Suffolk students' union unveils new three-year strategy

Why it matters: The strategy sets out how the Students' Union (SU) plans to support the university's students to feel connected to Ipswich and the wider community, with a vision that current and future students leave university feeling "confident, connected and ready to make lasting impact in their lives, their communities, and the wider world."

It draws on the importance of ensuring students' voices are heard. By tackling ways in which students become part of not just the university, but Ipswich as a whole, it encourages integration into local communities.

The details: The strategy was developed over 12 months, drawing on feedback from current and prospective students, including people approached at open days. The consultations involved SU staff, student leaders, the SU's board of trustees, university teams, and partner organisations, as well as businesses and community groups across Ipswich and Suffolk.

SU chief executive Dionne Walton said the process, while lengthy, had produced "a really achievable strategy to deliver." She added: "I think if we do it right, students will have a really fantastic experience with the university and with the students' union."

What they're saying: Ms Walton said three themes emerged consistently from the consultation: that community matters to students, that opportunities build confidence, and that a sense of belonging "can't be left to chance."

"Essentially, students are looking to feel a part of something," she said. "They want to feel like they're connected to other people...they want their voice to matter."

By the numbers: The SU's first impact report, covering the last two years, points to increased engagement across its services. It highlights growth in student leadership roles such as part-time officers and course reps, and more students accessing support, which Ms Walton put down to the SU's greater visibility on campus.

For context: The SU has also become the first students' union in the country to sign the Power of Youth Charter, a national charter championing youth voice, with Ipswich named a "town of youth social action" as part of the network.

Alongside this, the SU is also placing importance on supporting student-run businesses. The launch event included the Suffolk Cheesecake Company, run by student Robyn, and Z3rra, a healthy drinks bar run by student Vaddim at the SU's London campus.

Student voice: New SU presidents Grace Pearson and Zoe Saunders spoke about the strategy alongside students Devanshi Kashyap and Atharv Naphde at the launch event.

Ms Pearson, President of Education, said: "Students shouldn't just be listened to, in my opinion. They need and deserve to see their feedback lead to real action."

Ms Kashyap, a third-year graphic design student and course representative, said seeing student concerns acted on kept her motivated: "As a course rep, I've had many opportunities to hear my peers, and through the SU and university we've managed to move ahead and solve issues."

Mr Naphde, a second-year computing student, described raising concerns with the SU after a shuttle bus service to a learning facility near BT was cancelled. "Knowing that people are working on a problem that you have makes you feel so much better about it," he said.

What's next: The SU is launching Suffolk SU Connect, a scheme to link students with local organisations and businesses for volunteering and work opportunities. It hopes that through partnership, culture, learning and sustainability, the SU will be able to provide opportunity and growth, voice and power, and connection and community to the students at the University of Suffolk.

The bottom line: After two years rebuilding its foundations, the students' union says its new strategy is designed to help students feel part of Ipswich's wider community while giving them a stronger voice in decisions that affect them.

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