Introducing Nika who has recently joined the UCASU team as Advice & Wellbeing Coordinator! Read on to find more out about Nika, and what support you can access with your Union membership.
Hello! My name is Nika Bacac and I am pleased to announce that I am your new Advice & Wellbeing Coordinator here at UCASU. So happy to join the team!
As I am settling into the new role, please feel free to come and say hi at the UCASU office on Epsom campus where I’ll be based from February onwards.
Originally from the Mediterranean country of Croatia, I moved to England in 2020 to pursue a masters in psychology at the University of Essex. This is where I explored my interests in terms of wellbeing, which now include mental and physical health, as well as managing wellbeing with conditions and disorders such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder etc. My previous work experience includes roles on both organisational and wellbeing end, such as project management, healthcare assistance, and support work. My hobbies include reading, knitting, yoga, and trying out plant-based recipes! :)
While I absolutely loved my time at the university, I also remember the challenges that I had to face as a student. From finding accommodation to taking care of mental health during exam time, the unpredictable aspects of student life can sometimes get to any of us. While you are going through your own challenges, please remember to always ask for support if you need it. Whether it is accommodation or mental health issues, academic misconduct allegations, resits & retakes, complaints, or really anything you feel the need to talk about, please know that you can always contact me for an initial confidential conversation. You can reach out to me on advice.su@uca.ac.uk, and from February you can also call me on 01252 89 29 09. I am generally available from 9 am – 5 pm, Monday to Friday.
Along with support on any issues, you are also welcome to send me any suggestions you might have in terms of anything advice & wellbeing related. You might have an idea for an event or workshop that you feel students would benefit from. For example, during the second week of February, we have invited the Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) and Metro charity (Kent) to our campuses for National HIV Testing Week. You will be able to find out useful information about HIV testing and sexual health in general, and get freebies such as condoms as well! I will be there to support any student that wants to sign up for our condom scheme (C-Card for Surrey, and Get it for Kent).
Lastly, I am sorry to say I will not be able to attend our very own Refreshers which is coming up this week, but please do check them out – I hear the UCASU team is preparing lots of great stuff for you!
Best wishes,
Nika