University Campus Oldham

Leadership Award

What they did:

This student has been an outstanding leader for mental health within her community. They volunteer for a listening and befriending service, providing a vital social lifeline to isolated members of the local community. They are currently on placement with 3 different counselling charities, utilising their counselling skills to support clients, and empowering them to make changes in their lives. During Covid this student began leadership and advocacy work within their local community to support those most in need. They continue this work and regularly speak on panels about the ways in which individuals can look after their mental health, and access supporting services. They have also been involved with and hosted mental health workshops – aimed at helping to inspire others to better understand their mental health.

What was the impact?

The work this student has done and continues to do is almost immeasurable. This student has directly helped the lives of many clients through their directly work. However in terms of their community and outreach mental health work, it is hoped that not only those in the room have been supported; but that they have also spread the empowering and supportive messages beyond themselves and to their own family, friends and community.

How it inspired others

This student is an inspiration to their peers, academic staff, and their entire community. They are very highly regarded, and do all of this while managing the demands of their own family and career. They are always very positive and their resilience in the face of challenges is incredibly inspiring. This year’s cohort would not be the same group without this student’s infectious drive and determination, pushing them all ahead

Inspirational Individual Award

What they did:

This student was diagnosed with a severe medical condition during the first year of our Foundation Degree, which resulted in the student having heart surgery. Despite this, the student handed in all of the assignments on time and attended regular 1:1 tutorials with staff to keep up to date with the teaching for all of the modules.

What was the impact?

The impact for the student was that there was no need to repeat the year of study or to apply for Extenuating Circumstances, as the student had the determination and self-motivation to stay on track with the studying. The impact for the staff was that this demonstrated resilience and determination to succeed in the face of adversity.

How it inspired others

The remaining students in the class were very supportive and in awe of how this student remained committed to studying despite having a serious medical condition which left the student very unwell and anxious about being on a waiting list for major surgery. In fact, this student supported other students with their assignments during the time of their own illness.

Student Voice Award

What they did:

This student has represented her cohort for the past 3 years as a student representative. They have advocated for improved services within the university campus and given a voice to unrepresented groups. Despite the demands of their final, this student has continued to attend meetings with senior management and ensure that their course and student group is represented. They go above what is required of them in this role to ensure that they and the students are heard.

What was the impact?

The student has attended meeting with senior managers to ensure that services are improved, not only for their own cohort but campus wide. They have helped to positively impact in the physical environment by suggesting campus wide improvements.

How it inspired others

This student is enthusiastic and positive at all times when dealing with members of staff and other students. By speaking up and giving a voice to students they have encouraged others to feel comfortable also doing so. They have shared their email address with students to allow them to collate any information or concerns that need to be addressed and then raised these at the appropriate times.