Malcolm Baggaley – Page 2 – Inspirational Student Awards

April 18, 2024

School for Higher and Professional Education (SHAPE)

Student Voice Award

What they did:

The student is a rep for the course and class. He has communicated classmates’ feedback and concerns with the Course and Admin Teams. Kwong Yu has been helpful not only to his peers, but also to the module tutors, including SHU tutors who did block teaching at SHAPE (we were not familiar with the SHAPE IT system).

What was the impact?

Kwong Yu helps his peers express their opinions and concerns and make their voices heard by the Course and Admin Teams, through which student experience and attainment have been enhanced.

How it inspired others

Kwong Yu plays a key role as the Course Rep and a facilitator to help build a more two-way communication channel between students and staff. He has demonstrated leadership and selflessness supporting other students on the course.

Inspirational Individual Award

What they did:

This particular student was a great member of the classroom. Unfortunately, this most recent module delivery remained online which is not always ideal for tutor or student in terms of building rapport. This is can be even more difficult for students for whom English is not a first language as there are, understandably, sometimes concerns about speaking in front of peers having had little opportunity to practice language skills in a group environment. However, this student had no qualms about engaging with tutors and showed a curiosity and willingness to learn was inspiring to see. The student regularly came to the front of the class to use the IT equipment provided and engage with me, their UK based tutor, and ask questions and provide their thoughts. Furthermore, their questions and insight were of a very high standard and showed the ability to engage with module content critically and apply the theories to real world contexts – this is something that not all students can do confidently and especially not in a second language. The students enthusiasm for learning was clearly evident.

What was the impact?

Sometimes teaching online can be difficult – it is context specific of course and engagement can vary considerably between different cohorts. There is nothing worse than a silent classroom though and the students willingness to engage brought a liveliness to the class that is sometimes missing with online teaching. The critical nature of the questions asked helped not only to enliven the class but also the material itself, providing an extra layer of depth and contextualisation which was beneficial to the whole classroom in terms of students’ understanding of how theory might be applied to the assessment task and to the real world in general.

How it inspired others

The student’s behaviour was inspiring to the teaching team – it is rewarding to see first hand how students engage with the ideas and concepts that we share and how their interpretations can sometimes develop our own understanding of content. Their behaviour was also inspiring to other students, showing that concerns around language skills needn’t always be a barrier to engagement and that asking the right questions can lead to a much deeper understanding of taught content.

April 18, 2024

INTI International University and Colleges

Student Voice Award

What they did:

In my opinion, she is always the middle person who helps to gather and communicate between classmates when we don’t know each other at first. She was kind, helpful, patient, friendly, and willing to lend a hand to whoever needed help. On the other side, she is always humble and willing to learn something new while also always sharing with classmates. Sometimes she does face struggles and obstacles and breaks down, but she never gives up. She always finds other solutions until the problem is solved.

What was the impact?

She always tried her best to make something out perfectly although she faced a lot of obstacles. She is always responsible for everything such as her work, her position [a President of our final graduation showcase – NOVA], her classmates [help to voice out any idea/ opinion/ arrange the time slot], and so on. I sincerely thank her and all the committee for their efforts, so that we can have such fun, excited, and perfect memories in our last final graduation showcase.

How it inspired others

I would say her spirit never gives up until the outcome. For me, I think persistence is always a key to success no matter which industry you are in. I would say her works and the final graduation showcase surely could impact and inspire future juniors to multitask such as preparing their work while also preparing for the graduation showcase.

Inspirational Individual Award

What they did:

Constantly seeking out new knowledge across all subjects.

Takes the initiative to lead and collaborate on projects that benefit the school community. Former vice president of dance club. Exhibit strong leadership qualities.

Inclusive and supportive, treating classmates with kindness and empathy.

Motivates classmates to excel academically and helps those around her when needed.

Demonstrates a strong work ethic, takes extra initiative in their academic pursuits and extracurricular activities.

What was the impact?

Classmates are highly motivated to excel and participate in class.

The glue in every group project and collaboration.

Staff are also motivated by the student’s positive attitude.

How it inspired others

Fellow classmates and staffs are all inspired and motivated. Student is a pleasant to work with. Their actions set a positive example. Their determination to excel encourages others to set ambitious goals and work towards achieving them.

April 18, 2024

Botswana Accountancy College

Inspirational Individual Award

What they did:

Despite juggling the responsibilities of being a full time student and employee, her unwavering commitment to academic excellence and success is truly commendable and inspiring. Her ability to excel academically while managing the demands of work showcases her determination and resilience in the face of adversity. Through her perseverance and dedication, she has achieved remarkable success, setting a shining example for others to follow. Her achievements not only reflect her personal drive and ambition but also serve as a source of inspiration for her peers and colleagues. By overcoming challenges and demonstrating a strong work ethic, she inspires others to strive for greatness despite any obstacles they may encounter. Her journey serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and serves as a beacon of hope for those facing similar challenges. As such, she is a deserving candidate for the Inspirational Student Award, embodying the spirit of resilience and determination.

What was the impact?

By overcoming adversity and achieving remarkable success, she demonstrates the importance of resilience and determination in pursuing one’s goals. Her achievements not only inspire others to strive for academic excellence but also encourage them to persevere in the face of challenges. Additionally, her commitment to excellence fosters a supportive and encouraging academic environment, where students feel empowered to pursue their own aspirations and overcome obstacles. Overall, her exemplary journey serves as a shining example for her peers, inspiring them to reach for greatness and make the most of their academic endeavours despite any challenges they may face

How it inspired others

Firstly, her dedication to academic excellence despite facing challenges serves as a motivating example for fellow students, showing them that success is achievable through perseverance and hard work. Witnessing her ability to overcome adversity encourages others to believe in their own capabilities and strive for their goals, even in the face of obstacles. Additionally, her commitment to excellence creates a supportive and encouraging atmosphere within the academic community, where students feel empowered to pursue their ambitions with determination. By demonstrating resilience and determination, she inspires her peers to push past limitations and pursue their aspirations with confidence. Overall, her inspiring journey serves as a catalyst for others to embark on their own paths to success, fostering a culture of perseverance and achievement within the student body.

Student Voice Award

What they did:

In addition to serving on the 2023/24 SRC, he has consistently advocated for students’ collective interests since his first year, demonstrating unwavering dedication. His advocacy efforts have focused on several key areas to enhance the student experience. He passionately campaigned for the accreditation of outstanding student living allowances, recognizing the financial strain many students face and striving to alleviate this burden. Moreover, he actively lobbied for the extension of school facilities’ hours and resources, understanding the importance of accessible academic resources for student success. Additionally, he emphasized the necessity of recreational activities for students, acknowledging the importance of a balanced and holistic student experience. Through his persistent advocacy, he has effectively represented the voice of the student body and worked tirelessly to address their concerns, ultimately contributing to the betterment of the academic community as a whole.

What was the impact?

The impact of his advocacy efforts has been significant and far-reaching. By actively representing the collective interests of students, he has played a pivotal role in bringing about positive changes within the academic community. Firstly, his advocacy for the accreditation of outstanding student living allowances has provided much-needed financial relief to many students, easing their financial burden and enabling them to focus more effectively on their studies. Additionally, his efforts to extend school facilities’ hours and resources have enhanced accessibility to academic resources, thereby facilitating a conducive learning environment for students. Moreover, his emphasis on recreational activities has contributed to fostering a more well-rounded student experience, promoting student engagement and well-being. Overall, his advocacy has not only addressed specific issues but has also contributed to enhancing the overall quality of student life and academic experience, leaving a lasting and positive impact on the entire student body.

How it inspired others

His tireless advocacy for students’ interests has served as a powerful inspiration to his peers and colleagues. By consistently championing important causes and effecting tangible changes, he has demonstrated the impact that individual action can have within the academic community. Witnessing his dedication and determination to make a difference has motivated others to become more actively involved in advocating for issues they care about. His ability to successfully navigate institutional channels and bring about positive outcomes has inspired confidence in others to speak up and take action on behalf of their fellow students. Moreover, his inclusive approach to advocacy, ensuring that a diverse range of student voices are heard and represented, has encouraged collaboration and solidarity among students. Overall, his leadership and commitment to advocacy have inspired a new generation of student leaders to stand up for what they believe in and work towards creating positive change within their academic environment.

Inspirational Individual Award

What they did:

What was the impact?

How it inspired others

April 18, 2024April 18, 2024

Inspirational Individual Award – 2024

College of Business, Technology & Engineering

What they did:

2 years ago, the nominee attempted to take their own life. After a few dreaded weeks, where all of the nominee’s close friends spent praying, they came out of their coma and that was the start of the nominee’s journey to a full recovery. 2 years on, the nominee has finally began to talk of their experience, appearing on Northampton Radio for an interview and having their own article on BBC News. The nominee has just completed ‘Movember’ and raised just shy of £3000 for charity.

What was the impact?

The nominee has raised nearly £3000 for charity and has been raising awareness on a local level and national level.

How it inspired others

The nominee has for sure inspired all of their friends and family, particularly all of the males. They have inspired people to talk out and get the help they need, assuring them that it is nothing to be afraid of. They inspired me personally, at the beginning of their fight to recovery, and I completed a half marathon, raising £600 for charity.

College of Health, Wellbeing & Life Sciences

What they did:

This student has recently completed Level 5 of the OT apprenticeship. This is a wonderful achievement, having excelled academically and in the workplace in spite of huge personal trauma in the last year.

This student was motivated to complete the OT apprenticeship as a result of their brother’s long standing health condition: Acrodystosis. A rare genetic condition causing profound and multiple learning difficulties. Throughout Level 5 this student had to cope with the fact their brother was under palliative care and sadly died. Support was given by their work and Hallam Help and additional reviews through work based learning coach and extenuating circumstances were utilised. In spite of such trauma they have demonstrated amazing progress academically and professionally, demonstrating resilience and a commitment to learning.

This student demonstrates an excellent attitude to learning and their work based mentor has consistently provided wonderful feedback. They continue to demonstrate a very positive outlook on their current role and now has a passion for palliative care and is motivated to use their situation to help others in a similar situation professionally.

What was the impact?

It is inspirational to see the strength they have in their learning journey and the passion they demonstrate to help others. I find this individual inspiring; their motivations for first pursuing this career and apprenticeship and overcoming such personal challenge throughout. They remain focussed and positive – achieving fantastic marks and feedback both academically and professionally.

How it inspired others

This student has inspired those around them to pursue apprenticeships and follow their dreams. The strength in spite of such personal tragedy is inspiring to those around them professionally and academically. I have no doubt they will go on to use their experience to benefit others as they plan to.

College of Social Sciences and Arts

What they did:

This student joined the programme as a mature learner who had been out of education for many years but with great experience in criminal justice and probation practice. The nature of the programme means that students are working in the challenging world of probation and studying at the same time. This student showed incredible determination and tenacity from the first day, responding well to feedback and demonstrating an enthusiasm for learning. This is primarily a distance learning programme and due to their location, this learner had limited contact with other students on the programme but this never prevented them from being fully engaged with the learning. During the programme this student was diagnosed with cancer but this only seemed to make them more determined. This student continued working on the programme whilst undergoing treatment even though this involved a great deal of time, travel, energy and pain. This student successfully completed the programme in January 2024 with a 2:1.

What was the impact?

This student has demonstrated incredible resilience that has enabled them to continue and complete the programme without any breaks in study. This student has continued to work in probation throughout the programme and will now be able to continue that important and challenging work as a qualified probation officer. This will make a real difference in terms of the safety of their community and helping to change the lives of the people they supervise on probation.

How it inspired others

This student is an inspiration to the staff and students because of their determination, resilience and perseverance. This is a challenging programme for all our students but to complete this programme so successfully under these circumstances has been inspiring for those of us who had they pleasure of getting to know this student over the course of their studies.

April 18, 2024

Apprentice of the Year – 2024

College of Business, Technology & Engineering

What they did:

The nominee helped us at short notice by joining the presentation team when we were pitching to win a large apprenticeship bid with a new employer partner. The nominee spoke about their journey, what they had learned on their apprenticeship so far and why they would recommend the course to others.

The candidate showcased exceptional dedication and initiative in various projects, notably excelling in the Clearing Project. Their commitment to personal and professional development was evident through active day to day support, process improvement, and tackling challenges. A notable achievement was creating insightful applicant journey process maps for four scenarios, reflecting their commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.

The Apprentice actively contributed to the Cloud Networks and Infrastructure (CNI) team service projects. They discussed and enhanced the High-Level Design (HLD) template, integrating Recovery Time Objective and Recovery Point Objective for the IT Service Continuity Management Process. Furthermore, they collaborated on the consolidation of ‘Release,’ ‘Test,’ and ‘Change’ SharePoint within the Service Transition family. Engaging in ‘Change Management Process’ meetings, they provided valuable support and feedback.

Further, the Apprentice, has demonstrated exceptional dedication and innovation in contributing to the Digital Change Team during the apprenticeship. Their impact on the team extends beyond their peers, showcasing a remarkable commitment to fostering proactive approach to problem-solving, readily sharing insights, ideas, and expertise.

In addition, the Apprentice has represented the University at a high-profile roundtable event with the Director of Education at the DfE discussing the contribution and role of HDA programmes and at a Capgemini showcase.

The apprentice has been a leading light within the directorate as a role of apprentice. They have been called upon by the University (BESE) to present on their experiences to outside bodies (on a stage with Q&A), possible “customers”. The apprentice has also represented the University at a high profile round-table event with the Director of Education at the DfE discussing the role and the impact of being a HDA but also the impact upon others within the Directorate and wider in SHU.

What was the impact?

Their enthusiasm was infectious and they received excellent feedback from the employer when were successfully awarded the bid. The nominee has therefore helped to attract a large number of new apprentices (many of them from under-represented groups) to the university.

The apprentice received positive feedback when presenting the documentation to Clearing project stakeholders. Colleagues highlighted its significance, acknowledging its potential to improve project understanding for both directly involved individuals and broader stakeholders supporting the Clearing operation. The project manager was highly satisfied with the apprentice’s performance, allowing for the delegation of larger and more complex tasks and contributing to the overall workload management of the project.

The infrastructure improvements led to a robust and comprehensive IT Service Continuity Management Process. The integration of SharePoint enhanced collaboration efficiency within the Service Transition family. Active involvement in ‘Change Management Process’ meetings not only deepened understanding of requirements but also contributed to more effective support for the CNI management team.

The Apprentice’s influence during their apprenticeship with the Digital Change Team is apparent through their proactive sharing of valuable insights, ideas, and expertise with team members. This collaborative approach significantly enhanced the dynamism and productivity of the work environment.

The DfE and Capgemini events resulted in exceptionally positive feedback from senior SHU stakeholders, noting the significant contribution made.

The Apprentice’s influence during their apprenticeship within the Directorate is apparent through their proactive sharing of valuable insights, ideas, and expertise with team members. This collaborative approach significantly enhanced the dynamism and productivity of the work environment.

The DfE and Capgemini events resulted in exceptionally positive feedback from senior SHU stakeholders, noting the significant contribution made.

How it inspired others

I have been hearing strong feedback about their role as Course Rep, their contribution in the workplace and the quality of their work-based projects. They are clearly an asset to SHU and I am delighted to nominate them for this award.

Throughout the project, the apprentice consistently delivered work of exceptional quality, earning praise, and sparking additional requests for increasingly complex support. This pattern underscores the trust and confidence the student has cultivated. By maintaining high self-imposed standards, ensuring meticulous presentation, and fostering creative development, the apprentice has become a role model for other apprentices. Their commitment and exemplary behaviour are positively influencing the department’s perception of the valuable benefits and high-quality work apprentices can contribute.

Their thoroughness, efficiency, and collaborative approach to infrastructure improvement showcased a model for a better HLD submission. By actively participating and providing valuable feedback, they inspired others to engage in the induction meetings, allowing for a better understanding of any queries.

The Apprentice’s willingness to readily share insights, ideas, and expertise fostered a collaborative atmosphere. This sharing culture not only enriched the team’s collective knowledge but also inspired others to contribute actively and share their unique perspectives.

Participation at high profile showcase and discussion events have made very positive contributions to the visibility and reputation of HDA programmes here at SHU.

As Director of DTS this apprentice has inspired me by showing drive, maturity and the positive contribution to the directorate.

Participation at high profile showcase and discussion events have made very positive contributions to the visibility and reputation of HDA within the directorate / PS and here at SHU.

College of Health, Wellbeing & Life Sciences

What they did:

I am nominating this student for this award as I feel that they personify what it means to be a clinical apprentice and work hard to achieve their goals. I know that this award is aimed at those apprentices who have excelled through their apprenticeship programme. This student is excelling in their studies, they are always keen to learn and will seek out learning opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills. They are a huge asset to our team and will be a fantastic Occupational Therapist. They maintain a strong client-focused approach to their work and I have seen them grow in confidence to believe in their own clinical abilities. What I additionally feel makes them deserving of this award is not just their commitment to their studies but her also their bravery and personal resilience. I am inspired by their strength of character to keep going, keep studying, keep working hard on their placements – they are determined to achieve their goals despite any barriers and challenges that they may be facing. When I look at this student, I see a person who is choosing to shape their own future and work hard for what they deserve. They deserve to be an Occupational Therapist and they deserve to be recognised for their spirit, fortitude and resilience which are all qualities which I believe our clinical apprentices should represent as well in addition to their academic skills. Their determination and strength of character are qualities that we should be proud of and that should be celebrated. This student is an asset to our Trust, the apprenticeship training programme and will be a huge asset to the world of Occupational Therapy.

What was the impact?

When I look at this student, I see a person who is choosing to shape their own future and work hard for what they deserve. They deserve to be an Occupational Therapist and they deserve to be recognised for their spirit, fortitude and resilience which are all qualities which I believe our clinical apprentices should represent in addition to their academic skills.

How it inspired others

They have inspired colleagues to undertake their own Apprenticeship journey and they have helped develop a culture of self development and learning with colleagues.

College of Social Sciences and Arts

What they did:

From day one of the course, this apprentice has leaned in to both academic and workplace activity – identifying and acting on each opportunity to their maximum potential – and beyond this creating their own opportunities for visible, measurable success.

As the first packaging apprentice within their organisation, they have been a trailblazer for what is possible in terms of both participation, impact and influence.

Within their apprenticeship, they have:

• Been the company ambassador to schools across the North-East, promoting STEM careers & Apprenticeships

• Organised staff development opportunities for over 40 other apprentices

• Volunteered in their local community, supporting sustainability initiatives

• Mentored secondary school children, leading to industry accredited awards for mentoring

• Established Sustainability Employee Resource Group within their workplace, to educate about sustainability to the 1000 employees onsite

This has all been achieved as a new starter, direct from secondary education & no previous background in packaging – and all while continuing exemplary academic performance – taking on every opportunity to develop academically as well as professionally.

They have significantly contributed to a vibrant culture within their course cohort – enabling high value peer-to-peer learning opportunities through collaborative work, and even undertaking the role of student representative for their year.

What was the impact?

Workplace feedback and performance for this apprentice has been faultless, including mentor and coworker comments such as:

“(they have) consistently performed highly against (company) expectations. I am always impressed with (their) approach to solving problems and overcoming challenges, communicating with others, and delivering on the projects/ tasks (they’re) working on.” – Company Sustainability Lead

“(they) deliver (their) tasks and passionately supports the programme. (They) live the (company) culture of being accountable for impact, ambitious for patients and always doing the right thing.’ – Company Apprenticeship Lead

Within the degree programme at Hallam, they have continually used their position as an official rep to support the development of the programme – including valuable input into the ongoing revalidation of the course, as well as promoted the programme through social media channels and their outreach work as an official Sheffield Hallam Apprenticeships ambassador.

Beyond this, their contribution has been recognised regionally and nationally – in 2023 they were named by the Department for Education in the Regional Apprenticeship Awards as the North East Apprentice of the Year, before going on to be joint winners of the overall National Apprentice of the Year for Degree Apprenticeships.

How it inspired others

Their work-based, academic, and external success has been inspiration in a wide range of ways:

• More packaging apprentices – their employer signing up further apprentices to the programme in 2024 from other organisation sites

• Supported workplace EDI initiatives, leading to an increase in the number of younger female applicants and general enquires about the positions within their field

• Direct requests to mentor to other employees with their company – inspiring others to help make a measurable difference within packaging activities

• Their high-profile success, helped boost the internal and external reputation of Packaging Apprenticeships, and even the reputation of the sector

Their practice led to their employer awarding an Employee Recognition Bronze Award for promotion of apprenticeships – a response to success in driving change in the perception of apprenticeships within their organisation and beyond.

In the words of a senior colleague: “I believe their strengths are a positive attitude and willingness to take on any project that is given to them”.

This has been balanced by continuing high level success both at work, and with a year left on programme, there’s every reason to believe that they will continue to inspire others on the course and beyond to even greater levels of achievement.

College of Social Sciences and Arts

What they did:

The student left school over 20 years ago and did not pursue any form of higher education. The student has then changed their career later in life and part of this was returning to education after a gap of over 20 years to complete a degree apprenticeship. The student has embraced the learning, they have been a role model for their class and they have consistently achieved high grades throughout culminating in a well written and very insightful research project at dissertation which could have an incredibly positive impact on a current serious crime problem that is affecting the world.

What was the impact?

If undertaken, the recommendations from the research project could have a profound impact on how South Yorkshire Police and hopefully other police services across the country tackle the exponential growth of cyber stalking. Tackling this problem will lead to greater victim/public satisfaction and hopefully save lives. It will also be a testament to the good work of the PCDA at Sheffield Hallam University.

How it inspired others

Due to the nature of the apprenticeship, studying whilst working full time, completing this degree can feel overwhelming in itself. Yet, during the final year of the apprenticeship, the student has also had to manage some incredibly adverse circumstances in their personal life. Their ability to simply continue with the degree has been inspiring for his colleagues and tutors. The nominator has had an extensive career in which human beings overcoming adversity has been regularly witnessed, but they are still astounded by this student’s ability to succeed to such a high standard. It has inspired them to keep seeking the best in every student.

April 18, 2024

Global Impact Award – 2024

College of Social Sciences and Arts

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.

April 18, 2024April 18, 2024

Global Partner Awards

Sheffield Hallam has experience and expertise working with over 100 partners worldwide. We believe that collaboration across continents can lead to great things — not just for our institutions, but for the wider world. It’s how we solve real-world problems and create lasting change.

We’re delighted to award Inspirational Student Awards to students from Botswana Accountancy College, INTI International University and Colleges, the School for Higher and Professional Education (SHAPE), The School of Continuing and Professional Education (SCOPE), Sino-British College and the Zagreb School of Economics and Management.

Presented by Neil Hanney – Associate Dean Global & Academic Partnerships

April 18, 2024

Inspirational Alumni Award – 2024

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.

April 18, 2024April 18, 2024

Academic Society Leader Award – 2024

College of Business, Technology & Engineering

What they did:

The nominee took it upon themselves to create a new Student Society for the Course. They were supported by other students, however the nominee lead on the process and volunteered to be the society Chair. This took some effort to arrange and supporting the society and planning and organising student events continues to take up a lot of their time. The Student Society as a whole has been greatly appreciated by other students on the course. As well as this the nominee has organised and lead on external employer events with IBM, creating a link between students on the course and a major industry employer.

What was the impact?

The main impact has come in the form of increased students satisfaction with the course.

How it inspired others

Other students have got involved with helping to run the society.

College of Health, Wellbeing & Life Sciences

What they did:

They are an incredibly active academic society leader as the President of the Paramedic Society. They currently oversee a small committee and are an exceptional communicator with the Students’ Union, their peers and Department. I have been impressed with the numerous events they have organised which includes both professional/academic and social opportunities for students in their department. They have organised an upcoming Yorkshire 3 Peaks 2 day hike for around 40 people alongside the regular coroner’s inquests, professional training, short hikes and Otley Runs.

Balancing this alongside their studies is a fantastic feat and has been the most active student leader I have supported this year.

What was the impact?

Through the events they have organised they have been able to build a strong community of Paramedic students in the university to give them additional social and professional opportunities. They also have a great working relationship with the previous year’s committee to learn from their strengths and weaknesses to continue improving the society’s offer.

How it inspired others

They are a great role model and case study for their peers on the scope of what can be achieved as a committee members. As an SU, there are varying levels of engagement from students and they are a perfect example of how committed they can be and make a positive difference for others around them.

April 18, 2024

Work Experience Award – 2024

College of Business, Technology & Engineering

What they did:

This nominee had an incredible impact on the culture of the company, with their positive attitude and eagerness to work. Already in just 6 months, they became an essential member of the team. Consistently outperforming full-time members within the Account Management team on the sales side, but the main reason for putting this student up for this award is their attitude and personality within the team to drive the company culture within the office. Throwing themself into everything, they already became a key member in onboarding new staff, whether it’s within the account management team or from another department. They have spent countless hours assisting and training new members of the team, who have had nothing but great feedback following their one-to-ones. They even assisted with our marketing team by doing some part-time modeling, which have been used on our website & socials.

Constantly throwing themselves into Kitlocker out of work socials, which has seen them become extremely popular throughout the whole company in such a short space of time. Already I can say it’d be a privilege for them to become a full-time member of the team after their studies.

What was the impact?

The impact they have had on the culture of the office has been great! Already holding meetings with our key customers within the grassroots football sector that have enabled us to reach new business within the Sheffield Community – which is something we’ve been trying to do for a number of years now. Their impact on the culture has been the greatest impact however, in not just adding to it, but driving the culture – making it a really positive place to work.

How it inspired others

The nominee hasn’t just inspired their key customer base, but new employees to the business, as we are trying to really push our company values – but no one epitomises the company’s values quite like this candidate. As a manager, their proactiveness and charm makes my life incredibly easy and I’m looking forward to seeing where their career will take them!

College of Health, Wellbeing & Life Sciences

What they did:

This student has become such an integral and essential part of the team in such a short space of time. In just 6 months they are already managing one of our key partnerships in Battle Cancer (the world’s leading functional fitness fundraising event series), by organising kit for their events along with excellent communication with the Director at Battle Cancer. As well as being a key partner, they do have lots of requests that are out of the norm, which they take in their stride by going above and beyond.

Not only that, they have become a leading Account Manager within our Rugby sector – their passion for the sport is evident to see, and that transfers over to the attention to detail and the pride they have for their work. Finally, this student is an absolute ray of light in the office – never fails to have a smile on their face and an absolute joy to manage. As a manager, they make me look great as I’ve only received nothing but positive feedback from other team members/departments. 200 words isn’t enough to describe the positive impact they have had on the company – a member who I hope will be part of the team full-time once they have finished their studies.

What was the impact?

The impact the nominee had on the company has enhanced some of our key partnerships – i.e Battle Cancer. BC were a referral from the largest brands we work with in Nike, so it’s imperative that the account is managed with utmost detail & proactiveness – something they are showing in abundance.

The impact they have had the office has been the greatest impact though – with their positive attitude and outlook on life. Not only do they add to the positive culture within the office – they drive it.

How it inspired others

The student is already inspiring myself, but all of the team at Kitlocker – including the MD. By leading on the creation of our Rugby online platform – they created an accessible online store for all of our Rugby customers to purchase their kit. This has already received great feedback from our customers, thus growing the sector out significantly. One that hasn’t been given a lot of love from other Account Managers previously.

College of Social Sciences and Arts

What they did:

This student could not write an article beyond 250 words when they first started. Since then, they have flourished, regularly writing long interviews with sportspeople from a range of sports.

They have also single-handedly taken on being the lead reporter for AFC Telford United, working as part of our team and coming up and executing their own projects independently – both in office and from home.

They know what is expected of them every week and crack on without the need to ask, as well as taking on other articles without complaint or hesitation.

As well as undertaking their work to a standard beyond what I would expect of them, they are an absolute joy to work with. They have integrated themselves as part of the team – remaining valuable and reliable through a time of massive change for our company.

The best compliment I can give is we are really going to miss them when their placement ends – it will feel like losing a full-time member of staff. If they finished their course tomorrow, I have no doubt they would walk straight into a sports reporting role and I would go out of my way to highly recommend them.

What was the impact?

Thanks to the efforts of this student, we are now covering AFC Telford United the best we have in several years – as well as being able to cover events we would otherwise have missed.

They have proven themselves capable of being thrown into any environment, dealing with any nerves (these are situations seasoned reporters would feel butterflies in) and coming out the other side with interesting and informative articles.

This student’s departure will be noticed by the followers of Telford in particular, and the loyal readers who buy the paper or log on to the website to read about them. And they have gained such an affinity with them that I have no doubt the student will continue to look out for their results!

They are one of the very best three work experience students I have had the pleasure to work with in my near 20-year career. One of the other two is now our lead reporter for Wolverhampton Wanderers – that is the sort of calibre of student they are considered amongst.

How it inspired others

Sports journalism is one of those dream occupations for people, and this student is really living the dream – covering a football club every day, meeting European boxing champions and basically just talking and writing about sport all day.

They have inspired other work experience students we have had to work even harder than before and to push for opportunities they may have thought of as unobtainable.

The questions they ask of our reporters not only helps that student to learn, but also inspires our reporters, making them consider how they approach their own work and reminding them how lucky they are to have such a job.

I have been inspired by this student in that way too, and also to devote more of my time to helping these students. This student will not only go on to have a superb career, but are already a valuable member of the team. Thank you.

Author: Malcolm Baggaley

School for Higher and Professional Education (SHAPE)

Wong Kwong Yu

Wong Man Ching

INTI International University and Colleges

Tung Carelin

Kim Chaeryung

Botswana Accountancy College

Barulaganye Motseolapile

Pako Lashani

Barulaganye Motseolapile

Inspirational Individual Award – 2024

Barney Pallot

Kristopher Randles

Jennifer Cook

Apprentice of the Year – 2024

Irina Costa Moniz

Nicola Heaton

Francesca Hume

Kevin Morrow

Global Impact Award – 2024

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

Global Partner Awards

Inspirational Alumni Award – 2024

Jodie Marshall

James Barber

Emma Redfern

Academic Society Leader Award – 2024

Sam Beachell

Sam Sephton

Work Experience Award – 2024

Myles Johnson

Matthew Hardstaff

Daniel Stacey