Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a Students' Union Sabbatical Officer? Perhaps you fancied your chances running or reckoned, like me, you never stood a chance? Throw into the mix what it might be like to be a female sabbatical officer and you'll start to understand the many challenges and power structure our female student leaders often have to encounter. On this episode, I chat to Beth Eaton (Leeds University Union), Megan Ball (Winchester Students' Union) and Eve Alcock (University of Bath Students' Union) about how they came to enter the student union movement, the imposter syndrome they overcame and the power structures and struggles they had to tackle. A truly inspiring listen when you think how they dug deep to challenge those with significant authority in order to advocate so well for their student body. Simply put, a pleasure to record.

The Free Food, Free Drinks podcast was created by Rebecca O'Hare (University of Leeds) and Robert Young (UKCISA) to provide a platform for those working in student support roles to learn from others in the sector. It aims to provide free knowledge to those new in the field and where possible share best practice too.

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Outside of the University bubble there is often additional work taking place with local stakeholders to ensure the impact of having a University on their doorstep is positive, fruitful and the best it can be. This is particularly true in large university cities where tensions can become strained in local neighbourhoods as long term residents and transient students learn to live side by side. In this episode, I speak with Cooper Healy from Manchester Student Homes and Amanda Jackson from the University of Leeds who take the time to share their many years of experience and knowledge gained. They also bust a few myths about town and gown relationships and how it isn't always the case that students are out to cause problems in their local communities.

If you'd like to learn more about the work of Manchester Student Homes - please visit https://www.manchesterstudenthomes.com/Accommodation

Free Food, Free Drinks is a podcast aimed at those working in the world of Student Affairs/Student Services, particularly those new to the field or early in their career. Originally created by Robert Young (from UKISA) and Rebecca O'Hare (University of Leeds) - this season sees Rebecca take the lead in producing the podcast.

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Twitter: @FreeFoodPod

LinkedIn: Free Food Free Drinks - The Student Affairs/Services Podcast

Got an idea? Fancy being on the pod? Email us via freefoodpod@gmail.com

This episode was recorded on 25 May 2022

2021 has nearly come to an end and what a year it has been for those working in the world of Higher Education, Student Services and Student Affairs. The topic of Compassion Fatigue may be something you've never heard of or resonate with deeply and typically it is associated with those who work in healthcare professions. However, emerging research suggests that many working in the world of Higher Ed and in caring roles, will experience or have a tendency to experience Compassion Fatigue.

In this episode, we chat with Sasha Masoomi, Assistant Director of Residence Life at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Sasha presented on the topic of Compassion Fatigue at the ACUHOI annual conference in 2019 and so we invited her to discuss how it can present itself in Student Services/Affairs professionals and the steps that can be taken to identify and mitigate it. In addition, Sasha shares with us how she implements training and discussions on Compassion Fatigue with early career professionals in the hope that it becomes less taboo.

About the podcast:

Robert Young & Rebecca O'Hare founded the Free Food, Free Drinks podcast in January 2020 as a means to share free and relevant content with professionals working in the world of Student Services/Affairs. Currently Robert serves as an Advice and Training officer with UKCISA, while Rebecca serves as the Assistant Director (Residence Life & Accommodation Office) at the University of Leeds. Feel free to connect with both Robert and Rebecca via LinkedIn, or alternatively via Twitter - @Rebecca_ResLife & @RobertYoungHE