‘You Said, We Did’ is our way of showing how student feedback drives real change. Since our restructure in January 2025, we’ve ensured the Network is student-led, student-focused and responsive to the needs of our community. It has been a fantastic year—and we can’t wait to see what 2025/26 brings!

Please see below for our highlights: 

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Support with Employability Concerns

Part-Time Paid Leadership Roles

The Network has been able to offer 6 paid part-time leader positions. These were advertised in February, and in place from March-June. Leaders received:

• Regular 1:1 mentoring sessions
• Freedom to choose topics, events and approaches
• Experience in leadership, communication, event management and advocacy
• Access to a funded Life Leadership course (run by Friends International)

These roles reopen in September 2025, and are based on interest and passion, not CVs or experience. Interested in being a Network Leader? Keep an eye out on the Union Job Board, Pathfinder, Union Website or our social media in September 2025. 

One-Off Paid Opportunities

We offered short-term paid projects including My Lived Experience Blog Series, MPS x SEN online quiz prizes and multiple external opportunities such as focus groups, Union initiatives and University research projects.

Logging Volunteering Hours

Students attending meetings can log their hours as volunteering experience to enhance their CVs. For next year, we’re working with the Union to streamline this process with dedicated volunteering platforms and meeting reminders.

Employability-Themed Meetings

We launched employability-focused meetings guided by student feedback which has excellent engagement.  These sessions will continue in 2025/26, with student leaders and staff co-delivering content.

Funding for Training & Development

Leaders completed the Life Leadership course, and we’re looking to expand training options for next year. Some ideas include: Mental Health First Aid, Leadership & Advocacy or Anti Bias Training. This will be decided by the Student Leaders, and we hope to extend the opportunity to our members too.

Events, Campaigns & Collaborations

The Network has hosted and supported several events this year, including Mindful Flag Colouring, MPS Quiz, International Meet & Greet, Cake & Conversations and more.

This year, we have been lucky to work with the wider Union (Support Zone, Community Zone), University (EDI team, SEED network, International Engagement Team, Wellbeing, Careers) and clubs & societies including Disney Society and Games Society.  

We look forward to continuing to provide support and funding opportunities for Clubs & Societies, cross-union campaigns and external events.

Interested in collaborating? Reach out to v.wiltshire@surrey.ac.uk or keep an eye out on our social media or webpage or more! 

Responding to Student-Raised Concerns

We’re proud to have taken action on key concerns raised by students:

Social Mobility: Worked with the EDI Team to identify support gaps surrounding Social Mobility. Supported the creation of a Social Mobility Representative through the University’s Surrey Future Leaders Programme. This exciting programme will go live from September 2025. Find out more here.

Highlighting Student Voices: Published student-led blogs and utilised Social Media to highlight different voices through our Lived Experiences Project. Find all our student blogs here. 

Mentorship: Promoted and connected students to the Students of Black Heritage Mentor Programme and currently looking for additional mentorship opportunities. 

Practical Achievements:

• Raised long-standing issues like the Wates lift with the University Executive Board
• Secured Stoma-friendly toilets and ensured period products were supplied in accessible toilets
• Contributed to the University’s redesign of the Staff/Student Training Matrix
• Led with Neurodiversity Week 2025 communications

Student-Led Campaign Calendar

Based on feedback and leadership reflection, we’ve developed our 2025/26 Campaign Calendar early. This means more time for planning, better event promotion and increased student engagement.

Focusing on Relevant Student Concerns

To make meetings more inclusive and impactful we have: 

• Introduced Prompt Questions to guide conversations and encourage participation
• Ensured relevant staff are present to support students and provide follow-up
• Maintained a clear focus on actionable outcomes and resource sharing

Conclusion 

This year, student voices have driven progress. From leadership opportunities to structural improvements, your feedback has shaped everything we do. Some goals for next year include: 

• More training and development opportunities for staff and students
• Expand Network roles available and increase volunteering recognition
• More collaboration with clubs, societies, university and wider Union
• More ‘My Lived Experience’ student led projects- highlighting different voices, using different platforms 
•  Continue to focus on accessibility, equality and reducing barriers to equal opportunity

Thank you for supporting the Student Equality Network. We cant wait to see what next year has in store!