Celebrating Changemakers across the University

Student and staff Changemakers were recognised at a glittering 2016 Changemaker awards ceremony on 13 October. The Changemaker Awards brings together students, graduates and staff members from across the University, as well as local businesses and community members, to celebrate the positive social impact we have on the community around us.

A year after the launch of our four Changemaker + Challenges, which commit us to delivering positive change in four specific areas: to make Northants the best county in the UK for children and young people to flourish and learn, to make Northants the leading county for health and wellbeing, to build the cultural and heritage traditions of Northants into world class attractions and to make Northants the best county to start, build and run a business.

The winners were:

Students’ Union Student Voice – Jemma Vobe

Changemaker Student of the Year – Joanna Southall

Changemaker Lecturer of the Year – Natalie Campion

Changemaker Staff Member of the Year – Nick Allen

Social Venture Start-up of the Year – Andrew Emberton

Changemaker Special Achievement Award -Victor Agboola

Changemaker Team of the Year – Students’ Union staff team

Global Changemaker of the Year – Hayley Linthwaite and students of Imagine A Day

Changemaker University Initiative of the Year – Sara Simons for the British Sign Language for Students Programme

Changemaker School of the Year – Greenfields Primary School

Community Changemaker of the year – Councillor Rufia Ashraf

Changemaker Community Initiative of the Year – Johnny’s Happy Place

A number of local social enterprises joined the festivities; sponsoring tables at the event, sharing their stories of successfully setting up social enterprises; including Ghostdavandal Originals, Northamptonshire Credit Union, School of Life, Pacesetter Sports, ProjectFEM and many others.