u n n A
t r o p e R al
5 2 2024
Contents 3
Who We Are
4
Introduction
6
Supporting Students
10
Creating Community
14
Our Year in Numbers
18
Governance & Accountability
21
Financial Overview
22 Looking Ahead
Who We Are Cardiff Met Students’ Union exists to create
At
the
heart
a vibrant Cardiff Met community where every
values, Student Led, Equality, Empowering,
student is empowered to thrive, connect, and
Transparency, and Fun, guiding everything
succeed.
f rom
our
of
our
f rontline
work
service
are
to
our
f ive
student
members, to Board level decisions. We are a student-led charity, independent f rom the University, but working in close
Every activity we deliver, every voice we
partnership to enhance the student experience.
amplify, and every service we provide is rooted
Whether it’s advocating for change, providing
in a commitment to inclusion, community,
conf idential support, or creating unforgettable
and meaningful impact.
experiences
through
sport,
societies,
and
events, we’re here to ensure every student feels represented, supported, and inspired.
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We are not a service. We are a movement.
3
Introduction In last year ’s report I talked about looking
campaign work, record numbers of students
forward to ‘another year of growth, progress,
engaged in our activities, growing student
and shared success’. I’m pleased to report
democracy, and a governance structure now
that we’ve delivered exactly that, spending
better equipped for the future.
the year building the foundations of a new era for Cardiff Met Students’ Union.
As we prepare to launch our new strategy and deliver it in the coming year, I’m proud
We’ve engaged students, staff, trustees and
of the foundations we’ve built, and grateful to
partners in honest conversations about the
everyone who’s helped to shape it. The future
SU’s future. We’ve asked bold questions about
starts here, and it belongs to students.
our purpose and our potential. We’ve looked hard at what’s working, what’s missing, and what needs to evolve. And we’ve begun to align our people and processes around a shared vision for change. Our three strategic priorities will help to focus our efforts, they’re rooted in the lives of our members and the challenges they face, and they are underpinned by our shared values. I’m excited to launch this in the summer, and to reflect on the impact of year one in next year ’s report. This year ’s report shares the visible impact of
our
work
in
advice,
activities,
events,
and advocacy across 2024-25. It showcases the outstanding work of our passionate SU team. It demonstrates that we’ve delivered more impactful voice work, award-winning
Will Fuller Students’ Union CEO
4
3
As I reflect on the 2024/25 academic year, I
The most rewarding part of this role has been
feel deeply proud of all we’ve accomplished
working alongside the off icer team to act on
together. This year has been one of both
what students truly need. We pushed for better
continued progress and renewed purpose. It’s
wellbeing support, clearer academic policies,
hard to sum up the scale of what we’ve seen,
and stronger representation.
done, and learned as a Union, but if there’s one thing I’ve taken away f rom this role, it’s that
Key issues like student spaces, sensory room
student voices matter more than ever.
resources, job opportunities, feedback systems, timetabling,
parking,
and
sport
were
all
One of the biggest challenges this year was
brought to the foref ront. Despite challenges,
the impact of signif icant budget cuts which
we secured real wins, like extra buses and
impacted
SU
subsidised passes, plus a 10% reduction on
services. It was a tough time, but the SU didn’t
hot meals and 5% off major coffee outlets in
back down. Advice, Support, Activities, and
response to the cost-of-living crisis.
clubs,
societies,
events,
and
Commercial Services pulled together to keep delivering for students, showing real resilience
Every step we took was driven by student
and teamwork throughout.
voices and a shared commitment to progress and there are more actions and feedback which have been raised by SU School Reps to the academic level, and by the Off icer team to the senior level management. Additionally, working with our 11 School Reps this year and last year was a highlight, their dedication to raising student concerns and driving change within their schools and across the university made a real impact. I’ve spent the year speaking with students f rom all corners of campus, understanding what matters most to them, and using that insight to help shape our priorities as a Union. What I’ve seen this two year is a Union that listens, responds, and acts and a student body that never stops pushing for better. I’m proud to have played a part in that. And I’m even more excited to see where the next team takes it f rom here.
Rewathi Viswanatham SU Vice President Education
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Supporting Students
6
6
Reps
Speak Week
This year we recruited 418 Course Reps across
During Speak Week, 838 students answered,
the university, each trained and supported
“If you ran the university, what would you
by the Students’ Union to ensure students
change? ” Feedback in key areas included:
have the best possible academic experience. Reps serve as a vital link between students
• Food & Estates – 374
and staff, enabling productive dialogue to
• Learning Inf rastructure – 345 responses
improve courses and support.
• Parking & Transport – 281 • Student Development – 261
Our Reps have made countless adjustments
• Sense of Belonging – 115
at course level to support students, working with
academic
and
professional
services
These were presented to the University at both
staff within schools to improve the student
Committee level, and to Directors of services,
experience.
sparking conversations and leading to key changes detailed in our SU Wins section.
7
Cardiff Met Award The Cardiff Met Award continued to support
Students collectively logged over 4,000 hours
student
of work experience, with the true f igure
development
personal a
likely higher due to differing requirements
f rom
at advanced levels. The Award also delivered
February 2025. A total of 60 students enrolled
10 training workshops, attracting 124 student
this year, with 38 expected to complete in
bookings, demonstrating continued demand
May and 9 students progressing to additional
for structured skill building opportunities at
Award levels.
Cardiff Met.
development planned
8
through
focused
cessation
in
activity,
despite
recruitment
7
SU Advice SU Advice and Support has continued to
Notably,
provide vital guidance to Cardiff Met students,
complex, intersecting issues f rom Moodle
handling 210 student cases as of 1 May 2025.
errors and delayed evidence to AI-related
While Appeals and general queries each made
misconduct and housing problems.
up 28% of cases, students also sought help with
feedback
Mitigating
Academic
clarity, empathy, and responsiveness of the
Misconduct (12%), and a range of wellbeing,
service, with planned improvements including
complaints, and f itness-related concerns.
a new feedback tool to further enhance
Circumstances
(17%),
students
are
highlights
increasingly
appreciation
facing
Early
for
the
student voice and service development.
Campaigning & Influencing - SU Wins This year, we delivered several impactful wins
A new sensory room is now in development
in direct response to student feedback. On
in
bus services, we secured additional morning
with a focus on embedding best practice
buses on routes 25 and 63, increased capacity
for
on route 52, and subsidised travel passes for
achievements include securing 24-hour library
January
access and contributing to a timetabling
intake
students.
We
successfully
negotiated food discounts across campus,
L-block,
driven
neurodiverse
by
a
student
students.
motion,
Other
key
review now underway by Registry Services.
including 10% off hot meals and breakfasts, and 5% off Costa and Starbucks drinks.
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Creating Community
10
6
SU Sport SU Sport has seen impressive growth and
in student participation. The logistical scale
engagement this year, with 1594 members,
of student sport is equally striking with our
despite
require
minibuses covering over 31,000 miles, and
membership f rom National League players
coach bookings accounting for an additional
across teams such as Men’s and Women’s
19,560 miles.
the
Football,
shift
to
Basketball,
no
longer
and
Wheelchair
Basketball.
A standout moment was Varsity, which was our most successful to date both on and
Our teams competed in an incredible 648
off the f ield, as we won our f irst Varsity,
BUCS f ixtures, with around 377 individual
and supported 3000 students to enjoy an
entries, reflecting both depth and breadth
incredible event.
11
SU Societies of
cultural celebrations, with the Asian Society’s
student life at Cardiff Met in 2024 /25, with 1,145
Diwali event drawing a record 204 attendees.
students actively engaged across 35 societies.
A spirit of collaboration def ined the year, with
While the number of societies decreased f rom
societies increasingly joining forces for events
48, this year saw deeper, more meaningful
and campaigns.
SU
Societies
remained
a
cornerstone
participation, with average membership per society increasing.
This
momentum
was
recognised
and
celebrated through the launch of the f irst The Running Society led the way with 155
ever Societies Awards, marking a new chapter
members, continuing its impressive year-on-
in how we champion student leadership and
year growth. Societies created inclusive and
community building.
vibrant spaces, f rom academic discussions to
12
7
Events The SU’s events continued to grow in 2024 /25,
Across the year, the SU hosted or supported
with the SU Freshers’ Fayre achieving its
216 events through its website, spanning
highest-ever
student
attendance,
featuring
124
sport,
cultural
celebrations
like
stalls, including 54 dedicated to SU clubs
Diwali, SU milestones like the AGM, and
and societies. Combined with Re-Freshers’
commercial events like the Pretty Little Thing
Fayre, total footfall exceeded 7,700 attendees,
Sample Sale, which alone attracted over 200
fuelled in part by the 4 ,700+ slices of pizza
students. Pop up stalls with our marketing
provided by Domino’s!
partner, Native, were also a regular feature, with standout moments including Adobe’s
Varsity drew a crowd of more than 3000, showcasing
23
matches
across
14
giveaway of 1,200 drinks beakers.
sports.
Eight f ixtures were live streamed by Sports Broadcasting, alongside a full day studio show, collectively amassing 16,109 views.
13
14
35
Student s with e i t e i Soc
1,14Me5mberships
casting a total votes in of the SU Election .
2,815
210
d, e t r o , p student advice cases sup stances . ranging f rom appeals to mitigating circum o study ss t e n t fi o t s from complaint
15
16
17
Governance & Accountability
18
SU Governance
SU Forum & Byelaws
Our governance arrangements were developed
We launched the SU Forum, a student council
further this year as we continue to implement
made up of School Reps and Sabbatical
the recommendations of our governance and
Off icers.
democracy review. The Board was strengthened
raise ideas and hold off icers accountable.
with the appointment of Student Trustees to
It’s already addressing school-specif ic and
bring a valuable balance of lived experience and
broader campus concerns, with 32 off icer
strategic expertise. We also launched of our new
reports
supporting subcommittees to the Board, with
introduced a new set of byelaws that govern
committees looking at f inance, risk, audit, HR,
student democracy and conduct within the
and policy development. These changes reflect
Union, and these byelaws empower students
our
to
commitment
to
transparency,
student
leadership, and strategic accountability.
This
across
shape
forum
4
Union
enables
meetings.
processes
students
The
and
SU
to
also
improve
accountability across campus.
19
SU Elections This year ’s SU Elections saw 10 candidates
we
and strong student engagement, with 1,487
Candidate Toolkit to date. For the f irst time,
individual voters casting a total of 2,815 votes.
elections used the Single Transferable Vote
The School of Management led turnout with
(STV)
an
accurately reflected the preferences of the
impressive
39%
participation
rate.
To
better support candidate wellbeing, voting was streamlined to a three-day period, and
20
6
introduced
system,
our
most
ensuring
wider student body.
comprehensive
outcomes
more
Income Breakdown General £54 ,530 Funded Projects £47,796
Block Grant £800,000
Sport £304 ,016
Commercial (External) £109,249
Commercial (On Campus) £408,225
Expenditure Breakdown Student Engagement £195,683
Central Costs £447,858
Comms & Marketing £122,721
Commercial (On Campus) £478,016
Sport £531,741
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Looking Ahead 2025-26 will see us launch and embed our
As we move forward into implementation, our
new
focus will be on Winning for and With Students,
strategy,
sharing
our
new
direction
with students, staff, and stakeholders, and
High
Quality
beginning to embed it into every level of the
Modernising How We Work. We’ll strengthen
organisation. Throughout this academic year,
student voice and advocacy at every level and
we imagined a new future for the Students’
deepen our partnership with the University to
Union, a future where every Cardiff Met student
ensure student priorities shape institutional
is empowered to thrive, connect, and succeed.
change. We’ll grow and diversify our activities
In 2025–26, we start delivering that vision.
offer,
making
Activities
sure
for
sport,
Everyone,
societies,
and
and
student-led events are accessible, inclusive, Our new strategy sets a bold direction, built
and exciting. And we’ll modernise our systems
around three powerful priorities: Winning for
and ref ine our processes to unlock capacity
and With Students, High Quality Activities for
and improve eff iciency.
Everyone, and Modernising How We Work. It’s a strategy grounded in student voice, driven
We are ready to turn ideas into impact. The
by our values, and designed to respond to the
strategy is set, the values are clear, and the
real experiences and challenges our members
journey starts now. Together, with and for our
face every day.
students.
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