Campus Stars: Artur Kocoń

May 18th, 2020

The Campus Stars campaign has been launched to showcase the colleagues still working on campus during the lockdown and highlight the crucial work they do.

Artur is a Teaching Technician in the Clinical Sciences laboratory at the School of GEM and Medical Sciences in Derby. Artur has been working at the University for just over one year and before that finished an MRes in the lab where he currently works.

Artur is responsible for setting up and helping with practical laboratory sessions or foundation Graduate Entry Medicine and Medical Physiology and Therapeutics students. As a Technician, Artur also trains PGR students with their research where possible.

During the lockdown, Artur’s role has changed significantly as there is no person to person contact, so tends to help with data analysis and statistics for some PGR and undergraduate students for their final year projects. He also carries out weekly maintenance of the lab and works with other technicians to check whether the equipment is working and frozen cells are maintained properly. All frozen cells and samples need to be checked and all laboratory systems maintained to ensure a smooth transition when lockdown is lifted. When working from home, Artur is able to carry out administrative work that he usually does not have time for.

Due to the timing of lockdown the laboratories had to be shut down before final year undergraduate students could complete their final year projects and so Artur is involved in maintaining communication via email and Microsoft Teams to ensure that they receive all the work they need when writing up and analysing data. Artur also maintains contact with staff, colleagues and some PGR students to ensure their wellbeing.

Artur has been using his free time to cook and has been baking to pass the time. He has also re-watched some of his favourite television shows such as House and Breaking Bad and is enjoying them just as much the second time around. He has also discovered new television shows such as Better Call Saul and anything on Netflix. Artur has also committed to reading at least one book a month in an effort to continue learning.

Artur’s favourite thing about working at the University of Nottingham is the people, the support and the help available even during lockdown when most are working from home. It is great to see how everyone has come together to help each other in a friendly environment where all are approachable. He also appreciates the resources available for continued professional development.

Artur’s message to the University community is to keep busy as time will pass much quicker and remember to keep in touch with all of your friends. He would also like to thank everyone for their hard work and support during this time.

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Campus Stars: Mark Chester

May 18th, 2020

The Campus Stars campaign has been launched to showcase the colleagues still working on campus during the lockdown and highlight the crucial work they do.

Mark is a Hall Manager at Nightingale Hall and Beeston Hall on University Park and has been working at the University for 14 years.

Mark began his career as the Assistant Manager at Cavendish Hall and during the pandemic has been relocated back to Cavendish. Mark is looking after students that remain in University accommodation whilst ensuring to remain 2 meters apart and washing his hands regularly. Mark and his team are contacted by students who have gone home in addition to those that remain in University accommodation

Mark misses his team of 15 but is enjoying working with the new group of 3 volunteers. The halls that are currently closed still require all of the health and safety compliance tasks completing and so he has found it interesting to work with other colleagues on and off site to coordinate these tasks with the aid of some Microsoft Teams technology.

Mark keeps in touch with his team via WhatsApp where they are encouraged to share photographs of things they have been up to. He has been enjoying Netflix shows during lockdown, and Ozark has provided a daily escape for him.

Aside from the people, Mark’s favourite thing about working for the University of Nottingham is University Park campus with welcome scenic spots to take time away from work during lunch. He is also grateful for the lack of cars at the moment as parking has become much easier!

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Campus Stars: Sue Mellors

May 18th, 2020

The Campus Stars campaign has been launched to showcase the colleagues still working on campus during the lockdown and highlight the crucial work they do.

Sue is the Childcare Services Manager for both the University of Nottingham Day Nursery and University of Nottingham Playcentre, both located on University Park campus. She has worked at the University for 25 years.

During the pandemic, the playcentre has been closed as there is insufficient demand to keep both open. The Childcare centre is still open providing a service for key workers both for the University and the wider community where private nurseries have closed. Both the Playcentre and Day Nursery staff have been working on a rota to deliver services at the Day Nursery.

To ensure both staff and children are as safe as possible, and enable operations to continue, a large amount of planning and risk assessments have been carried out. All practice has been reviewed and adapted, including hourly sanitising routines and restricting the range and quantity of play items available for children.

The nursery is registered with the local authority to provide services to vulnerable children. As many of the children begin attending with no visits, adjustments have been made to provide emotional security and time and space to adjust to their new surroundings.

Microsoft Teams has been used to maintain clear lines of communication and support for team members working from home or shielding. Staff are now proficient in the use of Teams and this has enabled supervisions and team meetings to continue. As the situation changes from day to day, communication, flexibility and adaptability has been key for all of the team and Sue is very proud of the way staff have shown their dedication and commitment to their work.

Whilst addressing current challenges, Sue has begun making plans for when restrictions are eased. Places continue to be made for the new financial year and transition documents are in development to support children moving to school in September. Nursery staff have developed a website for children and parents to share storytelling, songs, creative activities and competitions. The team are also considering how social distancing could work in a nursery setting when numbers of children and staff on site increase. Sue feels that the situation has enabled us to get to know each other more as well as learning more about ourselves.

Sue has spent time during lockdown painting and exploring acrylics having been a watercolour painter for many years. Painting helps her to relax and switch off from work whilst learning about ways to use acrylics for her painting style.

Sue’s favourite things about working for the University is the vibrant international community and the beautiful campuses. The University provides an excellent working environment, making staff feel truly valued and supported both professionally and personally.

Sue acknowledges that this is a very challenging and frustrating time for everybody in trying to establish a new ‘normal’. She believes that we will all learn from this experience and will be able to use this to rethink the way we work, to understand what our priorities in life are and to appreciate the many things that we have taken for granted for so long.

Sue’s message to the University community is that we can be stronger together, supporting each other as we make our way forwards to face the further challenges that lie ahead. Stay healthy and keep safe.

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Campus Stars: Margaret Pearce

May 18th, 2020

The Campus Stars campaign has been launched to showcase the colleagues still working on campus during the lockdown and highlight the crucial work they do.

Margaret is a Senior Building Attendant based at Coates Building on University Park and has been working at the University for 30 years.

Margaret is usually responsible for 29 cleaning staff and various buildings. Her responsibilities include organising the cleaning staff and answering questions from students and colleagues whilst also arranging rooms for conferences and events.

During the pandemic, Margaret no longer carries out her usual duties and instead tests fire alarms in buildings across campus. In addition to this, she flushes taps, toilets and showers to ensure they will continue to work once staff and students return to campus. Margaret also checks buildings for signs of flood damage or leaks.

Cleaning staff have been asked to remain at home unless they are needed. This means that they no longer have daily social interactions and so Margaret keeps in touch with her staff and keeps them updated. Margaret receives updates from her manager to ensure she is aware of updates and changes and remains on call at home in the event of any emergencies at the University.

Margaret is spending lockdown with her daughter who would usually be at university. They enjoy cooking new recipes together and watching Netflix. Recently, they enjoyed the Netflix documentary Tiger King.

Margaret’s favourite thing about working at the University is meeting staff and students from all over the world. Margaret also appreciates the professional development opportunities available, such as Mental Health First Aid and Team Leader training. Margaret has also had the opportunity to complete the Cleaning and Support Services apprenticeship

Margaret’s message to the University community is not to worry as the end of lockdown is near. Margaret looks forward to finding new ways to work safely following lockdown and seeing her colleagues.

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