Welfare Officer
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See what I’m working on!

Welfare Officer

Melody Lin

Melody studied Journalism, Media, and Communication at Swansea University. She is a Gen Z Hong Kong female activist who is passionate about pro-democracy movements, particularly in the Hong Kong-China context, as well as gender equality, minority and migrant rights, and other equality-related issues. She also focuses on mental well-being. Melody has dedicated herself to pursuing democracy and equality. She has been elected as Welfare Officer for the 2025/26 academic year and Women’s Officer for the 2024/25 academic year. During her tenure, she will strive to support students and create an inclusive campus environment.

In her personal life, Melody is a "superslash." She previously worked as a councillor’s assistant, founded her own district magazine at 16, and works as a freelance writer, bla bla bla, basically does a bit of everything. She could be wild and silly sometimes.

‘Melody surprises me everyday,’ said other officers.

She swims, she dances, she writes, she acts, and loves to explore everything, but she isn’t sure what she loves most—perhaps that’s just how life is. You’re more than welcome to come speak with her to learn more about her story.

 

 

 

 

From Your Officer

Melody Lin

Your Voice, Your Welfare, Your Future. Eich Llais , Eich Lles, Eich Dyfodol. As my election slogan mentioned, there’s nothing more important than your voice, drop me a message or pop into the SU room for a chat, or you can submit a ticket to hello.swansea-union.co.uk

(Dw i dysgu cymraeg !! Come to the office and teach me new phrases in different languages please !!!)

 
 

Roles and Responsibilities

Roles & Responsibilities

Welfare Officer

As a Welfare Officer, the primary responsibilities include leading welfare and liberation campaigns, addressing student issues such as housing, safety, and mental health, and promoting overall well-being and healthy living. This role is crucial in representing students' interests on welfare-related matters, ensuring their voices are heard, and their needs are met. Through proactive engagement and advocacy, the Welfare Officer works to create a supportive and inclusive environment, fostering a community where students can thrive both personally and academically.

 
 

What I'm Working On

Motion- Halal Food Option

In Progress

 

To enhance halal offerings, businesses should provide a diverse range of halal-certified options across various food categories, including hot meals, cold sandwiches, meal deal items, snacks, and groceries, while avoiding a narrow focus on specific ethnic cuisines. Preparation of halal and non-halal items must occur in a controlled environment to prevent cross-contamination, adhering to strict halal standards. Additionally, clear labeling and thoughtful arrangement of products are essential to ensure easy identification and access for customers seeking halal options.

Measurable of Success : 

  1. The Halal Food Option in the campus have been increased

  2. The Halal Food Sign on food order screen have been improved 

Progress so far: 

  1. Gained feedback from a Halal Food Focus Group 

  2. Communicated with relevant department on reviewing the current food option and sign policy

  3. Have ensured there is Halal Food Option in both campus

  4. The Time2Eat apps which provide order service in the Harbwr and Hideaway have updated Halal Food Option Sign.

 
Motion-Grants BN(O)visa Hong Kong Students Home Fees Status

In Progress

 

The challenges faced by Hong Kong students holding British National (Overseas) (BNO) visas, launched in January 2021 to offer a citizenship pathway in response to China’s National Security Law. Despite being British citizens, these students are classified as international in Wales, facing higher fees and a five-year wait for home-fee status, unlike the three-year period in Scotland. This financial barrier hinders their academic and social engagement. BNO holders should have equal access to education as a reflection of Wales’ “nation of sanctuary” ethos. It resolves to advocate for home-fee status after three years, lobby for scholarships, job-matching, and career services at Swansea University, and engage with campaigns for fair treatment of BNO visa holders to support their integration and success.

 

Planned action:
 

1. Advocacy for offering more help to BN(O)visa Hong Kong Students such as offering scholarship

 

Measurable of Success:

1. NUS have aware of the issues

2.More direct help to BN(O)visa students

3. Grants BN(O)visa Hong Kong students home fee status

 

Progress so far: 

A. Engaged with NUS and set up a campaign to urge MP to participate in a debate related with BNO visa community

B. Engaged with NUS Cymru president and it has been included in the manifesto to 2026 Senedd election

 

​​C.Reviewing the proposal of Scholarship design for BN(O) visa students

D.Engaging with BN(O)visa students in Swansea University

E.Communited with Member of Senedd and Memeber of Parliament

 
Motion - Lily's Day

In Progress

 In December 2016 Lily’s Jayne Summer, a political, philosophy and economy student of Swansea University who also a candidate for 2017 Swansea council election, died, her passing shocked the community, sparking concern and reflection on the safety of transgender individuals. To honor her legacy as a passionate advocate for social change and transgender rights, a group of Swansea University students initiated a motion to establish an annual "Lily’s Day" in her memory, fostering ongoing dialogue and action to ensure a more inclusive and secure environment for all.

 

Progress So Far:

  • Organized Trans and Non-binary Panel Discussion Sessions---This panel discussion session is going to discuss the safety challenges faced by transgender and non-binary individuals, including societal attitudes, access to healthcare, and legal protections.Educate attendees on trans and non-binary identities, rights, and the impact of policy decisions and to commemorate Lily Jayne Summers.

  • Created online media contents with 16.9k views and 290 likes







 

 
Mental Health and Well-being

In Progress

Mental health and well-being

Enhance access to mental health resources and raise awareness of mental health issues by promoting initiatives like Movember and advocating for sexual health awareness.
Planned Actions:

  1. Relaxation Activities - Offer free yoga sessions and other low-cost relaxation activities, using donated mats or spaces from the "free old stuff" campaign, to support students’ mental well-being and provide accessible stress-relief options.
  2. Drug Harm Reduction Campaigns - Launch drug harm reduction campaigns to promote a healthy and safe lifestyle. Distribute free educational materials at campaign events, leveraging partnerships with health services to provide resources and reduce substance-related risks.

Progress So Far:

A. Sexual Health Clinic Drop in Session 

  • Collaborate with Swansea Bay University Health Board, provided monthly drop-in sessions in both campuses, with social media content promotion 12.6k views

B. SHAG week

  • Work with our president Carys, gave out 3 boxes of sexual health products in fresher fayre, information fayre and shag week pop up stall 

C. Bubble days

  • Giving out 98 bubbles and positive potatoes to students to cheer them up for intense assessments and exams.

D. Basic Life Saving Awareness 

  • i.Working on Restart a Heart Day with Saving lives Swansea, the educational videos collaborate with them gain over 16.6k views with 256 likes on instagram
  • ii.Traning Session for SU

E. Welfare Point

  • During the freshers event Bar War we set up a Welfare point on wind street to ensure students are with support when needed in wind street, we gave out 288 bottles of water in total.

F. White Ribbon Day

  • We gave out 300 white ribbons and had a pop up stall in singleton campus with PC Emma, the Women’s Officer had a pop up stall in Bay Campus to promote awareness on Anti gender and domestic violence.

G. Reclaim the night

  • We have 22 students attending the march which aim to raise awareness on Women night safety. And we gave out 30 panic buttons to students. 
  • We have also created a social media content on promoting awareness with 38.7k views and 599 likes.

H. Meet with University Police Team

  • Met the University Police PC Emma to highlight some significant concerns of students

 

 
Cost of Living

In Progress

Cost of living : 

To reduce the financial burden on students by advocating for lower expenses in university and promote sustainable consuming lifestyles.


Planned Actions:

  1. Organising regular ‘Free old stuff’ events for students to acquire essentials without spending money, directly lowering expenses.
  2. Create an online campaign for ‘Free old stuff’ to increase student engagement
  3. Promote how reusing items extends their lifespan, decreasing the need to buy new products and enhances sustainability. 
  4. Write an article to and communicate with university and NUS to advocate for Graduation Gowns charge reduction to lower the barrier for students to attend graduation.

Progress So Far:

A. Period Poverty

  •     Gave out at least 5 boxes of tampons and pads for students in freshers fayre, information  fayre and regularly supplied in toilets and Y Twyni.

B. Winter warmth items

  •      Gave out 96 reusable hand warmers with 30 knit items donated by professor Janet Goodbell to students help relieving with cold weather in Singleton and Bay Campus

 

 
Inclusivity and Diversity

In Progress

 

Inclusivity and Diversity 

 

Committed to fostering an inclusive campus environment where all students feel represented, supported, and empowered to have their voices heard. Recognizing the inspiring efforts of students actively organizing equality and accessibility campaigns, we pledge to provide robust support for these initiatives, ensuring they thrive and contribute to a more equitable and accessible university community for everyone.

 

Planned Actions:

  • Cultural Panel Discussion Sessions

Breaking down the barriers among racial background, embrace the multi-identity and helps students understand different background easier 

  • International Women Day - Empowering Women Power

  • International Students Kareoke

 

Progress So Far:

 

A. International students night 

  • Create a safe and comfi space for international students especially those who are in first year to meet more new friends, and celebrate their cultural identity

  • With 120 students from at least 20 different countries attending the night. The social media recap video gained 12.6k views and 202 likes, recap post gained 23.3k views with 206 likes on instagram.

B. Reviewing the food option 

 

  • Getting feedback from different students group to understand how we could improve the university canteen options
  • Communicated with relevant departments to review the new menu 

C.Black history month Zine workshop

 

  • We held events in both the Bay and Singleton campus to celebrate Black history month.

D.Mid-Autumn festival 

  • Create a social media contents to celebrate, with 8423 views

E.Attending to SheCanLead be SU representative guest speaker to empower young female 

F. Engaged in with different cultural students group event 

  • Diwali 
  • ArabSoc Dinner Night