"I’ll be the first to admit that I hate change. ... But deciding to stay at the SGO for one more year was one of the best things it’s ever brought me. Working as part of this team has been empowering in more ways than I can count or recite. This year has been filled with transformative moments, community, and gratitude."

-- Holly Steventon, SGO Project Officer 2022-23

"The world is a routinely better place than it is given credit for ... This is something I learned more than ever while undertaking Carbon Literacy Training alongside a dozen students from all across the University. For a week, we all worked together to answer questions, discuss the environmental impact of our own daily actions, and came up with plans to change our own day-to-day life in ways that would lower our carbon footprint and benefit the environment overall. Not only was it an incredible learning experience, but it was also thoroughly enjoyable and heartening to see such an interest and a willingness to learn."

-- Holly Steventon, SGO Project Officer 2021-22

"One particular project that stands out is the inclusive skills initiative ... including interactive LEGO Serious Play sessions and thought-provoking TED talks and discussions on topics of inclusion, facilitated by members of the CCCU community. Among the key areas explored during these sessions were the Gypsy, Traveller, Roma, Showman, Boater (GTRSB) community, and the experience of dyslexia and dyspraxia. These discussions shed light on the challenges faced by these communities and provided valuable insights into creating inclusive environments. By incorporating this diverse range of approaches and perspectives, I was able to broaden my understanding of inclusion and contribute to meaningful conversations and thinking prompts for those who attended."

-- Max Clinch, SGO 'Learning for the Future' Project Officer 2022-23

"One of the things that I am very fortunate about is getting the ability to fully explore the university campus, ... to learn about the history of the campus and the heritage of the site, and how CCCU continues it through growing heritage variety apples and hops in the Jubilee orchard, and across campus, the pizza oven and the bakehouse wall. I feel fortunate to have been able to engage with the local community too, such as going to the cathedral to watch the Walk for Amal. It’s touching to know that I was there and got to be a part of that, and that as I continue my own learning journey in these grounds, I’m able to be a part of that legacy by helping others learn about heritage and sustainability too."

-- Max Clinch, SGO 'Acting Together' Project Officer 2021-22

"The diversity at our University is fantastic, with students of different ages, studying a wide range of subjects, from various backgrounds and from so many different parts of the world. Talking to students about the various aspects of sustainability is made much more interesting when their own experiences and ideas are so different. I have learned a lot from people and believe that difference makes us stronger as a community when we share with each other."

-- Tim Licence, SGO 'Acting Together' Project Officer 2022-23

“Being part of the SGO has meant creating and engaging in sustainability in a way that fits my personality and my interests, and I am incredibly grateful for the experience that my time with the SGO has given me. I have learnt about the Sustainable Development Goals, what it means to be in charge of your own project, how to promote engagement and educate, and much much more. My time as an SGO officer has been exciting and brilliant, and something I will keep with me for years to come.”

-- Dan Johnson, SGO ‘Acting Together’ Project Officer 2020-2021

“If I could sum up my time in the SGO in one word it would be ‘transformative’. My focus within the SGO has been ‘Living Well’ and I truly believe that the best way to do this is to work collaboratively. We don’t know everything but those gaps in our knowledge can be filled by others around us. I now feel like I can see a sustainable way of working in everything I do.”

-- Amy Bayliss-Fox, SGO ‘Living Well’ Project Officer 2019-2021

“When I applied to this job in September 2019, I had no idea how much it would influence my life. It has given me a viable career path to consider and has sparked conversations that I have both instigated and been a part of that never would have involved me if not for this job. One of the opportunities this job presented was being involved with the Carbon Literacy Training pilot group as both a member of the SGO and a student. I was involved in conversations about how the training would most effectively run as well as hearing perspectives of staff members that I wouldn’t have otherwise met. I provided a student perspective on issues and barriers that students face when it comes to sustainability and their carbon footprint, which I hope will benefit the scheme for future participants.”

-- Fran Allen, SGO ‘Learning for the Future’ Project Officer 2019-2021

"My advice for future SGOs is to just go for it, and to not worry about where they are starting in terms of sustainability. I can admit I wasn’t the best when it came to recycling at the start of this job. I was conscious of my impact on the environment and I had strong opinions on caring for animals, but I wasn’t as active in making a positive impact as I am now. Through this job I can genuinely say I have grown. My uni house has grown too, and even my family. We all now recycle and actually think about our impact so I am grateful for this role in that sense. I also feel my voice is stronger and whereas before I may not have had all the knowledge to actively discuss these issues, now I feel I do."

-- Emily Connell, SGO 'Living Well' Project Officer 2019-2020

“Upon starting university, I was fairly used to living independently; saving time and money, whilst still eating healthy, was something I was already in the habit of doing. However, after living in halls I recognised that my living habits were not shared by most students, therefore, I felt inspired to create The Student Meal-Prep Guide (The MPG). This project of mine was published in both print and digital copy through the SGO, during the Freshers season of September 2018, and then published further on our social media platforms throughout the remainder of the year. Developing skills of writing, creativity, photo editing, and time management, the SGO enabled me to create this opportunity for myself through this incredibly rewarding experience – an opportunity that I felt fully supported by the SGO to initiate and maintain creative independence with.”

-- Billie Redwood, SGO Events & Communications Officer, 2017-2019

“Working in the Student Green Office is so much more than just doing your bit for sustainability. It’s a platform where you can develop the skills you want to alongside your degree. Throughout my time with the Student Green Office I’ve been able to develop media, communications and events planning skills – all of which, when combined with my degree, are perfect for my dream jobs in science media or events. This role helps you to develop your communication, teamwork and leadership skills like no other role could. I’ve been able to meet people I never would have done just in my degree, been a part of volunteering projects I never even knew existed and above all have gained such a huge appreciation for how sustainability fits into our wider day-to-day lives.”

-- Claire Nicholson, SGO Events Coordinator, 2016-2019

“Sustainability is an incredibly important subject and the SGO has given me the opportunity to find out more about it and spread the word to the wider community. Since working here, I have improved my communication skills and have learnt how to plan events and write blogs. I’ve had the opportunity to run chocolate tasting and bake-off events, and my position perfectly complements my Events Management degree.”

-- Megan Cork, SGO Events Coordinator 2014-2017