Episode 8: The Agency Engine: Inside Sleeping Giant Media with Sam Slee.
Samantha Slee is the Head of People at Sleeping Giant Media in Folkestone, an award-winning digital marketing agency specialising in SEO, PPC, and social media marketing. With over 15 years of experience in Human Resources, Sam has worked across Education, FMCG, and Digital Marketing, bringing a people-first approach to every organisation she supports.

In this interview, student Demi speaks with Sam Slee about her role at Sleeping Giant Media and the work the agency carries out both within the digital marketing industry and the local community. Demi discusses Sam’s day-to-day responsibilities, the skills required to work within a modern digital agency, and how the company supports local initiatives, education, and employment opportunities in the region. The conversation also explores how businesses like Sleeping Giant Media contribute to the local economy while helping organisations grow through digital strategy and marketing.

Useful student links for the Sleeping Giant Media:
https://www.sleepinggiantmedia.co.uk/ 

Contact:
Folkestone College
Shorncliffe Road
Folkestone, Kent
CT20 2TZ
Telephone:
01303 858216
Email:
[email protected]
Web:
https://www.folkestonecollege.ac.uk/

If you would like to record or be included in furture Voice Room podcasts please get in touch with the Voice Room Podcast Team by emailing [email protected] and write Voice Room Ideas in the subject box.

Episode 7: Inside the Food Bank: Wendy Lenhart on Frontline Food Support
Wendy Lehnert is the Food Operations Manager at the Shepway Foodbank, which is a core service run by the Folkestone Rainbow Centre. Wendy is responsible for overseeing the planning and delivery of the foodbank’s operations including emergency food distribution, the mobile foodbank/pantry service, community cooking and food support initiatives, volunteer coordination, and partnership work with local organisations to help people facing food poverty in the Folkestone & Hythe district. 

In this podcast, Junior College Year 11 student Demi interviews Wendy Lenhart about her professional role at the Rainbow Centre and her responsibility for managing the Shepway Foodbank. The conversation explores Wendy’s day-to-day work, the wider role of the foodbank within the local community, and how food support services operate on the frontline of need. They also discuss Folkestone College’s own food collection point and how partnerships like this directly support the work of the foodbank.

Useful student links for the Shepway Foodbank:
Shepway Foodbank – main service page (Rainbow Centre):
Shepway Foodbank | Foodbanks in Kent | Folkestone Rainbow Centre
Shepway Foodbank – contact & general information page:
Shepway Foodbank | Helping Local People in Crisis

Contact:
Folkestone College
Shorncliffe Road
Folkestone, Kent
CT20 2TZ
Telephone:
01303 858216
Email:
[email protected]
Web:
https://www.folkestonecollege.ac.uk/

If you would like to record or be included in furture Voice Room podcasts please get in touch with the Voice Room Podcast Team by emailing [email protected] and write Voice Room Ideas in the subject box.

Episode 6:
In this episode our Student Campaigns Officer Luca Fasulo sits down with Gilly, an NHS Sexual Health Outreach Nurse from The Gate Clinic in Canterbury, to ask her some of your frequently asked questions about all things sexual health. Navigating the world of sexual health advice can be challenging, especially knowing where to start. Gilly breaks down difficult topics into easy-to-understand answers that can help you take control of your own sexual wellbeing. 

Useful student links on Sexual Health:
EKC Group Looking After your Sexual Health:
 https://studentthanetac.sharepoint.com/sites/StudentCampaignsHub/SitePages/Looking-after-your-Sexual-Health.aspx 
Kent County Coucil advice on Sexual Health:
Sexual health - Kent County Council

Contact:
Folkestone College
Shorncliffe Road
Folkestone, Kent
CT20 2TZ
Telephone:
01303 858216
Email:
[email protected]
Web:
https://www.folkestonecollege.ac.uk/

If you would like to record or be included in furture Voice Room podcasts please get in touch with the Voice Room Podcast Team by emailing [email protected] and write Voice Room Ideas in the subject box.

Episode 5:
In this episode, Dylan (SU President) and Oscar (LGBTQ & Disability Officer) discuss the student union and ways they will help students.

When you join EKC Folkestone College, you automatically become a member of the Students’ Union. The Students’ Union represents your voice and is there to ensure your College experience is the best it can be.What can the SU do for you?

• Give you access to student discounts and schemes that can help you save money
• Organise trips to theme parks, concerts, theatre shows and more. All students get a say in the trips they would like to see run at their College
• Run large campaigns to raise awareness about issues that matter to you
• Set up a range of clubs and societies
• Create a democratic society where you can vote for your Students’ Union President and Officers to represent you
• Help you voice your thoughts on College life.

https://www.folkestonecollege.ac.uk/college-life/students-union/?utm_source=chatgpt.com 

Contact:
Folkestone College
Shorncliffe Road
Folkestone, Kent
CT20 2TZ
Telephone:
01303 858216
Email:
[email protected]
Web:
https://www.folkestonecollege.ac.uk/

If you would like to record or be included in furture Voice Room podcasts please get in touch with the Voice Room Podcast Team by emailing [email protected] and write Voice Room Ideas in the subject box.

Ep4: Empowering Students: Supporting Autistic, Dyslexic, & Dyscalculic Learners at College.

In this episode, Jenny, Lyndsey and Chantel from our Inclusive Learning Department address  autism, dyslexia, and dyscalculia, focusing on understanding these conditions and how the college supports affected students. Autism affects social interactions and communication, dyslexia impacts reading and writing, and dyscalculia involves difficulties with math. The college provides tailored support, such as 1:1 teaching, assistive technology, and structured environments, to help students thrive. These efforts aim to create an inclusive atmosphere where neurodivergent students can succeed academically and socially.

Inclusive Learning Department:
Jenny Barron – Specialist tutor for Dyslexia
Lindsay Wright – Specialist tutor for Autism and social emotional mental health
Chantel Denton – SEND Officer

Links:
Autism Education Trust   https://www.autismeducationtrust.org.uk/
National Autistic Society https://www.autism.org.uk/
British Dyslexia Association https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/


Contact:
Folkestone College
Shorncliffe Road
Folkestone, Kent
CT20 2TZ
Telephone:
01303 858216
Email:
[email protected]
Web:
https://www.folkestonecollege.ac.uk/

If you would like to record or be included in furture Voice Room podcasts please get in touch with the Voice Room Podcast Team by emailing [email protected] and write Voice Room Ideas in the subject box.

Ep3: Media Department - Making education more impactful for our learners with Neala Whybrow

Folkestone College Principle Neala Whybrow is joined by Creative Media lecturer Emma Francis and Programme Director in Creative Media Zak Waters to discuss how we are striving to make education more impactful for our learners.

Links:
https://www.folkestonecollege.ac.uk/courses/t-level-in-onsite-construction/     https://www.folkestonecollege.ac.uk/news/everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-t-levels/    https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/students/about   https://employers.tlevels.gov.uk/hc/en-gb/articles/4403442894610-What-are-industry-placements    https://www.ekcgroup.ac.uk/collaborate-with-us/t-levels-for-employers/ 

Contact:
Folkestone College
Shorncliffe Road
Folkestone, Kent
CT20 2TZ
Telephone:
01303 858216
Email:
[email protected]
Web:
https://www.folkestonecollege.ac.uk/

If you would like to record or be included in furture Voice Room podcasts please get in touch with the Voice Room Podcast Team by emailing [email protected] and write Voice Room Ideas in the subject box.

Episode 2: Heather Williams, Industry Liaison for Construction at Folkestone College.

Heather is joined by second-year Onsite Construction T Level students Oscar and Blayk, where both students discuss their experiences and knowledge they have gained working in their Industry Placements in their different professional environments.

Links:
https://www.folkestonecollege.ac.uk/courses/t-level-in-onsite-construction/     https://www.folkestonecollege.ac.uk/news/everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-t-levels/    https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/students/about   https://employers.tlevels.gov.uk/hc/en-gb/articles/4403442894610-What-are-industry-placements    https://www.ekcgroup.ac.uk/collaborate-with-us/t-levels-for-employers/ 

Contact:
Folkestone College
Shorncliffe Road
Folkestone, Kent
CT20 2TZ
Telephone:
01303 858216
Email:
[email protected]
Web:
https://www.folkestonecollege.ac.uk/

If you would like to record or be included in furture Voice Room podcasts please get in touch with the Voice Room Podcast Team by emailing [email protected] and write Voice Room Ideas in the subject box.

Episode 1: Molly Smith Careers and Employer Engagement Officer at Folkestone College.

Key Points of episode 1 podcast:

• Freshers Fair – Wednesday 18th September
• HE Week – W/C 23rd September (HE Fair on Wednesday 25th September HE Fair – come along and speak to universities).
• Careers Booking Link: Folkestone Careers (office365.com)
• Right Choice.
• Molly Smith – [email protected]
• Darren Beale – [email protected]

Term 1
Monday 2 September – Wednesday 23 October 2024
Staff Development Days – Thursday 24 and Friday 25 October 2024*
October Break
Monday 28 October – Friday 1 November 2024

Contact:
Folkestone College
Shorncliffe Road
Folkestone, Kent
CT20 2TZ
Telephone:
01303 858216
Email:
[email protected]
Web:
https://www.folkestonecollege.ac.uk/

If you would like to record or be included in furture Voice Room podcasts please get in touch with the Voice Room Podcast Team by emailing [email protected] and write Voice Room Ideas in the subject box.