news &views THE UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER MAGAZINE
May 2012
Creating a buzz Taking a sneak peek inside The Hive p.4-5
In this issue:
A Royal Opening The Hive to be opened by HM The Queen p.3
Going for Gold Student chosen to be Olympic medal bearer p.9
Talent Scout Gian Fazey-Koven is always prepared p.15
FEATURE
Tumbling to Victory
Worcester Cheerleaders Take National Title Cheerleaders from the University of Worcester were crowned Grand Champions at the British Cheerleading Association’s 2012 University National Championships as they back-flipped their way to the title. The Worcester Sinners Cheerleaders competed against university squads from around the country at the Telford International Centre in front of 2,000 spectators, where they impressed the panel of international judges. Captain Hannah Porter, aged 20, said: “I’m extremely proud of all of the squad for coming together as a team and fighting to get every part of the routine perfect. In recent months we have had a lot of hurdles
to overcome, which makes this win even more important to each of us. “Before, we could only dream about winning the title. We have come out of nowhere to be on top. We had been looking at that huge trophy all day and never even thought we had a chance.” The squad took 25 cheerleaders to the Championships and showed their dedication to the competition by staying behind at university for their first week of the Easter break to practice every day, a move that paid off. “We’ve been competing with the British Cheerleading Association since 2008 but have never been placed in cheer before,” added Hannah. “We have always struggled with our tumbling so
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tried to concentrate on our strengths and we worked extremely hard and proved to ourselves that we could do it.” With a record number of squads competing in this year’s Championships, cheerleading in Britain is on the rise. Derek Kent, Director of the BCA, said: “The standard of cheerleading is improving year upon year and we are seeing our membership increase all the time. The University Nationals is always one of the highlights of the year and everyone enjoyed watching the Worcester Sinners perform a great routine.”
COVER STORY wELCOME
contents Cheerleaders Take Title FEATURE
May 2012
W
elcome to the May issue of News & Views, featuring a round-up of news, updates and milestones from the past month at the University of Worcester. 2012 - the year that the UK celebrates a diamond jubilee and welcomes the Olympic games to London. Both events have promised to include the whole country and it seems Worcester is playing an important role in both occasions. In July, as part of her jubilee celebrations, Her Majesty the Queen will visit the City. Accompanied by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh she will formally open The Hive.
Cheerleaders Tumble to Victory 2
COVER STORY A Buzz Surrounding The Hive 4
Our cover story this month takes a sneak peek behind The Hive’s golden exterior to see how preparations are taking shape. In this issue we also feature students who have been chosen to work as ambassadors at the summer games and also congratulate students and staff members who have been selected to represent their country at the 2012 Paralympic Games. It’s going to be a busy few months, so don’t forget to keep sending us your news and features. Send them to us at newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
A ROYAL OPENING Her Majesty the Queen will, on the occasion of her diamond jubilee visit to Worcester on July 11, open The Hive, Britain’s first University and Public Library. Her Majesty will be accompanied by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh. The Royal party will be welcomed to The Hive by the University’s Chancellor, HRH the Duke of Gloucester.
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With our partners, we aim to make the Royal opening of The Hive as inclusive an event as possible. With this in mind, the University’s Head of Communication, Kate Moss, will circulate details of a ballot for all those members of staff who wish to secure an invitation to the opening. The ballot will take place at the end of May.
news A Royal Opening 3 An Edible Campus 6 The Big Bang Fair 6 Herefordshire Schools to Receive Partnership Awards 7 New Courses Launched 7 Scholarship Assistance 8 Finding Studio Space 8 Student Nurses Walk for Cancer Research UK 8 International Nurses Week 8 Going for Gold 9 Volunteering at The Games 9 What a Hoot 10 Published Journalists 10 Happy Reading 10 Paralympic Games 10 Geographers to Assist Researchers in Chile 11 Worcester Schools Compete in Olympics Event 12 RCN Conference 12 Worcester Wolves Visit Worcester Arena 12 GeoFest 2012 13 Sustainability Debate 14 Nursing Students Receive Vital Training 14
sTAFF FEATURE Talent Scout: Gian Fazey-Koven
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A BUZZ SURROUNDING
The Hive
COVER STORY Top page image The Children’s Library. Images on right hand side from 12 Moves
Thousands of people took advantage of a sneak peek of The Hive on Saturday 24 March. The Hive threw open its doors to the public for the first time to host an afternoon of dance, arts and theatre. 12 Moves creatures came alive as Robert Fletcher led his audience through a mysterious and magical promenade performance telling the story of his life as a crazy collector. The performance was opened by Colla Voce singing a capella followed by dancers from schools across Worcestershire who performed four times during the day for an intrigued and spellbound audience. The Cabinet of Curious Collectables was revealed for the first time displaying abstracted photographs of county collectors’ treasured items.
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Collections included a Bookshelf of Bizarreness, over 250 mini Lego figures and a theatre programme collection dating back to 1976. Details of each collection were found alongside the cabinet in a bound manuscript. The children’s library was buzzing with interactive activities and film clips of 12 Moves dancers from across the county over the last two years. The sun was beating down on The Hive’s Library Island and clear skies allowed for spectacular views across Worcester which were greatly enjoyed by all. Steve Wilson, County Arts Officer at Worcestershire County Council said “A spectacular 2,500 visitors came through The Hive’s doors to see this one off event.
The public were also eager to see the interior of this iconic community library and history centre which is set to open this July. The combination of 12 Moves and the first public sneak preview event was a great success”. Anne Hannaford, Director of Information and Learning Services at the University, added: “It was wonderful to see The Hive filled with so many people throughout the day; just as we know it will be when it is opened in July.
COVER STORY
We had many fantastic comments about the building from families who are eager to get in and start using the facilities on offer.” The event continued as crowds moved over to Croft Road to enjoy Breathe the Beat Roadshow and the finale for the day ‘12 Moves: After Dark’, a magical film screening with live music which saw the Croft Road railway arches lit up into a giant cinema screen. The film shown contained the work of hundreds of Worcestershire dancers, turned into an animated feature by digital artists SDNA. The 12 Moves event attracted more than 4,000 people over the course of the day. Look out for more preview events at The Hive this spring.
For students A new leaflet has been printed full of information relating to The Hive. Aimed at students, the leaflet is packed with useful information relating to the move to The Hive and details including directions and opening hours. Copies of the leaflet are available from Peirson library. Please encourage your students to pick up a copy.
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NEWS
Foraging Around An Edible Campus Self sufficient guru and professional forager Andy Hamilton made a special appearance at the University of Worcester to talk to students on a children’s book design module. The students, who were a mixture of Graphic Design and Illustration students, have been tasked with designing a book to explain to children about the edible flora and fauna found growing wild in the UK. Best selling author and BBC Autumnwatch forager, Andy Hamilton, took the students on a foraging trip around the University’s grounds to give them an insight into what can and can’t be eaten, and when. Andy Hamilton
“It was a pleasure to be invited back to the University and the students were very enthusiastic,” he said. “This was my first foraging trip of 2012 and it was great to spend it with the students. I’m looking forward to seeing their designs.” Andy is the author of the best-selling and award winning Booze for Free, and the critically acclaimed book The Selfsufficientish Bible. He also makes regular appearances on national and international TV and radio; highlights include BBC Countryfile, BBC Politics show, and the Alan Titchmarsh Show. Ali Stevenson, Lecturer on the Children’s Book Design module, said: “It was wonderful to have Andy back to talk to our latest group of students on this module. It’s always interesting to go out and find out which plants are edible; many things you wouldn’t realise. I think the students found it inspiring and immensely beneficial for their project and are now working on some design solutions.”
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Making an Impact at the Big Bang Back in April colleagues from Psychological Sciences were able to showcase some of their recent research at the ‘The Big Bang Fair’ at the NEC. This flagship event for National Science & Engineering Week is held every year and is billed as ‘the nation’s largest grassroots celebration of Interactive demonstrations the sciences, engineering and technology’. It proved to be a fantastic opportunity There were many positive to market science as a relevant comments from people subject for the 21st century and who know Worcester - we also the benefits of studying at are well known as a thriving the University of Worcester. University with community spirit - as well as questions On the day over 20,000 from people who wanted to children, parents and teachers know more about studying visited the fair and we were at Worcester. It really was a overwhelmed with the great opportunity to celebrate interest in our interactive science and to publicise demonstrations which included Worcester to future students. using touch screen technology such as the iPad to improve - Penny Upton, cognitive processes including Psychological Sciences memory, and improve children’s healthy eating behaviours.
NEWS
Herefordshire Schools to Receive
Partnership Awards More than 40 schools, colleges and children’s centres across Herefordshire are to be presented with a new award recognising outstanding regional partners in the world of education. The University of Worcester’s Institute of Education Partnership Awards scheme will see hundreds of schools, colleges and other education partners acknowledged for their commitment and dedication. Professor Chris Robertson, Head of the University’s Institute of Education, said: “This award signifies the value we place on our partnerships and our intention to continue working together to support regional excellence in education. We have an exciting and innovative programme of development to achieve this purpose jointly.”
The University works in active partnership with more than 500 schools, children’s centres and further education colleges across the West Midlands, and over 40 of these based in Herefordshire received the new award at The Courtyard in April. More than 60 schools in Worcester received the award in March at The Hive, Worcester’s new joint university and public library. Further award ceremonies are currently being planned over the next few months to recognise and celebrate high quality partnerships with the University which exist across the region, including further afield across the West Midlands. Successful partnership working is defined by the values and principles
upheld by the Institute of Education and its partners who are committed to working together to make a real difference to children, young people and their families by training the very best professionals to work with the next generation.
NCT and University of Worcester Launch New Courses for Parenting Education Applications have opened for a new university accredited Certificate of Higher Education for people wanting to support parents in the transition to parenthood. The Certificate of Higher Education – Birth and Beyond Practitioner course is one of a number of courses being offered through a new partnership between NCT, the UK’s largest charity for parents, and the University of Worcester. Having completed the Certificate of Higher Education, students can then continue their training by choosing a range of modules from the Foundation Degree course – whether they want to train as an antenatal teacher, breastfeeding counsellor, postnatal leader or NCT Doula, run Yoga for Pregnancy classes or take more specialised modules such as ‘Understanding the neonatal unit experience’. Applications are now open for courses beginning in September 2012. With tutorials run across the UK and study days hosted regionally, students can complete the majority of their studies without the need to travel to Worcester – making the courses ideal for women with families looking to return to study and work in an equally flexible career. Clea Harmer, Education Manager at NCT, said: “We’re delighted to offer a range of new and exciting opportunities through NCT College. The probationary year of practice means that students can start earning an income as
soon as possible, while ensuring they are well-supported and our high standards of teaching are maintained.
“Our partnership with the University will ensure the NCT College becomes a centre of excellence for training and research on all aspects of pregnancy, birth and parenthood, and will help NCT to reach more parents and parents-to-be through our courses.” Professor Geoffrey Elliott, Director of Regional Engagement said: “We are delighted to have been chosen to work with NCT to help parents in their transition to parenthood and will do all we can to help the country’s parents and children get off to the best possible start.”
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NEWS
Scholarship helps Design Student attend Conference in
Amsterdam A Graphic Design and Multimedia student enjoyed networking at a prestigious international conference thanks to a Worcester scholarship. Third year student Will Carey attended the two day FITC (Future Innovation Technology Creativity) design and technology conference in Amsterdam, which hosted over 50 presentations and panels covering creative, technical and business topics in digital media. The 27-year-old said: “FITC is a design conference, so it’s already my cup of tea. But it goes beyond that, the speakers there are from all over the world and the work they’ve done is inspiring. “The talks were split into two categories, creative and coding. I attended the creative talks and was always impressed by the speaker.” The University Scholarship Panel awarded Will £200 to assist financially with his attendance at the event.
Will Carey
“It was quite an expensive trip, with flights, accommodation and expenses so the scholarship was a most welcome subsidy,” he said. Will is currently a freelance designer and hopes to work for a design agency when he graduates. “My freelance work keeps me pretty busy but I’m in the midst of designing the invites and website for my upcoming wedding,” he said.
Art Students Successful Hunt for Studio Space Two art students who were looking for premises in the City to establish new studios have found their ideal venue. Stuart Layton and Brian Cook put out a call to all property owners in the hope of finding a suitable venue to emerging artists. Their distress call was answered and now Stuart and Brian are planning to open their premise at a location in Farrier Street, Worcester. Before securing the studio space the students feared Worcester was missing out on retaining many of its artists. “Worcester has a fantastic arts culture but without the space for artists to be creative, the City is losing many of its artists to bigger towns and cities.” “We hope to be able to create a vibrant studio where artists can come and be creative,” Brian said. “We would also potentially like to offer space for graduates from the University to retain that link. Both are completing the third year of a Fine Art degree at the University.
Student Nurses Walk for Cancer Research UK Seven student nurses undertook a five mile charity walk after being inspired by their studies. As part of their nursing studies the group had to create a plan of care for a woman, with a family, who was receiving palliative care for breast cancer. During the process of working together as a group, gathering information and preparing the care plan they found themselves empathising with the woman. Student Jess Arrowsmith said: “Some of us could identify with her as the woman was a similar age to our mothers, and many of us care mothers with families of our own. “As a group we felt so passionately about this that we decided to raise money to support both cancer research and cancer care. “We decided to undertake a five mile sponsored walk between the University
l-r: Stuart Layton and Brian Cook
of Worcester St John’s Campus and the Worcestershire Royal Hospital.” The group, which consisted of Emma Thomas, Lucy Stevens, Jess Arrowsmith, Ffion Banfield, Katie Doughty, Katy Bowen-Dickens and Tamsyn Lewin, successfully completed the walk in just under two hours and managed to raise £300 for Cancer Research UK.
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INTERNATIONAL NURSES WEEK 8-12 MAY The Institute of Health and Society, Preregistration nursing team and senior students would like to invite you to join us at the St John’s main reception on
Wednesday 9 May, 10am-2pm. We will be taking blood pressures and measuring lung capacity (peak flow monitor) We look forward to seeing you.
NEWS
Going for Gold
(and silver and bronze) A Sports Coaching Science student will have the prestigious job of handing out medals to the World’s top athletes at the Olympics and Paralympics this summer. Alex Donaldson has been selected as one of only a handful of volunteers to be a medals bearer. He will come face-to-face with the World’s top athletes at the Olympic stadium for nine days of athletics, and will hand out medals at Earls Court for volleyball, and at North Greenwich stadium for wheelchair basketball.
“It is a huge privilege to be selected as a medals bearer,” said the 21-year-old. “I’m extremely excited. I will be rubbing shoulders with the World’s top sports people handing out their medals – what a huge honour.” Alex had to apply online before being invited to an interview for the position. “I was made aware of the application process by sports lecturers at the
University so I thought I would give it a go,” he said. “I was totally overwhelmed when I found out.” Alex is currently in his final year and volunteers with numerous sports organisations and charities, including Worcester Blind Football Club, Worcester Wheelchair Basketball, and Worcester Snoezelen – a charity for people with severe learning disabilities. He is also an ambassador of the Sport Makers initiative, encouraging people to continue their participation in sport. Alex is currently one of five University students being employed as a coach at Bristol Rovers FC as well as working at the University Sports Centre. “Sport is a huge passion for me and I hope to pursue a career in coaching or development,” Alex said. “Volunteering at the Olympics and Paralympics is another string to my bow and will hopefully stand me in good stead when I’m job hunting, as well as just being an amazing experience for me.” David Mycock, Sports Coaching Science lecturer, who is also coach of
Alex Donaldson
the Great Britain Blind Football team and Head Coach of Worcester Blind Football Club, said: “The fact that Alex has been selected as a medal bearer is testament to his dedication and passion for sport and helping other people.
“He is a talented young coach and this experience will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for him.”
STUDENT TO VOLUNTEER AT LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES The scholarship is helping Gina Gina has received training in A Business, Marketing and Advertising with expenses attached to student from the University of Worcester preparation for the Games. volunteering for the Games. will be part of the Event Services team “I have attended all the training for the at the London 2012 Olympic Games. “I found out about the scholarship just by role and also gained a City of Guilds looking round for ways to raise money to level 2 qualification in stewarding Gina Hankinson, who is in her third year, help me out with my volunteering, travel for my time training,” she said. has been awarded a scholarship of £150 costs, living expenses and rent. I just asked,” to assist with volunteering at the Games. She also believes that her she said. “If you don’t ask you don’t get.” contribution to London 2012 will be The 22-year-old said: “I got involved with The London 2012 Olympics the Olympics and Paralympics because it is a great asset in the job market. Games begin on 27 July with the a once in a lifetime opportunity which will “Not many people can say they have formal Opening Ceremony. lead to great things for my future career. worked at such a global event,” she “I’m very excited and eagerly waiting said. “This will give me experience “At the Games I will be working at to start,” she said. “I have made lots that will stand out from others.” the Olympic Stadium, the main of new friends through the games venue. This involves a lot of customer Gina applied to volunteer at the Olympics and look forward to beginning my service work and assisting in making two years ago during the campaign to journey as part of the 2012 games.” sure the games run smoothly. recruit games makers and volunteers. “I have yet to hear of a specific role within “I applied online reluctantly, fearing the events team, but I applied for customer rejection, however I successfully service and brand protection roles so I gained a place at both the Olympics anticipate something within this area.” and Paralympics,” she said.
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NEWS
What a HOOT Come and join final year Drama students for a 3 day performance event. Head over to the drama department around 12pm on 10, 11 and 12 May to watch live performances, take part in a workshop and be entertained. There will be performances from six different companies which include: Flex, Loose Joints, Ladybug Theatre Company, Sine Timore, Steadfast and What a Pair. Expect to see a very diverse range of theatre such as mask acting, naturalistic theatre, physical theatre and theatre and digital media, as well as performances from other final year students taking the Theatre and Disability module. There will also be Lyrical and Hip-Hop
PUBLISHED JOURNALISTS Lecturers Claire Wolfe and Dr Barbara Mitra have had their critical comment piece ‘Newsreaders as eye candy: the hidden agenda of public service broadcasting’ published in the first issue of Journalism Education – the journal of the Association for Journalism Education. performances from Worcester Saints Dance Society! This event will be the last performance that the final year students perform together, which is why your support would be fantastic! Tickets can be bought on arrival (adults £4 and students £3). For further information on the festival please contact the marketing team by email on: n.p_2012@ hotmail.co.uk, or alternatively contact Liz Swift by email on e.swift@worc.ac.uk. Look forward to seeing you there!
This international peer-reviewed journal is devoted to publishing original research articles, commentaries and reviews of interest to everyone actively involved in teaching and research in this field of enquiry. To read the article, visit: http://journalism-education.org/
Happy Reading Sue Howarth, from the Institute of Education put in a successful bid to be a World Book Day ‘giver’ this year. The Time Traveller’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger was chosen by Sue to give to a group of University of Worcester PGCE and GTP Science students as, she says, the story neatly links Science and fiction. Twenty-four free copies were distributed to the student teachers on 23 April, World Book Day.
Staff and Graduates Selected to Represent Great Britain at Paralympic Games A member of staff and two graduates have been named in the Great Britain Blind Football squad for the 2012 Paralympic Games. Top: Lewis Skyers Botton: Will Norman
The British Paralympic Association this week announced the team, which includes staff member Will Norman and graduates Keryn Seal and Lewis Skyers. Lewis is one of two sighted goalkeepers. The Great Britain squad is being coached by University of Worcester Sports Coaching Science lecturer David Mycock. Will, who also played at the Beijing Paralympic Games
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year and hopefully coming in 2008, said: “I’m delighted home with a Gold or Silver.” to have been selected. It will be a huge honour to step out Sighted goalkeeper Dan on to the pitch in our home James and blind player Robin nation. We have been training Williams, who both play for hard, and will continue to do Worcester Blind Football so in the hope that we can Club, have also been selected secure a medal at the Games.” for the Great Britain squad. The team won a bronze The squad recently played medal at the 2011 IBSA a friendly against Spain at European Championships the RNC in Hereford, where in Aksaray, Turkey. they train every month. They David Mycock said: “We have will fly to Madrid in June for a tournament against a very talented team who are Brazil, Argentina, Spain and committed and keen to show China before the Paralympic the world what they can do. Games in September. “I think we’ve got a really good chance of building on the Bronze medal we won at the European Championships last
NEWS
Worcester Geographers to Assist Researchers in Chile
Researchers from Worcester will be assisting in a major project looking to protect endangered species in a Chilean river. Principal Lecturer in Physical Geography, Dr Ian Maddock, PostDoctoral Research Fellow Caroline Wallis and PhD student Amy Woodget are taking part in a research project looking at hydraulic habitats on the San Pedro River. The trio will be helping researchers from the University of Concepcion in Chile to understand the complex relationship between the physical nature of the river and its flow, and how that influences the different species that live within the river. Dr Maddock said: “The University of Concepcion has an on going research project on the San Pedro River, where there are currently plans to build a dam. Obviously putting a dam into a river has major impacts on the flow and subsequently the habitats and species. “We have been asked to go and assist in the research and will be sharing our expertise, as well as gaining knowledge from the work that they are carrying out, to bring back and share with our students at Worcester.”
The three will travel to Chile for 10 days in May and are hoping to take a state-of-the-art piece of equipment currently in use at Worcester to assist in the research. The Draganflyer X6 is an unmanned aerial vehicle capable of capturing high resolution images, which in this instance could help monitor and characterise in-stream habitats. The University of Worcester is one of only a handful of universities to own, and have a licence to fly, the equipment. Amy Woodget, whose PhD involves using the Draganflyer, said: “Such monitoring is increasingly important as land use changes. Channel engineering, water abstraction and climate change are modifying the baseline conditions of river systems. This is particularly pertinent given the current controversy surrounding hydroelectric dam building in Chile.” The University uses the Draganflyer to collect low altitude (below 120 metres) high resolution aerial images for environmental monitoring for staff and student research. It can also be used for obtaining aerial photographs for a range of other purposes such as planning applications, building surveys, property marketing and 360° aerial panoramas for websites. For further details about using the Draganflyer please contact Ian on 01905 855180 or i.maddock@worc.ac.uk
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NEWS
Worcester Schools Compete in Special Olympics Event
Pupils from eight schools across Worcester took part in a Special Olympics School Sports challenge organised by University students. The event in April saw around 100 schoolchildren taking part in a range of activities, including wheelchair basketball, Boccia and Goalball. Each of the eight teams of approximately 12 pupils, each represented a different country. Around 50 University sports students worked with the pupils coaching, mentoring and refereeing. The event was run with the support of Disability Worcester Sport, Worcester City Council and local city schools. University Sports Coaching Science lecturer David Mycock said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for schoolchildren from across the City to get involved in a host of sporting activities that they may never have come across before. “The London 2012 Games is a hugely inspiring event for children and adults alike to try out new sports and get active. This Special Olympics School Sport event is also a great opportunity for our own students to put in to practice their coaching, mentoring and refereeing skills.”
Royal College of Nursing Conference
Explores Quality and Accountability in the Profession Nursing students engaged in a number of thought provoking discussions about their profession at a conference hosted at the University of Worcester. The Royal College of Nursing student conference focused on the central theme of ‘nursing quality and accountability – the student nurse’s role’. The RCN’s Chief Executive, Dr Peter Carter, was among the speakers, telling student nurses how they could deliver excellent and innovative care “in turbulent times”. The conference highlighted the need for robust regulation through the role of the Care Quality Commission in regulating standards, and the need for nurses to maintain high standards of care. Among the speakers was Dr Jan Quallington, Associate Head of the University’s Institute of Health and Society, who told the delegation:
“Nursing has to assert its instinct for quality and compassion in the face of the prevailing culture, however difficult that might be.” More than 150 delegates attended the conference, which allowed the University to showcase the work of the nursing department, which recently received a glowing report from the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Robert Dudley, Head of PreRegistration Nursing at the University, said: “Following the success of this conference, we are delighted to be collaborating with the Royal College of Nursing on the Principles of Nursing Practice and look forward to identifying new opportunities for furthering our partnership in the future.”
Worcester Wolves Visit Site of New Worcester Arena The Worcester Wolves basketball team recently visited the Worcester Arena, which is currently under construction, to get their first feel of where they will be playing next year. Director of Basketball Paul James said: “It’s fantastic to see how the Arena is developing. We are very The Worcester Wolves with Russell Pope, Paul much looking forward to its James, Professor David Green and Mick Donovan completion and to making it our new home, playing in front of 2000 spectators.” The £15m Arena in Hylton Road is due to open in early 2013 and will be the first British purpose-built facility for wheelchair athletes, outside Stoke Mandeville. Professor David Green, said: “We are delighted that construction work of the Arena is on budget and on schedule.”
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EARTH HERITAGE TRUST
GeoFest 2012
2nd June t
o 31st Aug
The Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark is a forum of partners including major landowners, councils, educational establishments, museums, geoconservation groups and major tourist and leisure organisations. The University and the Trust are just two members of a partnership of 15 organisations helping to deliver this year’s festival. Guided walks in the Malvern Hills will explain 700 million years old geology, and in Bridgnorth 290 million years old desert sandstones will be explored. The industrial archaeology of the Leominster Canal and the Wyre Forest provide fascinating days out, as do landscape walks in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire. A six week exhibition at Bewdley Museum looks at a thousand years of building with stone. There will be rock and fossil roadshows for families as well as dinosaur and rock detective trails, all at venues throughout the Geopark.
ust 2012
What’s On!
For the third successive year three months of events and activities will take place over the summer months of 2012. From 2 June to the end of August the Geopark Partners will be promoting the Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark with a programme containing something for everyone. The annual GeoFest programme highlights the geology, landscape and associated heritage of the Geopark and is made up of guided walks, exhibitions, talks and roadshows. In all there are over 100 days of events plus many weeks of exhibitions.
GeoFest 20
12
Guided Wa lks, Exhibit ions, Rock Roadshows, and Fossil Children’s A c tivities and highlighting much more and celebra ting the Ab berley and Malvern Hil ls Geopark
Pick up a p rogramme www.Geop or visit ark.org.uk for further details Hosted, prom oted and d Malvern Hi sponsored by the lls Geopark Partnership
Abberley an
Dr Peter Oliver, Chairman of the Geopark Partnership said “This year we have a bigger programme than in previous years with events to stimulate the interests of children and adults. The range of activities is considerable, from a photography workshop, through geology and landscape walks, ‘fossil making’ and new geology displays at Worcester Museum, to nature studies in the country parks and forests. GeoFest is a great way for the public to participate in all things geological.” For further details visit www.geopark.org.uk or pick up a GeoFest 2012 ‘What’s On’ leaflet from the Trust in Woodbury. Enjoy your summer with some great geology.
Children dig for fossils as part of a GeoFest roadshow
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NEWS
Sustainability Debate Raises Number of Questions A lively debate around the theme of sustainability took place with some leading public figures in the hot seat. Entitled ‘So green, so gone
- the recession has killed a popular sustainability agenda’, the debate offered
the opportunity to quiz a panel in a Question Time format. Sitting on the panel were Chair Tom Turrell from BBC Hereford and Worcester and Dannie Grufferty Worcester MP Robin Walker; Lord Adebowale, Chief Executive People are reflecting on values and of Turning Point and Chancellor at considering that perhaps we need the University of Lincoln; Dannie to re-think the way we do things. Grufferty, the National Union of Students’ Vice President for Society “Young people have a sense of the future in a way that those who are and Citizenship; Iain Patton, CEO currently at the top in politics and of the Environmental Association business often struggle with. They for Universities and Colleges; and recognise that the future will be Michael Goodfellow-Smith, Director different and they can still be at Quest for Future Solutions. hopeful. The panel and audience Questions focussed on how to gave out a clear message: we need encourage students to create to have social responsibility as core sustainable businesses, how strategy and not an insincere add on.” government can support The University of Worcester was the households in fuel poverty, first university in England to receive and whether fuel duty should the EcoCampus Platinum award for be lowered or concessions the entire organisation. National given to rural communities. environmental management Around 70 members of the public system, ‘EcoCampus’ encourages including many local businesses, and rewards universities as they students, staff and dignitaries move towards environmental attended the debate, which was sustainability through efficient the first in an occasional series. operation and management Director of Sustainability, Katy practices. The University is ranked Boom, said: “Sustainability is third in the current University clearly an area of great interest Green League, published in The and the breadth of questions Guardian, reflecting the depth raised was inspiring. of commitment to all areas of environmental sustainability.
Nursing Students Receive Vital Training First year nursing students at the University are to take part in a one-day conference about working with people living with dementia. The University’s Association for Dementia Studies is hosting the special conference for nursing students in order to introduce them to the importance and complexities of dementia at an early stage of their careers. The conference, which takes place on May 16, will explore what nurses need to know about what it’s like to live with dementia, offering person centred care and supporting families. Speakers include Peter Ashley, an Alzheimer’s Society Ambassador living with dementia and David Moore, Senior Lecturer and Education Lead for the Association for Dementia Studies. A number of workshops will also be lead by local NHS, Social Care and Independent sector services within Worcestershire. Jenny La Fontaine, a qualified mental health nurse for almost 30 years and now a Senior Lecturer with the Association for Dementia Studies, said: “It is vital that nurses are trained in how to care for people living with dementia and their families, and can understand their needs”. “The Association for Dementia Studies has an active programme of research into early diagnosis, hospital care, care homes and social care for people with dementia. This conference allows us to share our experience with new trainee nurses at the University so that ultimately our nursing students are well-equipped to support people and their families living with dementia.” The Association for Dementia Studies has a national and international reach as a centre of excellence in training, education and research in person centred dementia care.
14 / MAY 2012 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
STAFF COVERFEATURE STORY
This month we catch up with Beaver Scout leader Gian FazeyKoven, who by day leads the Outreach & Recruitment team in the Communication & Development department.
Talent Scout: epared! Gian: always pr
Like most parents, when Gian’s son’s Beaver Scout group was faced with closure she was concerned at the prospect of future generations of children missing out on the experiences her own son had enjoyed.
So, unlike most parents, Gian stepped up to the plate and put herself forward to take on the challenge of leading the group. Now, almost two years on, the role clearly suits Gian as she talks about her group with enthusiasm and passion. “My son, Isaac, had loved being a Beaver Scout,” she said. “When I bumped into the leader in Sainsbury’s and she said she was leaving, I hated the thought of it closing and other children not having the chance to get involved. So I thought why not give it a go. I like children and I am definitely an outdoors person, having grown up on a farm, so the two seemed to go hand-in-hand.” Gian, who is married to University of Worcester film studies lecturer Dr Mikel Koven, leads the Second Worcester Beaver Scout group, which meets every Thursday at the scout hut near Sainsbury’s in St John’s. “We currently have 16 Beaver Scouts, across three lodges; Chipmunk, Sea Otter and Raccoon,” she said. “They are all aged between six and eight, so it’s always fun and noisy. It’s a great age group to be working with.”
synonymous with scouting and guiding. “A lot of people tend to think scouting is oldfashioned and out of date,” Gian said. “But it really isn’t. It’s actually a very forwardthinking organisation; helping boys and girls to have fun building life skills and giving them opportunities in a supportive environment.” She added: “I love to see the children grow and develop, becoming more confident, trying new things and enjoying taking on responsibilities.” “It also gives me a fantastic opportunity to enjoy playing. In normal circumstances, as an adult, you don’t often get the chance to build dens, sing funny songs or play games. Working with young children gives you the chance to revisit those things you enjoyed when you were that age.” Gian, who before moving to the Communication & Development department worked in the University’s Business Development Office and also in the Institute of Health & Society, is currently completing the rigorous leader training.
Along with three helpers, which includes two University of Worcester teaching students, Gian ensures the children get involved in a host of activities, earning themselves the all important badges that have become
What do you get up to when you leave the Campus? Email Sally Jones with your interesting stories at s.jones@worc.ac.uk
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / NOVEMBER 2009 / 15 newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / MAY 2012 / 15