I graduated with a degree in Social Work in 2015.

I found the course and the content really useful during my studies. In my first year I had a placement with the YMCA which enabled me to get to grips working in an environment containing such and diverse range of people; it really consolidated my communication skills!

I feel the course really helped prepare me for working life and since graduation I’ve been involved in a wide variety of projects.

I have co-wrote and presented some peer reviewed work at an international conference for social work and psychology and also returned to Staffordshire University as a guest lecturer discussing the “voice of service users”. I’ve spoken at several other Universities and delivered conferences and training sessions to social work professionals.

Contribution to a variety of academic text books with renowned researchers, becoming a care leaver ambassador for the North West Midlands Social Work Teaching Partnership and most recently becoming a supervising Social Worker for independent fostering agency- Match Foster Care; I’ve achieved so much during both my time at the University and after graduation!

Laura Newman, Social Work Graduate