Features 8
Epigram 11.02.2022
Alumni Series: Epigram interviews TieganBingham Roberts the nearby St Nicholas’ Market made up of a multitude of independent stalls, the largest collection in the city. The market is also a short walk from Castle Park, which is the perfect place to unwind and home to Bristol Castle’s ruins as well as the popular Features Columnist & Subeditor Vaulted Chambers Café. A guide to Bristol would not be he start to a new term can be overwhelmingly hectic, complete without some inspirations so Epigram has put together for your next pint. Whilst The Apsome top recommendations of plac- ple, Steam, or the many branches of es to go to find some peace amongst Wetherspoons dotted around Bristol the chaos and re-discover the city. are well-frequented for a reason, you From unique pubs to relaxing, scenic can also find great deals at The Anchor on Glouceswalks, this guide should offer you The Bag of Nails pub offers ter Road, or The some ideal loa unique pub experience Port of Call in Clifton. For a cations to visit with its resident 14 cats! slightly more with friends as unique pub expeyou come back into the swing of university and so- rience, The Bag of Nails pub in Hotwells has a quaint atmosphere with cial life after exams. Adding to the familiar student its 14 resident cats lining the bar and favourites and landmarks of Clift- cosy interior. It's important to take some breaks on Suspension Bridge, Park Street’s shops and cafes, or the views from from the inevitably busy return to Brandon Hill, the new year provides studies, and as an escape from the library or lecture hall, another chance to diversify there are some your knowledge of the lesser-known city. For those living activities in Stoke Bishop, to do in Clifton, or RedBristol land, an ideal that are place to bewithgin would in the be Bristol’s stuHarbourdent side. Along the Brisbudget. tol Harbour For a walk, an 8km burst of loop around creativity in the floating harsie l os F a relaxing enbour, you have the / ram g i p vironment, book chance to see the iconic E into the Flying Saucers SS Great Britain and a variety of pubs and cafes. On your route, you pottery painting café just off of Cliftcan stop by the M Shed or Arnolfini on Triangle and decorate a new addimuseums, which offer free entry and tion to your kitchen cupboard. Another way to spend an afternoon are open Tuesday to Sunday. On my last visit, I discovered the or evening off is at the Watershed cross-harbour ferry which takes pas- cinema located on the Harbourside, sengers between the SS Great Britain which shows a brilliant selection of and the Harbour Inlet for the small independent films for a low price. Refresher’s week fee of £1.20. There are oth- At Flying Saucers, you can and the start of er ferry services paint a brand new addition term is the peravailable at the to your kitchen cupboard fect opportunity to catch up with Harbourside too, friends as we all such as the Bristol Ferry Boat tours down the Avon settle back in, but it’s equally imporGorge or to Beese’s Riverside Bar and tant to check in on your own wellbeing and try something new. HopePark. If you’re looking to add new shop- fully our guide will inspire a breath ping destinations beyond Cabot Cir- of fresh air amongst the hustle and cus or Gloucester Road, why not try bustle of campus life!
2021 English graduate, Tiegan-Bingham Roberts, speaks to Epigram about her post-grad career Marine Saint
Features Columnist & Subeditor n December, I met with one of the University’s most recent successful graduates, now Policy Advisor at the Department for Education and class of 2021 English graduate, Tiegan Bingham-Roberts. Despite only graduating last summer, Tiegan’s CV details an impressive number of awards and achievements which contributed to reaching her goals of working to improve inequalities across the UK as a civil servant. Right from the start of her university experience, Tiegan immersed herself in the various societies and additional activities. In her first year, Tiegan was elected as a Course Rep for English, a role which she kept throughout her time in Bristol and was also elected Vice President of the JCR committee for her undergraduate halls, at No.33 East Village, formerly named Colston Street. In second year, Tiegan was the Director of Marketing for the Commercial Awareness Society, and in her final year she assumed the role of Equality and Outreach officer for The 93% Club Bristol. Founded at the University of Bristol, The 93% Foundation is now a nationwide student-led charity providing a social mobility network for students from a state school educational background. In addition to Tiegan’s many voluntary positions while at university, she was a Widening Participation Ambassador, Bristol Futures Advo-
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cate, and worked on various Alumni Telethon Campaigns. Access to higher education is a subject which Tiegan is especially passionate about, and she recognises how there are positive steps being taken towards inclusivity at Bristol with the diverse scholarship schemes available. Tiegan explained how ‘funding is always a barrier to access, and so the University being able to offer scholarships for students is so important. That’s why I really liked working on the telethons, especially as so many of the scholarships help students from lower socio-economic backgrounds.’ Tiegan has worked tirelessly to help young people, raising over 12,000 for charities related to children and education, including taking part in NCS and ICS projects. Her efforts were celebrated in September 2021 as she won two Student Social Mobility Awards awards, including the Government and Public Sector Award, at the social mobility organisation upReach’s annual ceremony at the UK House of Lords. Attending the ceremony inside the Houses of Parliament gave Tiegan hope for the future of social mobility and caused her to reflect on her childhood, having grown up in a rural community at a school under special measures. Hearing about the charitable work of so many other students was, ‘Very heart-warming and one of those moments that gives you faith in humanity and the next generation, as it reminds you that there are so many people doing good out there.’ At the time of the awards, Tiegan was completing her Government Communication Service internship,
which was open to students from diverse backgrounds. Tiegan acknowledged the uncertainty of graduating, especially during the pandemic. Even with working remotely from her bedroom, Tiegan felt lucky to have the role and to be offered an extension by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs where she was placed, and because of the awards was invited to speak on podcasts, BBC News, and in various roundtable meetings, including with a Civil Service Director and champion of social mobility. ‘I’m 23 and had just finished university. I’m definitely not an expert on education and social mobility in a qualifications sense, but because of my background and various roles I am in an expert through experience, which informs my work.. Winning the SSMAs definitely gave me more confidence - it was a recognition of all the hard work I’d put in over the years.’ Ending education inequality and helping young people from similar backgrounds to broaden their horizons is Tiegan’s main goal and motivation. It is no surprise that Tiegan has wanted to work in the Department for Education for a long time, and after graduating from the Patchwork Foundation Masterclass Programme where she was able to meet the Secretary of State for Education, Nadhim Zahawi, she is now commencing working in the Curriculum Strategy team. Over the course of our hour-long call, it became apparent that Tiegan is incredibly committed to improving inequalities and is an inspiration not only to those looking to work in the Civil Service, but to all students.
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Epigram / Tiegan Bingham-Roberts
A few lesser known Bristol gems to explore during the new academic term Marine Saint