The Extra Mile Award Longlist NSVAs 2022
Recognising someone that has overcome significant challenges to volunteering or society involvement. We know that thousands of students volunteer despite personal difficulties, and we want to showcase some of these students. The winning student doesn’t need to have done 100s of hours volunteering but they need to have had an impact on those around them.
Charlotte Haskins
Charlotte Haskins is the President of FAD Dance Society at Cardiff University
How has the person, event, group or initiative impactful?
I don't want to seem big headed writing this but I do personally feel I have gone the extra mile this year. From August 2021, I've lead and organised my society extremely efficiently. I am always replying to emails instantly ensuring any tasks are completed early too. My dad tried to take his own life in March which was extremely traumatic & still impacting me now but it has not stopped me from continuing my role within FAD society. I have ensured the 160 members within FAD feel welcome and safe within it with no judgement or fear, offering weekly dance classes and 2 end of term shows.
What is special about this nominee?
My Cardiff Societies Coordinator has said I am always willing to go the extra mile to help my society and others and she is correct. No matter what I faced this year, FAD was a top priority. I am a super friendly and extremely committed individual willing to help whoever needs it, no matter what I may be personally facing. The trauma I experienced presented huge personal difficulties however I still made sure I was the most proactive individual, positively impacting everyone around me despite how I was feeling.
Emily Pham
Emily is the founder and president of Women in STEM Essex. Women in STEM Essex – Our society aims to provide a support system for under-represented individuals in STEM and spread awareness of the importance of diversity and inclusion. We host employability events, study sessions, and socials. We are a very active society, hosting at least one event a week.
How has the person, event, group or initiative impactful?
Emily has made a huge impact on the community by promoting diversity and inclusion in STEM. She uplifts and motivates our community and has provided a place for under-represented individuals to belong. We have been able to support others by fundraising for mental health and women’s safety charities and providing many employability focused events for members. Under Emily’s leadership, we have won many awards, including the society of the year. She has made a long-lasting impact at the university by supporting those who need it.
What is special about this nominee?
Emily is one of the most motivated and dedicated individuals I have worked with. Under her leadership we have vastly expanded the society and hosted a range of successful events. Emily is always willing to help others, whether they are members of the executive team or the society. She is an innovative thinker, and an inspiration to all. The success of the society as a whole can be attributed to Emily’s leadership abilities and dedication. She has volunteered over 350 hours for the society, whilst also dealing with her mental health, job applications, and running another society.
Evelyn Chen
Alongside her demanding university work, Evelyn spearheaded an initiative with Brent Council to develop an urban garden that grew fresh produce for the local residents of one of the most deprived areas of London. She has also volunteered for a social enterprise that focused on the environment.
How has the person, event, group or initiative impactful?
Evelyn has positively impacted one of the most deprived areas in London, the borough of Brent: the pandemic exacerbated food inequality across Brent, with a huge increase in emergency council assistance and food bank usage (Sufra NW London Food Aid, 2021). It was her innovative initiative that the urban garden grows edible food such as seasonal vegetables to provide a source of fresh food for the most vulnerable residents. Evelyn is now planting and tending to the produce growing in the garden every week. She is working with Brent Council as Community Champion to run this scheme.
What is special about this nominee?
What makes Evelyn special is her life-long commitment to the community alongside demanding academic responsibilities. In high school, she was a Green Club volunteer and helped her school earn a prestigious Green Flag Award. Between the second and third years of university, she entered the Worley COP26 Competition, where she assembled a team of like-minded peers to devise a commercial renewable energy source. Her work won first place in this national company against post-graduate competitors and was commended for its innovation by experts from Worley such as the Vice President of Operations.
Hannah Davies
How has the person, event, group or initiative impactful?
Hannah is president of Sexpression NU, a society that informs on sex and relationships. She runs the group single-handed, hosting stalls providing STI tests and running regular member socials. She was elected as NSU’s Womens Officer and is an active member of Council. She represented her peers by attending the Fight the Spike march and NUS Liberation Conference. By working with Northumbria Against Sexual Violence, she’s made students more aware of our sexual harassment policy/procedures. She created a survey gathering 40 responses on how the uni can support students with menstrual disorders.
What is special about this nominee?
Hannah works with NSU staff to ensure she is up to date with relevant harassment procedures/policy. She volunteers as Communications Director of Sexpression UK, NUS Liberation Campaigns Committee and has appeared on BBC News discussing safe lockdown sex. She openly shares her experiences of her menstrual disorder in her work, kickstarting the conversation at Northumbria. Hannah recently won our Campaigner of the Year Award, where one nomination stated she puts her “absolute heart and soul” into her work. She successfully runs her society alone, despite all other committee members dropping out.
Jasmine Tidswell
Jasmine Tidswell volunteered regularly at St Werbughs City Farm as Animal Manager and Farm Hand. She supported farmers with manual labour and ensured that each animal had it’s needs met. She enabled adults with learning and physical disabilities to volunteer by preparing the grounds for their visit.
How has the person, event, group or initiative impactful?
Jasmine did a wide range of tasks which were vital to keep the farm running in and out of lockdowns. But she also had impact on other volunteers groups and visitors. Sewing, weeding and cleaning for the plant nursery allowed the plant nursery managers to spend more time leading enriching activities with volunteer groups who had been referred there to improve their mental wellbeing. Clearing the matting at the volunteer's allotment ensured it was wheelchair accessible. She also helped run a BBQ, using harvested crops to make dishes for those referred through the mental health charity MIND.
What is special about this nominee?
This experience was life changing. I moved to Bristol in June 2020. Moving to a new city amidst a pandemic with social life restricted left me feeling isolated and unsure how to find a sense of community. Volunteering and being welcomed into their diverse community helped me find a sense of belonging. I had a mentor who directed and assisted me who helped to support me through a very difficult time as I lost two friends to suicide in January 2021, without this space to talk freely, work with my hands and benefit from the peaceful nature at the site I would not have coped as well as I did.
Nathan Epemolu
Strath Union's BAME rep
How has the person, event, group or initiative impactful?
Just weeks into the role, he collaborated with the National Theatre of Scotland to secure free tickets for students for Ghosts - an Augmented Reality experience exploring Glasgow's Slavery Trade past. He's also collaborated with the Coalition for Racial Equality & Rights to run Slavery Trade History Tours, that have been immensely popular, and will continue for years to come.
On top of this, he has worked with the University to run workshops on Decolonising the Curriculum. He also runs regular drop-ins for students and revived the BAME Student Society.
What is special about this nominee?
His attitude to volunteering and representing students is exemplary. He is not afraid to apply pressure where necessary to make change and also recognise and thank others for their contribution. Part of his success was due to having a very clear vision, which he has stuck to and reviewed regularly. To perform this role to such a high standard, alongside other Union and personal commitments is astounding. The sheer amount of headway Nathan has made in several areas will form the basis for future campaigns on race equality and decolonisation.
Oscar Oglina
Final Year Medical Student University of Bristol, Pending AFP F1 Essex
How has the person, event, group or initiative impactful?
Oscar is one of the most inspiring people I know and has worked to help and inspire everyone around him. When Oscar was just 5 years old, he was diagnosed with stage 3 liver cancer at Great Ormand Street Hospital, which he spent his whole childhood overcoming. He made it his life mission to become a doctor and help sick children like himself, despite still suffering health problems on the course. His story has led him to invest in charity work both as a GOSH ambassador and most recently he helping organise a medical school production that raised over 60K for children with cancer
What is special about this nominee?
I think Oscar’s story and dedication helping and inspiring others is brilliant. He’s received commendation from his faculty, university and Dr Alex himself on social medial after being invited to join his inspiring person campaign. You can learn more about his story on his work published with GOSH or one of the talks he’s been invited to do with the charity. In nominating Oscar he can share his story and mission that you can live a fulfilling life after cancer and achieve your dreams. He has the most amazing outlook on life and possess true empathy and care for his patients that no doctor has
Sacha Smith
Sacha has been an incredible leader. She is fierce, determined and a true fighter. She puts her members and committees health and wellbeing above anything else. She has created a home away from home for students who both enjoy Pole Fitness and those who have never tried it. She has a heart of gold!
How has the person, event, group or initiative impactful?
Sacha has allowed the sport of Pole Fitness to become an inclusive society, breaking down gender stereotypes. Collaborating with our Darts and Cue Sports and others they have now got male members of the society for the very first time. In one semester she has re-built the society from having no instructors, no members to now having nearly 200. As a project leader of Pet Blood Bank she collaborated with Pole Fitness as part of Societies Volunteering week. She is organising a fundraiser for Cancer Research UK with Rag as one of the instructors of the society is a survivor of Breast Cancer.
What is special about this nominee?
Sacha is an unsung hero, never complaining or asking for any recognition for the hard work of resurrecting the society from being defunct. Members describe her as a kind, caring and giving person with a heart of gold. Driving down early one morning to London to get the Poles fixed from XPole and then drove all the way back up so that members would have safe equipment to train on. She not afraid to ask for help, gives advice, takes constructive criticism, creates and inclusive and welcoming society for anybody who wants to try Pole. She is a societies star!
Tori (Victoria) Blogg
Tori (Victoria) Blogg is a health & Social care student who has volunteered in our Advice Department in the role of peer listener, she has helped develop and promote the service, and has shown real commitment to the role.
How has the person, event, group or initiative impactful?
Every so often a student comes along who stands out this student is one of them they're an absolute fireball, whirlwind, and tornado of a person. You meet them and afterwards are left with the impression that you have known them forever. You look forward to next time they're around as you know the environment you live in is better with them in it. She is kind, compassionate, enthusiastic, empathetic and one of life’s good people. Tori faces challenges daily, discrimination, ignorance, and abuse, but she rides it out and lives life with a simple goal to enjoy it and ensure others enjoy theirs.
What is special about this nominee?
Tori is above all, selfless, she has had the challenge of cerebral palsy all her life, has been told she would be confined to a wheelchair, not pass any qualifications, yet she has nearly completed her degree and has had intensive physiotherapy so that she can walk across the stage unaided at her graduation. But what sets her apart is her ability to help others and care about there welfare, she is amazing.
Tory Selwyn
Tory has been President of Headucate UEA for 3 years. She’s led establishment of new Headucate branches at other unis & has founded the registered gov charity, Headucate UK, to support all mental health societies nationwide! This has brought together 50+ reps from 20+ societies nationwide.
How has the person, event, group or initiative impactful?
Tory developed & taught the MBBS Eating Disorders curriculum to medical students. She approached the Co-Psychiatry medical school leads to discuss development of the teaching, where the Co-leads invited her to deliver the curriculum with fellow committee. Tory has spoken on BBC radio Norfolk several times, been filmed for UEA's social media Uni Mental Health Day campaign, recording for UEA’s podcast, has been published in an academic journal talking about Headucate’s outreach work & has been invited to deliver an oral communication about Headucate at an international psychiatry congress.
What is special about this nominee?
Tory is an exceptional, passionate & outstanding role model who leads by example in promoting both good mental health and her fellow students. Delivering mental health awareness for primary & high schools, inspiring the establishment of further Headucate societies & having, not just her own scientific posters & also those from fellow students inspired by her, creating social media campaigns that have reached over 12,000 people.
Tory invented the Headucate/UEA-themed escape room/exit game, 'HeaduScape' drawing on strengths from committee members to design UEA-themed puzzles, riddles, mazes etc.
Vindhya Menon
SCHOOLS+ tutor
How has the person, event, group or initiative impactful?
Vindhya tutored 2 Eritrean pupils every week throughout this academic year. She displayed resourcefulness when designing/running engaging online sessions. 'I want to tell you how much my Maths and Science improved. You have really helped me and I would like to say thank you for everything.'- Tutee Myriam.
Vindhya says she feels a sense of accomplishment having contributed to someone’s life. She looks forward to keep making such contributions in the future. She joined the Business Administration course aspiring to be an entrepreneur, now she aspires to be a social entrepreneur!
What is special about this nominee?
Vindhya volunteered with Kingston Hub from India while studying at a partner University to Kingston University. She actively sought the opportunity and displayed incomparable commitment such as consistently attending her sessions at 10:30 pm due to the time difference with the UK. She kept regular communication with stakeholders and proactively tailored her sessions to suit her pupils academic needs. She gave insightful feedback which helped define areas of improvement on our programme. She also pointed out outreach opportunities for our Hub with overseas students in partner universities.
Vugar Damirov
Pro-Bono Volunteering
How has the person, event, group or initiative impactful?
The nominee has shown commitment and dedication to pro-bono work while having a long-term heart problem, disability and severe ADHD. The volunteering work has had a broader impact through working with projects such as Small Business Advice Line, Street Law Inc and Public & Youth Engagement. The pro-bono work has helped reach those who are underprivileged or do not have the monetary means. From advising youths to assisting individuals and groups in understanding their legal rights better, this nominee’s determination through ill health has helped and is continuing to benefit people nationwide.
What is special about this nominee?
This nominee suffers from a long-term heart problem disability, pacemaker and ADHD. The nominee is also studying the LPC full-time alongside a Masters while also earning distinctions and helping fellow students. The nominee has demonstrated hard work and dedication to their field and their passion for Pro-Bono work by being involved in numerous projects and leading some of them. Being of BAME background, the nominee wants to access legal information better and help those underprivileged. The nominee is studying the online course due to their ill-health and difficulty travelling.