Hello everyone! Welcome back to the new academic year at Christ Church. Whether you are a new student this September or a returning student, we’re so happy to have you here with us!

My name is Madeline (Maddie to pretty much everyone!) and I am part of the new team of Student Green Office Project Officer’s for this academic year. I am a second year Events Management Student, and I have taken on this position to use my skills and knowledge as an event manager in anticipation of creating change for the future of sustainability – both here at Christ Church and hopefully further afield!

I grew up on the outskirts of London and moved to the countryside five years ago. I have had an awareness of sustainability since I was in secondary school, and I was lucky enough to work alongside the Mayor of London and Thames Water in a water conservation project. I spent lots of time working with young people to help educate them on the importance of water conservation and what the future will look like should we remain avoidant of the importance of climate action. Moving out of London and to the countryside furthered my interest into sustainability and climate action. I can remember taking my beloved dog Storm (he is very cute) on a walk during the Autum and staring at the fields as the sun was setting and thinking “I hope we never lose this”. So, it is my goal to do what I can to avoid losing something I have grown to love, both in my hometown and outside of it.

I have a profound passion for social sustainability too. As a disabled young adult, I would like to use my time in the SGO raising awareness of accessibility and diversity on campus and in the wider community. I read a news article back in February this year about a disability activist called Jennie Berry (@wheelie_good_life). Jennie is a wheelchair user and was traveling in London via the tube, when reaching her destination, the lifts were out of order. What happened next is something that deeply affected me, not only as a disabled person myself, but simply as a human being. Jennie was forced to drag herself step by step up the station stairs without any assistance, only to be met by staff laughing at the situation at the top of the stairs.

This article for me really heightened my need and ambition to raise further awareness around accessibility, so that no one else must experience such a dehumanising experience. I will use my time on the SGO team to make a difference, both for environmental and social sustainability. I am excited to combine my two areas of interest as well as putting into action what I am learning through my degree! I hope that what I am able to do throughout this year resonates with our community here at Christ Church. Even if I can make a difference for one person, that is more than enough for me!

So, keep an eye out for the team and I to see what we are up to, and get involved! Every person that helps is another person helping to make a difference – so what could you do?

See you soon!

By Madeline Polston, SGO Projects Officer