Annabel Watkin

Ruchitha Rao

Lily Dermott

Hanifa Ali

Zena Al-Essawi

Ludan Tajeldin

Christabel Gono

Claire Morris

Yaseen Rehman

In attendance: Hanifa Ali, Ludan Tajeldin, Christabel Gono, Yaseen Rehman, Ruchitha Rao

One of the main points involved in the opening of the meeting was prayer rooms. In past meetings the executive committee had communicated:

- Spaces that are available are by no means spacious enough for the amount of students who need them. It is absolutely essential that we accommodate the needs of these students where we can.

- The space that is available in Michael Griffith has been described as not being appropriate for all genders. Ideally the space would be big enough for all genders to pray.

The executive committee spoke about some of these problems. The VP Heath Park reassured the committee that they had taken some of these complaints and begun to have conversations around this topic with Amanda Tonks, Nicola Innes and EDI hub, providing an update that the university are looking for the right space for us to renovate and that up until now, they have not found the right space. The VP Heath Park is being kept up to date on this, and so some action is already occurring. The executive committee expressed that they were happy with this, and highlighted that it shows that the VP Heath Park does really care about making this change happen. This is an ongoing process that the VP Heath Park will continue to update the committee about. They hope to really put their foot down in the new year to ensure the delivery of new prayer rooms at the Heath.

Other items that were discussed:

- The requirement for a calendar that is specific for Heath advertised in advance/at the beginning of next semester that includes all campaigns and events coming up, giving an overview of everything that is going on. This is being drafted.

- Timetable to reflect events that are available at Cathays also being available at the Heath

- The fact that events at the Heath are often quite low in attendance. Focus needed on promoting events e.g. using the screens in the SU Hub, and to expand on societies based at the Heath promoting events e.g. via Instagram and through group chats. The VP Heath Park will utilise these suggestions where possible in the new year.

- There being limited Halal options provided by the university-owned cafes. The VP Heath Park will take action on enquiring about Halal options available on site and will keep the committee updated.

- Lack of community across healthcare disciplines and degree programmes. It would be really nice to host events that brings people from different groups together.

- Requirement for better directions to Main Hospital teaching rooms as it can be a bit of a maze, especially for freshers.

- Requirement for more spaces around the area for students. For example, the Main Hospital Common Room is a bit tired looking, and it can be at maximum capacity during peak hours.

All of the above will be taken into consideration in the VP Heath Park's planning for the year ahead and they will continue to work with the committee to resolve these upcoming barriers and challenges.

In the first meeting of the year, the Heath Park Executive Committee provided feedback to the VP Heath Park as a starting point for what their focus will be throughout the year. This feedback included:

- Lack of events in comparison to Cathays

- Capacity to rent out Social Sports Hall for more Formal and Leisurely Events

- The requirement for courses to be more integrated with different courses.- Hanifa has sent me a contact that I will reach out too.

- Activities and Opportunities available Heath Park West

- The requirement for more support/events on Palestine at the Heath, building a culture of respect and awareness.

- Requirement for Free Scrubs and Stethoscopes - (on my end I will mention to the Deans and relevant contacts I have about why this has changed)

- Opportunity to make videos with Directions.

- Suggestions for the university surrounding cutting back on buses/coaches that are used to get to placement as that they often don't utilise their full capacity.

- The need to celebrate more academic excellence - providing acknowledgment to students doing exceedingly well and promoting a culture that sees beyond just ''passing''.

The executive committee also spoke in detail about the requirement of a bigger prayer room at the Heath. In light of this discussion, the VP Heath Park has made this a priority and will explore options to action this.

All the above points were added to a master spreadsheet and the executive committee will discuss them regularly throughout the year.