A word from Karen Cooke!

February is your month to be inspired! February always feels like a busy and challenging yet inspiring month for me. Two of my passions cross over and remind me of the good that people can do when they work together in a focussed way.

The first of my passions is being Chair of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans + Staff Network at Cardiff University and February is LGBT History Month. We arrange a large number of events over the month to raise awareness for our staff and students. This includes raising the rainbow flag over the Main Cardiff University building on Park Place, education sessions on exploring transgender identity and gender transition, hosting an LGBT Sport Cymru film night and welcoming people from outside Higher Education to speak about their own personal experience. This year we are really excited to welcome La-Chun Lindsay from GE Aviation Wales and Chief Superintendent Belinda Davies of South Wales Police to speak, you can book tickets at the following links:

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lgbt-history-month-with-la-chun-lindsay-tickets

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/commanding-our-diverse-capital-chief-superintendent-tickets

My second passion is my role as a General Trustee for Student Volunteering Cardiff. We run a huge range of activities all year round (as many of you will know!) benefitting those who have learning disabilities, mental health conditions, are elderly or homeless, working with the environment and with the police and the local government but February gives you the opportunity to get involved in all that SVC does via Student Volunteering week.

Starting on the 20 February we are helping with makeovers of a primary school and a hospice, running a learning disability workshop, a club night for adults with disabilities and afternoon tea for the elderly. I’ve got more out of being on the Board of SVC than I could possibly tell you, learning about charity law, making excellent friends and seeing how the work we do has a massive impact on our beneficiaries – who wouldn’t want to do that?

Which reminds me of why February is so inspiring – it brings together all of the volunteer work I do with two amazing groups of people who are influencing real change across organisations and the city of Cardiff, allowing people to flourish and excel by being exactly who they are. If you have the chance to get involved in a network where you work then jump at the chance. If you’re interested on being on the Board of SVC you only need to click here to find out more:

www.svcardiff.org/opportunities-and-recruitment, trust me – it’s the best decision you’ll make this February!