BPP Students' Association: Speak Up!

In this episode, Michael Martin, Senior Library Manager at BPP, dives into his experience in the library world, both in public and academic settings. He shares practical tips for navigating library resources, from accessing research materials to utilising specialised services offered by the BPP library team. Michael also discusses the evolving role of libraries in supporting students , highlighting how libraries can be an essential tool for success.

In this episode of Speak Up!, Jessica Hill, Senior Independent Education and Welfare Advisor, shares her insights on maintaining safety and well-being during the festive period. She discusses practical tips for self-care, how to reach out for help if needed, and ways to ensure you're supported throughout the holidays. Jessica emphasises the importance of staying connected and seeking assistance when necessary, offering reassurance and guidance for staying safe during this busy season.

In this episode, we chat with Alec, the Clubs and Societies Officer for the Student Association. Alec shares his journey to securing the role, offers tips on how to get involved to start your own club or society, and his passion for playing rugby. Tune in for an fun conversation.

The BPP University Students' Association is excited to announce the latest episode of the Speak Up! podcast series, featuring Rukhsar Jahangir, Co-Founder and Director of The Legal Lynk.

In this episode, Rukhsar dives into her journey and experiences as a legal professional, offering valuable insights into the world of law.

As a dynamic and accomplished legal entrepreneur, Rukhsar shares her story, the challenges she has faced, and her advice for aspiring legal minds.

Join us for a captivating conversation with our lovely Head of Students' Association and Student Relations, Ellie Ansher! 🌟

In this episode, she’ll take us through her inspiring journey at BPP, sharing not just her triumphs but also some intriguing and fun facts about herself—did you know she’s starred in a horror movie? 😱

Tune in to hear her thrilling experiences both on and off the screen! Don’t miss out on the laughs. It’s going to be a blast! 🎧✨

Tim Jones shares valuable career advice, drawing from his personal experiences and professional journey.

In this episode, we dive into sustainability, with insightful discussions from Alessandro, BPP's Environmental Health and Safety Officer, Prativa and Usha, active members of the Environmental Society. Together, we explore practical ways to promote environmental awareness while maintaining a safe and healthy campus. From Eco-friendly practices to balancing sustainability, this episode offers actionable advice for students looking to make a positive impact on both the environment and their community. Tune in for an engaging conversation!

Join us for a special social impact episode hosted by Student Voice Rep Daniel Scrase. Dan engages in conversation with our three special guests Veronica Barresi, Enterprise Clinic Manager, Oliver J Smithson, Clinic Student and Harriet Simmons, Clinic students who share an insight of what goes on within social impact.

Join us for a special Pride Month episode hosted by Student Voice Rep Daniel Scrase. This episode is dedicated to celebrating diverse voices and stories within the LGBTQIA+ community. Dan engages in conversation with our two special guests Rebecca Grice (Becky), Student Voice Rep and Jamie Bedson, Centre Support Manager who share their personal journey, challenges and triumphs.

For our very first episode, BPP Library speak to Laura Bains (SQE2 Award Leader) and Jo McAlpine (Senior Client Relationship Manager for Legal Apprenticeships) about the place of legal research in the SQE. Listen for some fantastic advice about the SQE2 Legal Research assessment, about the SQE in general, and about how BPP Library can help you develop your legal research skills.

The Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards aims to showcase the range of talent and hard work within multicultural communities that is made possible with the contribution and support of employers and learning providers.

We are delighted for our apprentices to join us in this episode to share their experience and dedication to working hard.

Hope you enjoy :)

This episode is brought to you by the BPP Students' Association Team. A BIG thank you to our guests Jessica Austen, Associate Dean of Education Services and Nicholas Glossop, Head of Inclusion & Learning Support for taking the time for joining us. The discussion was very informative and we hope you enjoy this too.

Thank you for listening :)

This episode is brought to you by the Student Voice Managers from the BPP Students' Association team, Sabiya Mahmood and Attaullah Shah. A BIG thank you to all our guests for taking the time for joining us to discuss this all-important topic, the discussion was very insightful and informative. We have had fun in creating this podcast for you and we hope you enjoy this too.

Your story makes you stronger!

Thank you for listening :)

Diversity Ambassadors Melissa Hutter and Sulaimaan Asif discuss faith and Hanukkah traditions with three Jewish BPP students Samuel Isaac, Maya Sterrie, and Jacob Aftergut. The conversation covers how difference in faith impacts views on diversity, any discrimination received in the training contract application process, and whether religious traditions and holidays affect performance on schoolwork. Though the students identify with three different religions (Judaism, Islam, and Catholicism), they realise they have far more in common than anticipated. Having a conversation allowed them to reveal these similarities and connect on a deeper level.

Eirini Efstathiou had a 1-1 conversation with Giulia Peluso, who is a campus ambassador for Aspiring Solicitors at Queen Mary University of London, accessibility officer at Queen Mary’s Law Society, and the welfare officer at Queen Mary's European Law Students Association. Thank you to our guest for sharing her insight on resources offered by Aspiring Solicitors, ways of maintaining good mental health, disability awareness and the importance of reasonable adjustments for disabled law students.

Some resources:

Aspiring Solicitors (https://www.aspiringsolicitors.co.uk)

BPP University Learning Support (learningsupport@bpp.com)

Queen Mary Advice and Counselling (020 7882 8717 - welfare@qmul.ac.uk)

Netflix show: Headspace

Intelligent Change: The Five Minute Journal

App: I AM

Book: This Book Will Change Your Mind About Mental Health by Nathan Filer

Mohini Kotecha and Eirini Efstathiou present Part 2 of Episode 5, in celebration of International Women's Day. 

Thank you to our guests Sofia Gottgens (Trainee Solicitor at Marriott Harrison and Mohini's mentor), Sarah Simpson (Senior Associate at Katten and Eirini's mentor), and Laura Simpson (Recruitment, Learning and Development Manager at Katten). Tune in to listen to us demystify networking and share our own experience with mentoring. Keep an ear out for our quick fire questions, where we celebrate our favourite female artists, authors and more. 

Mentoring has played a significant part in our legal careers to date, if you are looking for a mentor or hoping to become a mentor here are some  resources: 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/grow-mentoring/

https://careerhub.bppuniversity.ac.uk/Employers/Events/Mentoring_Schemes.chpx

https://www.allaboutlaw.co.uk/qualified-law-careers/professional-networking/how-to-find-a-professional-mentor-

Please note: Some listeners may feel affected by the themes discussed, we hope the resources below are of help. 

BPP's Diversity and Inclusion Ambassadors, Mohini Kotecha and Patricia Coogan, present Part 1 of Episode 5. Thank you to our guests Natasha Saunders and Lucy Barnes for joining us on our discussion, we broach topics of: domestic abuse, threats to share, offering support, choosing anonymity, empowerment and the amendment to the recent Domestic Abuse Bill. 

Resources and Helplines: 

24 hr National Domestic violence helpline: 0808 2000 247

Refuge: www.refuge.org.uk

Solace Rape Crisis Helpline:  0808 801 0305 www.solacewomensaid.org/contact-us

Women and girls network: 0808 801 0660

London Survivors Gateway: 0808 801 0860 

The havens: 0203 299 6900

women's aid: womensaid.org.uk

Rape Crisis: 0808 802 9999

Forced marriage unit: 0207 008 0151

Revenge porn helpline: 0845 6000 459 

Stop online abuse: www.stoponlineabuse.org.uk

National LGBT Domestic violence helpline: 0300 999 5428

Galop (LGBT+ SURVIVORS): www.galop.org.uk

Survivors UK/sAFELINE (FOR MALE SURVIVORS): WWW.SURVIVORSUK.ORG/ 0808 800 5008

samartians: 08457 909090 – www.samaritans.org.uk

law society (find a solicitor): 020 7320 5650 – www.solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk

legal aid agency: 0345 3454 345

court forms and locAtions: www.justice.gov.uk/about/hmcts

finding legal options for women survivors (FLOWS) ADVICE LINE: 0203 745 7707 – www.flows.org.uk

This episode was brought to you by BPP's D&I Ambassadors Eirini Efstathiou and Mohini Kotecha. Thank you to our guest Daniel Winterfeldt, founder of InterLaw Diversity Forum, and partner at global law firm Reed Smith LLP, for sharing his insight into self-discovery, the LGBT+ community, and the importance of recognising and supporting intersectionality. To find out more about the Forum and the wealth of information it offers, follow this link https://www.interlawdiversityforum.org/, and find them on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

This episode was brought to you by BPP's D&I Ambassadors Patricia Coogan, Eirini Efstathiou and Maisie Lee. Thank you to our guest Rachel Reese, CEO of Global Butterflies, for sharing her insight into the LGBT+ awareness, her advocacy through Global Butterflies in developing trans-friendly environments in the workplace, ally-ship, and how she sees the future of embracing diversity and celebrating LGBT+ in the legal sector and beyond. To find out more about Global Butterflies and the amazing work they are doing, follow this link https://globalbutterflies.com/, and find them on LinkedIn and Twitter.

This episode was brought to you by BPP's D&I Ambassadors Patricia Coogan, Mohini Kotecha and Eirini Efstathiou. Thank you to our guest Lucy Barnes, fellow BPP D&I Ambassador for sharing her experience as neurodiverse and for offering some valuable insight and advice. To get in touch with her with any questions or looking for book recommendations, find her on Instagram at @bookcaseofbarnes.

This episode was brought to you by BPP's D&I Ambassadors Mohini Kotecha and Eirini Efstathiou. Thank you to our guests,  Rob Powell an associate at Bristows, and Vin Bange a partner at  Taylor Wessing,  for their collective insight and thoughts. We learnt a lot through making this episode and had a lot of fun creating it, we hope you find it useful. 

BPP's D&I Podcast will be back in the New Year. 

Until then - take care! 

To get in touch with our guests: Nathan Alleyne-Brown (Barrister4u on Instagram), Njideka Offor on Linkedin.