Why do you want to represent your community?

I want to represent my community because I am someone who commutes from home to uni everyday, whilst also having lots of friends who live in private student accommodation off campus, such as in Greenstead. I have previously fought on the side of student renters during my second year, when I led a campaign against illegal landlord practises and raised awareness about the laws that protected renters from negligence as part of my EC205 Poverty, Community, and Development module. In the past, I used to take a 40 minute bus to uni every day, so I am very familiar with the atrocity known as Colchester public transit. Currently, I drive to campus so I am also familiar with the horrors of the A120 and Clinghoe Hill. I want to work closely with other students like me to improve our state as it often feels like students who live off campus have their needs sidelined or even ignored entirely. The living off campus community is often incorrectly looked over due to its lack of physical presence on campus after dark, but there are thousands of us and our needs are just as important as those who live on campus. Whether you take the train from London, drive from Ipswich, or navigate the labyrinth of Colchester's bus routes, I want to represent YOU and amplify your voices in the council. Your problems are my problems. We will solve them together. Plus I'm a Colchester local. I know the shortcuts!

How would you aim to engage with your community?

I've been involved in various societies on campus both as an exec and as a member since my first year and really value the communities that are built around various hobbies and interests. I would work closely with societies as a starting point, listening to the specific needs of their members. I would ask questions such as, is it too difficult to reach socials after certain hours for some members? Do you struggle to find transport home after events? Do you find the time to participate in socials between classes and your commute? I'd also be on the ground chatting with people and learning their story. Do you live in East London and make your way here three days a week for class? Is that Wednesday 9am too difficult to make once you factor in trains and buses? How safe do you feel living in Greenstead? Do you find the public transit to be accessible when you need it most? Catch me on the squares and strike up conversation and voice your concerns! I'll take them to the council and make sure your needs are met. Aside from that, I'd ask the community to reach out to me via social media! Us living off campus students often rely on socials to stay in contact with our friends since we can't always be on campus, so I'd always be open to engaging with our community online.