Arjun Thakar - Vice President Communities

The student community has been the best part of my time at Southampton, and a crucial part of that has been the societies where I was able to meet so many people. Having been involved in Indian Society, Table Tennis, Hindu Society, Salsa Society, and Bollywood Dance, I have really appreciated the sheer variety of societies available. I have been involved in the organisation of several events such as APNA, Diwali Mela, and Take Me Out, and I led the organisation of the Indian Society Families’ Event and the Indian Society stall at one of the largest University events last year, Cultural Day.

Cultural Day was a fantastic and successful event organised entirely through the vision and initiative of students for the first time last year, and it is due to be repeated this year. If elected, I would like to help scale this event even further, as I believe the cultural diversity at Southampton is a huge strength and has significant potential for positive community impact.

In general, I have always strived for roles where I can communicate with as many people as possible from different ages and backgrounds, including volunteering, leading fundraising initiatives, and taking on school council roles right into Sixth Form, and most recently my role as Charity and Welfare Representative in Indian Society. I genuinely enjoy creating a safe, non-judgmental, and relaxed space where people feel comfortable communicating and sharing openly.

The student population is such an integral part of this city, and integrating students more closely with the wider community is therefore incredibly important. I would work towards more inclusive events involving the local community, as well as exploring opportunities for inter-university events to strengthen wider student engagement.

I am also passionate about improving the student housing situation in Southampton, as I have personally faced several issues throughout my time here. Whilst I have been fortunate to have a strong support network to guide me through these experiences, I understand that many students do not have the same support and may be more vulnerable to issues with landlords or letting companies. For this reason, I would focus on improving the visibility of available housing support and guidance, including clearer information packs and regular drop-in sessions where students can openly discuss their housing concerns. While advice is already available through the Students’ Union, making it more visible and accessible would be highly beneficial.

Overall, if elected as your VP Communities, I would aim to be an approachable and proactive representative, with a strong emphasis on strengthening society and community integration, scaling inclusive student events, and supporting students throughout their search for and experience of term-time housing and accommodation.