10 THE KNOW
Managing Britain ’ s biggest campus
The Grounds Team at Keele manages the maintenance of the woods , lakes , sports fields and parkland on Keele ’ s 600-acre campus , which is one of the largest in Europe .
We caught up with Head of Grounds , Jane Barker , to find out more about what it ’ s like to be Head of Grounds at one of the largest campus universities .
What does a typical day look like for you ?
My typical day usually involves site meetings to discuss plantings or landscaping on newly-built areas . I can go from chairing meetings to muddy walks in the woods checking our rhododendron for signs of infection . No two days are ever the same and that ’ s what makes my job so interesting ! I work with amazing people in Estates and there ’ s always something to be involved with .
What kind of projects have you been working on recently ?
Recently we worked with the Students ’ Union to set up a group for students to help them cope with the pressures of revision and exams and this has proved popular – the students who have been involved helped to lay paths in the Memorial Garden and have planted trees . I previously worked in an acute mental health ward using horticulture as a therapy to help people with anxiety , depression and panic attacks .
It ’ s hoped that this will continue to grow in popularity as the students that took part reported that they really enjoyed themselves .