The announcement was made at the AoC Annual Conference in Birmingham this morning, by AoC Chief Executive, David Hughes, and Group Principal and CEO of London South East Colleges, Dr Sam Parrett.
The awards, in their second year, recognise and celebrate the outstanding fundraising and volunteering efforts of staff and students. This work is positively impacting communities across the country and generating significant social value.
Award winners have been chosen by an independent judging panel, which includes esteemed experts from across FE and the wider education and charity sectors. The judges, including FE Commissioner Shelagh Legrave and Baroness Nicky Morgan, noted the extremely high standard of entries with decisions being very difficult to make.
There are eight award categories, each with three finalists, reflecting the diverse social action activities being undertaken:
- Individual Fundraiser of the Year: This category celebrates individuals who have demonstrated remarkable dedication to fundraising efforts. Finalists are: Suzanne Richards (Walsall College), Aimee Garratt (Dudley College), and Emma Shipstone (Nottingham College)
- Team/College Fundraiser of the Year: Recognising collaborative fundraising achievements. Finalists are: Students’ Union at Barnsley College, Southern Regional College’s Student Engagement Team and Students’ Union, and the Personal Social Development Team at Nottingham College
- Student Volunteer of the Year: This award celebrates students who have gone above and beyond in volunteering. Finalists are: Norman Smith (Dudley College), Beth Williamson (Nottingham College), and Jack Stone (LSEC)
- Staff Volunteer of the Year: Honouring FE staff members for their significant volunteer contributions. Finalists are: Nicola Thomson Dewey (Barnsley College), Rich Williams (Nottingham College), and Rob Stevenson (Burton and South Derbyshire College)
- Project of the Year: This category recognises impactful projects dedicated to mental health and wellbeing. Finalists are: Burton and South Derbyshire College’s ‘Coast-to-Coast Challenge,’ LSEC’s ‘Wellbeing Wednesday Lunches’, and South Eastern Regional College’s ‘PEAR Project’.
- Volunteering Coordinator of the Year: Celebrating the Good for Me Good for FE leads who drive campaign success. Finalists are: The Nottingham College Team, the Accreditation Focus Group, and Penny Taylor from Lincoln College
- Inspirational Role Model of the Year: This category honours individuals who show outstanding leadership and commitment to social change. Finalists are: Rosie Rawlings-Waumsley (Suffolk New College), Tom Griffiths (Leeds City College), and Abigail Daly (City College Plymouth)
- Outstanding Long Service Award for Volunteering: This award recognises dedication to volunteer service over time. Finalists are: Rich Williams (Nottingham College), Rob Stevenson (Burton and South Derbyshire College), and Liam Cannon (Suffolk New College)
The finalists will be invited to a special ceremony at the House of Lords on 6 December 2024, hosted by Baroness Baran, where winners will be announced.
Announcing the shortlist on stage at the AoC Annual Conference, David Hughes and Sam Parrett congratulated finalists, saying:
“We are delighted to reveal the shortlist for the Good for Me Good for FE Awards 2024. The independent judging panel noted that the standard of entries was extremely high, reflecting the inspirational social action that is taking place at colleges across the country.
“Thank you to our judges and our sponsors; we are extremely grateful for their involvement. And of course, thank you to everyone who has taken the time to nominate someone for these awards.
“We are very much looking forward to revealing the winners at the House of Lords on 6 December and celebrating the many exceptional teams and individuals who make our colleges so very special.”
About Good for Me Good for FE
The Good for Me Good for FE campaign champions social action in the Further Education sector, encouraging volunteering and fundraising activity in college across the country.
Since its inception in 2021, the campaign has collectively generated millions of pounds in social value, with over 150 colleges involved, charity partners and other stakeholders.
Judging panel: Shelagh Legrave; Professor Jo Maher; Dame Sally Dicketts CBE; Dr Katerina Kolyva; David Hughes CBE; David Gallagher; Phil Packer MBE; Lesley Davies CBE; and Rt Hon Baroness Nicky Morgan who is the Awards Patron