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27 Oct 2009 08:51:26
There was a five-star showing from aspiring social work students at the annual Celebrating Excellence Awards in Luton.
Arranged in partnership with Luton Borough Council and now in its fifth year, the event recognises people providing and supporting social care services for adults, older people, children, young people and families.
The awards give residents the opportunity to thank employees working in the borough council’s Housing and Community Living, and Children and Learning departments for their outstanding work.
Awards are also presented to service users and carers, individual social work degree students at the University and sixth form students as part of a ‘gifted and talented’ initiative with the University.
Professor Michael Preston-Shoot, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, presented all of the University’s awards. They included honorary lectureships to two borough council employees - Mike Dolan and Simon Ashley - in recognition of their contribution to improving the quality of services.
There were a total of 127 nominations this year, including 25 council teams, four service user/carer groups, six individual carers, and 11 young people, as well as five University students.
The University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Les Ebdon CBE, said: “We are fortunate to be in a town where so many staff and students give such excellent service. I want to congratulate and thank all those people and especially the successful nominees.”
The winners were announced at a presentation evening recently at the Chaul End Centre in Dunstable Road, Luton.
The five winners from the Applied Social Studies department at the University, who were all nominated by their academic staff, were:
Beverley Jones (BSc Social Work), nominated by Courtney Jones for Endurance.
Courtney described Beverley as a “strong woman who will make an even stronger social worker”.
She said: “Beverley has travelled a long hard road to get to a successful end to her first year on the undergraduate programme. She initially lost her place on the programme but on regaining it she has evidenced her learning and clearly demonstrated her commitment to being a reflective social worker.
“She has dealt with her own problems with studying and equally is always supportive to her fellow students.
“The changes Beverley has made in her presentation and approach to the programme are a shining example of the ability to grow at this University in both professional and academic terms.”
Jane Barron (MSc Social Work), nominated by Richard Pitcairn for Excellence in Placement Practice.
Richard said: “Jane’s enthusiasm for her work, coupled with her intelligent, ethical and professional approach, is highly regarded by everyone who has known her at the University.
“She will be a great asset to the social work profession. Her work on placement was excellent and she produced a portfolio which will be used as an example for other students in the future.”
Hyacinthe Uwimana (ASS), nominated by Alex De Mont and Sue Malherbe for Endurance.
Alex and Sue said: “Hyacinthe has shown tremendous endurance and stamina in progressing on the extended degree in Applied Social Studies and has now reached the second year on the honours.
“She hails from an international background that could have had an overwhelming impact on her ambition to achieve her degree but has soldiered on.”
Michael Newton (studying Criminology), nominated by Alex De Mont and Sue Malherbe for Representing Students Award.
Alex and Sue again said: “Michael has been one of the best student reps. He has undertaken this role avidly over the past two years.
“He always makes himself available to all students and colleagues. Michael gives valuable input at field committees and still manages to get his academic work done.”
Sarah Torr, nominated by Alex De Mont and Sue Malherbe for being the Best Student of the Year.
Alex and Sue also said: “Sarah has achieved first-class results in her units at level two of the Child and Adolescent Studies undergraduate degree course in 2008-09 and has shown a real ability across a range of subjects and study skills.
“She has excellent prospects ahead and is a credit to herself and the University.”
There was also recognition for nine students from Samuel Whitbread Community College in Clifton involved in the ‘gifted and talented’ initiative with the University.
Eleanor Coster, Andrew Crocombe, Jake Talbot, Zak Talbot, Matt Jarvis, Sarah Hardy, Matthew Smith, Steve Moules and Thomas Fletcher were involved through the joint working partnership between the University and Samuel Whitbread.
All of them had been committed to the project on a voluntary nature in addition to their school work and had engaged in a demanding process of continued study, learning and personal development.
Latest news» 2009» October» Excellence of social work students rewarded
