Recognition for Teesside’s student volunteers

University volunteers and partner organisations have been honoured at an awards ceremony recognising their contribution to the community.

The annual Volun-cheers event was held at Teesside University Students’ Union, where awards were presented to student volunteers nominated in recognition of their work. Awards were also given in celebration of the variety of volunteer organisations which provide valuable support and experience for individuals and groups.

The awards were organised by Volun-tees, the University programme which supports staff, students and recent graduates to engage in volunteering activities both within the local community and on volunteering programmes.

Natalie Beeby, 20, from Doncaster, received the Individual Volunteer Award for her work with Samaritans, which itself won the Outstanding Organisation Award.

The BSc (Hons) Psychology and Counselling student from the University's School of Social Sciences, Business & Law, said: 'I feel honoured to receive the Individual Volunteer Award as there are so many people doing great things for the community that deserve recognition.

'Samaritans is an organisation full of dedicated people and I am extremely proud to be a part of the Teesside Samaritans branch. I am thankful to them for welcoming me with such open arms and making me feel part of their team.'

Natalie added: 'I am extremely glad Samaritans won the Outstanding Organisation Award as they deserve all this recognition and hopefully this will raise awareness.

'Working for Samaritans has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life and has helped me to develop so much as a person. I feel very passionately about the important work they do in helping others and ultimately saving lives.'

Neil Craig, of Teesside Samaritans, said: 'We are delighted to receive the Outstanding Organisation award. Samaritans are completely volunteer-run and receive no central funding, relying on the generosity of local businesses and fundraisers to keep us going.

'We have developed an excellent relationship with Volun-tees and found them to be a fantastic resource for volunteers so were delighted to see Natalie receive recognition for her volunteering.'

Jayne Golden, Teesside University Volunteer Project Co-ordinator, said: 'It is always fantastic to see University students engaging in local community projects and being a positive role model to all those they work with, so it is also fantastic to see them receive deserved recognition for the time they offer.

'The awards also aim to applaud the range of volunteer organisations which provide our students with the opportunity to get involved in volunteering and recognise the support they offer to our volunteers in return.'

Full list of winners

Individual Volunteer Award: Natalie Beeby, Samaritans Runner-up: Pamela Kelly, Girlguiding UK

Outstanding Contribution Award: Jonathan Hitchen, Buddy in the School of Health & Social Care Runner-up: Alfie Mensah, South Tees University Hospital therapeutic care

M.A.D (Make A Difference) Award: Sam Piggott, Romanian Assembly and Beanstalk

Group Award: English Language Café Runner-up: PASS Leaders

Volunteer Mentor Award: Mark Wheatley, Senior Lecturer for the Buddy scheme in the School of Health & Social Care Runner-up: Debi McKeown, South Tees University Hospital therapeutic care

Outstanding Organisation Award: Samaritans Runner-up: Teesdale and Weardale Search and Rescue Mountain Team

Judging Panel Award: Francesca Linacre, A Way Out

Gold Award: Emma Crawford, Acre Riggs Primary School

Volun-tees Award: Emma Roche, Teesside University Food Co-op, Macmillan School and Teesside University Health & Wellbeing.

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