Societies and Services Officer

Societies and Services Officer

Madelyn Jones

As societies and services officer, Maddy will be supporting all of the SU’s societies, in addition to overseeing and having a say on the running of all of the Union’s services. These services include JC’s, Cove, Costcutter, Y Stiwdio, Nursery and the Advice and Support centre. She also sits and chairs the Society Exec Committee, in which they ensure all the societies are fairly represented.

Maddy is enthusiastic, passionate and approachable, overall just being a friendly face to talk to. She has lived in South Wales her whole life, studying Zoology at Swansea University, showing her love for all types of animals. The student union has been a major part of Maddys time at the Universirty being largly involved in many societies and clubs including the Dance Society, Cheerleading and Hockey. Last year she was President of the Dance Society where she found her passion for creating new and exciting events for all members. This year maddy is hoping to use these skills learnt to help prioritize student voices and societies, helping students gain more valuable experiences and opportunities.

From Your Officer

Madelyn Jones

"Hiya! I’m beyond excited about the acedemic year ahead. I’m so passionate about enriching the student experience by working closely with societies and planning new exciting events and oppotunities. My main commitment is to prioritize student voices, helping everyone get involoved and feel welcome where possible. I’m most looking forward to working closely with the University through our services and society committees and members.”

Roles and Responsibilities

Roles & Responsibilities

I advocate for student clubs and services, voicing their needs to the university. Collaborating with peers and staff, I enhance campus life through events, campaigns, and projects. As a bridge between students and the university, I shape policies to strengthen societies and elevate services. My leadership ensures dynamic community participation, nurturing an inclusive, connected, and flourishing campus environment.

What I'm Working On

LGBTQ+ History Month - Campaign

The main aim is to raise awareness about LGBTQ+ history month across the student community through accessible and engaging online content. Amplifying student voices through supporting and celebrating LGBTQ+ identities, while creating a sense of community and inclusion for all students at Swansea.

Planned Actions:

Work closely with LGBT+ societies and relevant student groups to gather information about their events to increase promotion
Create and schedule consistent social media for the beginning of the month
Organise with events for getting the flags outside Fulton house for the month
Promote society-led events through posts, stories, and shared content across SU and campaign platforms

Progress so Far:

Established the overall campaign focus and objectives, centred on online awareness and collaboration
Reached out to LGBTQ+ societies to confirm their events and discuss promotional support
Begun planning social media content themes and a posting schedule for LGBTQ+ History Month
Started coordinating with relevant SU teams to support promotion and sharing of content

Measure of Success:

Increased awareness of LGBTQ+ History Month, measured through social media engagement such as views, likes, shares, and comments
Positive feedback from LGBTQ+ societies regarding the support and promotion they received
Creation of an online campaign that feels inclusive, informative, and supportive to LGBTQ+ students

Event - Dance Varsity

This is my second year leading Dance Varsity, and my main aim this year is to continue developing an established, fun, and vibrant Term 2 event. The event brings together student communities from both performing arts and dance backgrounds, giving them the opportunity to express themselves and showcase their talents in a way they might not otherwise be able to.

I have been working closely with Cardiff Students’ Union to develop Dance Varsity further, allowing for increased collaboration across societies, with this year’s event taking place on the 21st of March. Dance was previously involved in Varsity over 10 years ago, but this stopped in 2015.

My long-term goal is to gradually increase the involvement of societies in Welsh Varsity and to highlight the wide range of talent across the university in the lead-up to Varsity.

Planned Actions:

Create an inclusive, energetic atmosphere for all students and dancers ensuring every participant feels supported, confident and valued throughout the experience
Strengthen collaboration between societies and varsity, giving them the same opportunity as sports clubs
Focus on strong event production and social media promotion, including launching the dance societies involved and judges through engaging posts, videos and teasers to build exciting and attract student attention.
Ensuring accessibility and inclusivity, including clear information about participation requirements, accessible venue and support for students who may be new to performing
Continue to collaborate with both SU and CU events and media team to deliver a professional-standard show, including lighting, tech, staging, photography and videography
Celebrate all participants after the event, through certificates, social media recognition and trophies

Progress so Far:

Reached out to relevant societies and confirmed their involvement in Dance Varsity
Planned and organised a dedicated social media content day, ready for Cardiff students to travel to Swansea, in preparation for ticket sales launching at the beginning of February
Secured and booked the venue, and finalised the event infrastructure and logistical setup for the day
Held regular planning meetings with Eve to organise schedules, coordinate responsibilities, and manage behind-the-scenes planning and delivery

Measures of Success:

High participation rate, with representation from a wide range of student groups and the wider student and family community
Strong audience turnout, aiming for a sold-out or near-capacity venue
High online engagement, measured through social media likes, shares, comments, video views and interaction with promotional posts.
Smooth event operations on the day, with minimal technical or scheduling issues
Clear communication of participation requirements and accessibility information ahead of the event
Participation from dancers with varying levels of experience and backgrounds

Increasing Society Exclusive Events

The main aim is to strengthen community and belonging within societies, by providing members with unique and engaging experiences that enhance member retention and boost overall participation. Supporting societies where I can as much as possible through advertisement, promotion and attending soceities biggest events.

Planned Actions:

Updating the equipment hiring system for societies - Bridging the gap between hardship and societies by providing equipment for societies to use increasing the visibility and success of their events
Create exclusive events for societies with Get Active – Society tournaments
Introducing a society forum – allow for societies to be able to have a voice as well as being informed
Create a calendar showcasing a main event from each society that is shared with the officer and student voice team, to attend and support society event when possible

Progress so Far:

Purchased new equipment and upgraded existing stock, while reviewing and improving the current hire system to ensure a smoother, more efficient process for societies
Collaborating with the Get Active team to promote our first post-freshers’ event, society tournaments, scheduled for October.

Measure of Success

At least 80% of active societies know about the new system and make use of the new and improved equipment hire system during the academic year
Successful delivery of at least one exclusive event per term with Get Active, with overall 15 + societies participating and getting involved
Society Forum launched with 60% of societies attending from a range of societies and actionable outcomes logged
Society events calendar completed and shared with officers and student voice, attended at least 50% of these events

Neurodivergent Week - Campaign

The main aim is to deliver inclusive, informative educational campaigns that raise awareness, reduce stigma and signpost students to appropriate academic and wellbeing support. To celebrate neurodiversity and promote understanding of different neurodivergent experiences.

Planned Actions:

Develop more educational campaigns, such as Neurodivergent awareness week (16^th – 20^th March)
Coordinate with SU communications and media teams to maximise reach and maintain clear, consistent messaging
Ensure all online content is accessible and inclusive, including clear language, alt text, captions, content warning and sensory-aware design
Promote any events relevant to the campaign throughout the week

Measures of Success:

Increased awareness of Neurodivergent week, measured through social media engagement including views, likes, shares and comments
Positive feedback from students and societies regarding the support available and awareness
Delivery of an online campaign that feels accessible, informative and supportive to neurodivergent students

Events - International Night

This is the Second year I have helped lead on international night in Freshers, my main aims this year is to carry on creating an established fun and vibrant term 1 event. Creating an inclusive social where international students can make friends in a safe environment.

Planned Actions:

Create an inclusive, energetic atmosphere for all students ensuring every participant feels supported, confident and valued in their culture
Strengthen collaboration between different cultures
Encourage cultural expression through music, games and interactive elements, including song request from student’s home countries
Offer a welcoming incentive on arrival (e.g. free drink and donut)
Promote and document the event through live social media and post-event recap

Measures of Success:

Attendance of 100+ students, with representation from a wide range of nationalities
Participation from students across 20+ different countries, demonstrating inclusivity and cultural diversity
Positive student feedback highlighting the welcoming atmosphere and sense of belonging
Strong social media engagement, with event content reaching 30k+
Establishment of International Night as a recognised and anticipated Term 1 event within Freshers’ activities

Completed – September

Sold over 120 tickets, including students from at least 20 different nationalities, filling JC’s
Social media posts all together reached over 35k views, with over 500 likes on Instagram
All feedback collected from the night was positive and everyone who participated received a certificate
Included a free drink and donut on arrival, with music and games happening throughout the night. Allowing students to request songs from their hometown/nationality.

Event - Swansea Come Dancing

This is the third year of Swansea Come Dancing, my main aims this year is to carry on creating an established fun and vibrant term 1 event. The event brings together students’ communities from sports and societies offering a unique platform to collaborate, support other teams and showcase their spirit.

Planned Actions:

Create an inclusive, energetic atmosphere for all students and dancers ensuring every participant feels supported, confident and valued throughout the experience
Strengthen collaboration between societies and sports teams
Focus on strong event production and social media promotion, including launching the dance couples through engaging posts, videos and teasers to build exciting and attract student attention.
Ensuring accessibility and inclusivity, including clear information about participation requirements, accessible venue and support for students who may be new to performing
Continue to collaborate with all SU events and media team to deliver a professional-standard show, including lighting, tech, staging, photography and videography
Celebrate all participants after the event, through certificates, social media recognition and trophies

Measures of Success:

High participation rate, with representation from a wide range of sports teams and societies
Strong audience turnout, aiming for a sold-out or near-capacity venue
High online engagement, measured through social media likes, shares, comments, video views and interaction with promotional posts.

Completed – November

Sold out event with over 260 tickets sold, which is more than last year
Social media posts all together reached over 500k views, with a drone shot video starting the whole night which was new this year
All feedback collected from the night was positive and everyone who participated received a certificate

Suicide Prevention Week ('All Jokes Aside') - Campaign

Maddy Jones SU

The main aim is to raise awareness about mental health and suicide risks, while providing information and promoting the support available. Also focusing on reducing the stigma around seeking help, creating a safe space, equipping students with knowledge, and encouraging open conversations. Calling the campaign ‘All Jokes Aside, how are you?’

Planned Actions:

Promote available mental health resources and support services across SU’s Instagram, website and TikTok platforms
Develop and distribute an information guide on mental health, coping strategies, signposting to services and tips for supporting friends
Engage students throughout Suicide prevention week to engage students and allow people to feel heard and open mental health conversations

Progress so Far:

Coordinated with the Welfare teams in advice and support, including having conversation with previous officers about their past campaigns
Had meetings with the welfare officer and marketing and comms team, as the campaign will be delivered online
Identified key messaging themes and engagement points to help tailor posts and resources for maximum reach and impact

Measure of Success:

Campaign reaches at least 50% of the student body through social media engagement
Digital mental health posts finalised and posted via social media
Positive student feedback, gathered through surveys, showing improved awareness and knowledge of available services and reduced stigma around mental health conversations
Active engagement from students through comments, shared stories and interaction with online content during the campaign week

Completed - September

Videos reached over 15k veiws over both Instagram and Tiktok
Worked closley with the advice and support centre launching thier new course 'living life to the fullest'
Collaborated with Parpryus during the campaign, spreading awearness and support to the student body

12 Services of Christmas - Campaign

This campaign aims to raise awareness of mental health during the festive period, while clearly promoting the support services available to students through the Students’ Union. It also seeks to encourage students to access these services and spread positivity and connection online throughout the holiday season.

Planned Actions:

Post a piece of content each day during the first 12 days of December
Promote available SU resources and support services across Instagram, website and TikTok platforms

Measure of Success:

Campaign reaches at least 50% of the student body through social media engagement
High online engagement, measured through social media likes, shares, comments, video views and interaction with promotional posts.
Digital posts finalised and posted via social media
Positive student feedback, gathered through surveys, showing improved awareness and knowledge of available services that are available to them over Christmas

Completed – December:

Posted a video every day from the 1^st December to the 12^th December
Included all the services of the union, promoting their services and giving information about closing times and what’s on
Online content on both TikTok and Instagram got over 60k views.

Enhance Training & Support for Societies Over Summer

The main aim is to better prepare society committees over the summer periods so that they can run more effective, engaging and sustainable activities during the upcoming academic year. Overall increasing the visibility and memberships of societies.

Planned Actions:

Expanding society committee training, including sessions from welfare, advice and support, events and marketing
Delivering and providing societies with welcome talks
Develop a Committee Handbook
Freshers package for new students showcasing our societies and their activities

Progress so Far:

Working with the different teams in the SU on presenting sessions in committee training
Delivered and recorded welcome talks for societies
Working on creating a committee handbook getting it ready at the beginning of September
Liaising meetings on getting ideas together for a fresher’s package

Measure of Success:

At least 75% of society committees attended and completed the training sessions over the summer and in September
Positive feedback from attendees, including feedback from the sessions on what they would like to see this year
Committee Handbook was finalised and distributed to 100% of society committee members before the start of the academic year
Freshers package created and delivered to students at freshers’ fayre or through emails, resulting in 10% - 15% increase in society membership sign-ups during Freshers Week
Increased engagement and delivery of society activities during freshers and in the first few months of the year

Completed - October

Delivered highly successful Committee Training in September, reaching over 70% of all society committees, followed by a ddicated November training for medics societies, newly formed societies and committee members who previousely felt unable to attend. Together, these sessions resulted in over 80% of societies being fully trained at the start of term.
Collaborated with muliple SU teams to provide new and exclusive training opportunities, including the introduction of Social Media Training to help committees enhance their online presence and engagement.
Launched the Society Committee Handbook to all existing societies, with ongoing distribution to newly affiliated groupd. the handbook is also fully accessible on the Helpdesk, ensuring all societies have consistent, reiable guidance throughout the year.
Recorded the welcome talk and all training sessions, making them available on-demand so committees can revisit the material at any time, and new committee members can easiy catch up as they join.