Manchester Metropolitan University’s Faculty of Arts & Humanities hosted the Make a Difference Awards on Friday 19th May, celebrating the achievements of students involved in faculty-led projects, curriculum-based initiatives, and extra-curricular activities.
Staff working closely with these students nominated those who stood out to them as going above and beyond in their commitment to the Faculty and outreach activity. The standard of nominations was exceptional and every student received a certificate recognising their impact.
A detailed article of the event itself can be found here: Humanity Hallows.
You can find the citations for the winners for each award below:
Student Placement of the Year Award:
An award for a student who has excelled and achieved above what is usually expected of them during placement, by showing an enthusiasm and commitment to the organisation they have worked with, its ethos and its objectives.
The nominees for this award are:
- Serra Akyali
- Marie Basting
- Hanan ben Nafa
- Irum Bi
- Hendriene Jones
- Jilly Larard
The citation for the winner reads:
This student was a proactive student placement, was very professional & took to the business systems well, they was supportive & her team enjoyed working with her. The placement had a challenging start to her placement as they worked with an incredibly tough manager. However, this student kept going and worked exceptionally hard under pressure to earn respect from the team and the manager- and ended up a valued member of the team as is evidenced within their feedback. BY having a challenging time this student used their experience to discuss how we can better prepare students for placements and thought it would be beneficial to show students the link between study topics and industry needs. Furthermore, she organised a placement symposium for returning students share their experience with the students about to undertake a placement search. All this was and more done at the beginning of her final year of studies so demonstrates exceptional commitment
The winner is Hendriene Jones for her placement at Ralph Lauren
Student Volunteer of the Year Award:
An award for a student who has excelled and achieved above what is usually expected of a student as part of voluntary or work based learning activities, by showing an enthusiasm and commitment to the organisation they have worked with, its ethos and its objectives.
The nominees for this award are:
- Benjamin Cassidy
- Becca Kearns
- Aaron Lembo
- Charlie Manthorp
- Patricia Snake
- Poppy Wallace
- Ellis Yallop
The citation for the winner reads:
This student has volunteered consistently during the last year and has demonstrated exceptional and passionate commitment to volunteering across a range of contexts. This students’ voluntary contributions include: –
- Multiple public engagement workshops with Maker’s Dozen, a Manchester based making collective, on behalf of external agencies such as Oh Ok Ltd., Ruthin Craft Centre, the local Harpurhey community and the Crafts Council, the national development agency for contemporary crafts in the UK
- Ongoing mentoring in regional schools to develop digital design skills through the North West Digital Designer in Residence programme, a partnership project between NW Comino Creative Consortium of Schools, Ideas Foundation and Manchester Metropolitan University School of Art & Design
- Community engagement workshops delivered in conjunction with the construction of Manchester’s Pilcrow Pub, the first hand-built pub in the UK
- Weekly volunteering with Barnabus, a charity supporting the homeless in Manchester. This students’ regular clay workshops at the centre support the health and well-being of participants, develop skills and raise self-esteem through the deep sense of pride and achievement to be found in making things
This students’ deep commitment to volunteering proves the value and rewards of such engagement. They are a fitting and deserving award winner for the Student Volunteer of the Year Award
The winner is Charlie Manthorp
Community Engagement Award:
An award for a student whose placement, volunteer activities, or work based learning has made a significant positive contribution to the communities in and around the Greater Manchester area. This could be a short-term placement, or a year round activity, and should reflect a positive impact upon local communities and organisations in the Greater Manchester Area.
The nominees for this award are:
- David Jones
- Olivia Simpson
- Beth Silverthorn Stephenson
The citation for the winner reads:
This student originally started volunteering for this organisation as part of their second year unit. However, enjoying the experience then decided to carry on volunteering with them in their third year based on the contribution they were able to make to the organisation, the wider community and their own personal development. This student is still volunteering today, even travelling from Yorkshire when away from the university to complete a shift.
This student volunteers for the Manchester Village Angels and has to deal with a range of incidents that include; helping people who are distressed or lost, providing first aid or assistance getting to hospital, directions and advice, suicide prevention, rescuing people from the canal or helping those who are seriously ill. They also provide a reassuring presence within the village through the outreach work that they participate in as part of the LGBT Foundation.
This student has added to the team with her positive outlook and sense of fun and is always interested in what people have to say and always on hand to help out. This student listens to people who need their help and is supportive of colleagues. Although this student may not realise it, they are not only providing a valuable service to gay community within Manchester, but to the wider community who use the village for recreation. This student is eager to learn, committed and enthusiastic, even when it is cold, wet and tiring at 3am in the morning!
The winner is: Olivia Simpson
‘I Made a Difference’ Award:
An award to recognise the student led project that has achieved the most during the academic year, in terms of both objectives it has met and the impact its activities have made.
The nominees for this award are:
- Joshua Charters
- Ashley Devereux-Lewis
- Aneurin Merrill-Glover
- Alexandra Richie
- Mia Shepherd
The citation for the winner reads:
This student has carried out special research projects at the internationally significant archives of the People’s History Museum in Manchester, the largest collection of political material in Britain. Drawing on material from the archives, the student collaborated with archivists and partners at the museum to design research questions and use rare materials to produce meaningful research. As well as this, the student has also galvanised a community of students helping light up the city amplifying their collective voices to take to the streets and say ‘NO’ to sexual violence against women, street harassment, rape culture and victim blaming.
The award goes to Mia Shepherd
Outstanding Leadership Award:
An award to recognise the leadership of the project manager, focussing not only on outcomes but also in project planning, preparation and a commitment and drive in seeing their project become a reality.
The citation for the winner reads:
The winning student has shown great enthusiasm and determination that has seen Humanity Hallows grow from strength to strength under their exceptional leadership. This student has not only produced high quality articles for University events and beyond, they have also actively chased down their own stories, developing leads, contacts and motivating fellow team members along the way. This student has embarked upon on once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, travelling to Poland to join a press team and has interviewed a number high profile individuals. This student always rises to any challenge presented to them and has shown great commitment to making Humanity Hallows a continued success. They have delivered training workshops and are continuously developing new initiatives to benefit student media at Manchester Met. Under their leadership, they have collaborated on and produced six hugely successful printed editions. They have helped to establish the project as commercially viable, meaning students will be able to ensuring the longevity of continued success of this flagship Humanities project. They have shown a huge investment of time and energy and have laid strong foundations for generations to come.
This award goes to Jacqueline Grima for her fantastic work on Humanity Hallows
Student Project Community Impact Award:
An award for an individual event or project that has made a significant positive impact on the community of students at MMU, the wider community and/or the environment. This could be a peer mentorship scheme, a series of social events, an open mic night to showcase students work, a fundraising event or campaign, a one off awareness raising event, film screenings or a series of lectures or workshops.
The citation for the winner reads:
This student has created a programme of all-inclusive and accessible arts events providing affordable and all-inclusive groups for their local community. This has grown from a weekly drama group for ages 11-16, to engaging 150 members of their community on a weekly basis. In February 2016, they launched their first event with a ‘Pay What You Can’ scheme and this has been a key theme within their organisation since. Their programme of events have grown and developed from a one off ‘Barn Dance’, a ‘Pay What You Can’ community café market stall, to a village hall theatre tour and in June 2016 a week long arts and heritage festival for their area, ‘The Tales Told Festival.’ They have grown from engaging with 20 youths a week, to thousands of people within their community, as well as further afield. Their theatre company was employed as Tribal Leaders at the Just So Festival 2016 and they have worked with Mid Pennine Arts and Wild Rumpus Festival Organisers.
This award goes to Lucy May Illingworth for ‘Codswallop’ Community Interest Company
Writer of the Year:
The Student Media Team Writer of the Year Award is an award to recognise outstanding written content for Humanity Hallows over the past academic year.
The nominees for this award are:
- Pierangelly Del Rio Martinez
- Sam Gosling
- George Haigh
- Charlotte Jordin
- Emily Oldfield
- Bridget Taylor
- Lucy Madeleine Watson
The citation for the winner reads:
This student has shown outstanding commitment to the Humanity Hallows magazine in their excellent ongoing coverage of a variety of events across the city. The winning student has demonstrated continuous professionalism and a high level of skill in their role as a Commissioned Writer. This student is a talented journalist and always engages fully with every event they cover.
The winner is Emily Oldfield
Editor of the Year:
This award is to recognise outstanding editorial team contribution to Humanity Hallows over the course of the academic year.
The nominees for this award are:
- Daniel Broadley
- George Haigh
- Charlotte Jordin
The citation for the winner reads:
The winning student has shown great enthusiasm and leadership skills in their role as Editor at Humanity Hallows over the past three years. Their passion, drive and determination shown by this student has seen them lead and motivate fellow writers and editors to produce high quality work across the board. The huge investment in both time and energy shown by this student has led to great successes. This student always engages fully with events and any opportunities they are presented with. Their writing is from the heart, honest, committed and sincere. This student clearly enjoys their work as a journalist and their attitude is infectious.
The winner is Daniel Broadley
Photographer of the Year:
With Humanity Hallows growing in the forms of media and creative work they produce, we have added a new category to the Make a Difference Awards. This award is for the student who has produced outstanding photography for Humanity Hallows over the course of the academic year including ranging from press images to live action shots of bands.
The nominees for this award are:
- Georgina Beth Hurdsfield
- Georgia Osborn
The citation for the winner reads:
This student has shown outstanding commitment to the Humanity Hallows magazine in their excellent ongoing photographic coverage of a variety of events across the city. They have developed not only in terms of technical skills, but also in confidence. Having never missed a deadline and going above and beyond consistently, this student is not only a talented photographer, but a hardworking individual that Humanity Hallows feels lucky to have on board.
The winner is Georgina Beth Hurdsfield
Outstanding Contribution to the Student Media Team:
An award for the student who has made an outstanding contribution to the Student Media Team not only in terms of written content and editorial work, but also organisation, leadership, vision and enthusiasm.
The nominees for this award are:
- Daniel Broadley
- Jacqueline Grima
- Nima Khorramrooz
- Lucy Madeleine Watson
The citation for the winner reads:
The winning student has shown great enthusiasm and commitment in their roles writing and editing for Humanity Hallows magazine. This student is a skilled writer and interviewer and over the past two years has produced a number of high quality interviews for both online and print. This student is a dedicated team member, always professional in her approach, and wins the trust and confidence of the people they interview. They are a credit to Humanity Hallows and Manchester Metropolitan University.
The winner is Lucy Madeleine Watson
Schools’ Outreach Ambassador of the Year Award
An award for the student ambassador whose work over the past academic year, across all School Outreach projects and events, has been of a consistently high standard and whose positive contribution to the Schools Outreach programme has made a difference to the learners they have encountered.
The nominees for this award are:
- August Aldred
- Joe Fowler
- Jessica Hale
- Chelsea Smith
- Ellis Yallop
- Emily Baines
- Aimee O’Donnell
- Amie Richardson
- Mohammed Hussain
- Aaron Lembo
- Elisabeth Price
The citation for the winner reads:
This student has been outstanding since they first joined our ambassador scheme. Always the first to volunteer their time for opportunities, this individual is extremely well organised, proactive and engaging. I have witnessed this student grow in confidence from day one and I believe that this is due to the way they have embraced the projects and the opportunities they have been involved with. An exemplary ambassador, who I hope and expect to achieve great things in the future.
This award goes to Aaron Lembo
Schools’ Outreach Mentor of the Year Award:
This award is for outstanding contribution to helping new ambassadors ease into their role and enabling them to develop confidence and independence.
The nominees for this award are:
- Emily Baines
- Caitlin Bryan
- Mohammed Hussain
- Elisabeth Price
- Amie Richardson
The citation for the winner reads:
This student has grown considerably in confidence and leadership skills over the past few years and has demonstrated that they are willing to take on new challenges and have the ability to help their peers by leading by example. In this way, this ambassador has surpassed all of our expectations and has become a core part of the scheme. Always smiling and positive, they are an absolute pleasure to work with and have helped to put new ambassadors at ease and have given them confidence and a springboard to further develop.
This award goes to Caitlin Bryan
Schools’ Outreach Ambassador Rising Star Award:
An award to mark an ambassador new to the programme, who has shown significant potential and enthusiasm for the role and will likely develop into one of our top ambassadors for the Faculty.
The nominees for this award are:
- Aimee O’Donnell
- Caitlin Bryan
- Mohammed Hussain
- Aaron Lembo
- Elisabeth Price
The citation for the winner reads:
This student is relatively new to the ambassador scheme, but has made quite a splash in this, their first year, demonstrating considerable leadership skills. They are meticulous, organised and always willing to step in and help pupils. Pupils have told us that they have enjoyed working with this student who they have described as friendly, inspiring and calming. We expect great things from them in the future.
The Rising Star Award goes to Mohammed Hussain
Humanities in Public Ambassador of the Year Award:
An award for the student who has shown consistently high standards when working as part of the Humanities in Public event series, both in terms of their commitment to the Humanities in Public events, ethos and values, but also in their approach to customer service, work ethic and enthusiasm for the role.
The citation for the winner reads:
This student is exceptionally professional in everything they do. They are able to communicate at all levels, is considered, calm under pressure and unfailingly welcoming, polite and considerate in their manner. This student is boundlessly enthusiastic about their role, engaging with academic staff and members of the public about a huge range of subjects in many different and sometimes challenging circumstances. They are completely committed to the Humanities in Public mission to bring research out into the public eye. They have taken responsibility for many events when their manager was unable to attend due to sickness. They have stepped up to this new level of responsibility with aplomb and has received praise from several academic staff who were leading the events concerned. This student has not only gone above and beyond what might have been expected in the role, but has literally saved the day for the Festival this year. Without this individuals’ commitment and skills, it would have quite possibly ground to a halt.
The winner of this award is Lucy Simpson
Community Partnership Award:
Our final award for the evening is an award for the partner group, institution, business, charity, or organisation that has had an outstanding relationship with Manchester Metropolitan University, and who in partnership with the relevant Department and members of staff continue to make a difference and a positive contribution to the lives of the people of local communities in the Greater Manchester Area.
This year we had three excellent partners nominated for this award:
- People’s History Museum Archive & Study Centre
- Venture Arts Hulme
- Powerhouse Library
All partners have offered fantastic opportunities for our students and staff to work with local communities in Greater Manchester, however, there can only be one winner.
Staff always gave the students a warm welcome to the organisation. They introduced them to archive work, answered their queries, and supported students in the completion of their research projects. They have provided students with an opportunity to carry out special archive projects in their internationally significant archives, the largest collection of political material in Britain. They assisted students in locating relevant materials and in developing focused research questions. This opportunity allowed the students to develop skills in independent archive research that will be highly valuable in their future academic work and careers.
The winners are People’s History Museum Archive & Study Centre
We would like to extend a huge thank you to all students who have made a difference in their studies and extra-curricular activity.
If you would like to get involved, please contact makeadifference@mmu.ac.uk
Make a Difference 