Lottie James

Hello! Let's get straight into it, shall we?

What I want to do: 

• Strengthen neurodiversity and disability representation across SUSU by collaborating with the NDDsoc, the Disabilities Officer, and students. 
• Establish a link between the Social Mobility Network and the SU. 
• Improve support for undiagnosed, non-Highfield students and students in residence halls (lifts, inclusive accommodation, clear communication, access to support). 
• Improve education support - SSRs, special cons, extensions, AERs, mid-module feedback, independent learning hours, and recorded lectures. 
• Ensure libraries are accessible - individual study rooms, maintenance outside term time, and fair study room allocation. 
• Lobby for better Timetabling - accessible rooms, wheelchair desks, realistic travel expectations. 
• Enforce university policies to prevent misgendering and deadnaming. 
• Introduce support for abuse survivors, sexual health, etc. 
• Raise awareness of Report + Support and its limitations.  
• Address safety concerns in Southampton - police, safety bus, nightclubs, and council.  
• Involve students in awareness campaigns.  
• Tackle the CoL crisis, support disadvantaged students, and promote university support funds. 
• Lobby for university funding for ‘Food for All’/Welfare Cupboard/Welfare Rooms on all campuses. 
• Advocate for better treatment for food vendors. 
• Provide inclusive sports, consistent gym prices, and inclusive offerings in SUSU and university venues. 
• Work with the union and university to create more work and volunteering opportunities for students to engage in their local community and potentially future home city. 
• Support students with finding housing and transitioning to ‘adult life’ after uni, e.g., renting, council tax, applying for support, finding work, financial literacy, etc. 
• Expand mental health services: counselling, workshops, and support groups.  
• Work with the Student Hub to create mental health campaigns to reduce stigma.  
• Support peer mentoring programs that aid transitions and underrepresented groups at university. 
• Lobby for equality, diversity and inclusion training across the university, union, clubs, and societies, e.g., mental health, neurodiversity and disability, and including often excluded groups, e.g., mature students, students with children, students from low socio-economic backgrounds.  
• Continue green initiatives at SUSU and investigate other ways SUSU can stay sustainable. 
• Reinstate ‘Body Power Week’ and work with the university and union to implement fitness classes, wellbeing programmes, and health education campaigns to promote healthy lifestyles (including ensuring venues offer healthy options). 

Why me:  

I am a dedicated individual with a rich history of involvement in the SUSU community. I serve as a Course Representative for three years, Disabilities Officer for one year, Sabbatical Officer for one year, and Senator for two years. Additionally, I have been an active member of the Neurodiversity & Disability Society for three years, including a six-month term as President. I have a background in education and vast experience working with young people and volunteering within my communities. On a personal level, I am neurodiverse and disabled, and I have personally utilised resources such as the student hub, university grants, counselling, Report + Support, and the advice centre. As a mature student, ‘unofficial’ carer, and first-generation attendee, I have a well-rounded perspective and empathise with our community's diverse needs.