Emma Walker

I studied history and politics at Edge Hill University. I loved the campus. Teaching time also allowed a lot of personal working time, which was perfect as a single mum. It offered a balance between studying and enjoying the views!

A memorable moment for me was attending the West Lancashire by-election count, following the standing down of Rosie Cooper MP. I had the opportunity to attend this with my lecturer and other students. This was my first national count that I had been to, and the atmosphere was great in the early hours of the morning.

The degree covered a wide range of modules which taught me about aspects and interests of politics I never would have previously explored such as political communication, speechwriting and European politics. My favourite module was Preparing for Work in Politics, during which I did a four-week placement with the Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner, gaining invaluable skills and real experience of the working world. It opened my eyes abut the potential career I could go into with a politics degree. I never really understood the role of a PCC prior to this placement, so this module allowed me to see how wide the career opportunities really were.

Before my degree, I took politics at A-Level and joined a local political party because I liked the idea of being involved in decision making and having a say on decisions that affected me. Being a young person, it was apparent that we are massively underrepresented when it comes to decisions on our futures, and this inspired me to learn more about politics and explore how I could do this further.

I love helping people. The idea of supporting people who have been through experiences that are similar to mine, being able to achieve great outcomes for them and ensure they are safe and happy is so rewarding. As a single parent, I can truly relate to people who struggle with the basics so for me to be in a position to support people and help produce real change for them and their families is powerful. It’s about giving the support I wish I had.

As Senior Caseworker for an MP, I am responsible for the email and telephone communications that we receive at the MP’s office. It is my job to ensure people get the help they can. However, working in an MP’s office as a small team means that the role varies day-by-day. One day I can be supporting a vulnerable individual and the next I can be creating social media posts, writing speeches for the MP or writing to Government Departments about legislation concerns. My other main role in the office is to lead on Violence Against Women and Girls projects. As a survivor of domestic abuse, and a mother to a little girl, I feel really passionate about ensuring that services work for victims, and we are helping women and girls feel safe doing daily tasks. Some of the work I am heading at the moment includes domestic abuse and suicide, financial abuse, online abuse; transport and safety concerns; sentencing guidelines and coercive and controlling behaviour; jury training; support for BAME victims and many more. Whilst this is a sensitive and vast topic to lead on, it is so rewarding to see the outcomes and to be working with Ministers and Central Government on these initiatives to support women and girls.

My advice to those interested in studying politics at Edge Hill University is, go for it! Explore as many modules as possible as they are very interesting and take full advantage of the opportunities that Edge Hill provide. I would not be in my career without the support of the politics team. My university experience was not conventional and when I was close to giving up, the politics team always pushed me to keep going. Having a university that believes in you and supports you to achieve your full potential is amazing. I am now standing in local elections, and this is something I never would have done without the support of Edge Hill – the opportunities are endless!