New Staff Spotlight

Matt Cole

Job title
EUSS Support & Guidance Worker (Adviser)

Where are you from?
I grew up in the English West Midlands near Dudley, which makes me a Black Country lad (don’t panic, it’s a reference to our soot and smog-darkened industrial heritage). Nowadays I’m happily settled in East Belfast and might even qualify for naturalisation as an Ulsterman.

What was your last job?
I was an appeals officer and decision maker for ESA, which means there’s a good chance there are people reading this who have me to thank for having to field enquiries from clients asking what on Earth this nine-page mandatory reconsideration decision is all about!

Why Advice NI?
I’ve always felt that a job should be meaningful and add value to the world, rather than just paying the bills, so working for an advice organisation is a good fit in that regard. I definitely see myself as European as well, so working on the EUSS project gives me a chance to be involved in something I care about.

What’s the best part of your job here?
Getting to talk about Brexit all the time, obviously. On a serious note, it’s good to be in a new advice area for the organisation as it gives me a chance to shape our approach a bit more (that’s certainly a big contrast to my last job).

What do you do in your spare time?
On the rare occasions I can get a pass from my son to be allowed out of his sight (“Daddy not go work, Daddy go to the park…”) I like to get out and annoy motorists by occupying a small strip of guttering on my road bike. Apart from that I go to an occasional gig and I enjoy a craft beer or two.

Tell us something about yourself we don’t know.
I’m actually more Northern Irish than I might at first appear – my maternal grandmother grew up off the Donegall Road before moving across the water, so I was already well used to being offered a wee bun on an hourly cycle.

What are you looking forward to most in the next year?
Stockpiling, black marketeering, basic survivalism – you know, the sunlit uplands of our post-Brexit utopia. (Too political?)
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Leonardo Andres Boscarin Borax

Job title
EUSS Advisor

Where are you from?
I was born in Chile and later moved to Italy. As my dad was Italian I have dual nationality.

What was your last job?
Translator and market researcher for a medical company. I also teach Spanish at Queen’s University.

Why Advice NI?
I was looking for a change in my life when I spotted the Job Advert so I decided to go for it. After the interview with Arfawn, Fiona and Lumturi I realised that was the opportunity I was waiting for. Luckily enough I was offered the job and the rest is history…

What’s the best part of your job here?
Working as an Advisor for the EU Settlement Scheme in a very exciting project. Being able to help people in my situation is difficult but very rewarding. I am lucky to have Matt as a colleague as he has plenty of experience as an advisor and in the charity sector.

What do you do in your spare time?
I like reading and listening to music. I love going to the cinema and playing squash.

Tell us something about yourself we don’t know
I hold a PhD. in Mexican History and Cinema.
 
What are you looking forward to most in the next year?
To spend more time with my family and take life as easily as possible.