Statement on Union financial Sustainability
Dear Members,
We want to be open with you about the financial challenges Winchester Students’ Union is currently facing and what this may mean for the services and spaces you use. We need to be open and transparent with you about these challenges, particularly if there will be an impact on your day-to-day student experience.
At present, we are reviewing our funding model and continuing constructive discussions with the University to ensure WinchSU can remain sustainable and continue to support students effectively in the years ahead.
Who we are and why this matters
Winchester Students’ Union is a charity, separate but tied to the University, to which every student is a member. We exist to represent you and to enrich your time at university. That includes campaigning on your behalf, giving voice to your feedback, running sports, societies and representational networks, delivering events, providing welfare initiatives, and creating spaces where you can feel a sense of belonging and community. University is not just about lectures and assessments - it’s about experience, connection, and feeling at home. WinchSU strives to play a central role in that.
Our financial challenges
Like much of the higher education sector, the University of Winchester is experiencing financial challenges linked to rising operational costs, lack of government support and changes in student numbers, which in turn affects income across the institution. Students’ Unions are funded primarily through a combination of a block grant from their university and their own income generation.
While we are grateful for the University’s ongoing financial support, and are understanding of their own financial pressures, the block grant provided is not sufficient to fully support our current range of services, facilities, and activities we deliver for students.
Historically, WinchSU has relied heavily on income we can generate from commercial services such as shops, bars and events, to bridge this gap. However, the reduction of student numbers, changes to student demographics, rising operational costs (including a lease we pay back to the University for some of the spaces we use; last year 27% of our block grant was returned to the University to pay this lease), and falling usage/cost-of-living pressures, mean this model is now unsustainable.
Delivering your Students’ Union
Over recent years, and with the strategic oversight of our Board of Trustees, we have rightly used financial reserves (our savings) to ensure we could deliberately prioritise continuing to deliver the activities that form a core part of the student experience here at Winchester. We have now reached a point where this approach is no longer sustainable.
We are actively reviewing how we run and how we are funded, working with the University to explore sustainable options that recognise our challenges and enable us to continue enriching the student experience.
While these discussions continue, it is important to be honest that some areas of our activity may need to change. This does not mean these things are unimportant - quite the opposite. Our priority remains protecting the services and opportunities that matter most to you and making sure that what we offer is realistic, sustainable, and impactful.
What this could mean for WinchSU services and activities
WinchSU has already made reductions in some areas of spend. Continued financial pressures may affect some of our core activities and services*, and we will continue working with the University to look at how we can continue delivering a great student experience.
* Our core services and opportunities currently include:
- Academic representation (through student reps, elected officers and University meetings)
- Activity Groups (such as Sports, Societies and Networks) and events such as Varsity and Winton
- Advice Centre (for guidance and support)
- Campaigns and change-making (such as free period & sexual health products, cost-of-living initiatives incl. free food shelf, and EDI campaigns)
- Campus shops
- Laundry provision across campus
- Social events (such as Bop, Karaoke, crafting)
- Social spaces (such as Bars, Terrace, Lounge)
- Wellbeing initiatives (late-night welfare provision, Wellbeing Cafe, Recharge Days)
What can you do to help?
We are a not-for-profit charity; everything you spend with WinchSU goes directly back into supporting your student experience. While we review our funding model, continued use of our spaces, events, and services plays an important role in helping us remain sustainable. This includes choosing to spend time in our venues, attending events, and using our on-campus shops.
“Run by students. Run for students. Kept going by students"
But it’s not just about using our services when you can. You are our members and so in the weeks ahead, we need to hear your views. Your voices matter, and we want your perspectives to help shape the decisions we make on your behalf.
In the lead-up to our ‘Speak Week’ campaign in March, we’ll be sharing more about the areas under pressure and the choices we may need to consider. During Speak Week itself, we’ll be explicitly asking what you value most, what you’d like us to prioritise, and what kind of Students’ Union you want to see in the future. In the meantime, please give us feedback here www.winchesterstudents.co.uk/feedback
Thank you for your understanding and continued support. We remain committed to representing you, supporting your wellbeing, and providing spaces, activities, and opportunities that enrich your time at Winchester. Please help us shape the future of your union by expressing what you value most, through using our services and giving us as much feedback as possible.
The future of your students’ union starts with you.
Alexandra Wilson (President)
MJ Blyth (VP Education & Welfare)
George Watkinson-Biddulph (VP Activities & Commercial)
WinchSU Sabbatical Officers 2025/26
