Policies and Procedures

SUBU Advice provides free, independent, non-judgemental and confidential advice and information to all BU students

An Advice Worker will listen to your concerns, ascertain what your options are to resolve the issue and support you to find a resolution. We are accredited by the Advice Quality Standard and are members of AdviceUK and the National Association of Student Money Advisers.

Unsure if we can help? Contact us here to ask. We can always signpost you to another service if required.

Meet The Team

Alexis Drayson: SUBU Advice Manager

I graduated from the University of Plymouth in 2001 with a 2:1 in BSc Health and Social Care Management  and a passion for Advice work, education and working with young people.  To gain experience with working with young people I achieved Qualified Teacher Status in 2006 and went on to teach GCSE and A Level Health and Social Care. I then decided to fulfil my desire to work in an Advice role and secured a position at AskBU in 2008. In 2010 I was delighted to secure the role of Advice Worker for SUBU during which I obtained an NVQ Level 3 and 4 in Advice and Guidance. Since 2010 I have had two children and was promoted to SUBU Advice Manager in Jan 2015.

A common theme within all my roles is the belief that everyone has the right to recieve a quality education. I have always sought to remove any barriers an individual may face. My focus in on providing a high quality, holistic, person-centered service which empowers individuals to reach their full potential. 

 

Neil Gallivan: SUBU Advice Supervisor

Before joining SUBU Advice in April 2015, I was employed as a Personal Advisor with a Local Authority supporting and working with Care Leavers and estranged young people. My previous role was based in a residential college setting as an Assistant Team Manager, supporting with young people with Autistic Spectral Disorders.

I studied at the University of Brighton, graduating in Fine Art: printmaking and I am currently working towards an NVQ Level 4 in Advice and Guidance. I enjoy my current role with SUBU Advice as it allows the opportunity to work with a broad and diverse range of people and challenges, I demonstrate a solution-focused approach to providing advice and guidance and have a strong passion for travelling.

 

Hanna Coles: SUBU Advice Worker

I have worked in all aspects of education from Early Years to Higher Education for  11 years. In 2014 I graduated at Canterbury Christchurch University with a Degree in Primary Education. I went on to be elected at Christ Church Students Union as President Welfare and Education for 1 year. This opened my eyes to what I really enjoy which is the guidance and advice part of “teaching” so I really wanted to aim for this type of role post sabbatical year.

I came to SUBU advice in Aug 2015 as the Advice Receptionist, training and moving to Advice Worker  in March 2016. Since then I have worked towards training in Domestic Violence, Different Learning Abilities and International student support and now I am completing a NVQ 4 in Advice and Guidance to further my development in advice.

I love everything about my role as an advice worker. Gaining some resolution to an enquiry or next steps, for a student so they can move forward in their student experience is a great joy for me. I very much enjoy fact finding and digging into information to find the best possible outcomes for a student so I can inspire them to move forward.

 

Sarah Tilley: SUBU Advice Worker

I graduated from University of Sheffield with a degree in Social and Political Studies before moving to Bournemouth in 1996. In Bournemouth I  have worked for the Big Issue and for  various Charities working with drug users.  

I previously worked at SUBU Advice between 2006-2008 but left to work in Social Housing, firstly as an Anti-Social Behaviour Officer and then as a Housing Officer. I was lucky enough to be able to return to SUBU Advice in 2016 and have been here since then.

I love my job and get great satisfaction being able to advise students on all matters, aiming to make their student journey that bit easier. I enjoy supporting students through Academic Offence Panels, hopefully making the whole process less onerous for them knowing they have support by their side.

 

Laura Blake: SUBU Advice Receptionist

After graduating with an Honours degree in Psychology I worked as a frontline Police Officer gaining valuable experience in law, investigation and general life experience. I left to pursue a Senior Officer role within the Student Records Team at the University of Southampton where I obtained a variety of knowledge on student lifecycle processes and student finance.

On relocating back to Bournemouth and finishing maternity leave I started in my role as Receptionist for SUBU Advice.  I really enjoy working in the University environment and particularly enjoy my role as I have the opportunity to meet and talk to so many people on a daily basis.