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Our People
Emma Dixon, Nursery Manager at Oak Tree Day Nursery
I can hardly believe it was ten years ago now, when I arrived for my first day here. I was straight out of College and keen to get some hands-on experience, so when I saw an ad in the local paper for a Nursery Support Worker, I thought it was the perfect opportunity. I was living in the area and knew where the University was, and when they offered to help me study for my NVQ Level 3 to become a Nursery Nurse, it was too good an opportunity to pass up. Since then I've done lots of other training courses and there's always support and encouragement to develop your skills. I think their approach to personal development is what makes people want to stay. I'm now managing the University's onsite nursery and one of my proudest achievements has been the highest Ofsted report which the nursery received recently. Each member of the team got a capital bond to say thank you and I received a personal email from the Director of the University.
Nicky Morrison, Campus Librarian, School of Art and Design
I've been working here for two years and I absolutely love it! It's turned out to be my ideal job in lots of ways. I'd done a variety of different library jobs before coming here - I worked at UWE hospital library and before that I was a researcher at an architects' firm, but when I saw the advert for this in the CILIP publication I was really interested in the chance to job-share. I have a great job-share partner and we work really well together, covering every aspect of the role. I do two and a half days a week, which gives me lots of time to get involved in wider projects and balance out-of-work commitments. Sometimes I do extra hours at Newton Park library and I feel really involved with how things are run because I'm always talking to the tutors at the School of Art and Design and I going to the course and school board meetings. They listen to everybody's views, whatever your position, and the library really feels like a part of the University community. I only live a stone's throw from the site and one of the perks of the job is getting a preview of the artists, ceramists, graphic and fashion designers of tomorrow.
Jonathan Prestidge, Projects Officer
Since starting here a couple of years ago, no two days have been the same as my role is enormously varied. I initially started as a part-time research assistant, but the position developed and I gradually took on more responsibilities. I'm now full-time, managing relationships with further education colleges, providing student training and bidding for funds from the government. I also maintain the centre website and look after budgets. All of this means I'm dealing with different people across the university every day, which is great. Everyone is very friendly and the teamwork ethos is strong across all the departments. On a practical level, the benefits couldn't be better. Both of the campuses I work at are stunning and because of their central location and excellent parking facilities, I don't have any commuting hassles so my mornings are completely stress-free. We get flexi-time and a good pension scheme, which means I can think about my future, whilst working in a young and vibrant atmosphere.
