Inspirational Alumni Award – 2024 – Inspirational Student Awards

College of Business, Technology & Engineering

What they did:

The individual has continued to work with their own social enterprise [Enterprise Name] – now 16 years old – in Sheffield impacting children and young people through performing arts, and into further education. They have supported a wide range of social enterprises through their other work with Sheffield Social Enterprise Network and now consultancy Mantle. This has included working with colleagues on a regular basis in SHU and engaging them in supporting the work of smaller businesses, the VCSE sector and inputting into wider city strategies such as the Sheffield Social Enterprise Strategy. This person has been an Entrepreneur in Residence with SHU and sat on the advisory board for the business management department. They have worked closely with the SHU employer team with all the businesses they have run in the last 5 years, taking on students through the internship programmes as well as course placements within their small businesses. Advocating for the vulnerable in society, this individual has devoted their working life to supporting this cohort through their own social enterprise and more recently by supporting others to manage their own organisations within the VCSE more effectively, through the consultancy, mentoring and coaching she does in this sector.

What was the impact?

The impact of this persons work has been ongoing throughout their career, with the focus of working with the more vulnerable in society supporting them back into education or employment through using performing arts in [Enterprise Name]. Since completing their masters with Hallam, this has then allowed them to be take their support further, and work with other organisations across the region working within the VCSE sector to guide other organisations and VCSE leaders in being sustainable, working affectively in order to increase their own impact on beneficiaries. This has also included working with a national charity in London, where the impact of their work also included working alongside business leaders across the world and government officials challenging them to make change for those they work with. The social enterprise they run has engaged and impacted with over 10,000 children and young people in Sheffield throughout the 16 years it has been going, and although it was running before they completed their Hallam masters, the masters allowed them to make sure the organisation was sustainable so it could reach more individuals and continue it’s good work in the Sheffield community.

How it inspired others

Those working with this person regularly say that they are inspiring in all they do, and that they are always thinking about how things can be improved for those more vulnerable in our community. The work that they did with Sheffield Social Enterprise Network took the organisation from being volunteer led to employing people, not only giving jobs in the sector, but also putting social enterprise on the map and in the minds of key players and institutions within the city. Their work inspired not individuals working within the institutions to better engage with social enterprises as well as social entrepreneurs throughout the city to start, build and grow their own social enterprise businesses that could have an impact on the local economy whilst also giving back to their community. They were instrumental in the growth of the Sheffield Social Enterprise Network for where it is today in the city, and continues to work as an associate consultant with them as well as now running their own ethical consultancy and training company with their business partner. They continue to challenge the status quo, encouraging businesses and the public sector to be much more sustainable and ethical in how they function.

College of Health, Wellbeing & Life Sciences

What they did:

This nominee has engaged across multiple national groups such as the UK SABR Consortium, the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) and the Society and College of Radiographers (SCoR).

As part of the Radiotherapy Pre-Treatment Special Interest Group (SIG) which they co-founded and act as chair of they have set up a web based networking platform and are currently setting up a national meeting for this specialty in collaboration with industry partners.

As chair of the reinvigorated SCoR LGBTQI+ Equalise group, they have initiated the SCoR’s attendance at pride events, set up a web based networking platform, initiated an Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) update of the RCR national Radiotherapy consent forms for LGBTQI+ patients and act as the lead Equalise delegate to the SCoR Annual Delegates Conference (ADC) where they have gained agreement for the SCoR to support a number of EDI motions nationally.

Working with the UK SABR Consortium Technical Advisory Group they have lead the update of a key section of the national SABR guidelines and presented educational sessions at the RCR Spine SABR study day.

This individual has presented at national and international conferences, including UKIO, the SCoR Annual Radiotherapy Conference, ESTRO, ASTRO, the Oncology Professionals Conference and the UK SABR Consortium Annual Conference.

What was the impact?

This nominee has raised the profile of their profession and their specialty within the profession. They have created opportunities for networking and peer-support between centres across the UK at a time of rapid technical development and progression, in turn facilitating better patient care in the centres which engage with this. They have also carried out a wide range of technical development projects which contribute to improvements in patient care and experience, subsequently presenting this work on platforms to allow this to be adopted in other clinical sites.

The EDI work has provided visible support to the LGBTQI+ community, both radiographer professionals and students and the patients we interact with. They are now more able to feel seen and considered, and the continued promotion of this cause increases the knowledge and understanding of the profession and associated professions, keeping previously under-considered aspects of patient care at the forefront. The updates to the RCR consent forms mean patients are now consented with consideration of the side effects which apply to everyone rather than the visible majority.

Having members of the Therapeutic Radiographer community involved with organisations such as the UK SABR Consortium provides their unique insights into the technical aspects of Radiotherapy as well as considering patient centred care, leading to a more well rounded approach to information and resources.

How it inspired others

EDI continues to be an important topic and having members of the professional community promoting this cause for patients and professionals inspires others to engage, push themselves and have their voices heard rather than feeling marginalised and silenced.

Seeing members of the Radiography community

visibly engaging with organisations such as the UK SABR Consortium and RCR as well as presenting and chairing at prestigious events such as ESTRO which have all traditionally been dominated by doctors and medical physicists will inspire more Radiographers to step forwards and engage, offering their unique and valuable insight, knowledge and experience with the overall outcome of improving our patients care and experience.

College of Social Sciences and Arts

What they did:

Motivated by their personal journey of graduating amidst the challenges of the pandemic and the necessity to forge their paths, this Alumnus founded a groundbreaking social enterprise. This endeavour is dedicated to aiding young individuals from underrepresented communities in breaking into the creative industries. Their innovative approach involves the establishment of an online education platform designed to empower and uplift aspiring talents. This platform not only serves as a showcase for the creative endeavours of young individuals but also facilitates the development of their personal brand. Through this process, emerging creatives at the early stages of their careers gain the ability to establish meaningful connections with potential employers. Furthermore, it opens up avenues for them to explore diverse career paths, including entrepreneurship and freelancing.

Beyond these tangible opportunities, the social enterprise places a strong emphasis on fostering a resilient mindset among students and graduates. By integrating essential mindset skills into their educational programs, the initiative equips individuals with practical tools to navigate and overcome challenges such as rejection and redirection. This holistic approach ensures that aspiring talents not only gain technical and creative skills but also develop the mental fortitude to thrive in the dynamic landscape of their chosen careers.

What was the impact?

They have strategically directed their support towards the often-overlooked demographic of young individuals in the North and Midlands, where opportunities in the creative industries may not be as readily available as in the South. Advocating for equitable change within the creative sector, they have actively shed light on the unique challenges faced by young people, particularly those grappling with mental health issues.

The impact of their social enterprise is evident in the direct support provided to over 50 students, leading to the successful placement of several individuals in their first paid roles within the local community. Through an array of programs, encompassing talks, workshops, and participation in events, they have reached and educated more than 500 students. This educational outreach not only empowers young minds with the knowledge of creating their own opportunities in the industry but also serves to inspire them to explore and contribute to local work opportunities.

How it inspired others

In championing the growth of creative talent within the North, the initiative plays a pivotal role in sustaining and nurturing the local economy. By encouraging young talents to consider and pursue opportunities within their region, the initiative contributes to the expansion of local businesses, creating a more vibrant and dynamic creative landscape.

The commendable success of this initiative is underscored by the numerous accolades and recognitions it has garnered, including awards and nominations. Additionally, its sustainability and growth have been fortified through strategic grant support from esteemed entities such as the Virgin Money Foundation, Big Change, and Santander Universities, reflecting the value and impact of their work in just the 12 months since its inception.

The Alumnus aspires to ignite inspiration among both emerging and seasoned creatives, urging them to question the prevailing norms in the creative industries, particularly the reliance on unpaid internships for gaining experience. Their vision is to mould a future for the industry that embraces diversity and equality, inviting talent from a myriad of backgrounds to contribute and thrive.

Inspirational Alumni Award – 2024

Jodie Marshall

James Barber

Emma Redfern

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