Essex scoops awards at the National Societies and Volunteering Awards

An inspirational mathematician and incredible ambassadors advocating for the students of Essex have been crowned winners in this year’s National Societies and Volunteering Awards (NSVAs).

Alfie Benson, a second year Maths student, scooped the Extra Mile Award while the Wellbeing Ambassadors claimed the Wellbeing Award during a special ceremony.

The NSVAs highlights the incredible impact of projects coordinated by VTeam – Essex Student Union’s volunteering team – plus the work of Essex SU members contributing to student societies and events.

Alfie was crowned the winner in his category for dedicating time to the Numbers Project, which supports learning in schools and aims to get more people engaged with Maths.

He has acted as Project Leader while also standing as President of the Mathematics Society.

The Wellbeing Ambassadors were meanwhile recognised for their incredible work in hosting a range of events and sessions to promote student wellbeing and mental health.

They also signpost students to a range of support services, and this year they branched into activism.

This included arranging a march of solidarity to allow students to express their thoughts on sexual violence, giving them a voice and place to share their feelings.

VP Student Experience, Kobbie Agyemang said: “We’ve had an incredible year of volunteering at Essex, and it’s been genuinely inspiring for everyone at Essex Students’ Union to see the passion of all the students who put their time and energy into running projects and supporting the many amazing voluntary initiatives we deliver.

“Our students take part in these things to create change, but it’s brilliant to receive recognition, especially at a national level.

“It was a pleasure to travel over to Reading to celebrate with all of the Essex students that were shortlisted for National Society and Volunteering Awards, and to see their voluntary work get this well-deserved recognition.”

A number of Essex volunteers and societies were also recognised on the night, being named runners-up in their respective categories.

It was an Essex one-two in the Wellbeing Award, with the Volunteering Café/ VTeam being named runners up.

The Women in Stem Society came second in the Committee Excellence Award, while The Charity Showcase Team were runners up in The Collaboration Award.

Essex also received runner-up in The Community Award category for the innovative work of The Cultural Welcome Project.

A total of 13 Essex students or societies were shortlisted in this year’s NSVAs, which is organised by Student Hubs.

You can see the full list here.