The award, announced and presented at a ceremony in London, was for the ‘Use of Digital Media’ in NUS’ viral campaign.
“This is fantastic news for the organisation and shows how much we have improved and developed in recent times,” said Wes Streeting NUS President.
Saved students millions
“The campaign success itself has saved students and graduates millions of pounds, gained international press coverage and is regularly cited as the first time a social networking site has been used to affect a major change in behaviour by a business, let alone a multinational like HSBC.
"Thanks to our ongoing dialogue with HSBC we will shortly be launching the first report of our three year research project on the student experience, which they've funded to the tune of £330,000."
Making a difference
NUS was shortlisted for the way in which we were able to use facebook to generate interest amongst students to achieve significant press coverage for the campaign and to force a change in HSBC’s policy. NUS estimated that the graduate overdraft charges would both have cost graduates £20 million in the first year and acted as a catalyst for other banks to follow suit.
The annual Third Sector Excellence Awards are intended to recognise and celebrate the vital work that voluntary sector organisations do in terms of acting as the conscience of society, drawing attention to injustice and demanding progress.