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.

Planned Action: 

1. Speak with Catering Providers to check with the Halal food options

2. Work with International Officer, Environ & Ethics Officer and Race Inclusion on this motion

3. Speak with Muslim students by setting up focus group with Muslim students

- Email Muslim students to see if this meets their requirements

4. Online campaign promoting halal options on campus

Measurable of Success : 

  1. At least 40 students attended to the focus group

  2. Ensure Muslim students are satisfied with the food option on campus 

Progress so far: 

  1. Reviewing the proposal of focus group 

  2. Looking with venues for focus group

 
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. Engage with NUS members and turn it into NUS wide campaigns

2. 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: 

 

  1. Met with NUS UK president and engaged with NUS Cymru President

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

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

 
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.

 

Planned Actions:

  • Trans and Non-binary Panel Discussion Sessions---This penal 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.

 

Measures of Success:

  • At least 30 students attend to each sessions 

  • At least 2000 views on online campaigns

Progress So Far:

  • Reviewing the preparation 

  • Awaiting for meeting with LGBTQ+ officer and Trans and Non-binary officer








 

 
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. Focus Groups for Feedback - Establish focus groups to understand students’ daily challenges and improve university well-being support services. These groups can collect insights on financial stress, mental health, and resource needs, informing tailored support programs.
  2. 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.
  3. Movember Campaign - Collaborate with Sports Officer Robbie to raise awareness of men’s mental well-being during Movember. Organize events like panel discussions at "free old stuff" swap meets, using donated materials to keep costs low while promoting open conversations about mental health.
  4. 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.
  5. Sexual Health Awareness - Promote sexual health clinic drop-in sessions and events like SHAG (Sexual Health Awareness and Guidance) Week to reduce stigma and ensure student safety. Offer free condoms and informational resources at swap events, making sexual health accessible and affordable.

Measures of Success:

  • At least 30 students attend to focus group sessions and provide helpful feedback 
  • At least 30 students attend to relaxation events and panel discussion sessions
  • Gain at least 2000 views from the online campaigns

Progress So Far:

  • Organizing meeting with relevant departments for each campaigns
  • Finished the preparation for focus group 
  • Planning for content of online campaigns
 
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.

Measures of Success:

  • Hold at least one ‘Free old stuff’ event per semester.
  • The online campaign for ‘Free old stuff’ draws student’s attention and gains over 2000 views
  • At least 250 students gain support from the events.
  • Article published to Wonkhe to raise awareness on graduation gowns charge issue.

Progress So Far:

  • Met with the SU Project Development Manager Daniela and to check for the available days for ‘Free Old Stuff’ events.
  • Researched on the general charging of Graduation Gowns and drafting the article.
 
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 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.

 

Measures of Success:

  • At least 30 students attend to each sessions 

  • At least 2000 views on online campaigns

  • At least 50 students attend to the international students night

 

Progress So Far:

  • Looking for venue for international students night

  • Reviewing on preparation of panel discussion sessions

  • Planning for content of online campaigns