Author: Malcolm Baggaley

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.

Inspirational Individual Award

What they did:

What was the impact?

They have become a strong advocate for disability rights and awareness, implementing effective strategies to navigate her challenges.Despite their own difficulties, they goes above and beyond their role, extending support in diverse situations. They promotes the course positively, advocates for the work being done, and serves as a constant source of support for her fellow students.. Their positive attitude shines through as they consistently achieves excellent grades and remains actively involved in various projects.

How it inspired others

Their resilience and accomplishments are truly commendable, and they serves as an inspiration to others, showcasing the power of determination and a positive mindset. I am incredibly proud of their achievements and the positive impact they continue to have on their academic community.

Student Voice Award

What they did:

What was the impact?

Her voice had a great impact on changing the student experience, for example: by starting a the idea collaboration society between courses to gain experience from that and working on IT resources to improve their efficiency.

How it inspired others

That inspired lots of students to have a voice to provide feedback and work on the solution as well as collaboration between students to improve their experience.

Inspirational Individual Award

What they did:

The student returned to higher education as a mature student. The student had three young children with a range of additional needs and instantly appeared to adapt to the demands of being a student, a parent, and holding a number of placements in the sector. In the first year the student was the student rep and worked well with their peers to make sure that their voice was heard. From the very first module the student inspired, demonstrating an exceptional ability to manage time, support others, and complete anything set to the best of their ability. The student has an approachable caring nature which means that others gravitate towards them for support and they often advise others both formally (to the level 4 and 5 groups) and informally to their own group. The student has been offered a place on postgraduate teacher training and has shared their experience with others.

What was the impact?

The student is inspiring others in her group and is broadening the options of those in other groups by sharing her experiences.

How it inspired others

Others have also applied, intend to apply for postgraduate education. Students are seeking additional placement opportunities and seeing the value in placement.

Student Voice Award

What they did:

The student has a diagnosis of autism and has pushed themselves to develop their professional and interpersonal skills with confidence through their role as the student representative. The student is in their first year of their degree and very quickly established themselves as an advocate for collecting, sharing and representing the student voice. They are the student representative and have provided collective feedback at all available opportunities and will also seek additional opportunities to provide feedback too. At the end of semester one the student sent a message of thanks to the team stating that we are ‘amazing!’ and sharing that they couldn’t ask for more supportive lecturers. An additional thank you was provided for allowing the student to be the best version of themselves and allowing them to succeed. However, the thanks should be to them for showing us how to be the supportive lecturers that they need which is a result of them sharing the best version of themselves when they actively advocate for themselves and for others.

What was the impact?

The student has shared there voice and the collective voice of other to advocate small changes that could make a big difference

How it inspired others

The student inspires others by showing that they are actively advocating the voice of others.

Leadership Award

What they did:

This student has shown consistent leadership and impact over three years, having been a student representative for the duration. During this time, they have given peers a voice and agency. Valued by other students and staff within the college community, the learner has been an integral part of the effort to identify and work with a women’s charity in the local area as part of community engagement. Additionally, they have been a dedicated peer mentor. Juggling work with academic study, this learner has consistently demonstrated conscientiousness, dedication and hard work.

What was the impact?

This learner’s impact has been the difference they made to their peers’ confidence, sense of belonging and ability to achieve. There is also a community impact aspect to the student’s efforts in leading her peers in charitable work. That is impact beyond the classroom.

How it inspired others

The learner has persuaded others to come on board the community engagement project and their peer mentoring has encouraged others to keep going.

Leadership Award

What they did:

What was the impact?

This person’s actions demonstrate to others that we are a team which encourages others to help the rest of the course. The course works better together because they are more willing to help each other when it is difficult. When the trainees perform well it inspires more confidence which allows individuals and the team to stretch themselves to achieve better results on the course.

How it inspired others

This person inspires others to help their course mates in the classroom fostering a sense of cohesion within the cohort. Their actions demonstrate that it is not detrimental to their own learning to assist other in fact the opposite is true, those that are exposed to more problems are better equipped to problem solve and deal will issues when they arise, this inspires the course to help others when they are struggling. Furthermore, having helped others they are more willing to assist you when you come up against a problem.

Inspirational Individual Award

What they did:

This student has to be one of the most committed students that I have had the pleasure of teaching. He has attended every class with enthusiasm and with the biggest smile on his face always wanting to improve on his work. He works tirelessly on improving his digital work always seeking new ways. He attends all the lectures at Sheffield Hallam and accesses the library to give him all the benefits of working at a partner university. Despite having many demands from his home life which has been sometimes very difficult he works tirelessly on all of his projects striving to be the best graphic designer.

What was the impact?

How it inspired others

He inspires all of my students by his ability to always want to succeed in his chosen subject. He is always adapting to the current trends and is always seeking new ways to develop his designs for the workplace and design for good. His positivity has a huge effect on the current students who see first hand that having an I can attitude to life can get you a long way. He is a shining example to the students who have been encouraged to push themselves in this ever-changing world of graphic design.

Inspirational Individual Award

What they did:

This student enrolled on the professional practice in health and social care course following securing a job caring for people with learning disabilities. They have overcome difficulties that have occurred following being a person who is care experienced. The student has had many challenges in the past which had formed barriers to accessing education. They have suffered financial hardship and complex wellbeing issues.

What was the impact?

The student has fought to access education and to maintain a home life with minimal support from the relevant care leaving services. The student has overcome a very limited secondary school education. Due to the challenges that have been posed following a challenging upbringing and limited post 16 support this has impacted greatly upon this students self confidence. The student has completed college level courses but has felt that university level courses were not for people in there situation.

How it inspired others

This student has inspired others by setting a great example. They have clearly demonstrated the importance of self belief and also pushing barriers. The student has shared there story with others so that they can see that it is possible to obtain goals and that higher education is for everyone not just people from specific backgrounds. This has also been noted by many of the students peers who have had there own challenges due to cultural and ethnic challenges. The student has always worked to the best of there ability and owned any mistakes that they have made. They are now on track to achieve a place on the second year of the nursing course and to become an example that people who are care experienced can achieve the goals that they set themselves.

Leadership Award

What they did:

What was the impact?

How it inspired others

Overall the students advocacy for inclusivity and collaboration not only enhanced the group experience but also contributed to the development of essential interpersonal skills and a strong sense of community within the classroom. Their efforts exemplify the transformative power of teamwork and solidarity in fostering a positive and enriching educational environment.

Student Voice Award

What they did:

What was the impact?

ability to maintain team spirit, especially in challenging times, has been remarkable. They have been a pillar of support and inspiration, encouraging us to strive for excellence both academically and personally.

How it inspired others

One of most impactful contributions has been their ability to inspire and motivate their peers. There have been several instances where students felt overwhelmed and considered quitting, but encouragement and support helped them to persevere. Through their empathetic listening, genuine concern, and motivational words, has helped many to regain confidence and continue their educational journey.

Student Voice Award

What they did:

They often help students to understand what the teachers say. Sometimes, they deal with the difficulties that their classmates met

What was the impact?

They made an excellent impression on me. They are passionate and always ready to help others.

How it inspired others

The ones who acquired help from them kept up with others later and were willing to join in the discussions during courses.

Inspirational Individual Award

What they did:

Kainat comes from an ethnic minority family. she has to face quite some constraints in the society as well as certain rules in her family. She has tried very hard to have good results in her academic studies as well as better whole personal development. In her work placement, she has improved significantly in her communication and organizational skills as well as self-confidence and motivated. These were due to her determination to try her utmost to overcome all barriers and obstacles resulting from cultural differences and limitation of exposure. She has now a clear goal for her life and set up a plan for further studies and work after graduation.

What was the impact?

She has set a good example for ethnic minority students in Hong Kong that they could also succeed with self-confidence and diligence.

How it inspired others

That a person should have equal opportunities which could be pursued with determination, courage and hard work.

Student Voice Award

What they did:

What was the impact?

This student’s representation in department committee meetings had a big influence. They made a significant contribution to enhancing the general student experience by openly expressing the worries and recommendations of their fellow students. Their helpful criticism and cooperation with academic staff and administrators resulted in improvements to academic resources, support services, and curriculum design. Future students will so gain from improved resources and a better learning environment. By fostering a feeling of community and inclusivity inside the department, the students’ efforts created a forum for open discussion in which the opinions of the students were accepted and cherished. This not only made the first year experience better, but it also established a standard for continued student activism and representation. This student’s activities create a lasting legacy that will enable future students to experience an engaging and encouraging learning environment, even beyond their own academic journey.

How it inspired others