Three members of the Society for Education and Training (SET) were among those recognised at the inaugural Good for Me Good for FE awards this week. Launched in September, and sponsored by NCFE, these awards recognise the fundraising and volunteering activity of staff, students and projects across the Further Education and Skills sector.
The wider Good for Me Good for FE campaign launched in 2021 to support staff and student volunteering and community fundraising efforts. The campaign was set up by Dr Sam Parrett CBE (Group Principal of London South East Colleges and Education and Training Foundation (ETF) trustee), Jo Maher (Principal of Loughborough College), and Stuart Rimmer MBE (Principal of East Coast College). The campaign has generated an estimated £4 million in social value since then.
In the first year of awards recognising this work, categories included student/staff volunteer of the year, fundraiser of the year, social impact award, and outstanding service/lifelong commitment to volunteering. The panel of judges included ETF CEO, Dr Katerina Kolyva, and ETF trustee Dame Sally Dicketts.
In an online ceremony attended by nearly 200 people, highly commended nominees and winners across nine categories were announced. Three SET members were among those recognised: Penny Taylor, Head of Newark Campuses at Lincoln College Group and a member of ETF’s Practitioner Advisory Group; Jesse Jackson, Curriculum Manager at Loughborough College; and Darren Creed, also a Curriculum Manager at Loughborough College.
Penny was the winner of the Staff Volunteer of the Year award for her work in setting up a foodbank at her college’s campuses and leading on a wide range of social action activities. Jesse was Highly Commended in the Fundraiser of the Year category after leading a team of six staff members in a 106km trek around the Isle of Wight to raise over £2000 for three local charities. Darren was one of three finalists in the Special Recognition category, celebrated for his fundraising achievements following his diagnosis of polycystic kidney disease.
All winners and the three Special Recognition finalists have been invited to an in-person celebratory event at the House of Lords in December, hosted by Rt Hon Baroness Nicky Morgan. The Special Recognition award winner will be announced at the event and winners from all categories will receive certificates and prizes.
Dr Katerina Kolyva said: “These awards demonstrate the wonderful range of impactful work taking place across our sector and beyond. It was a privilege to judge the Charity Partner of the Year category, and it was great to see SET members represented among those who were honoured across the nine categories. Congratulations to all involved for their admirable dedication and commitment to their communities, and thank you to Sam Parrett, Jo Maher and Stuart Rimmer for spearheading the Good for Me Good for FE campaign. I look forward to seeing the campaign and these awards inspire further voluntary and fundraising action across our sector.”