Fatima

Hi,

I am Fatima and I currently studying MSc in Business Finance at Brunel. I’m really excited about becoming a Student Community Organiser because I enjoy connecting with people, exchanging ideas, and supporting others. I’d love to help build a strong, inclusive community where everyone feels valued and empowered. I cannot wait to get involved and contribute to this role.

Community organising is about bringing people together, building community-led solutions to big and small problems, that work for everyone. Through community organising, we work together to make change on the issues that matter to you, from campaigning for better food options on campus, access to part-time work whilst you study, improvements to social spaces, or long-term campaigns to improve student housing.

The first issue I would like to tackle is loneliness on campus. Did you know that when the Union of Brunel Students asked students if they were getting the social experience, they wanted out of university one in five (20%) students did not feel that they were getting the social experience that they wanted and that is not OK.

Students who had difficulties socialising described this as one of the worst parts of their experience at Brunel.

They referenced:

• limited activities designed to get students to meet others after the start of term which was made more difficult when students tended to make friends at that point and then became closed to making new friends.
• January starters referenced that it was difficult to get to know others when most students were doing their exams at the time of their arrival and are not interested in socialising.
• Students also felt that the events that were on offer were too focused on parties rather than activities which could help students foster meaningful connections.
• There were calls for more activities like those in Welcome Week spread out throughout the year to help students who did not make friends during this period.

Have you ever felt lonely on campus? Then please get in touch and understand this is not a YOU problem but something we can tackle together.

• En-suite accommodation means students rarely bump into each other.
• Food delivery apps mean kitchens stay empty.
• Mismatched timetables mean flatmates never overlap.
• Mass lectures that empty immediately don’t build connections.
• Commuters can’t access evening socials due to travel costs and last trains.
• Those with anxiety or neurodivergence may find social activities overwhelming.
• In Clubs and Societies, friendships form early and groups solidify fast – often within the first few weeks. Students arriving late find it difficult to fit into cliques already formed.

My plan is:

• To find out how big the problem is by speaking to students.
• Ask students what spaces, activities or events that they would like to see.
• Highlight what activities already take place and opportunities for students to get involved.
• Create smaller, more regular and informal opportunities for students to engage. Whether that’s just a social space to sit and chat with no expectations, a time and place to sit and play some board games.

Feel free to contact me via email. i'd love to hear from you!