Posted on by Malcolm Baggaley

Global Impact Award – 2024

Awarded for any impact nationally and/or internationally (e.g. through Social, Charitable, Commercial activities).

Presented by Professor Rory Duncan – PVC Research and Innovation

Chloe Illsey, Chloe Herrett, Helly Dacosta, Samavia Hussain, Lily Odell, Amy Batty, Mollie Goodall & Lucy Conway

College of Social Sciences and Arts

Photo of award winners holding their certificates and trophies

What they did:

This group of students applied and were successful to take part in a study trip to Mauritius in May 2023.. This trip had not run before so the students had to take a leap of faith and support the co construction of the trip with myself.

What was the impact?

All students visited and worked in a wide range of local and international schools and settings across the 28 days. They settled in quickly and soon became indispensable, being asked for support and advice across all settings. One of the pre schools in particular had a high number of SEND children with no support. The students volunteered to go and support and even grouped together to buy much needed supplies out of their own money whilst maintaining sensitivity.
Despite illness at various times, in hot/ wet weather conditions and sometimes travelling long distances, there were ideas, suggestions, wonderful relationships developed and the impact of their visit will be felt for many years. Lifelong friendships have been developed and the group is currently planning a fund raising event to continue supporting the pre school with resources. The impact on young children’s lives cannot be measured as this group of students shared of their own experiences. The students represented the university with such impressive professionalism and with their flexibility to change have created a trip that could be repeated for many years to come.

How it inspired others

All students have offered to engage in presentations and support for students this year to share their experiences. They have offered real advice that is supporting others to know what to expect but also to encourage them to challenge themselves as they did. This group of students were not the most confident but have shared that this was the case and this has inspired others. Their determination to continue their relationship with the schools and settings through their research projects and fund raising is inspirational. I cannot thank them enough for not only inspiring further students and the staff in Mauritius but also myself. It enabled me to see the transformation of lives (including my own) and continue the passion to make these experiences happen.

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