The event is an evening dedicated to honouring the achievements of students, community partners, and Inspiring Success participants throughout the year.
Professor Jo Tacchi, Associate Dean of Teaching and Professor of Media and Creative Industries said: “Community is a huge part of the experience here at Loughborough University London. The event really captured the energy we have here on campus. It was wonderful to be able to celebrate together the achievements of students and our community partners.”
At the heart of the awards event were the celebration of local charities and community organisations that have been supported with funding from Loughborough University’s London Open Fund. The Open Fund supports local organisations that enrich the social, educational, cultural and physical wellbeing of people living close to the London campus, and this year 11 organisations were provided with awards of up to £1,000.
One of the awardees, Charlotte Pearson - who co-founded AS1 with parent carer Keisha McInnis, a group enabling families of children with disabilities or special educational needs to meet and share experiences - said: “The Loughborough University London Open Fund has been brilliant for us. It is the first funding we have ever received for our group and a real recognition of the work we are doing.”
The evening also celebrated students’ participation in a variety of different activities including:
Personal Best London
Personal Best London is Loughborough University London’s extracurricular personal and professional development award. Students complete the award alongside their studies, and it requires them to evidence their development across three sections of the award: Reflection and Action, Skills, and Experience. Students must evidence 15 hours of activity for each section throughout their studies. Finally, students must submit a reflective report which demonstrates their commitment to their development during their time at Loughborough University London.
Digital Skills Programme
The Digital Skills Programme offers students the opportunity to gain critical digital skills through extracurricular workshops. They then test these skills by completing a 30-hour work-insight project. Projects are hosted by external organisations ranging from start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), charities and not-for-profits. Students work to address a digital project brief with the organisation which gives them the opportunity to gain experience, grow their network and include this experience on their CV.
Dan Robinson, Project Manager for the Future Space team said: “Enabling students to gain real experience whilst studying is a huge part of our success here at Loughborough University London. This year saw record numbers of students achieving Personal Best London awards, which is a real testament to the hard work and resilience of this year’s group.”
Inspiring Success Programme
The Inspiring Success Programme is a two-part initiative designed to support talented graduates from the campus’ surrounding boroughs: Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest. The event saw Inspiring Success workshop attendees celebrate the completion of the workshop series and receive certificates.
We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all attendees at the Community Celebration event and our students for all their achievements over the last year.