With Christmas and the end of term one just around the corner, I’ve been proactive this November. It’s been a busy and productive month, with significant progress across my manifesto objectives to improve student life at Kingston University.
Loneliness
Addressing and reducing student loneliness remains central to my work. The loneliness project has grown significantly this month. I’m now part of a task and finish group to improve student spaces at Kingston Hill Campus, working with both internal teams and external partners.
Key initiatives within this group include:
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Student & staff forums – Gathering input on campus experiences.
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Pop-up market stalls – In the Nightingale Centre on Tuesday 25 and Thursday 27 November, 12–2pm, inviting students to share feedback, vote on activity boards, and enjoy free sweet treats.
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Practical campus improvements – One of the things I’m really passionate about is making Kingston Hill Campus feel more comfortable and welcoming for students. During a recent work visit to the University of Surrey, I saw actual sleeping pods on campus, and it struck me how much of a difference something like that could make for students who commute long hours or have back-to-back lectures. I’ve been advocating for sleeping pods, proper social spaces, more USB charging points, water fountains, and other small but meaningful enhancements. I won’t lie — I’m not sure if all of these ideas will happen, but I think it’s important to push for them and start the conversation. Even small improvements can have a huge impact on day-to-day life, and I’m committed to exploring every possibility.
Sleeping pods at the University of Surrey
I also have plans to create new engagement and communication opportunities between KSU and students. I’m really excited to launch some competitions across all campuses very soon. I don’t want to give too much away just yet, but I promise they’ll be fun, inclusive, and a great way for students to get involved — stay tuned!
Access & Inclusion
I attended key meetings this month, including the Honours Awards Committee, EDI Committee, and the manifesto working group with KSU staff.
I’ve also taken the lead on the Black Student Experience Project, refreshing the KSU team and providing clear direction for upcoming initiatives. Discussions with the university are ongoing to improve cultural representation in campus food and expand opportunities for students to feel included and supp
orted.
I’m happy to announce that KSU will be relaunching the “Halo Code”. The Halo Code is a pledge to end hair discrimination, protecting Afro-textured hair in workplaces and schools. It affirms the right of Black individuals to wear their hair in styles like afros, braids, locs, and twists without judgment or barriers. Organizations that adopt the code publicly commit to recognizing and celebrating all Afro-hairstyles as part of identity.
I also want to talk about Hurricane Melissa, which hit southwestern Jamaica on October 28, 2025. The storm brought incredibly strong winds, heavy rain, and flooding, and tragically many people were hurt or lost their homes, schools, and businesses. As a Jamaican, this has really hit me personally — seeing the place I call home go through so much devastation has been heartbreaking. If you’d like to help, there are donation centres collecting food, clothes, and essentials. Or if you just want to talk about it, my door is always open — I’d really welcome the conversation.
Safety
Feedback at Student Council reinforced the importance of Safety and my views were fully aligned with the committee. Together, we are now working on informative articles and guidance for students in both university-managed and private housing.
I’ve refined my safety campaign into four key focus areas with mini-outcomes:
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Accommodation – Guidance on KU and non-KU options, common challenges, and upcoming renters’ rights legislation (effective May 2026).
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Personal Wellbeing – Addressing period poverty, unsafe sexual practices, substance misuse, sexual harassment, and spiking prevention, reviewed with relevant university colleagues.
- Theft Prevention – Awareness of identity scams, fraud, mobile phone theft, and promoting practical safety habits.
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Spiking Awareness – Articles covering definitions, recognition, and support guidance, with a wallet-sized info card planned for distribution alongside drink spiking covers.
I’ve also been in conversations about bringing external pop-ups to campus focused on sexual health and safety. On top of that, I’m currently negotiating with the university about the importance of free menstrual hygiene products. As a woman, I know first-hand how expensive and challenging it can be to manage periods, and I also know how much of a difference it makes to have these products readily available. Currently, free products are available in the lower-ground unisex toilets in the main building at Penhryn road campus, but there’s such a huge demand, and it’s only fair that other campuses have access too. This is something Hamza and I have been actively working on this month, and we’re pushing to make it a reality across more campuses.
After meeting with the university's Student Inclusion Consultant for Student Life, Health, and Wellbeing, I was introduced to the White Ribbon campaign and shared ways we can help create a safe and respectful campus environment.
November also saw White Ribbon Day, a day dedicated to challenging sexism and ending men’s violence against women and girls. This is something I feel really strongly about — creating a safe, respectful, and equal environment is something we all have a part to play in.
Letting sexism slide puts women and girls at risk. On White Ribbon Day, men are reminded to use their voices and speak up to create an environment where everyone is safe, equal and respected. By simply not passing off sexist jokes, catcalling, staring and unwelcome comments, you can help stop behaviour that can lead to serious violence. Every time we ignore something that doesn't feel right, we miss a chance to set a better example. White Ribbon UK is the leading charity in England and Wales that works to end men's violence against women and girls by preventing it from happening in the first place by engaging men and boys to be part of the solution. We do this by challenging harmful ideas about gender that lead to inequality and abuse.e all have a responsibility to make our University a safe and inclusive space for all members of our community.
On Tuesday 25 November, the EDI team led a pop-up event in the SU social space at Penrhyn Road, giving students the chance to chat with the team, learn about White Ribbon, and find out how to promote a safe and inclusive campus.
If you missed it, don’t worry — there are still plenty of ways to get involved:
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Take the White Ribbon Promise to never use, excuse, or stay silent about men’s violence against women and girls: White Ribbon Promise
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Complete the ‘A Culture of Safety and Respect’ training on Canvas to understand harmful behaviours, reporting routes, and available support: A Culture of Safety and Respect
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Attend events like We Speak Up, currently Kingston Council and Fulham FC are hosting some: We Speak Up Event
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Participate in local council events tackling violence against women and girls:
Even if you couldn’t make the pop-up, every small action helps make Kingston University a safer, more respectful place for everyone.
November has been a month of planning, consultation, and laying strong foundations for initiatives that will directly improve student life.
Remember, I’m always here for you — whether it’s a question, an idea, or just a chat. DM me on Instagram @ckyra.ku or drop by the SU office anytime.