Taking inspiration from the Matt Spencer award we want to highlight the very best student volunteers with the winners receiving £1,000 to go towards their volunteering projects or to a charity of their choice.
The winner will be announced on Wednesday 13 February by Nick Hurd MP, Minister for Civil Society at our reception to celebrate Student Volunteering Week.
Below you will find information about the five students that have been shortlisted for this award.
Anna Ray – Nominated by Leeds University Union
Anna has led and supported an English conversation class for refugees and asylum seekers that takes place every Saturday afternoon, for the last three years. Her role has included organising lessons, supervising, inducting and supporting volunteers, liaising with the council on rents for the building, dealing with financial matters, and befriending and teaching the 50 or 60 service users that attend each week as well as managing a team of some 20+ volunteers.
Bianca Nobilo – Nominated by London School of Economics
Bianca founded a charity, Student Health Heart, after several people close to her were affected by heart conditions. The aim of the charity is to promote and encourage cardiovascular health in the student population across the UK. They are focused on three key areas: advancing this mission through education, advocacy and research for current and future students whose health they seek to protect.
Natasha Unwin – Nominated by Student Hubs
Tasha is the coordinator of the Southampton Student Hub, supporting other students into social action - overseeing a broader range of activities in the local community. Her responsibilities include managing a team of other student volunteers, liaising with the University, Students' Union and other key partners, coordinating the Hub's communications strategy and organising regular events. She spends roughly 20-30 hours per week in this position.
Nicola Byrom – Nominated by Student Run Self Help Trustee
Nicola set up Student Run Self Help in 2009. SRSH originally started as one peer support project for students with eating disorders in the University of Nottingham. Nicola saw the opportunity to systematically support many more students with eating disorders across the UK and decided to develop a training manual and workshop. Over the last 12 months the SRSH network grew with peer support groups now across 15 universities.
Thomas Holt – Nominated by Edge Hill Students’ Union
Thomas works with 5 local and national charities. Since April 2011, Thomas has devoted 166 hours as a telephone counsellor to over 400 children for Childline. He also spends 4 hours a week with a little boy as part of a mentoring scheme on behalf of 'Action for Children'. Thomas is also an active Beaver, Cub and Scout leader working with more than 50 children a week aged from 6 to 15. On average, Thomas spends 18hrs each week volunteering on top of his 37.5hr week of university placement.