The Welfare Awards were held at The Students’ Union at UWE on Monday 8 April. The awards recognise the hard work and dedication that both students and staff have put into supporting Welfare and wellbeing at UWE Bristol. Some key campaigns that our nominees have worked on include; Feel Good February, the #SpeakUp Campaign, Movember and Multicultural Week.
The Welfare Awards were held at The Students’ Union at UWE on Monday 8 April. The awards recognise the hard work and dedication that both students and staff have put into supporting Welfare and wellbeing at UWE Bristol. Some key campaigns that our nominees have worked on include; Feel Good February, the #SpeakUp Campaign, Movember and Multicultural Week.
The awards’ guest speaker was award-winning mental health campaigner, film producer, public speaker, writer and vlogger, Jonny Benjamin. Jonny has been awarded an MBE for his services to mental health and suicide prevention and we were delighted he was able to attend the evening.
Congratulations to all of those who were nominated and a big well done to the evenings’ winners. We would also like to thank everyone who attended the evening and celebrated the successes of the amazing students and staff members across UWE Bristol.
Highly Commended: Joe Marshall-Evans
“This nominee has been a dedicated and passionate volunteer this year, serving the City Campus community. They have hosted regular drop in afternoons at Bower Ashton, making themselves available for students to reach out and talk.”
Winner: Atira Burton
“This individual’s efforts have contributed to supporting BAME students, helping them to feel less isolated and more empowered and assisted in raising their aspirations. The nominee is very professional, dedicated and a committed member of the Equity Student Committee; they are a great asset to the team.”
Highly Commended: Ashleigh Gale
“Besides working tirelessly for students, the nominee is also a student. Whilst keeping on top of their final year deadlines and work, they always made time to come to work with a smile and smash all of the expectations of the role.”
Winner: Chelsea Hopson
“This nominee is a hardworking and dedicated support figure to students in halls and also the general population of students; they work tirelessly to ensure that student life is as fun filled, stress free and as empowering possible. From giving students free dinner (the award winning campaign Bring Your Own Bowl), to hosting craft events like make your own dream catchers. They are constantly striving to break down barriers to education and engagement with student experience activities.”
Highly Commended: UWE Feel Good Events Team
“This year’s UWE Feel Good February was the biggest and best ever, engaging staff and students in events to boost their health, well-being and mental wealth. Student Volunteers from UWE Health Psychology worked tirelessly across the month at events, rain or shine. They were a brilliant example of how our students can help to promote student well-being across UWE!”
Winner: Global Student Support Team
“From pre-arrival to orientation and ongoing support, this department is working with international students to help them settle in and feel part of the UWE community.Working on initiatives to support the student experience, this department organises events to engage both international and home students.They work with colleagues in The Students’ Union and UWE to deliver a range of activities and signpost students to the support they need.”
Highly Commended: Andrew Mathers
“I've never had a lecture off this person that I haven't paid complete attention to - they make even the most driest of topics interesting! They reply to emails promptly and always give even more help than is asked. It is clear that this lecturer wants every one of their students to do well.”
Winner: Alisha Airey
“This person is the BME officer for HAS and has been working tirelessly over the last two years to enhance all students wellbeing but particularly those from BME backgrounds – they are a fantastic role model and they have no idea how important their support is to so many of the students in HAS and beyond.”
Highly Commended: Malaysian Student Association (MSA)
This society is hosting the biggest ever Asian games at UWE (biggest in the south-west)! They have worked so hard bringing it together; especially as international students struggle more with loneliness, they are bringing people together!”
Winner: Somali Society
“This person has had an amazing year, organising and carrying out various events for the students and collaborating with African Relief & SYFI and Somali societies across the UK to fundraise a total of £151,214, to provide maternal and neonatal care to mothers in Somalia.”
Highly Commended: Alyssa Willis
“This person has been proactive with their approach to promoting positive mental health and wellbeing to students at UWE. They have been committed to delivering the Mental Wealth Strategy in practical ways such as working with the VP Community and Welfare to fund and customise ‘don’t bottle it up’ bottles which have been well received and distributed across campuses to students and staff.”
Winner: Ana Miguel Lazaro
“This person has worked tirelessly to co-create and progress the #SpeakUp campaign from its conception, creating content, and animations, to scoping out training options. Moreover, they work exceptionally hard to ensure that all partners and stakeholders are continually engaged with the campaign – they demonstrate outstanding dedication to communication and are always responsive to those engaging with the campaign.”
Highly Commended: Amy Jones
“This person has shown their desire to support other students during challenging times at University by working with the VP Community and Welfare to set up the first creative mental health workshop… they have shown commitment and dedication through their ideas and contributions to the workshops all voluntarily.”
Winner: Kay Stayner
“During the year they have actively supported those in care, in terms of mentoring and they are about to run another taster day next week. It would be amazing to see this person recognised for their dedication and commitment to this particular group of young people; they will indeed leave a legacy when they finish this year.”
Winner: Amber Cowburn
“This person has worked really hard to ensure a collaborative and synergistic relationship between UWE's Healthy University Group and The Students' Union. They are a positive and enthusiastic member of staff to work alongside and they inspire us all to take action."
Find out who the winners of the 2023 Welfare Awards