[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” fullwidth=”on” next_background_color=”#000000″ global_module=”322″][et_pb_fullwidth_menu global_parent=”322″ _builder_version=”3.0.106″ menu_id=”7″ submenu_direction=”downwards” fullwidth_menu=”off” background_layout=”dark” module_class=”main-navigation” \/][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”on” prev_background_color=”#000000″ next_background_color=”#1d1d1d”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ specialty_columns=”2″][et_pb_row_inner locked=”off”][et_pb_column_inner type=”4_4″ saved_specialty_column_type=”2_3″][et_pb_post_title _builder_version=”3.0.106″ title=”on” meta=”on” author=”on” date=”on” categories=”on” comments=”on” featured_image=”on” featured_placement=”above” text_color=”dark” text_background=”off” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_layout=”light” parent_locked=”off”]<\/p>\n
This week, the University proudly celebrated the incredible contributions of our student volunteers and Peer Support community at two vibrant ceremonies held in the Whitworth Hall on Tuesday 6th and Wednesday 7th May.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The 2025 Volunteer of the Year Awards and Peer Support Awards were a celebration of commitment, innovation and empathy\u2014values that run deep across the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health. Whether guiding first-year students through their early weeks at university or tackling critical public health and sustainability challenges, FBMH students are leaving a meaningful mark on campus and beyond.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s Peer Support Awards shone a spotlight on the tireless work of Peer Mentors, PASS Leaders, and Student Coordinators\u2014many from the School of Biological Sciences, School of Health Sciences and School of Medical Sciences\u2014who dedicate their time to easing the transition into university life for new students.<\/p>\n With more than 1,700 student volunteers involved across the University, Peer Support in FBMH plays a crucial role in building academic confidence, mental wellbeing and community for our first years.<\/p>\n The keynote speaker, Dr Martin Simmons, Senior Lecturer and PASS Academic Coordinator in the School of Engineering, praised the resilience and leadership of Peer Supporters, noting their impact on shaping a more inclusive learning environment.<\/p>\n Celebrating Impact: Volunteer of the Year Awards<\/strong> Lily Turnbull: Tackling Period Poverty Head-On<\/strong> As Events and Social Media Manager, Lily has been instrumental in growing OaM\u2019s visibility and impact, empowering volunteers and educating the wider student body. Her dedication earned her not only the Volunteer of the Year Award in the\u00a0Students in the Community<\/em>\u00a0category but also the prestigious\u00a0University Medal for Social Responsibility, watch Lily\u2019s\u00a0film<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n Shoutout to All Our Changemakers,\u00a0<\/strong>other award winners included \u2013<\/p>\n Students Supporting other students category<\/strong><\/p>\n Student groups category<\/strong><\/p>\n Students Supporting the Wider Community category<\/strong><\/p>\n In addition Nick Pearson<\/strong>\u00a0(School of Biological Sciences) also gave a wonderful keynote talk about his own experiences with volunteering and SR in action in curriculum at the event.<\/p>\n For more information on peer support, contact Gabriele Wegner at\u00a0gabriele.wegner@manchester.ac.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n
The annual\u00a0Volunteer of the Year Awards<\/em>\u2014a joint celebration by the University and Students\u2019 Union\u2014shone a spotlight on students making a real difference on campus and in communities. Among this year\u2019s inspiring winners was Lily Turnbull, a standout representative from the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health.<\/p>\n
Lily, a Zoology student, has gone above and beyond in her volunteer work with\u00a0Once a Month<\/em>\u00a0(OaM), a student group committed to breaking down stigma around menstruation and expanding access to sexual and reproductive health education. Since joining in 2023, Lily has transformed OaM\u2019s outreach\u2014launching a newsletter, revamping the website, and organising the group\u2019s first external event, which raised over \u00a3300 and secured more than \u00a31,000 in donated sanitary products.<\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n