Hi, I'm Jamie and I'm the Voice and Advocacy Manager at Your Union. This means I oversee the operation of our excellent advice team to make sure we're best placed to help students when they need us, and also that we apply what we're learning from students' challenges to prevent them in the future. I've worked at Staffs since 2017, before which I worked at KeeleSU, SoT 6th Form College and in a self-employed capacity. Prior to this and my grey hair, I studied at Staffs and was also part of the Officer Team for two years. When I'm not Voice-ing and Advocating, you'll most likely find me walking my two collies with my family or enjoying a pint in a "proper" pub!
Hi! I’m Jess and I’m the Student Union Co-ordinator based at Staffordshire University Stafford Campus. I completed my Undergraduate and Master’s degree here at Staffs and started working at the Union in 2017! I became a Duty Venue Manager in 2021 and now have moved into this role! It is my role to provide you with advice and guidance, work with the Student Voice Team to represent your voice and work with the Student Engagement Team to help with events and activities! When I’m not at work you’ll usually find me watching anime - JoJo’s is my favourite!
Hi, I'm Martin and I have been an adviser for many years. My initial experience came from volunteering and later working for Citizens' Advice. It is through them I qualified in advice work. While working at Staffs Union I have updated my knowledge and skills through training from the Child Poverty Action Group, Citizen's Advice, NUS and the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education. I am strongly motivated to help people to the best of my ability and I get great satisfaction from seeing students' interests being well served. When I am not at work, you will find me tinkering with various musical instruments, and running an electronic music night at my local bar.
I'm Ralph. But you can call me anything you like. Within reason.
My Bachelor’s Degree in Theology isn’t really relevant to my work in terms of subject matter, but I use the transferrable and analytical skills and mind-set it provided every day. I became an Adviser in 1995 (yes, I'm that old); at first volunteering for Citizens' Advice and qualifying through their full advice training. Having specialised in disability benefits there (not an area in which I remain skilled), I started advising students in November 1997. I maintain my advice skills and knowledge through numerous trainings and meetings; especially valuing those on student funding provided by NUS and the Child Poverty Action Group plus sessions by the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education on University-related matters.
I find it rewarding to try and empower people to take control of their own lives and situations. I try to find ways of unpacking often-complex regulations or systems such that people can navigate through them and manage problematic situations for themselves.
Away from work, I retain an academic interest in Reformation/Cranmerian liturgy coupled with thought on the impact of beliefs (and how we speak of those beliefs) on our ways of thinking and our wellbeing. I still occasionally roll polyhedral dice; dabbling in Runequest Glorantha.
I'm Lisa and I'm the senior manager responsible for the advice service at the Students' Union.