running for the role of Liberation Officer – Student Parents, Carers and Guardians. I chose this role because I believe that students who have caring responsibilities face unique challenges that often go unseen. Whether caring for children, siblings, elderly family members or dependents back home internationally, these students are balancing education with real-life responsibilities that require more flexible support, visibility and understanding.
If elected, what would be your top 3 priorities you would focus on and why?
1. Dedicated Support & Visibility for Caring Responsibilities I will work with the SU to create clearer signposting to financial, wellbeing and timetable support available to student parents, carers and guardians. Many students do not know what help exists or how to access it. By improving visibility and communication, I will ensure caring students don’t have to struggle in silence. 2. Flexible Study & Event Access Not every student with caring duties can attend events on campus or stay late for societies. I will work to introduce hybrid / recorded access where possible, and encourage departments to consider flexible participation options so that caring responsibilities do not become a barrier to involvement or representation. 3. Community and Peer Support Network I will establish a student-led peer network for parents, carers and guardians. This will create a safe space to share experiences, swap practical advice, and access emotional support from people.
Why should students vote for you to represent their community?
Students should vote for me because I understand how demanding it is to balance responsibilities beyond university life, and I am committed to making sure no one is left feeling unsupported or unseen. I will actively listen, act on feedback, and make caring students a visible part of the SU agenda. I am approachable, organised and determined to turn conversation into action, not just representation in name, but support in practice.
Liberation Officer – Mature Students
Harshil Dholakiya
What Liberation Officer Role are you running for, and why?
My name is Harshil, wishing to nominate myself for mature students liberation officer. I am a multilingual, international MSc student. Through various rep roles & experiences, I have developed my communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills. I understand how to effectively gather feedback, voice concerns constructively, and work collaboratively with staff & mature students to implement meaningful change.
If elected, what would be your top 3 priorities you would focus on and why?
1) I will advocate for better access to mental health and wellbeing support. Mature students often face unique challenges such as balancing work,studies, family/financial responsibilities therefore, I will work hard to promote mature student specific counselling, wellbeing workshops, peer support networks and more. As an elected mature students liberation officer, I would work tirelessly to reduce stigma around asking for help, and give students the resources to access it. 2) I'll campaign for flexible learning and Academic support in forms of flexible timetables and recorded lectures. Mature students deserve a liberation officer like myself that understands the need for an academic environment within the university that accommodates mature students lives and responsibilities. 3)Isolation affects many students and I'll work on creating a safe, inclusive spaces for connection - through events, study groups, and a strong Mature Students Network. I'll try my best to aid Students.
Why should students vote for you to represent their community?
I’m running to be Mature Students Liberation Officer to ensure our voices are heard and experiences better represented. Mature students bring resilience and diversity but face isolation and limited support. I’ll advocate for inclusive policies reflecting our needs. With experience as a university rep, strong communication skills, and being multilingual, I’m committed to listening, acting, and building a supportive, inclusive community for mature students.
Jordan Clews
What Liberation Officer Role are you running for, and why?
I have chosen the role of the mature students liberation officer as I know what it is like being out of education and then throwing yourself back into and feeling like you don’t belong. It feels impossible to juggle home,university and social parts of life.I want to see mature student has community they belong to, have access to academic support and a stronger voice in decisions that ultimate affect them. Too often, mature students are underrepresented and feel like they’re on the outside.
If elected, what would be your top 3 priorities you would focus on and why?
I want to continually update the Mature students guide that is emailed out and online, so that it gives more clear guidance and support for mature students. I will make it so it’s updated regularly to reflect the needs and wishes of mature students as and when they arise. Reviving the mature students society. This goal of mine is to ensure that every mature student feels comfortable and heard around the university. By reviving this group, mature students will have a place they can go to feel like they have a community, which so many do not have at the moment. I want to advocate for a dedicated full-time support or representation role for mature students within the Students’ Union. This would ensure that mature students’ voices are consistently heard and their needs are prioritised in university decisions.
Why should students vote for you to represent their community?
Students should vote for me because I understand the challenges mature students face .. I am currently there myself! I want to help make sure mature students have real support, flexible learning options, and a community that feels like home. With my background in mental health and social care, I know how to listen, advocate, and make practical changes that improve people’s lives. I’ll work hard to make DMU a place where mature students aren’t an afterthought.