This week on Working for Students – the Membership Services Show, we’re exploring how SUs can design services and spaces that genuinely work for the students they represent.

Livia and Alan talk to Layna Forbes at Coventry SU, who talks about what it really means to build a neuroinclusive campus. Sharanya Sivarajah at MDXSU discusses student engagement with petitions. And Alex Harden-Way at UCB Guild of Students talks about redesigning services to support both FE and HE students.

With Layna Forbes, Activities Officer at Coventry Students’ Union, Sharanya Sivarajah, Senior Campaigns and Influence Coordinator at MDXSU, Alex Harden-Way, Managing Director at UCB Guild of Students, and presented by Livia Scott, Partnerships Coordinator at Wonkhe, and Alan Roberts from CounterCulture.

This week on Working for Students (the podcast formerly known as the Membership Services Show), Livia and Alan reflect on the year ahead – including the Secret Life of Students event and its focus on the human side of AI – before diving into three interviews.

Lexi Baynes from the University of Manchester SU discusses the launch of their new student basic needs service, Essentials. Tom Levers shares insights from the Fast Track graduate scheme at Middlesex SU, focusing on data and insight. And Tom Wood, Head of Advice and Wellbeing at Coventry University SU talks through their journey to securing AQS accreditation.

With Lexi Baynes (Manchester Students’ Union), Tom Levers (Middlesex Students’ Union), Tom Wood, Head of Advice and Wellbeing (Coventry University Students’ Union) and hosted by Livia Scott (Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (CounterCulture).

This week on the Membership Services Show Ed Moloney from University of Salford SU shares how they've repositioned themselves as an "anti-loneliness charity" – a strategy that's united everything from their bar to their advice service around tackling what affects 42 per cent of their student population. Drawing on World Health Organization research and working with Professor McWalter from University of Manchester, Ed explains how this North Star has given them unprecedented focus and university buy-in.

Later, Alan reunites with some old friends – Gary Hughes (Durham SU), Trish McGrath (Aberystwyth SU), and Paul Norman (Manchester Metropolitan SU) – to reflect on 10 years of Membership Services Conference. They explore how staff networks have evolved, the importance of accessible professional development, and why bringing together advisors, activities coordinators, and commercial managers under one roof has been transformative for the sector.

With Ed Moloney (University of Salford Students' Union), Gary Hughes (Durham SU), Trish McGrath (Aberystwyth SU), Paul Norman (Manchester Metropolitan SU), and hosted by Livia Scott (Partnerships Coordinator, Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (Director, Counterculture).

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This week on the Membership Services Show Liv catches up with Liz and Nat from Lincoln Students’ Union to explore paying part-time officers. In a sector where volunteer leadership roles often clash with student financial realities, they reflect on how Lincoln SU’s governance review reshaped student voice, representation, and accountability – and what they’ve learned a year in.

Later, Hannah Sketchley from NUS UK joins Alan to unpack the themes behind this year’s plenary sessions. From building a powerful student movement under a new Labour government, to representing students when the worst happens, she previews a stellar lineup of contributors – and hints at a few tactical disagreements worth watching.

With Liz Wylie-Smy (Head of Student Voice, Lincoln SU), Nat Baldwin (Student Voice Coordinator, Lincoln SU), Hannah Sketchley (Senior Policy Officer, NUS UK), and hosted by Livia Scott (Partnerships Coordinator, Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (Director, Counterculture).

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This week on the Membership Services Show, Alan and Livia dive deep into the complexities of change management and student engagement across the students' union sector.

Ellis Page from Sheffield SU opens up about their controversial decision to restructure liberation committees – including dissolving the LGBT committee – and the intense backlash that followed. From being compared to Margaret Thatcher to navigating angry freshers months later, Ellis shares hard-won lessons about co-creation, communication, and the delicate balance between necessary change and community ownership.

Rosie Hunnam from Organized Fun reflects on a decade of student opportunities development, exploring how the sector has evolved from siloed activities to strategic, cross-cutting approaches. She discusses the elevation of ops work, the challenge of supporting students who are increasingly cash and time-poor, and why the traditional volunteering model in students' unions might need reimagining.

Finally, Beth Rogers from Sheffield SU examines what it means to be an "outsider" coming into the students' union movement after years in higher education. She explores the different risk appetites, decision-making speeds, and the shift from specialist to generalist leadership – plus why the insider/outsider distinction might be less important than willingness to embrace change.

With Ellis Page (Sheffield SU), Rosie Hunnam (Organized Fun), Beth Rogers (Sheffield SU), and hosted by Livia Scott (Partnerships Coordinator, Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (Director, Counterculture).

https://www.organised.fun/

https://wonkhe.com/blogs-sus/reflections-on-my-first-year-leading-a-students-union-as-an-outsider/

https://wonkhe.com/blogs-sus/reflections-on-leading-a-students-union-as-an-insider/

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This week on the Membership Services Show, Alan and Liv explore how students' unions are reimagining engagement and support for diverse student communities.

Alan speaks with Simon from UWTSD Students' Union about their innovative approach to student voice engagement across multiple campuses and nations. Drawing on his background as a teacher and conductor, Simon shares how they transformed course rep communities through socials, drop-in sessions, and a focus on "giving back" rather than constantly asking for more.

Liv catches up with Chih-Hsiang from Lancaster SU about their new PhD Forum – a student-led space tackling the isolation many postgraduate researchers face. With tea, biscuits, and structured discussions, they're building peer support networks for students scattered across the globe, from campus-based researchers to distance learners in America and Germany.

Finally, Alan chats with Jim from Wonkhe about his upcoming conference sessions exploring how the student experience is under pressure. As universities face financial constraints and potential academic model changes, Jim asks: how can unions intervene to protect what makes university more than just essays and exams?

With Simon Hilberding (UWTSD SU), Chih-Hsiang Lo (Lancaster SU), Jim Dickinson (Wonkhe), and hosted by Livia Scott (Partnerships Coordinator, Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (Director, Counterculture).

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This week on the Membership Services Show, we’re exploring how students’ unions are adapting creatively to rising challenges – from shoestring event budgets to shifting university leadership.

Livia visits Edinburgh Napier Students’ Association to hear how a small team pulled off a Welcome Week for under £900 – complete with a petting zoo – by embracing creativity, partnerships, and popcorn machines. What’s the real purpose of Freshers’ now, and how do you encourage a culture of “good enough” over perfection?

Later, Alan catches up with Essex SU to delve into their strategic work on reshaping the student experience through collaborative influence. In the face of leadership change, demographic shifts, and budgetary pressures, Essex SU led a project to map out students’ lives across campuses – culminating in an unconventional conference that united staff and students in reimagining the university journey.

Hosted by Livia Scott (Partnerships Coordinator, Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (Director, Counterculture).

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This week on the Membership Services Show Alan and Liv talk to West Chester University, who share how their Division of Student Affairs is drawing on the healthcare concept of social prescribing to reshape “Weeks of Welcome” – a six-week induction period designed to tackle loneliness and foster community.

They also speak to Nick Smith about the pitfalls of mixed category trustee boards – and why the path to high performance lies in cohesive teamwork, not representational silos. And Jo Walters talks us through media law, outlining the legal risks of social campaigning, the importance of officer training, and what staff need to watch for in the age of always-on student activism.

With West Chester University, Nick Smith (Governance Consultant), and Jo Walters (Communications Consultant), and hosted by Livia Scott (Partnerships Coordinator, Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (Director, Counterculture).

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This week on the Membership Services Show Alan and Liv talk to Rachel from Highlands and Islands Students' Association about insights on the pressures officers face within the current sector crisis and how universities can step up to support manifesto delivery. 

Meanwhile, Tom from Citizens UK explores how community organising is evolving in SUs, and at Middlesex SU, Sarah talks us through their innovative Senior Leadership Fast Track Scheme aimed at nurturing early-career professionals into the movement.

With Sarah Kerton (Middlesex Students’ Union), Tom Snape (Citizens UK), and Rachel Byrne (Highlands and Islands Students’ Association) and and hosted by Livia Scott (Partnerships Coordinator, Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (Director, Counterculture).

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This week on the Membership Services Show Liv and Alan kick off officer-induction season with Mack, exploring how the Summer Training Programme helps new sabbatical officers get to grips with their union’s policy environment and institutional context.

They also talk to Gary Hughes of Durham SU about building an ethical framework for officer support, and answer a question from Ryan at Keele SU on whether tighter university finances could make students’ union mergers more likely. Plus – why first-time presenters matter, and a heads-up that Membership Services Conference tickets are down to the last few dozen.

With Mack Marshall, Community and Policy Officer, Wonkhe SUs, Gary Hughes, Chief Executive, Durham Students’ Union and hosted by Livia Scott (Partnerships Coordinator, Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (Director, Counterculture).

Wonkhe SUs summer programme 2025

Durham SU

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