Student ambassadors recognised for their contribution to student voice

Three Open University students have been recognised for their significant contributions to student voice and wellbeing, successfully gaining the SEDA Student Partnership Impact Award.

Nichola Connolly, Charon Gates and Imogen Goulden, Student Ambassadors within the School of Education, Childhood, Youth and Sport (ECYS), received the SEDA (Staff and Educational Development Association) Student Partnership Impact Award for the impact they have had as part of the ECYS Student Voice and Wellbeing group. The group features staff and students working in partnership to strengthen student voice and facilitate opportunities for empowering students, which ensure student voice is heard, listened to and acted upon. They aim to promote positive wellbeing through opportunities to amplify the prominence and value of student voice.

This award, created by SEDA in conjunction with Jisc, is an international recognition of students who have had an impact on their Universities relating to Educational Development, through either formal or informal opportunities.

Nichola reflected on the team award: “I was honoured and privileged to receive a SEDA Award. It was great to get the recognition for our hard work and the impact that myself and the other Student Ambassadors have made.”

Sarah Mander, Staff Tutor and Student Voice and Wellbeing lead in ECYS, praised the team, saying: “I was delighted to support this student-staff partnership award application. I lead the Student Voice and Wellbeing group and have observed Nichola, Charon and Imogen’s confidence grow and their skills increase as they have contributed to the School’s activities. They collaborate effectively as a team, are excellent role models, and can be relied upon to ‘get the job done’. They are a pleasure to work with.”

Nichola, Charon and Imogen have presented at conferences within and external to the university to raise awareness of the Student Voice and Wellbeing group’s work and recently co-authored a paper for the Widening Participation in Lifelong Learning journal, published in Spring 2024, which examines their work within student voice.

They have been instrumental in the introduction of Neurodiversity Cafes, an online informal space for neurodivergent students to meet and interact with others, discussing strategies for dealing with the challenges neurodivergence can present whilst studying.

Nichola, Charon, Imogen and their fellow student ambassadors led on the co-creation of a bi-lingual student wellbeing induction handbook.  The handbook includes poems, stories and activities created by students, based around the five ways to wellbeing; connect, give, be active, keep learning and take notice. This handbook is available to students across the OU.

Through the group, the student ambassadors have participated in staff recruitment, and supported the development of learning and assessment material by contributing the student perspective.

They co-chair monthly meetings which celebrate and reflect on projects completed and identify future projects.

Dr Kate Breeze, Associate Head of School, Students and Nations commented:

“It is wonderful that the huge amount of time and commitment that Nicola, Charon and Imogen each bring to their various roles in the School, Faculty and University have been recognised in this way.  Their impact and leadership are outstanding. Many congratulations to them all. Additionally, our thanks go to Sarah Adams and Dr Jim Lusted, ECYS student voice champions, who supported them through the application process.”

Read more about the Student Voice and Wellbeing group.

Watch the video below to find out more about the Student Voice and Wellbeing group.