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HealthMatters/September, 2014
Hello, my name is Cian Power and I am honored to be this year’s UCC Students Union Welfare Officer. I am a 22 year old graduate of Politics and Philosophy here. I hail from the scenic and cultured vicinity of Waterford (couldn’t help but put a plug in). I also have been living here in Cork for the past number of years while attending my studies here. I have been heavily involved since the get go way back in 2011, being an avid class rep and then progressing my way up to the big leagues. So what does a Welfare Officer do? My role is an odd role, and when I say odd I mean hard to define. It has various meanings for everyone, but for me I feel it is one of the most important support services here in UCC. The role which is heavily linked with the support services within the college is one which offers a listening and referral service that is completely 100% confidential.
The position is full time, so while in the role I provide a listening and referral service, but there is a lot of other aspects to the job. I sit on various committees and collaborate with many sections of the college, especially the health care center, counseling, fees and peer support. The position can at times be split, as I spend an awful long time brainstorming how to campaign and get messages across on student and social issues within the college and Cork itself. Along with campaigns I spend a lot of time with students and listening to the worries & problems they may have.
I also work with the other officers within the union especially alongside the Deputy President, Dick, which allows me to run campaigns and be utilized on campuses across UCC. Campaigns which will be run this year include two mental health weeks, two SHAG (Sexual health awareness and guidance) weeks and various other projects and collaborations. I hope that these campaigns will rejuvenate and inspire students and get them involved with the union. I am also in the progress of re-establishing Please Talk here in UCC, so mental health is discussed while helping to promote the services we provide. through this I also aim to get people talking and involved in the discussion of mental health here in UCC. With growing financial stress being put onto students I feel that this will benefit the student body.
As a Union we are involved heavily within USI (Union of Students in Ireland), which we meet with regularly and collaborate with on our plans for the year. At the moment we are entrenched in the National Campaign which this year will
focus on the importance of education and will
lobby to protect the student support services.
The services are vital to the student experience
here in UCC and also nationally. While doing all
this, I am also involved in the USI national task-
force for Marriage Equality, which will concen-
trate our efforts to get Marriage equality across
the line next spring. So yeah a very busy year
on the national front.
I also run the infamous condom shop here in
UCC, which will hopefully be branched out
further in the Student Common room, to allow
students have more access to contraceptives. I
will also still be at hand to provide sexual health
guidance when needed.
My hopes and dreams for the year however are
to make sure that student welfare and the stu-
dent experience are at the forefront of UCC. The University itself has done some incredible things in this area, but it is the continuation of this work which I would love to contribute to. I also wish to help continue the work of previous welfare officers, and make sure that the great work they have done is developed further.
I am really looking forward to the year, and from the energy we all experienced during orientations , I can honestly say that this year will be a memorable one for myself and the rest of the team. I would also like to remind you that if anyone wants to have a chat, student or staff you can email me at [email protected]
Wishing everyone luck this academic year 2014/15.
Cian