#CSPempowers student weekend: Students urged to harness their power and show influence

^{CSP student recruitment officer Ciara Younge. Photo: Darren O'Brien}

Sessions covered topics including influencing, campaigns, organising and communications.

However, delegates also had to work hard outside the agenda and participate in an Instagram takeover competition to show the power of the student voice to a wider audience.

CSP student recruitment officer Ciara Younge, opened the weekend by challenging delegates to post pictures and pitch their campaign messages using social media.

She said the importance of student empowerment began in 1986 and students continue to lead following the heritage of students marching into parliament, organising marches with placards and demonstrating.

‘You are already doing a lot of campaigning and making a difference to the profession.

‘Why not organise a march down Whitehall to demonstrate about the pay cap?’ she asked. ‘You don’t want to wait until you graduate to make changes in your profession.’

She pointed out that there are many ways to communicate influence and power.

‘You are millennials, you are tech savvy and can communicate in different ways from physio students in the past. You are standing on the shoulders of your ancestors.

‘There are 6,500 of you so show your influence.’