Thursday 11-04-2024 - 13:54

Volunteers who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to volunteering while at university received the High Sheriff Awards. The awards ceremony took place at Reichel Hall on the afternoon of 10/03/2024. In attendance to present the awards were Sam Dickins, current Vice President for Societies and Volunteering at Undeb Bangor, Andrew Edwards (Pro Vice Chancellor), Sarah Foskett (current High Sheriff), Janet Phillips (outgoing High Sheriff), and Dr. Dewi Roberts (High Sheriff in 2007-8). 

This award was introduced in 2007 when the then High Sheriff and University Council Member, Dr. Dewi Roberts, and his late wife, Dr. Sheila Roberts, wanted to award and recognize the contribution that Bangor University students make to the local community through voluntary work. 

This year, three individual awards were awarded along with special recognition to 4 projects. The winners of the individual awards are Malaak Al Lawati, Ben Chandler, and Nicolas Perrott. All were awarded for their outstanding contributions as volunteers. Special recognition was given to 4 projects including The Hot Meals Project, Afonydd Menai, Repair Cafe, and The Healing Gardens. All of these projects have been a pivotal part of the community. 

Malaak Al Lawati, Project Leader for Sblat, our after-school kids club, has been instrumental in building enhancing project activities. She’s worked hard to collaborate with other student groups and University departments to provide educational and sports sessions for children. This includes but is not limited to martial arts, reptile handling and birdwatching sessions.  

Ben Chandler won an individual award and an award for his project, the Hot Meals Project. The project hands out 50-70 free hot meals to anyone who needs them every Saturday at Bangor City Council Hall, with the support of different volunteers and sports clubs each week. The project also works to create a safe, warm environment for people who are struggling in the cost-of-living crisis. 

Nicolas Perrott has supported a variety of volunteering activities since beginning his degree at Bangor University. He’s currently a Project Leader for Afonydd Menai, an environmental project working in partnerships with Menter Môn to protect local wildlife populations and safeguard the natural world we all enjoy in North Wales. Alongside Nicolas, the project also received special recognition. Nicolas regularly supports the Student Union’s Tea Parties, which bring students and elderly members of the local community together, bridging the intergenerational gap.  

Special recognition was also given to our student-led Repair Café project for bringing members of the community, students and staff at the university together to repair broken items, encouraging circular economy and skills sharing. A total of 49 items have been brought in so far this year. The final project to receive special recognition was The Healing Garden, which works to create a green space for our local community, students and staff to visit and enjoy at any time, with a view to supporting their well-being. The project continues to work with Dyma Ni Befriending, to facilitate gardening sessions for refugees and asylum seekers and hopes to develop a sensory garden with the support of the Student Union’s Disability Network.  

Josie Ball, Volunteering and Community Coordinator, said, “I'm incredibly proud of the volunteers and projects who've won a High Sheriff Award this year. I see first-hand how hard they work to support our local community. This award is instrumental in not only supporting and funding activities, but in providing our amazing volunteers with the recognition and encouragement they deserve. I'm grateful for the opportunity to support them in having a meaningful impact and can't wait to see what the future brings for our volunteers and projects!” 

 

The High Sheriff Awards are a highlight in the volunteering calendar every year, and it’s an honour to have the work recognised. Undeb Bangor would like to thank each one of our volunteers for their hard work and dedication, and congratulations to all the winners.