Winners of the 2011 University of Bristol Union Awards, set-up to recognise and celebrate outstanding achievement in fundraising, volunteering, innovation and the environment, include an array of talented students who have dedicated their time to run community and school engagement projects while also raising money for charity to help others in need.
The winners of the awards, comprising 17 categories, were nominated by University members and readers of the Bristol Evening Post, who voted for the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Bristol Life’ award.
Sam Budd, Chief Executive of the University of Bristol Students’ Union, said: “The Union is incredibly fortunate to work with and represent such an outstanding variety of creative, committed and enthusiastic students.”
Award winners include Jazz Hands, a student volunteer group, who every week visit care homes in the region to perform interactive songs, West End musicals, alternated with solos and poems for the residents. The Jazz Hands team won the ‘Voluntary Project of the Year’ award.
FUZE, a high-profile fashion and dance show run by student performers, dancers and models, has raised nearly £8,000 for charities, Malaria No More and the Moonstone Appeal. The team behind the show won the award for ‘Best Fundraising Event’.
PhD student, Bettina Urban, was announced as winner of the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Bristol Life’ award (voted by and sponsored by the Bristol Evening Post) for her ongoing commitment to community volunteering projects. As Chair of the Student Community Action committee, Bettina has helped organise events such as the Community Dinner Dance and Kids' Christmas Party, she also acts as Project Co-ordinator for the Painting and Decorating Project, which organises community home and improvement work. Bettina also runs 'The Big GIVE' - an end-of-term student donation scheme that arranges the collection of unwanted food, clothing, electronics and utensils for distribution to local charities.
FoodCycle, a student-led project, which collects surplus food from supermarkets to create nutritious meals at a community kitchen in Easton for those experiencing food poverty won the ‘Ethics and Environment Initiative of the Year’ award.
The ‘Outstanding Contribution to Student Life’ award was presented jointly to Isabel Buckles, an economics student, and Sophie Wyatt, a geography student, for their co-ordination of a range of free fitness classes called the ‘Fit and Fab’ programme which benefited around 600 students. Additionally, they were also instrumental in organising the University Varsity sports programme and fundraising at these events.
Baxter Macaulay, a physics student, won the ‘International Engagement’ award for organising fundraising events in cities across the UK. Baxter encouraged over 200 home and international students to participate and raised hundreds of pounds in the process.
Sam Phippen, a computer science student, won the ‘University of Bristol Student Ambassador of the Year’ award for his outreach work in co-ordinating a successful Student Robotics programme to help inspire and enthuse sixth-form pupils in robotics and engineering.
The University of Bristol American Football Club, the Barracuda, won the ‘Best Group’ award for reaching the semi-finals in the national league this year, the highest ranking they have achieved in the club's history. The club has also raised over £2,000 for the Youth Sports Trust by holding a ‘liftathon’, and taught flag football to 600 school children last year.
The ‘Vice Chancellor's Activities’ awards, sponsored by Santander and presented by Professor Avril Waterman-Pearson, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education, were awarded to the following students who have demonstrated outstanding commitment in a variety of events and societies.
Alexander Goate, a mathematics student, for his involvement with community volunteering projects run by the Student Community Action Team.
Bobby Henderson, a chemistry student, for his involvement in running the University’s Ballooning Society, which has actively encouraged cross-society events.
Charles Simpson, a mechanical engineering student, for his dedication and commitment to the University’s Jazz Orchestra, Musical Theatre Bristol, and many other shows and performance groups.
George Cave, an engineering student,who is one of the founding members and driving forces behind the Best of Bristol lecture series.
Isabel Bottoms, a law student, for her efforts in managing the FoodCycle project and developing many new initiatives for the scheme. Isabel has campaigned extensively on climate change and founded UNFairplay, an organisation that represents small countries at international climate change conferences. When reporting on her work, the Guardian described Isabel as a ‘Youth Climate Leader'.
James McDonald, a medical student, for his involvement and commitment over four years to the University’s (Raising and Giving) RAG team. In addition to volunteering for a charity Mount Kilimanjaro climb he has also helped raise money by holding a charity casino at student events.
Melanie Hawkins, a psychology student, for her involvement in a range of RAG events which include organising charity collections in cities across the UK. Melanie also launched a new charity event this year called Urally, a challenge involving teams competing across Europe to raise funds for PEAS (Promoting Equality in African Schools).
Thomas McGuinness, a mathematics student, for being a key member of the Student Community Action team. In addition to co-ordinating volunteering in schools, Thomas has taken a leading role in organising large community events such as the Kids' Christmas Party and the Community Dinner Dance.
Other awards presented at the ceremony included the ‘Innovation and Impact’ award won by the team behind the Best of Bristol Lecture Series for arranging free talks to showcase the University’s finest lecturing talent, providing members of the university and community with the chance to experience some of the University’s great teaching.
The ‘Best Collaboration’ award was presented to the Interfaith Panel (Islamic Society, Christian Union, Jewish Society) for demonstrating a collaboration involving students and the wider Bristol community. The ‘Campaign of the Year’ award was presented to ‘Discover Islam Week’ for its range of engaging activities, which included a five-day exhibition and a series of informative talks.
History student, Jon Bauckham, won the ‘Student Journalist of the Year’ award for his impressive contribution to the music section of the University’s Student Newspaper, Epigram. The ‘Student Media Product of the Year’ award was presented to BURST Radio for its development under the leadership of economics student, Simon Burrows.
The ‘Outstanding Contribution by a Student Representative’ award was presented to Louisa Pittman, an archaeology and anthropology student, for her role in ensuring students’ voices are heard. The ‘Outstanding Dedication by a Bristol Staff Member’ awards (academic and support staff) were presented to Dr Anne Simon for demonstrating dedication, professionalism and passion in her subject, and Robbie Fox for his dedication to the University’s Women’s Football Team, and the Festival of School Sports involving over 100 student volunteers and 18 secondary schools across the city.
The 'Students’ Union Unsung Hero Staff' awards were presented to Charlotte Johnson, Sports Development Co-ordinator, and Graham Petch, Advice Caseworker for their commitment and dedication.
The awards ceremony, hosted by the University of Bristol Students’ Union on Tuesday 21 June 2011, was supported by the University of Bristol Alumni Foundation and sponsored by Ernst & Young. The event was chaired by the President of the University of Bristol Students’ Union, James Ashton Bell.