Meet the team
Kirstin Thompson: Student Funding Adviser
Hi my name is Kirstin Thompson and I am one of the
Student Funding Advisors, and part of the Student Funding Advice
team, and I have worked in my role now for 4 years. I originally
come from a banking background where I worked in corporate banking
at Natwest bank and then moved to implementing stocks and shares at
Halifax bank before heading to University.
I studied my undergraduate degree at York St
John University in Communication and Drama and loved every minutes
of it. After finishing my degree I went onto acting for a further
year and then found my way back to York St John University and into
my current role as Student Funding Advisor.
The Student Funding Advice Team deal with a
range of advice and guidance starting from pre-entry where we have
a presence at Interview/Open/Visit days, supporting you whilst you
are at University, and all the way through to postgraduate level.
The team administers US loans and many different university
bursaries and scholarships, and I take lead on the SPARK Entry
Scholarships. We also work very closely with other
departments across the university which include the Finance Office,
Registry and Admissions.
The majority of my role is seeing many
students with a wide range of financial issues. I am here to
advise and guide and work with students to solve problems with
their funding bodies, and to make sure they are receiving the full
funding they are eligible for. We are on hand to offer advice
if students are thinking of changing their path of study, or any
changes in their course that might have financial implications.
I have attended the Introduction to
Counselling course and hold certificates in ‘Delivering and
Excellent Customer Service’ and ‘Dealing with Difficult People’ and
many more around my role, and I also have 4 years’ experience in
advice and guidance. I am part of the National Association of
Student Money Advisors and Money Doctors, who regularly meet as
well as being part of a mail base to discuss best practise across
the sector to make sure we are fully up to date with the Government
regulations, so we can offer the correct and current information to
students.
Rachel Loftus: Student Funding Adviser
I am one of the Student Funding Advisers, and am
part of the Student Funding Advice team. I came to York St John in
2002 as the Joint Honours Administrator, whilst in this position I
studied a NVQ level 3 in Business Administration and a Higher
Diploma in Sectorial Procedures. I stayed within this role for 3.5
years, before taking a new position in Student Funding. I am
currently in my final year of an Independent Professional Studies
degree, which is related to my role, and will enhance my skills I
have gained previously.
The Student Funding Advice Team deal with a
range of advice and guidance starting from pre-entry were we have a
presence at Interview/Open/Visit days, supporting students whilst
they are at University, and all the way through to postgraduate
level. The team administers US loans, and many different university
bursaries and scholarships. We also work very closely with
other departments across the university which include the Finance
Office, Registry and Admissions.
The majority of my role is administering YSJ
Bursaries, maintaining university fund budgets as well as US loans.
I deal with a lot of the back office workload with regards to
systems and processes. Within my role I also see students and deal
with a wide range of financial issues. We give advice and guidance
and work with students to solve problems with their funding bodies,
and to make sure they are receiving the full funding they are
eligible for. We are on hand to offer advice if students are
thinking of changing their path of study, or any changes in their
course that might have financial implications.
I have attended the Introduction to
Counselling, Delivering and Excellent Customer Service, Dealing
with Difficult People and many more around my role. We are part of
the National Association of Student Money Advisors and Money
Doctors, who regularly meet as well as being part of a mail base to
discuss best practise across the sector to make sure we are fully
up to date with the Government regulations, so we can offer the
correct and current information to students.
Simon Ganderton: Welfare Adviser/Induction Officer
Hello I’m
Simon I started working at York St John in September 2010 and
have really enjoyed my time here. I work as part of the Student
Funding Advice Team as a Welfare Adviser. My role
involves providing advice and guidance on social welfare issues,
this includes: welfare benefits, employment law, debt and
consumer rights. I also provide advice and guidance on
budgeting and I help students who are experiencing problems with
their funding bodies.
As part of the Student Funding
Advice Team I work closely with the Students' Union and the Student
Advice Team on running various campaigns throughout the year trying
to raise awareness of issues that students may face throughout the
year. One of our biggest campaigns is national student money
week which we run in conjunction with the National Association of
Student Money Advisers (NASMA).
I am a member of NAMSA, and I
regularly meet with other advisers in higher education to discuss
best practise across the sector. I am also a member with other
organisation and attend regular training events to make sure
I am fully up to date with Government regulations/statutes
with regards to all the areas I cover.
I am lucky that I also have another
part of my role which is separate from the social welfare
aspects. I am part of the team that looks at the induction
new students get when they come to YSJ. I help in the
organising of Welcome Week and the content and structure of the
Welcome Week website, if you have any feedback on any part of your
Induction to the University I am always happy to hear it so please
get in touch.
As part of the induction work I do I have helped in developing a
peer mentoring scheme at YSJ called the Buddy Up Scheme where we
match up incoming students with current students to help the
transition into University life. This scheme is still in its
infancy and a pilot is currently running but if this is something
you would like to be involved with in the future I'd love to hear
from you.
Prior to joining YSJ I
studied Law at Northumbria University obtaining both undergraduate
and postgraduate qualifications. I stayed in the North-East
and worked as a legal adviser for Community Legal Advice with
specialisms in employment and debt law. I have also worked
for the Department of Work and Pensions in a Jobcentre in South
West Scotland.
I really enjoy the work
that I do as it is extremely varied and you never know what
problems people are going to present you with. I also find it
extremely rewarding and satisfying to help people
find solutions to their problems. My area of particular
interest is employment law as it can be quite technical and
challenging to find out how best to approach a particular
cases.
Sarah Swallow: Assistant Student Funding and
Welfare Adviser
I studied my undergraduate degree in
Applied Social Science at The University of York. Following my
undergraduate degree, I worked for a large corporate music company
for two years. In 2009, I made the decision to embark on a master’s
degree in Social Policy and returned to The University of York to
further my qualifications and experience. I chose to specialise my
research in Education Policy as that area appealed to my
interests.
After completing my master’s degree, an interest in working in
Higher Education led me to York St John University where I
originally worked as a Research Assistant in the Faculty of
Education and Theology. Shortly after joining York St John
University, the opportunity arose to join the Student Advice Team
as a Student Adviser in 2010.
The Student Advice Team provides administrative support,
information and advice on various aspects of student life. These
include student funding and welfare, counselling support, careers
advice, disability advice and dyslexia support.
I joined the Student Funding Advice Team in 2012 and whilst I still
provide support in the Student Advice Team, my main areas of
interest now lie in student funding and welfare. I
mainly work with students who find themselves in financial
difficulty.
I am a member of the National Association of Student Money Advisers
(NASMA) and I have completed training in Student Funding and
Student Advice and Financial Capability. I have also received
training from the York Benefits Unit in the areas of benefits,
welfare reform and tax credits. Further to my qualifications I have
completed a course in Counselling Skills, Dealing with Difficult
People and also hold a Level 1.01 qualification in British Sign
Language to further my ability to communicate effectively with the
students at York St John University.
Student Advice, Funding & Welfare Manager contact
details
We really do value your
feedback, suggestions, compliments and comments about the
service. Please share these with us by contacting us using
the information below.
FAO: Kathryn Ward
Holgate Student Centre
York St John University
Lord Mayors Walk
York
YO31 7EX
E:studentadviceteam@yorksj.ac.uk
T:01904 87(6477)