Coventry Resource Centre for the Blind 

I wrote and recorded original stories for the CRCB and had written more than 60 to date.

Writer/Broadcaster

Coventry University

I was the Student Liaison and Support Officer for the Office of Teaching and Learning, Coventry University Corporate Services Ltd.

My role was to tell the students about work experience placements, seminars, scholarships and volunteering opportunities as well as events that happened at the Uni and beyond.

I had a determination to make sure that our students graduated with more than just a degree and wanted to help enhance the student experience for undergraduates and postgraduates.

I enjoyed working with students and hopefully helped them to enjoy their time at Coventry University and helped them to feel part of the wider community. 

I regularly engaged with them and was often seen chatting to them around campus. I found that by talking to them, sharing their stories, or telling them about the diversity of opportunities available to them, I could somehow make a difference.

The feedback I got made me feel that they appreciated what I did.

I worked closely with the marketing and communications team, the volunteering and employment teams and supported schools, faculties and individuals with advice and information on the best way of communicating with our students.

I populated and updated the events, opportunities and news sections of the student portal as well as the Office of Teachng and Learning X account - @OTLCovUni 

I was the recipient of the very first  Star Award which was given to me by the University Alliance Group in 2020 for my work in supporting students.

It was a great job which kept me very busy, and I wouldn't have had it any other way!

Former Student Liaison and Support Officer

I was appointed as the first External Press and Media Relations Officer and set up and ran the press office part of the external communications side with a very small, but productive team.

We generated on average approximately 400 press cuttings a month and worked with all the schools and faculties, academics and students to raise the profile of the University.

I managed to bring some high profile politicians to the University including William Hague and David Willetts and acted as spokesperson for the University and was the out of hours media contact.

External Press and Media Relations Officer

Coventry City Council

I was one of a number of press officers covering the press needs of various Cabinet Members and their portfolios.

Communications Officer

Birmingham City Council

I worked for virtually for every department at the City Council over the course of 13 years and provided press support for them.

Highlights included working on the press work for the Bullring redevelopment and the creation of the ICC and NIA, the Special European Summit 1992, Euro 96, Eurovision Song Contest '98 and G8 Summit '98 to name but a few.

I acted as an unofficial bodyguard for President Bill Clinton during the G8 summit!

I got funding for and set up a community radio station for the Together in Birmingham festival (TIB FM). I was on the committee that decided to fund and bring the Radio Festival to Birmingham and did the press work for the International Birmingham Carnival for a number of years.

Working for various departments during my time at BCC, I was their press officer and wrote press releases, organised press conferences, wrote speeches for the Members and Officers and advised them on media matters and did media training with them. I was also the out of hours press contact on a rota basis.

I was the Lord Mayor's press officer and worked with a dozen different Lord Mayors and successfully created the press and media for the retirement of 'Brummie' the Council House cat!

I was also at the City Council at the time of the 'Winterval' episode where the media tried to make it look like we had banned Christmas! However, if you watch the 'Empire' episode of QI, the lovely Stephen Fry puts the record straight on that one!!

There is so much more I could say about my time at BCC and maybe one day, some of it will end up in my memoirs, especially the time when I was part of the ill-fated Directorate of Public Affairs!

Senior Media Officer

BBC Stoke

I was a researcher, producer and presenter at the BBC Local Radio station serving North Staffordshire and South Cheshire.

This was one of my happiest times. I worked with some wonderful people, most of whom I am still in touch with and I am also in regular contact with some of the listeners. 

During my time at Radio Stoke, I had the highest listening figures of the week for my weekend shows. I used to be a regular stand - in for the mid morning show and for a while, was the afternoon show presenter.

Producer/Presenter

I have enjoyed working with students from all walks of life and 
I have put my heart and soul into every job I did. 

I really enjoyed my work and hoped that my efforts made a difference.

Sadly, due to illness, I am no longer able to work with students, but I still come across graduates in health sector and am amazed at  how professional and well-trained they are. I also still give advice to students in a personal capacity and have made some great connections with graduates over the years, and continue to stay in touch.

I was the recipient of the very first  Star Award, which was given to me by the University Alliance Group in 2020, for my work in supporting students of which, I was very proud.

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