On Tuesday 2 July, students came together with friends and family at the City Hub campus to celebrate their achievements at our annual Personal Social Development Awards.
Personal Social Development (PSD) is part of our tutorial programme and gives students the chance to lead projects that make a real difference in their communities. With support from their tutors, students choose causes that matter to them and create projects that help others.
This year, students have worked on a wide range of inspiring projects. Just a few examples include offering free hair treatments to elderly residents in a care home, creating artwork to raise awareness about the impact of littering—displayed in local libraries—and collecting books for two local schools and an orphanage in Sierra Leone.
Whilst all the projects make a big difference, the awards are to recognise students that have truly gone above and beyond to give back to the community.
This year’s Group Change Makers Award winners we’re responsible for organising a project called ‘Meet the Leader’ which gave students the opportunity to meet with MPs, such as Nadia Whittome, to voice their opinions and ideas for how to improve the local community.
When asked if he thinks the project has provided additional opportunities alongside his course, Level 3 Engineering student, Benedict Uchidiuno said:
“Oh yes. Definitely. One of the things we wanted to do was to make the youth speak up and to believe they had a voice. So yes, being able to actually hear leaders and let them know how we, the youth, feel and what we’re going through can make things better and like we’re getting ahead”
A level student, Amelia Thomas said:
“I feel like it definitely encouraged confidence in myself. It gave me the opportunity to talk to someone in a position of power, and I hadn’t had that opportunity before”
Reflecting on this year’s awards, Head of Personal Social Development, Sam North, said:
“I think every year I’m honoured and humbled by the range of meaningful projects that our students realise,create, and accomplish. It’s genuinely emotional to see them do what they set out to achieve and I’d like to thank our students, staff, and stakeholders for supporting this important initiative”
See the full list of winners below:
Changemakers Group Award
For creating significant, lasting change through collaborative social action within college or the wider community.
- Tino Mugabe
- Matilda Adeola
- Lois AstridgeHammett
- Anya Lawa
- Amelia Thomas
- Benedict Uchidiuno
Kindness in Action Award
For demonstrating compassion and care through peer support, wellbeing initiatives, or community kindness.
- Heather Smith
- Rubie Brice
- Kyra Lovelace-Mulholland,
- Olivia Perkins
- Deimante Ramontaite
- Ruby Sleaford,
- Ruby Watson
- Libby Whitehead
Creative Impact Award
For using creativity—art, media, or performance—to spark awareness or inspire change on a key social issue.
- Toby Braithwaite
- Amelia Corbett
- Summer Wilson
Fundraiser of the Year Award
For delivering an effective, engaging, and impactful fundraising campaign for a chosen cause.
- Hollie Spencer
- Carleigh Wilding
- Michaela Butler
- Maygen Walford
Sustainable Change Award
For developing a project focused on environmental, social, or economic sustainability with long-term benefits.
- Poppy Boud
- Ann-Marie Hart
- Ella Ketteridge,
- Liv Nicholas
- Kitty Rashford-Kilpatrick,
- Ella Saywell
- Anaya Scott
- Amelia Wardle
