Angie Carter

Angela Carter (Angie) is Resident Caretaker/Porter at Staverton and Univ North. Angie has worked at the College for over 20 years, both at the College’s High Street site and the Staverton Road Annexe in North Oxford.

What did you do before working at Univ?
I worked in various jobs over the years. I worked at Marks and Spencer’s, and then as a Learning Support Assistant in the nursery at Berinsfield Primary School (now known as Abbey Woods Academy).

What brought you to Univ?
My mum and dad worked at Univ for around 20 years. I started helping my mum out at formal halls and summer school dinners, and I liked the family feel that Univ had. In 2005, I officially started part-time as a scout at the High Street site and also worked on Saturdays doing the SCR lunches in the Allington room. I took on the role of resident Housekeeper (now Resident Caretaker/Porter) at the Staverton Road Annexe in 2007.

What does being Resident Caretaker/Porter involve?
This role involves being the student-facing point of contact for Univ North and the Staverton Road Annexe. I issue keys, report any issues around the site that need attending to, email students regarding arriving and vacating their rooms. I’m also here to listen to students if they want to talk about anything that’s bothering them. We do mandatory Fire and Health and Safety talks with students when they first arrive as well as termly fire drills. I also deal with any lockouts or fire alarms during the the night. Over the last couple of years, the Junior Deans and I have set up an event where students can come and do some art on the hoardings and have pizza. We appreciate that living on a building site can be difficult at times and wanted to help ease that.

What do you like most about your role?
On the whole, I like my job and everything I do, I do to the best of my ability. Sometimes, it feels like I’m a bit of a surrogate mum to the students, and I hope that I can help support them both in their studies and in learning about independent living – as many of them have not lived away from home before coming to Univ.

What have been the highlights or most memorable moments from your time at Univ thus far?
Getting to know students is a real highlight – and there are a few that still come back to see me and we go and have dinner. It is really lovely to see them and hear how they’re getting on. One of my most memorable moments was being invited to the graduation of a few students, and it was actually on my birthday as well. I’d never been to a graduation before, so that was really lovely to see. Another memorable moment for me was attending the Queen’s 90^th Birthday celebrations. I was one of two people chosen from Univ to attend a special picnic in London along the Mall. It was an amazing day despite the rain and I am so grateful that I got to experience that.

What are you looking forward to as your role changes to encompass Univ North?
It will be nice to see more activity around the site. Having a café and a gym as well as two study rooms and other indoor and outdoor common spaces is going to make a huge difference to the students living here.

What do you do to relax?
I enjoy reading, walking my dog, going out for meals, watching various shows or films and just trying to take time for myself. Sometimes I do a bit of knitting and I enjoy doing jigsaw puzzles as well.

What’s your message for students at Univ?
Just be yourself, enjoy the experience and have fun, but don’t forget to study as well and to remember that there is always someone to talk to if you need to.

Describe Univ in three words?
It’s hard to describe Univ in three words. I would say “amazing students”, as we wouldn’t be here without them and our colleagues of course. I’d also say “friendly” and “welcoming”  as I’d like to think we have a family feel about us as well.