Teesside University staff member gets shortlisted for a prestigious award

A Teesside University staff member has been nominated for a major award for his efforts to help the local community.

Stephen Goodall, Public Events and Social Impact Officer at Teesside University, has been shortlisted for an Alliance Award as part of the annual University Alliance Awards.

Stephen joined the University in 2022 as a ‘Social Enterprise Activator’, a role which was established in partnership with local social housing company, Thirteen Group to improve opportunities for people in the Tees Valley.

Through his work, he has made a significant influence on the local community in just one year through partnerships with local charities and organisations. He has collaborated with the Hope Foundation to give incubator space for FurbdIT, a digital poverty organisation that has delivered over 200 discarded IT equipment to the community and provided an internship for a Teesside student, which is what led to his nomination to the prestigious The Alliance Award.

The Alliance Award honours cooperation and is given to individuals or teams that have made a significant impact via clever and cooperative teamwork.

Teesside University is a member of the University Alliance, an organisation of universities that are setting the standard for technical and professional education, training, entrepreneurship, innovation, and research and development.

Stephen's work links the University's resources and knowledge to its larger community. He has worked with organisations such as FurbdIT, where he assisted in the recycling of obsolete PC units into arcade cabinets for innovative student projects, and the Thirteen Group, where he delivered student challenges by addressing anti-social behaviour, furniture poverty, and social isolation.

Stephen continues to be involved in the University's partnership work with Barefoot Kitchen, a community bakery operating in the University's Launchpad building that will offer bread-making seminars, volunteer opportunities, and a range of job options to local citizens.

Stephen Goodall, Public Events and Social Impact Officer, Teesside University, said: “It is an honour to be nominated for this award although I must extend my appreciation and acknowledgement to all the dedicated individuals and partners that have contributed to the success of these initiatives.

“It is a testament to the collaborative efforts of everyone at the University, Thirteen Group, local charities and the community. Together, we have worked hard to make an impact on the lives of those in the Tees Valley contributing to the University’s mission contributing to the economic, social, and cultural success of students, partners, and the community.”

The winners will be presented with a specially commissioned University Alliance medal.

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