Sophie Blinston

I completed my work as a Community Engagement Worker as a part of a year placement scheme with my university. This placement was independently sourced andI worked here due to my interest in a hands on approach with the criminal justice system.
Working with vulnerable individuals daily opened my eyes to the vast and unique experiences people can face. Having a non-judgemental and empathetic approach is what really helped me excel in this position. No two days were the same, however each day… Show more

I completed my work as a Community Engagement Worker as a part of a year placement scheme with my university. This placement was independently sourced andI worked here due to my interest in a hands on approach with the criminal justice system.
Working with vulnerable individuals daily opened my eyes to the vast and unique experiences people can face. Having a non-judgemental and empathetic approach is what really helped me excel in this position. No two days were the same, however each day I dealt with hard to reach individuals struggling with issues such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, homelessness, addiction etc. This has given me invaluable insight into how to support people to achieving their goals. Show less

I began working at Pandora before the pandemic hit. In this time I worked 1-2-1 with customers, remaining positive and inquisitive about their needs to be able to give them a fuss-free and enjoyable experience in our store. I have developed my questioning skills, becoming stronger in asking the correct open questions to create a connection with my customer and to find their perfect jewellery. I have become more confident and sociable both in and out of the workplace because of the exposure to… Show more

I began working at Pandora before the pandemic hit. In this time I worked 1-2-1 with customers, remaining positive and inquisitive about their needs to be able to give them a fuss-free and enjoyable experience in our store. I have developed my questioning skills, becoming stronger in asking the correct open questions to create a connection with my customer and to find their perfect jewellery. I have become more confident and sociable both in and out of the workplace because of the exposure to different people every day.

Amidst the pandemic, I have learnt to adapt my selling style. With wearing a mask and gloves, some may see it as taking away the personalised experience Pandora offers, however I learnt that this meant eye contact and body language was key to maintain that connection. Show less

Throughout this 30 hour work placement, I worked on extracting and analysing previous analytical research published regarding work on the effectiveness of Liaison and Diversion in Children and Young People in the Criminal Justice System, which was beginning to answer the research "A Realist Process Evaluation of Liaison and Diversion Services for Children and Young People".
Through completing this placement I learnt and developed my skills in data extraction and analysis, which will prove… Show more

Throughout this 30 hour work placement, I worked on extracting and analysing previous analytical research published regarding work on the effectiveness of Liaison and Diversion in Children and Young People in the Criminal Justice System, which was beginning to answer the research "A Realist Process Evaluation of Liaison and Diversion Services for Children and Young People".
Through completing this placement I learnt and developed my skills in data extraction and analysis, which will prove vital for me in my final year. This placement also gave me insight into what it is truly like to conduct research in the real world environment, and has better prepared me for future work that I will be a part of in the future. Show less

I worked as a member of a small team at the Seven Woods. I am proficient in the use of the till and I have strengthened my communication skills by working well with others as a group, and through interacting with different customers every day.

Working through the busy Christmas period (including Christmas day) allowed me to experience working in a high pressure, busy situation yet still maintain excellent customer service. Despite encountering challenging customers, I have been able to… Show more

I worked as a member of a small team at the Seven Woods. I am proficient in the use of the till and I have strengthened my communication skills by working well with others as a group, and through interacting with different customers every day.

Working through the busy Christmas period (including Christmas day) allowed me to experience working in a high pressure, busy situation yet still maintain excellent customer service. Despite encountering challenging customers, I have been able to provide a positive service with a smile.

I began the job serving food but was offered to begin training on the bar in early November 2018 and worked consistently in both areas throughout my duration at the pub. Show less

Working the Grand National was a very valuable experience for me. By being apart of a large team working in a restaurant serving many important and famous guests, I had to work in a fast paced, highly stressful situation for the course of the weekend.

My communication skills were stretched to their potential to allow for a smooth running of the event. Working at a major event like this showed me the importance of teamwork and how everyone has a crucial role to play, regardless of how… Show more

Working the Grand National was a very valuable experience for me. By being apart of a large team working in a restaurant serving many important and famous guests, I had to work in a fast paced, highly stressful situation for the course of the weekend.

My communication skills were stretched to their potential to allow for a smooth running of the event. Working at a major event like this showed me the importance of teamwork and how everyone has a crucial role to play, regardless of how minor it may seem. Despite only being a 3 day event, a lot of my skills have improved and I believe I am a better worker for this. Show less