Lydia Blundell

Experience

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  Center Parcs UK & Ireland

  Jun 2008 - Jan 2011

  Team Member

  I worked in the busy Sports Bar, running food, serving behind the bar and providing table service in a busy restaurant, remaining professional and friendly under pressure• Dealing well under pressure during busy sports matches and weekly events.• Experienced a variety of customer situations, including diffusing difficult situations and handling complaints.• Regular training in customer service, cash handling, chemical safety, general health and safety and food hygiene.

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  University of York

  Jan 2010 - Dec 2010

  President, Halifax College Students' Association

  I was the elected representative for a college with over 3,000 undergraduate students including 1,000 on-campus students, leading a committee of 40 students looking after the student experience.• Working closely with the college administrator: drafting college newsletters, keeping track of arrivals into accommodation and dealing with student contact details including keeping the records up-to-date.• Organisation and planning of an entire week’s worth of events in Freshers’ Week including the Universities first ever Roller Disco, a live music event featuring major music acts, and a trip abroad for over 100 students, including booking the acts, signing the contracts and organising risk assessments.• I oversaw and acted as a signatory to a budget of over £20, 000, allotting amounts to individual sectors of the committee, and processed receipts to ensure the account balance was accurate. Show less

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  University of York Students' Union (YUSU)

  Nov 2010 - Feb 2011

  RAG Parade Coordinator

  I organised a student parade across the city of York, including booking the permit from the council and selecting the theme for each group of students.• Liaised with student representatives and co-ordinated stewards, and worked with the council and Lord Mayor who opened the event. • Publicized the event to students and local residents through student media including radio and television, as well as local press, gaining two articles over the weekend. • Over £2, 500 was raised for 6 charities, beating the previous year’s total by £500. Show less

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  University of York

  Mar 2011 - Aug 2011

  Conference and Events Team Member

  • Setting up and serving for large numbers of conference guests, ensuring a good quality service throughout the preparation and presentation of food and drinks, with a professional and friendly manner.• Room preparation for large-scale dinners to a first-class level and providing silver service to over 250 delegates as part of a small team, and serving champagne receptions.• Working within a team to provide swift and smooth set up for events, as well as having personal responsibility for sections. Show less

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  Oxjam York

  May 2011 - Oct 2011

  Production Coordinator

  I worked with a team to oversee the production of the first ever Oxjam festival in York:• Leading a team to oversee the production of several large-scale music events including designing a contingency plan and approaching and confirming with venues and coordinate the artists for the event.• Responsible for the event is covered by the necessary licenses and insurance ensuring the event is legal.• Planning and confirming health and safety measures such as evacuation procedures and crowd control measures. Show less

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  City of York Council

  Jun 2011 - Oct 2011

  Business Engagement and Marketing Intern

  I worked to promote the Illuminating York festival:• Liaising with city centre businesses to encourage participation in holding supporting fringe events for the festival, as well as follow up calls and face to face meetings, dealing politely and efficiently with businesses.• Developing and organising creative event ideas.• Putting together a brochure featuring the fringe events including producing the text, designing the layout and meeting tight print deadlines.

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  ISIS Education

  Jul 2011 - Jul 2011

  Activity Leader

  I spent a month planning, organising and implementing excursions, on-site activities and events at a residential summer school.• Motivating groups of young people to take part in events and engage with members of the team.• Accompany groups of young people and their leaders to and from the airport and ensure they are safe at all times.• Office work including organising student records and preparing excursion packs

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  Leeds University Union

  Nov 2011 - Aug 2015

  My role is to ensure that students have a positive experience whilst living in Leeds through overseeing Leeds University Union’s Community Engagement work, especially strands highlighted in the strategic plan, and to ensure the delivery of relevant community project work. Key themes include environmental projects, house hunting and housing campaigns, safety and representation. I also work closely with Community Officer and other exec members on relevant policy, campaigns and projects.As the manager of the Community Team it is my responsibility to manage the budget and resources, as well as supporting staff and volunteers; enabling them to achieve their best through effective recruitment, development, recognition and performance management. Including meeting all team KPI’s, and objectives.A large part of my role is to work effectively with people, developing effective relationships with colleagues and stakeholders including University colleagues, community organisations, landlords, local councillors. I also work across all the Students' Unions in Leeds, supporting the elected officers run campaigns and make change for the benefit of all students across the city. Show less My role is to oversee, develop and implement LUU’s Community Engagement strategy, and key community work outlined in the overall LUU strategic plan.I work on seven key themes of the strategy: democracy, culture, safety, the environment, housing, transport, opportunities and issues that affect students where they live.I work closely with the elected Community Officer, to lead, plan and implement change in areas concerned with community engagement. And manage a team of staff to deliver projects and campaigns. I also work with external colleagues and stakeholders including University colleagues, community organisations, local councillors and charities. Show less

  • Community and Housing Manager

    Sept 2014 - Aug 2015

  • Interim Community Engagement Manager

    Jan 2014 - Sept 2014

  • Halls and Community Coordinator

    Nov 2011 - Dec 2013
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  Huddersfield Students' Union

  Sept 2015 - now

  As part of the Senior Management Team my role is to oversee our student voice and representation, our data and insight and our student advice service. I manage a small team, specialising in student engagement and increasing participation. A large part of my role is working in Partnership with the University, developing relationships across schools and central services. I provide support to our Elected Officers, empowering them to be effective representatives and student leaders who secure positive change for students. Show less

  • Chief Executive Officer

    Mar 2024 - now

  • Deputy CEO

    Nov 2022 - Mar 2024

  • Head of Engagement

    Oct 2018 - Mar 2024

  • Head of Voice, Insight and Advice

    Sept 2015 - Oct 2018