The annual Making a Difference Awards took place on Thursday 11 May in the University’s Whitworth Hall.

Over 200 guests enjoyed seeing winners and highly commended entrants receiving their awards from Lemn Sissay the University’s Chancellor.

The Awards covered nine different categories, including: Inspiring Communities, Outstanding Contribution to Research; Outstanding Public Engagement Initiative, Outstanding Contribution to Widening Participation and Outstanding Teaching Innovation, with all of the winners highlighting the significant difference they are making to the social and environmental wellbeing of our communities and wider society.

There was a huge amount of interest this year, with the Awards receiving over 130 entries, making the judges’ jobs very difficult. In addition to the 18 winners, 31 projects also received the accolade of highly commended. In addition, a special award was presented to the Sustainability Challenge and the Equity and Merit Scholarship programme was also celebrated through a special presentation given by some of the current scholars.

Professor James Thompson, Associate Vice-President for Social Responsibility said: “The Awards are a wonderful opportunity to recognise and celebrate the inspiring activities in which our dedicated staff, students, alumni and partners are involved. They provide the perfect opportunity to highlight the impact our colleagues and students are having, locally, nationally and across the world.”

Details of all the winners and highly commended can be found on the social responsibility website and short films about each of our winners are available on the social responsibility YouTube channel.