The Membership Services Show

This week on the Membership Services Show, Alan and Livia explore the power of collaboration in student events.Josh from South Bank SU and Dan from Sunderland SU in London share how they’ve built a cooperative model for events, from freshers to Halloween and beyond. By joining forces, they’ve created bigger, bolder, and more financially sustainable student nights - challenging the idea that students no longer go out and proving that unions can still be major players in the late-night economy.Livia also catches up with Jørgen from KCLSU to discuss their Union Agenda—an ambitious, long-term framework designed to shape the student experience beyond annual officer priorities. Plus, Alan talks to Phil Smith from Rutgers University about their sector-leading Basic Needs Centre in New Jersey, offering everything from food and clothing to textbook assistance and peer support.With Dan from Sunderland SU in London, Josh from South Bank SU, Jørgen from KCLSU, Phil Smith from Rutgers University and hosted by Livia Scott, Wonkhe’s Partnerships Coordinator, and Alan Roberts, Director of Western Europe at Counterculture. 

This week on the Membership Services Show, Livia and Alan explore how SUs are evolving their representation and engagement models.Steph from UCLan SU shares the success of their revitalised Speak Weeks, with a creative twist on traditional engagement. Caroline from Bath Spa SU discusses their shift to student community leaders, bridging the gap between representation and community building. Mems from Sheffield SU delves into their ambitious Sheffield Student Assembly project, aiming to connect students with local representatives and amplify student voices in citywide conversations.With Steph Street-Lomas, Advocacy and Insight Manager at UCLan SU, Caroline Dangerfield, Head of Membership Engagement at Bath Spa SU, Mems Ayinla, Director of Student Influence at Sheffield SU, and presented by Livia Scott, Wonkhe’s Partnerships Coordinator, and Alan Roberts, Director of Western Europe at Counterculture.

This week on the Membership Services Show, Livia and Alan dive into SU elections.Charlotte from NUS Charity shares insights on election trends, including rising turnout and the growing number of international student candidates. Mack discusses evolving officer structures, the impact of AI on manifestos, and challenges in student engagement. And Adam from Tampere Student Union in Finland compares UK and Finnish election models, highlighting differences in representation and participation.With Adam Zeidan. Secretary General, Tampere SU, Charlotte Britton-Stevens, acting Head of Union Development at NUS Charity, Mack Marshall, Community and Policy Officer at Wonkhe and presented by Livia Scott, Wonkhe’s Partnerships Coordinator and Alan Roberts, Director of Western Europe at Counterculture.  It’s a popularity contest, but not as we know it - Tampere's SU election system

This week on the Membership Services Show Livia talks to Bath SU about revamping its student council into a Student SUmmit to increase accountability and policy-making impact. Plus Alan catches up with Josef from Campus Hybernská in Prague - a collaboration between Charles University and the city of Prague which serves as a public gateway to higher education and interdisciplinary dialogue. And Livia speaks with Student Minds and Citizens UK about their community organizing campaign to improve student mental health.With Jimena Alamo and Charlie Slack from Bath SU, Josef Heřmánek from Campus Hybernská, Nicola Frampton from Student Minds, Tom Snape from Citizens UK, and presented by Livia Scott, Wonkhe’s Partnerships Coordinator, and Alan Roberts, Director of Western Europe at Counterculture.Bath SU’s SUmmitKampus HybernskáStudent Minds has joined up with Citizens UK to develop a new approach to our campaigning.

This week on the Membership Services Show Livia talks to Edinburgh Napier SU about redesigning its student council to boost engagement and influence.Plus, Alan talks to ELTE SU in Budapest about its mentor training program for international students, and Livia talks to Royal Holloway SU about improving support for commuter students.With Réka Judit BOROS, Vice-President for Foreign Affairs at Eötvös Loránd University Student Union, Daniel Wright, Head of Representation and Leadership at Edinburgh Napier Students' Association, Elise Thornton – Research and Insight Coordinator at Royal Holloway Students’ Union and presented by Livia Scott, Wonkhe’s Partnerships Coordinator and Alan Roberts, Director of Western Europe at Counterculture.

The Membership Services Show - where we discuss practice in SUs - is back for a second season. This week Alan talks to St Mary’s SU in Twickenham where against the odds, they’ve just launched a new venue - we talk how and why. Plus Livia and Alan field a question on what’s happening this year in SU elections, and Alan talks to a union in the US about their fascinating Spring Day event.Bentley University Spring Day 2024St Mary’s SU

In this special festive edition of the Membership Services Show, Alan and Livia have insights from the ACUI conference in the United States, innovative approaches like free grab-and-go breakfasts and sip-and-sketch events, and discuss the role of smaller, daytime activities in boosting student participation. They also explore the impact of cost-of-living pressures, the push for bilingual operations, and the differences in student rights frameworks across Europe.With Aisling Knox, SU President at Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Adam Zeidan, Secretary General of TREY in Tampere, Mack Marshall, Community and Policy Officer at Wonkhe, and presented by Livia Scott, Partnerships Coordinator at Wonkhe and Alan Roberts, Partner at Counterculture.

In this pre-conference special Alan and Livia discuss the big themes set to emerge from this year's event.With Alan, Livia and Rhiannon Roberts, CEO at Man Met SU.There’s more detail about Membership Services Conference - Wednesday 14th to Thursday 15th August 2024 at The Union MMU here.