Looking back on the last year at NUS and being on the NEC I have to say there have been a fair share of ups, downs, frustrations and fulfilments.

Life on the Block isn’t the easiest of things and it certainly was a culture shock for me having to move back in with my parents and live by their rules, as a way to financially survive. That and working two other jobs meant it was pretty much 7 days a week on the go meaning it was never going to be a quiet year.

I have to say though, the year was an experience, and clearly one that I am looking forward to repeating having stood again. One of the main advantages of being on the block of 12 was that I could work in areas that I enjoyed and take on projects of work within the zones that I worked in, Strong and Active Unions and Welfare.

I found myself throwing myself into NUS and the day to day work of the organisation, the union visits and the meetings to discuss ways forward for various projects with external partners, and also managed to understand various train routes across the country and 4am starts.

Some of the main areas that I worked on last year were the Organising Agenda, Student Activities and the Mature Students' campaign, and I have the responsibilities for Organising and Mature Students again this year. Both of these areas are key to how we as an organisation work, be it through representing groups that don’t tend to get involved in their students’ union or changing our campaign style through organising.

I am again sitting in the Welfare and Strong and Active zones this year, why change something you enjoy doing, hey? And I am really looking forward to getting stuck into what looks like a challenging and exciting year.

It is not going to be easy for us, for officers or for students with the challenges that are placed in front of them but if something is worth doing, then its best to be challenged whilst doing it in my opinion. One thing we must do throughout this year however, is maintain Unity. Unity within the NEC, Unity within Unions and Unity as students because that’s how the battles that lay ahead will be won, by a united student movement with the interests of all, not just small interest groups.

So here’s looking to the year ahead, the challenges and the victories when we overcome these

Cheers,

Richard ‘Bubble’ Budden

bubble@nus.org.uk

07740 334184

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