Lori Cox, Frontline Services Manager, Advice and Counselling Service
Meet Lori Cox, Frontline Services Manager, Advice and Counselling Service. In this profile Lori tells us about their 35 years working at Queen Mary, her work on AskQM, and their top tips for students on managing their wellbeing during their time at university.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how long you’ve worked at Queen Mary?
I was born in Commercial Road, Stepney and have lived in east London all my life as have all my family, I am a true Eastender. I started at Queen Mary doing a two-week temp job in Mechanical Engineering and 35 years later I am still here! I worked in Engineering for about four years; I was office Manager and PA to the Head of External Relations. While I was there, I had both my children who attended the College nursery. I joined Advice and Counselling 27 years ago after my second maternity leave. Advice and Counselling has grown massively since I joined as demand has increased. I love working with our students.
Congratulations on winning the Exemplary Service Award at the PS Awards in November. Can you tell us a bit more about winning this award and what it meant to you?
I was really surprised that so many of my colleagues had put me forward for this award. Unfortunately, I was off sick so missed the award ceremony but had lots of messages and a video sent too by my colleagues.
Are there any key projects you’ve worked on during your time at Queen Mary that you’d like to highlight?
We transitioned from a largely paper-based service to an online one due to the pandemic, which brought many changes I’ve had to navigate. AskQM has been the most significant project I’ve worked on, as it required major updates to our systems and casework processes.
What’s your favourite place on any of our campuses?
I love sitting by the canal - even on a cold day. It’s amazing how you can’t hear the traffic; it feels like a little oasis of peace.
Do you have any hobbies, pastimes outside of work?
I knit, which I find really relaxing, and I go to lots of craft fairs, especially at this time of year when things get very busy. I have a stall booked every weekend from 28 November.
What are your top tips for students for managing their wellbeing during their time at university?
Make sure you take breaks from your studies to do things you enjoy - having some “me time” is really important. If you ever have worries or problems, seek help straight away rather than leaving it. And remember, Advice and Counselling is always here to support you.
Are there any stories about Queen Mary and its history that you know of and can tell us about?
I’ve been part of the Queen Mary’s student and staff choir for around 20 years, and I plan to keep attending even after I retire. When my children were younger, I used to collect them from school and bring them back with me - they would sit and do their homework while I went to choir practice. I’ve had the privilege of working with three Music Directors over the years. Singing is incredibly relaxing, and it’s lovely to do something with students that is not work-related.