This year Kent Union launched It’s EDI strategy along with the 20 EDI game changers. Great progress was made including a fully accessible online platform, developing a diverse calendar of events which raise awareness of specific events or religious holidays, they also developed and supported student Networks connected to protected characteristic groups.
Kent Union worked with student networks, societies and collaborated with the University to bring events to life, including History Months (Black History Month, Disability History Month, LGBT History Month and Womens Week.), UMHD and other awareness days. Events included guest speakers, crafting, awareness campaigning and marches.
Emily, Vice-President Student Engagement ran a campaign to train Sports and Society leaders in mental health. Over 50 students were trained in the ‘Look after your mate’ training ran by Student Minds. Kent Union affiliated and two staff members were trained to deliver the training. Student minds are a charity that specialises in supporting Mental health whist in Higher Education, The training covered all sorts of areas including, Empathy, Signs your friends/peers might be struggling, how to help a friend and making sure you look after your own mental health.
The Kent Union website was updated to become more accessibility friendly by using a tool called “Recite me”. The tool enables students to change the website to be accessible for KU members in a way that works for them. It includes areas such as changing the colour theme, a screen reader, text mode, and an option to change the language. You can find out more here: https://kentunion.co.uk/policies-and-strategies/accessibility
Kent Union now has options for religious sportswear too. Sport is for everyone and we want to make sure we dismantle barriers for students who might think otherwise. When students order their sports kits they will now see these garment options.