NEWSTalented illustrator making waves inthe world <strong>of</strong> children’s booksA talented student at the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong> is making a name forherself in the world <strong>of</strong> illustration.work illustrating Robert Arley’s book BigBig Secret, for <strong>Worcester</strong>-based publisher,SevernPix.Just a year after being commissioned toillustrate her first book, Marisa Lewis hasnow had her work published in a secondbook and also in promotional material foran operatic show.The 21-year-old, who studied for a BA inIllustration at the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong>and is now studying for her Masters inCreative Digital Media, was commissionedto illustrate The Leopard Boy, writtenby Julia Johnson, and published byFrances Lincoln Publishers. She is alsothe illustrator <strong>of</strong> advertising posters andleaflets for <strong>Worcester</strong> Gilbert & SullivanOperatic Society’s show, Princess Ida.The commissions came following Marisa’sNairobi visitThe <strong>University</strong>’s ongoing relationshipwith nurses in Nairobi is going fromstrength to strength.Until starting at the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><strong>Worcester</strong>, Marisa, <strong>of</strong> Warndon Villages,<strong>Worcester</strong>, did not realise that her love <strong>of</strong>drawing and illustration could turn into acareer.“I dabbled in illustration at home, but didn’tever think I could do it pr<strong>of</strong>essionally,” shesays. “However, I managed to use my creditsgained from doing web design courses withthe Open <strong>University</strong> to secure an interviewat the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong>, and the restis history.”Thanks to her tutor Piet Grobler, SeniorLecturer and Course Leader in Illustrationat the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong>, who put herin touch with his publishers, Marisa wasable to undertake the work as part <strong>of</strong> herfinal-year Independent Study, and hasn’tlooked back since.“It was great,” she said. “It took severalmonths to complete the work, starting withthe cover and working my way through theother illustrations. I tended to have morethan one illustration ‘on the go’ at the sametime. It was an excellent opportunity.”In 2010 two members <strong>of</strong> staff fromthe <strong>University</strong>’s Institute <strong>of</strong> Health& Society, Judith Davies and RuthPearce, visited Nairobi Hospital. Thepurpose <strong>of</strong> the visit was to sign a‘Memorandum <strong>of</strong> Understanding’ toexplore the development <strong>of</strong> Continuing Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Development for qualified nurses inNairobi Hospital.Volunteers headto the hillslecturer at the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong> isA helping to create an emotive survey <strong>of</strong>Malvern, finding out how local people react toand think about the town centre and its facilities.Using award-winning new research methods,Andy Stevenson is helping Malvern Hills DistrictCouncil (MHDC) to map its new Route to the Hills.The Emotisurvey | Malvern project builds onprevious research projects undertaken by the<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong> in central <strong>Worcester</strong>with the City Council’s Landscape Architectand Town Planning teams. As part <strong>of</strong> themethods used it kits volunteers out with thelatest digital video camera, sound recordingequipment and geographical positioningsystem (GPS) and then asks them to walk a setroute at the same time voicing their thoughtsabout the areas they are walking through.The research phase is being carried out overthe next few weeks with volunteers from arange <strong>of</strong> different groups including peoplewith disabilities, young people and walkers.Andy Stevenson, Senior Lecturer in Design at the<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong>, will then help to analysethe findings and present an online interactiveresource to the Route to the Hills Board. Thefindings will be used to help the project to addresslocal issues and improve the public realm.He said: “It’s been great meeting all the differentpeople involved and there’s already been somefascinating comments made about Malvern, itshistory, architecture, public realm and accessibilityfor visitors and residents with disabilities.”MHDC is one <strong>of</strong> six partner organisations onthe Route to the Hills. The others are MalvernCivic Society, Malvern Town Council, HighStreet Malvern, Great Malvern Priory ParochialChurch Council and Malvern Hills Conservators.To find out more about the Emotisurvey visit theRoute to the Hills page on the council’s web pagewww.malvernhills.gov.uk/routetothehillsIn June this year, 8 qualified nurses visited <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong>, <strong>Worcester</strong>shire AcuteNHS Trust and Herefordshire Acute NHS Trust to explore nursing practice.Following the report from that visit Rose Omutanyi, Principal <strong>of</strong> the Cicely McDonnellSchool <strong>of</strong> Nursing at Nairobi Hospital, and Janet Mathiu, Director <strong>of</strong> Nursing NairobiHospital, visited the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong> in October to identify educational andresearch opportunities and to develop an action plan for future development, includingboth staff and student exchanges.Speaking about the partnership, Valerie Gorton from the Institute <strong>of</strong> Health & Societysaid: “We see a bright future ahead for developments with Kenya at this time and in thefuture.”14 / NOVEMBER <strong>2011</strong> / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
NEWSOctober spooktacular!The <strong>University</strong> CommunityDevelopment Workers(UCDW) team recentlywelcomed three new members,Emily Gumbrell, John Monksand Jeannie Warmington, whojoin the existing UCDW SiobhanPerry. The UCDWs are hereprimarily to foster a communityspirit within the student bodyand to help students settle in and adapt to university life.We run campaigns and events throughout the yearto highlight issues relevant to students, for instancesexual health, personal safety and bullying. We displayinformation for students on posters and tabletopsthroughout the university; and also hand out leaflets sothat students can access the information at a later date.Halloween is <strong>of</strong>ten a major party for students and the UCDWswanted to <strong>of</strong>fer some alternative events to inspire the morecreative students. We held a pumpkin carving competitionand received some brilliant entries. On the evening <strong>of</strong> the 27October, the UCDWs ran a Zombie Survival Night in conjunctionwith the Spotlight Theatre Group. The event was really wellreceived and over thirty students attended to battle againstthe zombie hoards. The UCDWs used the event to get to knowsome <strong>of</strong> the students who live in halls <strong>of</strong> residence on both theSt. John’s and City campuses. We also highlighted safety issuessuch as keeping yourself safe at night. The event encouragedstudents to work together in order to survive the night andwin the game and also gave them the chance to meet otherlike-minded people. It was a successful night with everybodygetting into the spirit <strong>of</strong> Halloween and enjoying the event.The UCDWs will continue to run similar events and holdcampaigns and awareness days throughout the year in orderto promote a community spirit and support throughoutthe university. We publish a newsletter ‘The <strong>Worcester</strong>Source’ every month to publicise these events and to ensurestudents feel part <strong>of</strong> the wider university community. Ifyou would like to know more about the UCDW team andevents, please contact us at ucdw@worc.ac.uk or visit us inWoodbury 73. We can also be found on Facebook and Twitterand ‘The <strong>Worcester</strong> Source’ is published online at ISSUU.Mature studentnominated for nationalaward in recognition<strong>of</strong> voluntary work withdeaf young peopleRosemary Morgan has been working as a volunteerwith Gloucestershire Deaf Association for the past 13years and now runs its fortnightly youth club. Shehas also been a trustee for more than 10 years.Rosemary, who iscurrently studyingfor her PrimaryPGCE (PostgraduateCertificate inEducation) with thehope <strong>of</strong> teachingdeaf children, isin the running forthe CommunitySpirit Award fromSignature, the national body for deaf and hearing impaired people.“I’m really humbled to be nominated for this award,” shesaid. “I love the work I do with Gloucestershire DeafAssociation. Working with young deaf people is a dreamand they are so magnificent to be around.”Rosemary, who lives in the Forest <strong>of</strong> Dean, began volunteeringafter learning to sign. “I come from a family that is heavilyinvolved in volunteering,” said the former civil servant. “I firstlearnt a bit <strong>of</strong> sign language when I was seven years old.“When I left school I wanted to teach blind children, but it wasn’treally an option due to lack <strong>of</strong> qualifications in those days. When Ibegan to get more into the sign language and the volunteering, Ibecame more passionate about working with deaf children.”For several years Rosemary has given one to one support toindividual deaf children at school, fighting tirelessly on their behalf.Rosemary was nominated for the award by the ChiefExecutive <strong>of</strong> Gloucestershire Deaf Association and will findout if she has been successful on Friday 18 <strong>November</strong>.Racing through a staff-student support tutorialFinal year Sport & Exercise Scienceundergraduate Marc Scriven and SeniorLecturer Dr Paul Castle submitted a lateentry to the ‘Mass Attack’ duathlon at theThruxton racing circuit in Hampshire. Theevent, which took place on Sunday 23October, attracted a highly competitivefield. Competitors entered either asindividuals or as relay teams, so Marc andPaul took the relay option. Still recoveringfrom injury, Marc covered the 5km lapin a time <strong>of</strong> 00:18.59. Paul’s chain came<strong>of</strong>f whilst exiting transition for the 30kmcycle, but despite this, he was able to coverthe 8 laps in a time <strong>of</strong> 00:49.35, beforehanding over to Marc for the final 5km run.Marc’s second run time <strong>of</strong> 00:16.51 enabledthe duo to finish in 1:25.25, putting themin first place among the relay teams, byalmost 4 minutes on their closest rivalsand 6 minutes on third place rivals. BothMarc and Paul said it was a pleasure tocompete together, with the common bondfostered by the ethos that runs through theInstitute <strong>of</strong> Sport & Exercise Science at the<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong>. They even manageda ‘productive’ tutorial on the warm-up laps!newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / NOVEMBER <strong>2011</strong> / 15