Ness Hawes

As everybody who has even stepped on to the Leeds University Campus knows, the LUU Leadership race is upon us. I spoke to Ness Hawes, running for welfare officer, whom I not only think is an excellent candidate to run our union, but is a fantastically interesting student, and what’s more, a person who actually cares and believes in what she is running for. She has done more in her time at university than most do in their whole life – I don’t even know how she has the time to do this interview, but I don’t want to ask and seem ungrateful J So here you are, the lovely Ness Hawes.
 

HC: WELL HELLO NESS, HOW ARE YOU FEELING?

Good morning! I’m very well thank you, how are you?

HC: WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE BIOLOGY?

At high school I was pushed to do an academic subject even though my heart was always in Art, so out of all of them it had to Biology! It’s always been my favourite subject at school, but over my degree, I have really grown to love it. It’s such an exciting and fast paced subject, and I think one that’s very relevant to us in terms of research and new advances. I’m not ashamed of my David Attenborough box sets!

HC: TELL US ABOUT YOUR VERY BUSY EXTRA-CURRICULAR LIFE – I KNOW YOU LOVE BEACH BREAK LIVE!

Being busy is my biggest stress buster- I get itchy feet if I’m still for too long! Over my degree I’ve been active on society committees, worked as a barmaid in Vodka Revs, and worked for a large number of marketing companies. I’ve spent two years as Vice President of FOBSOC, and in February last year I took 180 students to Amsterdam in the biggest Fresherdam trip in Leeds history! I’ve also spent a year on the Horse Riding Committee, travelling with the team to Dublin for the International Tetrathlon (modern pentathlon with no fencing!), and I was elected Captain in May 2011, but unfortunately had to resign after an accident which has made me stop riding.  I also love skiing, and I’m an active member of the Snowriders society; I embarrassed myself representing the race team once in Christmas fancy dress… but I support the teams at the races and attend the holidays in the Alps. Ironically, I also work as a ski rep for Outgoing over Christmas and Easter, taking students from all over the UK to France and Austria! This is my third year working with Beach Break Live, it’s a fantastic event run by a lovely tight knit team in London, and I manage the team of reps up here in Leeds. Through my connections with BBL, I have landed jobs working in marketing for brands such as Dell, Miller UK, and Brothers over the last year. I think this extensive marketing experience puts me apart from other candidates as I would use this to really make my manifesto points reach reality, especially in terms of mental health campaigning, where I think our biggest hurdle is public awareness.                                       

HC:  WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO RUN IN THE LEADERSHIP RACE?

If I’m completely honest, before I knew anything about the roles, I saw the opportunity to stay in Leeds for another year and was sold – I love this university.  The Leadership Race is a fantastic opportunity to run a £10 million charity, yes its hard work, and balancing a dissertation too is near impossible, but if I got it, it would 100% be worth it to make a difference to thousands of students and to do a job I loved.

HC:  THERE HAS BEEN A BIT OF CONTROVERSY ABOUT YOUR MDMA PURITY TESTING KIT IDEA, WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO INCLUDE THIS IN YOUR MANIFESTO/WHY?

My manifesto is very honest, every point is something I want to change, and although risky, I knew drugs would have to feature. A number of students from Leeds (various institutions) have died from MDMA this academic year, and the flock figures show that MDMA is frequently taken by 7% of Leeds students, with many more inevitably trying it. There is no point is burying our heads in the sand; we need to tackle this issue head on. The biggest risk associated with MDMA is the substances it has been cut with (reducing its purity to make the drug go further), and I’m very much in favour of positive action over punishment and lecturing. I think that if a student is receiving confidential drugs counselling from the union, they should be able to buy (at full price) an MDMA purity testing kit, as a last resort. In my opinion, this is not endorsing drug use in any way, but instead, taking appropriate action.

HC: WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE BIT OF YOUR CAMPAIGN SO FAR?

Campaigning is tough, but a fantastic experience. I loved making the Happiness Tree on campus, my housemates Charli and Thom and I spent a day making the tags and got up early to cover the tree. I invited students walking by to write something that makes them smile on a tag, and wanted to produce an installation that just said something positive and made people stop running around in their stressful day and just think of what makes them happy! After putting it up, I ran to a lecture, intending to come back and finish, but was amazed to find that the tree had been covered with statements such as “I’m in love,” “treating everyone as equal,” “worshipping Allah,” “the beetles: let it be!” and my favourite, “this tree.” I was so overwhelmed by the response; just wait for the balloons and rubber ducks over the coming week!

HC: WHY DID YOU PICK WELFARE OVER THE OTHER POSITIONS?

After deciding that the Leadership Race was for me, I looked at the roles and welfare really struck a nerve with me. We’ve all had our ups and downs here, it’s only natural. But the more I looked into the fantastic services the union provides, I realised that many of my struggles over the last two years could have been nipped in the bud, if I only knew the support was there. It’s about knowing that you’re normal and the same as everyone else  – I don’t want anyone else to make the same mistake and so we need to make everyone aware what services are there, and I would improve them as best as we can if I was elected.

HC: WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT LEEDS?

Where to start! Leeds is a fantastic city, with an amazing music scene, a vibrant and diverse culture, and I would be lying if I didn’t mention my love for the German Christmas Market and lazy summer days on Hyde Park! I just think Leeds is the perfect city to live in as student; we’re very lucky to have Hyde Park and Headingley as such student hubs, and I think there is such a lovely sense of community and pride amongst most students. And a whole campus on the edge of a city? Perfect. Yes… I love my time at Leeds!

 
Well, I’m sold. Ness, you have got my vote. Those who are still undecided, I ask you to watch her AMAZING campaign video!

…But if you still need a little bit of persuading, check out Ness’s manifesto on her website, her Facebook group, and her Twitter