Do you want to change Cardiff University? Whether you’re a fresher or returner, activist groups affect you.
While University life is busy, your spare time could help organise protests, lobby institutions, or bake cakes for fundraisers; and shape our campus.
If you’re interested in tackling sexual violence at Cardiff University and in wider society, Time To Act are the perfect fit for you. They burst onto the scene in 2023 with the founders, Becca Rumsey and Emily Carr, believing "sexual misconduct can be eliminated". The organisation has really changed campus culture. They lobbied for mandatory consent and bystander training for sports teams and societies; many of whom took the ‘Don’t Be A Shitty Committee’ pledge and completed TTA’s training.
This comes alongside institutional advancements including the creation of working groups on sexual violence in the University and Union. They’ve also recently raised over £4,000 for charity, become an NHS recognised sexual health hub, and have their ‘4th AGM motion already written’. This work would be impossible without the committed volunteers who run the most effective campaign group at Cardiff University.
The newly formed Cardiff Students Against Austerity believe “students and staff shouldn’t have to worry about fundamental needs while management salaries increase”. While as yet unproven, CSAA were quick to tell Gair Rhydd: “although we are in our infancy, this doesn’t mean we’re placid.”
To support their growth, reach out to CSAA who assure us they’re “non--partisan, so everyone is welcome.”
Caerdydd Students For Palestine aim to hold Cardiff University “accountable for their complicity in the ongoing genocide in Palestine”. By occupying buildings and running encampments CS4P made the University open more asylum seeker scholarships and publish their investment portfolio. While successful, these methods were controversial as they culminated in an injunction on protests by the university.
Adjacent to their controversial methods, CS4P hosts fundraising events supporting Palestinians living in Gaza. With consistent activism since 2024, CS4P are ideal for aspiring activists who should visit their instagram or attend their events to get involved.
As their mop mascot may give away, Re-Open-Nominations isn’t your traditional protest group. Established two years ago, R.O.N’s instagram page “is about getting students engaged in student democracy while holding candidates to account in an engaging manner” Within this dialogue, R.O.N has supported candidates and ensured all campaigns are bilingual.
With turnout on the rise, we have no doubt you’ll contact their instagram to engage with student democracy. This work ensures candidates are “the best they can be”, whilst fulfilling Student Union election rules requiring R.O.N. to be a valid candidate.
How effective are these groups? The answer to that question depends on you.
These students have changed campus culture and institutional norms but they need your help.
You have to be the change you want to see. It’s time to get involved. Use your spare time to organize protests, lobby institutions or bake cakes.