A week in the life of Beth 

Hello everyone! 

I’m Beth Spencer, Events & Administration Lead at the SWI. I’ve been part of the staff team for four years now, and I can confidently say no two days in my role are ever the same! From organising national events and developing new learning pathways, to answering member enquiries and keeping the office stocked with tea and coffee, every week brings something different.

Developing the SWIFTS 

This week began with a meeting of our Skills & Events Sub-Committee, a fantastic member-led group that have been key in shaping our newly developed SWIFTS Learning Pathway. Their wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm is invaluable as we continue to develop courses that inspire members to learn new skills and build confidence. 

The SWIFTS programme has been in development since 2024, and we’re excited to launch a suite of pilot courses throughout autumn and winter 2026. It’s a project I’m passionate about, and I was honoured to have the work recognised when I was included in the Young Women’s Movement’s ‘30 Under 30’ list in 2025. 

Planning the Members’ Gathering 

Preparations for September’s Members’ Gathering took another step forward this week, during my monthly meeting with the National Conference Committee.

This event has been my main focus this year and it will continue to be over the coming months, so much of my week has been spent liaising with speakers, exhibitors, tutors and the venue to make sure every detail comes together. There’s a huge amount of work that happens behind the scenes before an event opens its doors, and we’re determined to make this year’s Members’ Gathering one that members won’t want to miss!

Building New Partnerships 

One of the most rewarding parts of my role is building partnerships that give our members something a little different, and help new faces discover SWI along the way. It’s why I’m particularly looking forward to our upcoming collaboration with Senior Lecturer Orhan Elmaz from the University of St Andrews. I’ll be joining as female co-lead, working together on a programme of workshops that will culminate in an exhibition of his research. It feels like an exciting project: education, creativity and our members’ experiences, all in one place.

Looking Ahead

While plenty of my time has gone into this year’s events, a large part of my role is about planning for the future. Every week I spend time developing new national competitions, flagship events such as Summer School and the SWI Tour, which will be making a return in 2027, and exploring fresh ideas for future events. Sometimes that means leaving the office for venue visits, ensuring the locations we choose are accessible, affordable and provide the best possible experience for members, so I have become well acquainted to WFT (working from a train!).

Leading Our Events Team 

I also have the privilege of managing Anna Bain, our Events Development Co-ordinator, supporting her development and making sure, together as an events team, we don’t just deliver great events, but we create memorable experiences for SWI members nationwide. Alongside this, I work closely with the rest of the Central Office team, providing support in other areas where necessary, and working collaboratively on projects that spread wider than just events. 

The Everyday Jobs You Don’t Always See 

Beyond events and partnerships, there’s a whole other side to my role that keeps things interesting. The administration side of my role is just as varied! One minute I might be designing branding or developing products for our online merchandise shop, and the next I could be making sure the office kitchen is stocked with tea and coffee.

Answering calls and keeping on top of the Central Office enquiries inbox is part of my role too, so there’s a good chance we’ve spoken before if you’ve ever rung the office! It matters to all of us at SWI that members feel welcomed and well looked after, however they get in touch. What I love most about this role is that no two days are quite the same. Behind every event, course and project is a team pouring real effort into creating opportunities for our members, and I’m proud to play a part in that. 

Until next time,

Beth!