Hi. My name is Kerrie Draghi and I was the Vice-president of Equity and Welfare last year. 

This year, I will continue studying my MA Creative, Digital and Professional Writing. 

I am currently running for the position of student council member.

As Welfare and Equity officer, the most valuable and challenging part of my job was having a platform that allowed me to stand up for the most disadvantaged groups within our London Met community and society such as women, disabled, LGBTQ+, BAME students.

Being an officer has truly taught me how to challenge ‘the way things have always been done’ and stand up for myself and others, against all odds.

I feel very passionately about human rights and take it as a personal responsibility to always use my privileges and the voice to speak up for what’s right.

I believe some of the strongest qualities to have in this world are empathy and care for others, and these qualities make me the best candidate for the position of student council member. 

Someone who will always listen to and uphold the rights of students who are from diverse backgrounds, including those that I am not a part of, ensuring that their voices are heard and respected within the student council forums, Students’ Union and University.

What is the student council?
Student council is a forum where democratically elected groups of students, student reps and student group leaders take part in debates that impact students’ lives, submit and write motions (the equivalent of a law at the Students’ Union) to create positive changes for students.

My promises if elected:

• To be a strong representative for those students who are often overlooked in society, especially women and LGBTQ+ students.
• To ensure that the work of the officers is always carried out with the best interests/needs of all students, and to use my experience as Welfare and Equity officer to do this reasonably within the best of my ability.
• To continue using my voice to help others and stand up for what’s right - supporting and submitting motions that promote a fairer and honest University and Student's Union.

Welfare and Equity officer achievements:

• Working with the Centre of Equity on a joint anti-harassment campaign to challenge false beliefs about sexual violence in society and our University.
• Working with the LGBTQ+ Student society to make the gender neutral toilets more accessible, listening to the concerns of LGBTQ+ students, running campaigns and events during LGBTQ+ History month and throughout the year such as LGBTQ+ self defence class, feminist/LGBTQ+ open mic and STI testing/HIV awareness events.
• Working with Society leaders such as First Love, LGBTQ+, Climate Justice and Verve Media encouraging them to be strong role models for all members of our diverse community, organising events that help our communities and to complete the consent and active bystander training to create a safer University environment.
• Social media campaigns for Disability and LGBTQ history months highlighting the different forms of disabilities and diversity of our student volunteers.