Who We Are
Val Yates
Widening Participation Coordinator
v.yates@worc.ac.uk
“I am responsible for managing and providing a strategic overview for the Widening Participation Unit and team. I work with local consortia, for example the 14-19 Strategy Group to advise on issues relating to Widening Participation in HE. In addition to my role in the WPU, I am the Sub-Regional Coordinator for Aimhigher in Herefordshire and Worcestershire (http://www.aimhigherwm.org/).
"Aimhigher is a national, government-funded initiative, which aims to raise awareness and aspirations towards HE to under-represented groups. I am also Director and trustee for Worcester Westside Ltd. (Community Centre in Dines Green) and provide line-management to one of the centre’s staff.”
Julie Fisher
Outreach Coordinator
julie.fisher@worc.ac.uk
“I am responsible for implementing the Widening Participation Unit’s outreach programme. This includes schools and colleges liaison work, coordinating the Summer Schools programme, and an evaluation project on the impact of Summer Schools.”
Bex Reynolds / Julie Palmer (Bex is on maternity leave until July 2010)
Team Administrator
r.reynolds@worc.ac.uk / j.palmer@worc.ac.uk
“We provide administrative support for the Widening Participation team. This means that we get involved at varying levels with a range of activities, from collating data for reports to ordering resources. We are web editors for the Aimhigher Herefordshire and Worcestershire pages, and produce a regular newsletter targeted at Aimhigher practitioners.”
Will Norman
Widening Participation Officer
w.norman@worc.ac.uk
"I am responsible for the co-ordination of the Excellence Hub here at Worcester, working with colleagues from other universities in the West Midlands. The scheme provides activities for gifted and talented learners. I also work closely with Julie on co-ordinating the Summer Schools programme, visit days and other activities."
Susan Birch
Thinksmart Co-ordinator s.birch@worc.ac.uk
"My role is to manage the Thinksmart project, where current University of Worcester students support school learners in a 10 week personal development programme."
Aimhigher colleagues based within the Widening Participation Unit
Hilary Fox
Impartial HE Guidance Officer
h.fox@worc.ac.uk
“My role is to support anyone in Herefordshire & Worcestershire who gives advice & information about Higher Education – that covers Connexions staff, Year 12/13 heads and tutors, Careers teachers, FE Student Services personnel, parents, learning & community mentors, trainers & employers, etc. I develop resources, information networks and activities to ensure HE information, advice & guidance is accurate, up-to-date and relevant.”
Catherine Smith
Aimhigher Projects Officer
Catherine.smith@worc.ac.uk
“I am responsible for summer schools recruitment, and managing the Aimhigher Associates Scheme, where UW students work with local school pupils to increase their knowledge of higher education opportunities .I am also a trustee for Community First, an organisation which supports the voluntary sector across Worcestershire and Herefordshire."
Siobhan Lead
Summer Schools Project Assistant
s.lead@worc.ac.uk
" My role is to support the central co-ordination of summer schools recruitment across the region, including the use of a new online application system which has been developed by UCAS."