Student winners named in celebration of achievement awards

Awards were given out to the most outstanding Edge Hill students to recognise their achievements in the voluntary sector and workplace this week.

As part of the University's 125^th anniversary celebrations, the Careers Centre hosted a special ceremony on Tuesday night (20^th April) to acknowledge the fantastic contribution that students make either by volunteering their help for free or through paid employment - still managing to successfully combine their studies.

This year's Volunteer of the Year award went to Jack Purcell, who has been with Halewood Parish for more than three years. He was chosen for his commitment, innovative new ideas and for taking the time to listen and support the children and young people he works with. His nominator quoted "Jack is a young man, who any leader would be proud to have as part of their team. Being able to watch Jack grow and mature and take on more responsibilities as he developed his own skills, delivery styles and techniques have been a joy to watch."

Speaking after scooping the award, Jack, a first year student on the BSc Science, Secondary Education course, said: "I still can't believe I've won. I wasn't able to go along to the awards night because I was actually working so I only found out this morning in the middle of studies. I really didn't think I'd done enough volunteering hours to win but when I counted them up I'd done 400 in a year, which is double what you need to do. At this rate I think I'll be able to retire but I love it so much I don't think that's going to happen anytime soon!"

Runners up were Karen Ross (2^nd) for her work with the Bethany UK Team and Nuno Vinhas (3^rd) for his voluntary work with Dadihiye.

The Employee of the Year Award was split into two categories, those who work on campus at the University and students who work for an external organisation.

The on campus accolade was given to Matt Harrison for his work within the University's Education Liaison Team. He was chosen for being such an invaluable asset and his nominator said: "He always puts in 100% and motivates his colleagues to do so. As a result he is now part of a small group of Student Guides who have been given extra responsibility when it comes to representing the University at events off campus, for example UCAS Fairs. Matt is very approachable and plays a vital part in helping students decide what and where to study following school or college."

Matt, who is studying for a degree in Media and Advertising, said: "I was surprised to find out I'd been nominated so to win was an even bigger shock! I'm really pleased but I work with a lot of good people and I think everyone in the team deserves an award because they work so hard."

Runners up were Laura McGarry (2^nd) who works within Corporate Marketing and Helen Keenan (3^rd) who is involved in the AimHigher Widening Participation Team.

The second category for the external, off campus employee award went to Kevin Ratcliffe who works for local Ormskirk business WiFi Solutions. His employer said: "Kevin is so diligent and committed and has delivered a piece of work for us which has tangible benefits to the business. The work he has completed will result in significant cost and time savings for the company by making our sales department much more efficient. Effective customer relationship management is vital for any organisation and Kevin has played a crucial role in helping us make sure we are as efficient as we can be."

Upon winning the award, Kevin who is studying for a Computing degree, said: "It feels great to win such a prestigious award as I've never won anything like this in my life."

Twenty students who achieved the Edge Hill University Employability Programme, the first of its kind to be piloted at the University, were also presented with certificates for passing the course with flying colours. The programme is supported by the UK's second largest graduate employer, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and is endorsed by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM).

Awards were also given out on the night to a number of employers who have made a significant contribution, in partnership with the Careers Centre to developing students' employability. These were:

• Enterprise Rent-A-Car
• HMP Preston
• NSG Pilkington
• St Helens Sports Development
• Adventor LTD
• West Lancashire Borough Council's Countryside Ranger Service

Jacqui Howe, Head of Careers, said: "Our students make an enormous positive contribution to the local community and these awards are to acknowledge our most outstanding students who have made a real difference either through employment or volunteering opportunities. We had so many deserving entries and it was very difficult to make a decision. Each and every one of them should be congratulated for managing to juggle their studies and work effectively, they should be seen as ambassadors for the University and I'm very proud of them all."