Experience

Homecare Association

• United Kingdom
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Policy Specialist

  • Jan 2021 - Present

  • Planned and conducted a large-scale Freedom of Information exercise by submitting enquiries to 340 public organisations (local authorities and health bodies) on, for example, the prices paid to homecare providers to deliver services. Acted as the lead writer on the subsequent, 200-page, ‘Homecare Deficit’ report, which analysed the data and made recommendations. The report received notable coverage by the BBC. • Following this, wrote to the Directors of Adult Social Services at councils across England, urging them to increase their fee rates for homecare and so ensure stability within the sector. • Served as the policy lead for Northern Ireland. Regularly liaised with the Association’s board representative for Northern Ireland, and so drafted email alerts to communicate news to members. Produced a briefing on homecare in Northern Ireland that was sent to all Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and other senior stakeholders. • Compiled copy for the Association’s online blog and magazine, which analysed survey data regarding members’ views on the cost of fuel and loss of the Infection Control and Testing Fund for adult social care. • Participated in the Association’s members’ telephone helpline as part of a team that answered enquiries. Show less



The Brain Tumour Charity

• Non-profit Organizations
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Knowledge and Policy Officer

  • Nov 2019 - Sep 2020

  • Acquiring free patient health data from Public Health England and NHS Digital is a critical plank of the charity’s development of BRIAN – a pioneering, brain tumour patient data app. Produced a paper outlining the legislative background and economic benefit, both for the charity and for government finances. • Lobbied MPs at a World Cancer Day event in Parliament, co-hosted by James Brokenshire MP, who then contacted the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on a review of charities’ health data access. Organised a meeting with then Health Minister, Jo Churchill MP, to discuss next steps on free data access policy (postponed due to COVID-19). • Initiated a series of articles on the possible impact of Brexit on brain tumour patients, including the future regulation of clinical trials and access to medicines. • Sourced and analysed cancer statistics from across the four UK nations, including data on incidence, survival and mortality, before compiling online copy and a briefing document. • Secured and started a secondment at Public Health England, with my project focussing on data by brain tumour type (subsequently postponed due to COVID-19). Show less



University of Northampton Students' Union

• Higher Education
• 1 - 100 Employee

• • Jan 2019 - Aug 2019

  • Successfully advocated for anonymous marking to be introduced at the University of Northampton to help reduce the attainment gap in top degrees between white students and students from ethnic minority backgrounds. Conducted research assessing the impact on students of the attainment gap (17 percentage points in 2017-18). After meeting with academic staff who resisted the idea of anonymous marking, drafted a briefing to showcase its implementation at other universities. Analysed both National Student Survey and internal data to identify courses where the fairness of marking was an issue and recommend anonymous marking across the institution.• Analysed data sources to compile the 2019 Academic Review, a 30,000-word report on raising academic standards at the University. Constructed a project plan to meet a strict deadline for the Review, which included acquiring data, conducting analysis and holding regular review meetings with the Union officers. Also discovered that Northampton’s student wellbeing levels were lower than the UK youth population’s by comparing Student Academic Experience Survey data with Office for National Statistics research. Identified wellbeing initiatives at other universities for officers to consider for possible introduction at Northampton.• Researched and drafted briefings on local and national higher education policy to inform internal stakeholders. For instance, these considered the role of the Office for Students (OfS) and the Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF) for assessing excellence in teaching. Monitored political updates by watching oral questions and select committee hearings in Parliament.• Organised and participated in the promotion of the Student Teaching and Representation Awards alongside officers, leading to the largest ever quantity of students nominating staff for an award. Show less

• • Mar 2015 - Jan 2019

  • Galvanised policy creation and ensured beneficial changes for students by surveying on academic and university life, before analysing the data. Resulted in zero-tolerance policies being passed by Student Council, the Union’s decision-making body, on both initiations within student groups and sexual harassment on campus, with each policy containing a definition and possible sanction for a breach. In addition, survey feedback saw the creation of an EU Officer position after calls for improved support for international students. Also conducted research on contract cheating that enabled lobbying of the University to punish any student who circulates an advert for an essay‐writing service and a campaign on the matter.• Led on the key objective of a positive reflection of the Union in the local community by developing relationships with and drafting press releases to send to local newspaper journalists. Shared news and student achievements with the University via web stories, enlarging average readership by over 200% from my KPI of 300-page views per article. Promoted events and Union services by writing student e-newsletters.• Generated more than £40,000 in promotional sales from external advertisers in my first year.• Organised and managed Freshers’ Fair – one of the Students’ Union’s biggest events, achieving a key departmental aim of increasing membership for sports clubs and societies.• Managed a team that provided marketing and communications for the Union Elections, with the highest ever number of candidates standing and nearly 2,500 students voting. • Analysed different data sources (both internal and external), before preparing detailed reports for senior management.• Took sole responsibility for creating and editing pages on the Union’s new website, and helped to update the Union’s social media channels.• Filled in for my manager by delivering marketing presentations to students, staff, and trustees. Show less



Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

• United Kingdom
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Statistician

  • Jun 2009 - Nov 2009

  Acquired insight into Parliamentary process as a team member providing statistical information in response to MPs’ written questions. Liaised with a senior civil servant in London on progress and deadlines. Acquired insight into Parliamentary process as a team member providing statistical information in response to MPs’ written questions. Liaised with a senior civil servant in London on progress and deadlines.



Newcastle University

• United Kingdom
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Part-Time Tutor

  • Sep 2004 - Feb 2009

  Explained mathematical and statistical concepts to students, who were often unfamiliar with the subjects, as well as marked the work of statistics undergraduates. Explained mathematical and statistical concepts to students, who were often unfamiliar with the subjects, as well as marked the work of statistics undergraduates.