Weekly Update

We still have spaces available on some courses — head to the course timetable icon to see what’s on offer for the rest of the term.

And if you’re a bloke (or know one!) who could do with moving a bit more, check out the Heart of the Town offer and our Local Community Offers page below. No Lycra required 😉

Don’t forget: join us on 28th April for a cuppa and an informal meet‑up with some of the team at Cuppa and Connect. Details below ☕

Starting in June, Laura will be leading work to support people with eating difficulties. The interview panel was incredibly impressed — she shone among some excellent candidates and thoroughly earned this achievement.

Huge congratulations, Laura — we’re so excited to see you grow in this role!

Featured Article

Sandra, our amazing and absolutely awesome Admin Officer, has bravely attempted to put into words what a “typical” workday looks like in the life of an admin worker.

All we can say is this: she is truly inspiring and without her… well, we’d be in a proper pickle.

From keeping everything running behind the scenes to somehow knowing what’s needed before anyone asks, Sandra is the glue, the calm in the chaos, and occasionally the voice of reason. Here’s her take on a day in the admin hot seat…

“No two days are ever the same — apart from the fact that each one involves multitasking, problem‑solving, and what can only be described as low‑level telepathy.

The day begins with my first mission: remembering where I’m supposed to be. To avoid surprise relocations, I always check my calendar the night before to see what tomorrow has lined up 😊

Today is a WFH day, so once I’m logged on and fuelled with tea, the daily routine begins…

First stop: emails. Reading them, replying to them, and keeping one eye on them all day just in case something exciting (or urgent) happens. Then it’s onto the database and learner portal bookings — again, something that needs regular check‑ins because they like to change when you’re not looking.

Next, I check the phone. There’s usually a collection of text messages and voicemails waiting patiently. A helpful tip from the admin front line: replying to text messages sent from the database makes life much easier, as they link straight to learner accounts (and save a bit of detective work).

Somewhere in between all of this, I try to locate time for lunch, success varies by the day.

I then check upcoming courses and send out confirmation requests. Most of our courses fill up quickly, so it’s really helpful when learners let us know in advance if they can’t attend. That way, someone from the waiting list can swoop in and grab the place.

After that comes following up non‑attendees, not my favourite job, though it’s closely tied with wrestling the ordering system for that title.

There are also monthly report statistics to complete (vital for funding, so no pressure), supplies to check and order for course delivery (the list is longer than expected), and a couple of friendly calls with learners, which I always enjoy, although I do miss seeing people when I’m WFH.

And that’s just the highlights… because there’s always something else.

Anyway, tomorrow is another day. I’ll just check where I’m meant to be.”

Sandra

Date for your diary