Hey Guys,
My name is Dave Carey and I am your Students’ Union Welfare Officer for 2011/12. I am 22 years old and a resident of Cork, hailing from out in Bishopstown. I was a student of English before starting in the Union and really enjoyed my time in UCC getting involved in lots of different things from Hot Bevs Soc to NetSoc to being a part-time Officer in the Union.
Welfare Officer, what does that mean?
It means I am your first port of call for any non-academic issues in your life. My basic function is to be a listening, information and referral service for all students. If you are having problems with Fees, Grants, Accommodation, etc. feel free to drop in to me and if I don’t know how to help you myself, I will know who to send you to.
When it comes to individual issues I can promise you complete confidentiality on any and all issues so you don’t need to feel awkward approaching me about any issues, be it depression, loneliness, suicide issues, STI’s, crisis pregnancy or anything else, I’m there to listen. And believe me no matter what the problem is you’re not the first person to walk through our doors with it!
The other side of my job is more light hearted as I run the SU condom shop (free condoms for all!) and in conjunction with the Campaigns Officer (Shane), run a number of campaigns throughout the year such as Mental Health, SHAG Week, etc. If you have any interest in getting involved you can contact either myself or Shane, we’re always happy for more helping hands.
As for representing you, I sit on many committees throughout the university such as Academic Council, Equality Advisory Board, Student Services Support Group, Accommodations Forum, Crèche BOM, Student Centre BOM, SU Executive and many others. I also represent UCC on a national level at USI (Union of Students in Ireland) National Council and Welfare Working Group. At all of these meetings I attempt to bring forward the voice of the students and argue for what I feel is best for the student body as a whole, which means if you have an issue with a specific student service you can feel free to bring it to me and I promise I will do my utmost to bring the issue forward to the relevant parties.
So I suppose that is about it really other than to say I wish you the best of luck in your time in UCC, I just hope that you enjoy it as much as I have and if there is anything I can do to make that happen then let me know!
Enjoy,
Dave Carey,
UCC SU Welfare Officer, VP 2011/12
