As part of SocialWork 2000's continued support of social work students, we were asked by the University of Bedfordshire, Bedford site, to sponsor a prize that would recognise students achievements throughout the year. Aside from their academic achievements, this award was established to commend those who have been seen to go that extra mile in terms of their support to others, their motivation and their commitment to learning.

Nominations were received and after some deliberation, winners and runners up were chosen from a panel made up of university lecturers and practising professionals from the field of social work.

On Friday 29th June, we were invited to the prize giving ceremony held at the Polhill Campus. This coincided nicely with the end of term and gave the staff and students the chance to say thank you and bid fond farewell to social work tutor Andrew Sedgwick who was retiring.

Nominations were read out for all 3 years and prizes were presented by Vicki Shortt from our Milton Keynes office.

The winners were genuinely surprised, and pleased to have won. Each one received a £100 voucher for Ticketmaster that can be used to purchase theatre/sporting event/Uk attraction tickets.

The winners were:

Year 1:  Joanne Marks - "because of her support to others, her level of motivation to learning and the recognition that, despite personal difficulties, she continues to give 100% to the course.

Year 2: Christine Phillips - "because of the exceptional commitment she gives to her studies, her support of other students and her positive attitude to learning."

Year 3: Tracey Kibble - "because she had undertaken work in supporting others that was above and beyond what a student is required to do."

The runners up were:

Year 1: May Ames, Kit Chand and Tina Marks
Year 2: Donna Dennis and Makhan Mann
Year 3: Farhana Akthar

We received several emails of thanks and hope the winners have been able to put their prizes to good use.

Joanne Marks said that she hoped to take her children to see Mamma Mia. We hope to follow this up with Joanne and ask her to write a piece for our next newsletter about their experience.

Tracey Kibble emailed us to say 'Thank you very much to SocialWork 2000 for my award and the Ticketmaster experience that accompanied it. I have yet to decide what my experience shall be as I'm caught between a music concert, which is fairly typical of me, and taking a break from jumping around the front row to sitting quietly and watching a ballet!'

SocialWork 2000 are delighted to continue to support the University of Bedfordshire to recognise its students achievements. Therefore we look forward to another student awards ceremony next year.

We would also like to wish Andrew Sedgwick all the very best for his retirement.