Helen Blacow

Experience

• 

  Coventry City Council

  Aug 2009 - Aug 2014

  Swimming Instructor

  Creating a positive, safe and fun learning environment to motivate and encourage children from the ages of 5years+ to develop their swimming ability and enjoyment in the water, delivering planned lessons in alignment with the Swimming Teachers Association (STA) awards, assessing abilities, giving regular feedback and providing clear technical instruction for the children to be able to progress through the stages and gain badges to evidence their performance and development.

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  Coventry Sports Trust

  Sept 2010 - Dec 2015

  Designing and implementing a fun, engaging, and safe environment for children and adults of all ages and abilities (from babies of 6months upwards) to learn skills in swimming. Providing personalised instruction to ensure all lesson attendees are able to enhance their skills and capabilities. Delivering planned lessons in affiliation with the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) national swim plan and agreed schemes of work. Maintaining up to date records of individual performance and development to be able to undertake formative and summative assessments and provide parents and carers with progress and development of the children. Show less Ensuring all normal operating procedures and emergency action plans are followed as required. Supervision of swimming pools, ensuring customers safety including performing lifesaving duties and administering first aid as and when required. Assisting customers on using facilities and instruction of safe and appropriate use of equipment. Completing essential and routine cleaning of the leisure facility, including changing rooms, poolside area, sports halls and fitness studios. Assist with activity set up and pack down, including changing pool lane dividers, setting up for swimming galas including starting blocks and flags, setting up dry sports activities in the sports hall including badminton courts and football goals. Completing mandatory monthly staff training for upkeep of health and safety practices and maintaining a current Royal Life Saving Society UK Qualification (RLSS). Show less

  • Swimming Instructor

    Apr 2011 - Dec 2015

  • Assistant Swimming Instructor

    Sept 2010 - Dec 2015

  • Leisure Assistant

    Sept 2010 - Aug 2013
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  Coventry University

  Jan 2016 - Aug 2024

  Leading a team of technical skills instructors and management of a community-facing, civic engagement facility. Actively supporting over 14,000 local citizens to learn new skills; gain qualifications; improve mental and physical health; and make positive progress towards the labour market. Proven track record of managing, designing, and implementing grassroots activity programmes, including community outreach and skill development programmes, partnership building and driving positive change. Strong commitment to fostering inclusivity, empowerment, and sustainable development. Applying project management skills to ensure timely and effective delivery, along with providing hands-on delivery support, including compiling KPI information and delivering technical, creative workshops to a range of communities, including home educators, local artists, newly arrived communities, and individuals with long term health conditions or disabilities.- Led a team of 13 in simultaneously executing multiple £5m+ European Commission funded projects, delivering all related outputs and results on time and within budget- Developed and implemented community engagement strategies to promote community cohesion- Managed community outreach activities, providing guidance and support to ensure successful programme implementation- Developed and maintained project plans, including scope, timelines, budgets and forecasts- Engaged and collaborated with stakeholders, including consortium organisations, local authorities and government agencies to assess community needs, implement grassroots initiatives and ensure project alignment with objectives- Developed grant writing efforts through developing compelling narratives and evidence-based proposals to secure funding for social impact projects- Conducted regular status meetings with stakeholders to provide updates and ensure alignment with project objectives- Prepared and presented regular project status reports to Principal Investigator Show less Raising aspirations and skills of local citizens, students and SMEs across the city, through delivery of a series of events, workshops, outreach maker sessions and community wellbeing friendly spaces, actively engaging an average of 1,750 people per year. Utilising campaigns and civic engagement strategies to develop grass root approaches to social impact and using this to shape future plans and activities in line with local needs. - Managing and coordinating 3 European Social Funded projects, providing SME engagement and work placements for 119 local and international people. - Effectively networked with other local, national and international FabLab’s and maker spaces, as well as internal and external stakeholders, local voluntary sector organisations, NPOs, charitable trusts and local government agencies. - Developing visual and written content creation, overseeing the management and coordination of FabLab Coventry’s website and social media channels. Show less

  • Social Media and Impact Support

    Oct 2023 - Aug 2024

  • FabLab Manager

    Mar 2018 - Aug 2024

  • FabLab Coordinator

    Sept 2016 - Mar 2018

  • Graduate Intern

    Jan 2016 - Aug 2016
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  The Open University

  Sept 2024 - now

  Research and Impact Manager