I am a Higher Education Progression Adviser within the Shaping Futures team with responsibility for delivery across 9 schools in the Liverpool City Region. I am also the Shaping Futures Special Projects lead, working on a broad range of targeted, innovative projects for students across the Liverpool City Region, including work with local NHS Trusts, the Big Bang North West and our flagship KS4 project ‘Through the Eyes of Boys’, which has worked with over 300 students since its inception and aims to address the under-representation of young men from disadvantaged backgrounds within Higher Education. In the new academic year I will be leading on the ‘Through the Eyes of Girls’ programme, aiming to inspire young women in the Liverpool City Region.

I have worked in widening participation since graduating in 2014 with a BA Hons in English, Media and Cultural Studies from Liverpool John Moores. After joining the University of Liverpool’s central widening participation team as a Pre-16 Graduate Advocate, I progressed to an Assistant Project Officer post with responsibility for Year 7 campus visits, the Dangerous Science Summer School and communications for the team, including print, digital and social media, before joining the Shaping Futures team.

As the Higher Education Adviser for St Helens, I oversee the relationship between Shaping Futures, three colleges and four priority schools in the region. My aim is to tailor our programme of activity and maximise the impact of this for each group of students we work with.

Previously, I completed a Masters Degree in Research and have a background in raising the aspirations of young people in challenging contexts through coaching and 1:1 development. I have worked nationally for Crisis and the Prince’s Trust, managing programmes to support young people in achieving academic and pastoral goals. I don’t function in the morning without a cup of coffee, have a love-hate relationship with running and I am passionate about education for everyone.

I am a Higher Education Progression Advisor for the City of Liverpool College supporting students with Higher education advice and guidance. Aside from my main role, I also lead on a number of projects including our Inspiring Future Females project working with local girls schools and partnering with Culture Liverpool. Another project I lead on is our Shaping Futures Community Engagement where we work with our partner HE providers in bringing information and inspiration across the Liverpool city region.

My experience of working with young people spans over 20yrs as I have worked as a teacher, trainer, mentor, youth and community worker. In 2013 I completed my MA (Practice as Research) at Edge Hill University, where I also completed my PCET (Post Compulsory Education and training) in 2010. My first degree was at Hope University in 2003 in Creative and performing Arts.

Understanding young people’s needs and supporting them in overcoming barriers has always been a part of the work I deliver. Through the Shaping futures projects I am able to share HE opportunities and information in an innovative and creative way that can be the catalyst in helping to shape a young person future pathway.

I am currently a Higher Education Progression Adviser for Shaping Futures and work within schools in Halton. I graduated from the University of Liverpool studying Psychology whilst working as a Student Advocate for the University of Liverpool’s Widening Participation team as well as founding an outreach society called EdPsych.

After graduating I was a Project Assistant for Shaping Futures in which I assisted in the delivery and development of sessions for the core school programme working with Knowsley and St Helens schools. I also assisted on the Through the Eyes of Boys programme as well as work with the NHS.

Within my current role, I hope to work with the Halton schools to develop bespoke activity plans for each school to suit their needs and to fully support their students. I will continue to work on additional projects such as Bright Sparks and Use Your Voice.

I joined the Shaping Futures team in October 2018 as a Higher Education Progression Adviser, which involves working with priority schools across Wirral and Liverpool, forging effective partnerships with teachers, students and parents alike to engage in a programme of activities and ‘one to one’ guidance interventions aimed at raising aspirations through Higher Education opportunities.

As a professional Careers Adviser with over twenty years’ experience of delivering quality guidance services to young people within numerous educational institutions across the wider Liverpool City region, I pride myself on my drive and commitment to raise awareness of opportunities for all and I continue to strive to promote a supportive environment that individuals seek to access time and again.

I work as a Higher Education Progression Adviser within the Shaping Futures Team. I work closely with colleges and priority schools in St. Helens.

After graduating with a degree in history, I worked with students studying English as a foreign language at the University of Glasgow. This was a great introduction to the Higher Education sector and inspired me to study for a TEFL qualification and teach abroad. After returning to the UK, I was able to put my teaching experience to use in a different setting, working for two years with an employability service supporting vulnerable young people into employment, further education or training. Following this position I moved to Liverpool, returning to Higher Education to study history at postgraduate level.

Now at Shaping Futures, I have the opportunity to combine a passion for Higher Education, and the benefits it can bring, with experiences working in education and guiding young people in their future choices. As a Higher Education Progression Adviser I work to build strong relationships with schools and colleges, providing tailored delivery and one-to-one guidance sessions.

I am a Higher Education Progression Adviser based in several schools within the Liverpool City Region. I studied a degree in Educational Psychology at Edge Hill University. Since graduating I have worked in a number of roles which have involved providing support to students, beginning as a Mentor for students with disabilities and mental health conditions.  I then worked within the Student Recruitment Team at Edge Hill University as an Education Liaison Assistant for Merseyside and the Isle of Man. Following on from this I worked within the University library providing students with academic support.

I am passionate about raising attainment to higher education by sharing my own experiences on the positive impact it can have. I have a long term illness and so I am aware of the barriers that some people may face on their educational journey. That said, I am also an ambassador for breaking down these barriers and striving for success, regardless of a person’s ability or background.

As a part of the Shaping Futures team I hope to engage with and inspire the next generation whilst providing them with the information they need to make an informed choice about their future.

I have recently joined the Shaping Futures project as a Higher Education Progression Adviser (HEPA). I work with several schools across the Liverpool City Region to coordinate and deliver a wide range of inspiring activities to their students. I also work with Cronton and Riverside College to focus on more one to one IAG for their level three learners.

I graduated back in 2004 with a combined degree in Fine Art and Education Studies and then was successful in gaining a sponsorship to go on a complete a postgraduate in Careers, Advice and Guidance.

I have previously worked for many years as a Careers Adviser within schools and sixth forms across the Merseyside region. I aim to create further networks within education to build relationships within schools and colleges as a HEPA to provide innovative ways of sharing the many benefits of higher education with their students. I’m passionate about ensuring that young people of all backgrounds have access to the information they need to make informed decisions and are able to benefit from Shaping Futures with the aim of encouraging and inspiring them to consider HE pathways and open up exciting possibilities for their futures.