The Development Award Longlist NSVAs 2022
Recognising outstanding development opportunities created through student volunteering and societies. We want all volunteering and society involvement to give students chances to develop confidence, new skills and have new experiences. These will help students to grow and to achieve their full potential.
Producing 101
"Producing 101" was a series of training workshops and mentoring aiming to develop our student volunteer producers at the station. It was ran by me, our Head of Speech, wanting to pass on my knowledge to the next generation of student volunteers
How has the person, event, group or initiative impactful?
Producing 101 was attended by 10 of our members, with all 100+ of our members having access to the training resources. To ensure the training was as accessible as possible it was done over video call on 2 different evenings and a PDF document was provided to all station volunteers. Student Radio is a great way to learn and get yourself experienced for the different roles available in industry- the scariest bit about producing for a lot of our members was not knowing where to start or what a producer even does.
What is special about this nominee?
I wanted to empower the producers so we discussed the anxieties around vox pops, interviews and content generation. After going through some methods of content idea generation they were all set a task. Within 5 minutes they had to come up with an idea for either a daytime or music show. This quick exercise proved to them all that they could come up with content on the spot and it also opened up a conversation around creativity. Social Media was a much-requested element for the session and is a HUGELY intimidating part of the producer role.
The Mountain Bike Project
The Mountain Bike Project is a collaboration between the University of Sheffield Cycling Club and the Care Leavers team at Sheffield City Council. The volunteers organise mountain bike rides for young care leavers and their support staff at Lady Cannings plantation on the edge of the Peak District.
How has the person, event, group or initiative impactful?
The success of this project led the Council support workers who were involved to complete training so that they could lead rides during the summer months with the young people. This has developed the skills of the individual workers, but also enhanced the programme of opportunities available to young care leavers in the city. A project leader said he really appreciated noticing “progress that was made in relation to confidence, self-esteem, and fitness” of the care leavers who participated in the project.
What is special about this nominee?
This project is unique in fostering collaboration between care leavers and students in Sheffield. These are two groups of young people of the same age living in the same city but mostly in very different situations. The project purposefully brings them together to share a common experience, providing opportunities for learning and growth to both sides.
“Volunteering helped me to gain a deeper understanding of the lives and struggles of people less fortunate than myself. It has given me a profound sense of purpose and has motivated me to help others in all walks of life” Oliver, Project Leader
Chloe Hunter-Rea
Chloe Hunter-Rea is the President for the First Aid Society and a Unit manager at Southampton student volunteering unit.
How has the person, event, group or initiative impactful?
Chloe has helped to teach students and local community first aid skills. She has worked and supported students within the university to develop in their life-saving skills. She has helped to provide interactive and scenario based learning. Chloe has also worked with the wider community with multiple youth groups to teach them first aid. this has supported the wider community as more young people know how to save lives and feel confident doing so. Chloe has also volunteered within her unit to cover many first aid shifts for events to look after her the people within the community.
What is special about this nominee?
Chloe is studying at the university to become a child and adult nurse which is a challenging course. While doing this she is also president of two societies and manager of the local student volunteering unit. Chloe has a lot to manage but still finds time to individually support all her members and local community (171 society, 20-30 unit, approx 30 community sessions this year). She also has given up countless hours of time supporting other societies through challenging medical incidents and undertaking welfare checks and further training with these groups.
Photography and Film Club
Volunteering project
How has the person, event, group or initiative impactful?
Photography and Film Club project goes around Essex and takes beautiful photos which are used the official government site for promoting tourism in Colchester. They actively worked through the year to improve the photography skills of all motivated volunteers. They held the “Camera Workshop Session” and “Improve your photography skills” workshops to make sure that all interested volunteers can grow and develop transferable skills to use not only in their sessions, but for their personal use of social media and professional career.
What is special about this nominee?
Photography and Film Club volunteers in such an unique way. Instead of directly working with people or organizations, they work with government department of tourism in Colchester. So, by taking lovely photos, they are not only helping one charity, but the whole Colchester community to attract tourists. As tourists explore natural beauties and different businesses, they are helping so many people and natural reserves to be preserved and cherished. Their volunteers get constant support on developing their photography skills and using the tips they learned in the real-world settings.
The Love your Campus Social Action Volunteering Team
The Love your Campus Social Action Volunteering Team at Royal Holloway. They are a volunteering team who organise events on the Campus throughout the academic year. They have arranged gardening activities, nature based conservation work, bird watching, tree planting and Christmas wreath making.
How has the person, event, group or initiative impactful?
The group have engaged with a wide range of students across the academic year ensuring that all activities are suitable for people with a range of experience and abilities. They have worked with the woodland trust and the local council to plant 30 trees as part of the Queens Tree Canopy Project. In addition they have raised £112 through the sale of Christmas Wreaths and mistletoe which was enough money to provide meals and company for 50 elderly people on Christmas Day. They have planned a restoration event registered through the Society for Ecological restoration for June 2022.
What is special about this nominee?
The Love your Campus Team have continually organised fortnightly events at the University. They have had an international response to their project by having student volunteers from Turkey, Singapore, Greece and more! It has been a really invaluable volunteering group as they have worked with the Estates team on Campus to make sure that the activities organised are beneficial to the environment and create a wonderful atmosphere of the Campus. They have developed a great project which is culminating this academic year in a three day environment restoration volunteering event.
WhatNext? Coventry
WhatNext? Coventry is a Coventry University society dedicated to empowering, enlightening and inspiring the Black and South Asian community. WhatNext? Coventry tackles the vast social injustice this community faces by hosting events for university students and a mentoring programme for young people.
How has the person, event, group or initiative impactful?
WhatNext? Coventry has supported the personal and professional development of young people evidenced by the success of their 8-week mentoring programme, Project Inspire. Due to Project Inspire, 25+ Black and South Asian young people improved their knowledge of higher education and life skills such as financial literacy and communication (100% increase). In the mentor-catchups, the mentors set career, academic and personal goals with their mentees. 81% of mentees set goals surrounding confidence, public speaking and organisations. 76% of mentees felt they were on track to achieve their goals.
What is special about this nominee?
WhatNext? Coventry also supported the development of university students through Project Inspire by inspiring them into becoming young leaders. The sessions were designed by 10 WhatNext? Coventry students mentors, allowing them to develop their creative problem solving, presentation and organisation skills. The mentors were individually paired with mentees, allowing the mentors to develop their communication and listening skills. This was a success as 100% of mentors improved their confidence, public speaking, planning and communication skills. 100% of mentees enjoyed the range of mentors.
Karpagavalli Kasi
Karpagavalli Kasi , worked as Session Leader and a committee member of VTeam Coding Club. It's a Student Volunteering Coding project for the primary school kids in Essex.
How has the person, event, group or initiative impactful?
The Coding project has helped the kids to learn about Computer programming. Kids from Braiswick primary school has been attending the session every week Wednesday evening. Its purely a voluteering service in this fast evolving world, to help them explore and understand about programming and other than coding what else can be done with programming. When we asked the kids why they are attending the project - they informed they wants to make money and learn programming. They are only between the age of 9 - 11 years old. We have successfully completed the first batch of students about 20 kids.
What is special about this nominee?
Karpagavalli joined the Coding Club project when it was being neglected by the sitting committee members. VTeam had arranged a partnership with a local school.she has agreed to attend a session. she quickly threw herself into making session plans, tailoring content to the abilities of the school pupils, and communicating with us in great detail. she started doing the work of a committee without even being asked, and VTeam are so happy to say that she is officially became Coding Club Committee members afterwards. VTeam feel very fortunate to have worked with her.
CitySA Table Top Gaming Society
CitySA Table Top Gaming Society Table top Gaming and RPG games are not a new concept, but require a huge amount of dedication, attention to detail from members and society conveners. Table top Gaming has exhibited this by being the first society to regularly meet on campus post covid.
How has the person, event, group or initiative impactful?
Convener Kit Connor has introduced members to different games every week, with each game covering different skills - strategy games, larger games to include different members, D&D campaigns which require a lot of imagination and input to manage the flow and script of the game. Kit will often run several games at the same time - previously this would have to be managed with at least 2-3 sub-groups being set up, but Kit successfully brings these different styles of games and students together in one place each week which helps students make new friends across the society
What is special about this nominee?
Kit makes a point to informally but professionally introduce new members and they have seen an increase in membership on a weekly basis, with the society now being the largest meet up hosted on campus Additionally, Kit has made attempts to engage with supported learning students, partnering up with the Disabled Students' Network to run a game with a wider campaign, Don't Eat Alone, which aims to decrease isolation for students. The societies also meet on both campuses which has previously never been done, so meet ups are accessible for all students. It is a pleasure to support this society.
Midwifery Society
How has the person, event, group or initiative impactful?
This year the midwifery society have gained more members and got more people involved. They have applied and received additional funding to organise a Biomechanic for Birth Course, Deafblind Awareness Sessions and membership to Headspace. The society is a really important support network for our Midwifery Students with a large focus on mental health, community and courses to expand members' experience and knowledge.
What is special about this nominee?
The midwifery society have been vital in encouraging both the Students' Union and the University to do more activities on our Wrexham Campus. They have done activities at both Campus' and from this have encouraged others to do the same. Previously we have received feedback from Wrexham students saying that they do not feel as included in our activities because they're not on our main campus and the society have been vital in changing this. The campaign to include Wrexham students' more would not have happened without the society and the campaign has resulted in long term change.
UCL Communication Society
Public Speaking Workshop and Speech Mentorship
How has the person, event, group or initiative impactful?
Open to all, workshops provided chances to native & non-native English speakers to practice speaking skills in a safe, respectful manner. It uses peer evaluation, creating an encouraging environment where people overcome their phobia & master skills. The Speech Mentorship Programme presents a structured approach to public speaking over the course of 5 speeches. It was designed by the society to focus on key skills a public speaker should have & give both speakers & evaluators a target approach to learning.
What is special about this nominee?
Recognising public speaking as something that many people find challenging yet a key skill, UCL Com Soc set out to create a programme for students to develop their skills and confidence. They have researched & curated their activities to maximise impact for their members, creating their own unique programmes & workshops. Feedback from an International student: 'It has done wonders for so many members and many have graduated empowered & confident in their oratorical skills. These skills are essential and I am grateful UCL Communication Society presented us numerous opportunities to hone them'.
MarineWatch
MarineWatch is a student group that runs Marine conservation events, running multiple wildlife boat trips per month and providing training in identification and observation of marinelife. We have ties to the universities conservationists and local conservation group MarineLife.
How has the person, event, group or initiative impactful?
MarineWatch runs training events with conservation charity MarineLife, hosting marine observer training, as well as training in marine surveying practice, allowing us to collect data on our boat trips. We host bi-monthly boat trips during the season, carrying out 3-4hr long surveys on marinelife in the local area. MarineWatch has been working with the university of Exeter and MarineLife to make Falmouth harbor a protected marine conservation area. We work with academics at the university to facilitate masters students to join us on boat trips as part of their dissertation work.
What is special about this nominee?
MarineWatch is a student society that blends academia and conservation in an easily accessible format open to all students, with ties to the universities marine conservation group and local conservation organisations, we offer important skills for those wishing to pursue a career in marine conservation, encouraging networking and collaboration between ourselves and the department of marine conservation. As well as this, we were part of the universities peer mentoring and employability talks.
Healthcare Drama Society
Healthcare Drama Society, Despite having fewer than 40 members, HDS managed to perform 2 musicals this year for the first time. "The Observatory" and "Cathays Anatomy" were both original shows written by society members, and nearly 1000 tickets were sold between them.
How has the person, event, group or initiative impactful?
Each member (committee and regular members) work so hard to keep the society going. Through socials, shows, check ups and general friendliness, they work hard to ensure everyone is having a great time. On top of this, they do charity events AND are mostly on placement full time. Such hard working and kind individuals.
What is special about this nominee?
Putting on two sell out productions, one postponed because of the pandemic (the Observatory, which was a full length original musical with original score, written and directed by the President, which is in the process of becoming a Spotify album for its original music) and Cathays Anatomy, a musical which was written by a group of 5 starting in 2020 and has been a 2 year project which was performed in March. HDS ensures everyone is welcome and helps people to have fun on stage, while also putting on an incredible performance enjoyed by audiences.