What are the Activities Awards?

Throughout the year, Societies and Volunteering Groups make the University of York campus thrive with opportunities. Within these groups, students learn to master a hobby, socialise over a shared interest, or work hard to make the community at York a better place. The Activities Awards is our end-of-year celebration where York SU Societies and Volunteering Groups can win awards, and recognise the extraordinary work of our groups! 

If your Society or Volunteering Group has done something worth shouting about, or if you'd like to nominate another group for an award, please complete our nomination form! 

The Timeline

Wednesday 19 March, 12:00 (midday): Nominations open

Wednesday 9 April, 12:00 (midday): Nominations close
w/c 21 April: Nominations shortlisting panel  

w/c 28 April: Nominations judging panel
Sunday 11 May, evening (time TBC): Activities Awards at the Roger Kirk Centre/ The Lounge! 

The Awards

There are 8 awards up for grabs this year! 

Please nominate yourself, your group, or others by filling out this form! You can submit nominations for numerous awards, but please fill the form out separately for each nomination/ award. 

Be aware that we shortlist and judge based on the quality of nominations over quantity of nominations! 

Browse this page to view the criteria and descriptions for every award category before you get nominating!

New Student Group of the Year 

What is this award? 

This award recognises a new Society or Volunteering Project who have had a particularly successful first year. This group has added value and made a difference to the student experience and activities community since being ratified. This award is for groups who have ratified or been adopted within the last 12 months! 

Nomination information

Nominations could outline how this group has:

• grown in membership;

• displayed effective operational running;

• organised impressive events, collaborations;

• worked to reach new audiences, overcome barriers or other factors! 

Student Group of the Year

What is this award? 

This award celebrates the most successful Society or Volunteering Project throughout this academic year. We are looking for a group who have particularly excelled across numerous areas of their activity, and set a brilliant example in how they run on an operational level. 

Nomination information

Nominations could evidence:

• the implementation of new projects/plans; 

• exciting events; 

• an impressive commitment to inclusivity; 

• effective communication;

•  positive collaborations; 

• a great team ethos within committee; 

• high engagement and attendance from members/students; 

• the quality of experience for participants; 

• the development opportunities for their members; 

• and other achievements!

Outstanding Contribution to Societies at York 

What is this award? 

This award celebrates an individual who has gone above and beyond in their commitment and work for Societies, both within this academic year and during their time in York as a whole.

Nomination information

 Nominations should outline how the individual has made a constantly positive and effective impact in supporting, improving, managing, and contributing to the Society/Societies that they have been a part of.

Outstanding Contribution to Volunteering Projects at York 

What is this award?

This award celebrates an individual who has gone above and beyond in their commitment and work for Volunteering Projects, both within this academic year and during their time in York as a whole. 

Nomination information

Nominations should outline the individual’s constantly positive and effective impact in supporting, improving, managing, and contributing to the activities of the Volunteering Project(s) that they have been a part of. 

Event of the Year

What is this award?

This award recognises a Society or Volunteering Project who has delivered a particularly outstanding event this academic year. We are looking for an event of any scale that has gone above and beyond the group's usual activity, and had a significantly positive effect on all who were involved. Events where multiple groups collaborated in the planning and delivery of the event will also be considered. 

Nomination information

Nominations should outline the aims, scope, outcomes, and any other details of the event, as well as how this success was achieved. Specifics and any evidence linked are encouraged! 

Committee of the Year

What is this award?

This award recognises the hard work and dedication of a Committee who have really excelled during this academic year. This Committee have displayed strong leadership, impressive teamwork, used efficient methods or good communication to run their group effectively. 

Nominations information

Nominations could include how the Committee has overcome barriers, created new plans, solved problems, worked collaboratively, to manage the Society’s various endeavour’s successfully and consistently. 

Fundraiser of the Year 

What is this award?

This award celebrates a particularly impactful and successful fundraising campaign or event run by a student group. We are looking for a fundraising endeavour of any scale that has had a very positive effect on the intended cause (an external charity or otherwise) and those from the student community involved.

Nomination information

 Nominations should outline the actions taken to create as well as maintain or run the campaign or event, and the results achieved from this, such as the amount fundraised or impact on the community.

Inclusivity Award

What is this award?

This award recognises a Society or Volunteering Group who has worked proactively and effectively to ensure that they are open to and provide equal opportunities to everyone this academic year. We are looking for a Society or Volunteering Group who has set an example across all areas of inclusivity and community involvement. This student group have successfully welcomed a diverse range of individuals into their activity, demonstrating a firm and continuous commitment to making them feel comfortable with being involved.  

Nomination information

Nominations should outline actions taken to break down barriers for underrepresented groups (such as BAME, LGBTQ+, working class, disabled, postgraduate, international. commuting etc. students) and how this group has provided a safe space that incorporates/promotes all identities, preferences (like non-drinking). The nominations should also provide the results from these actions. 

Sustainability Award

What is this award?

This award recognises a Student Group who has shown impressive dedication to sustainability this academic year. We are looking to hear how the student group has made a consistent effort to care for the environment or for social sustainability causes throughout their activities and work. 

Nomination information

Nominations should outline actions taken to raise awareness or instigate change; and the impacts/results of these moves in addressing environmental or social sustainability.

Collaboration Award

What is this award?

This award recognises a Society or Volunteering Group who has shown impressive commitment to collaboration with other groups this academic year. We are looking for examples of collaboration (whether throughout the year or as a one off event) that showcases a commitment to community development and student networking. 

Nomination information

Nominations should outline the aims, scope, outcomes, and any other details of the collaboration, as well as how this success was achieved. Groups might like to note why they embarked on a particular collaboration and how it contributed to a community atmosphere for students.

Shortlisting 

The shortlisting panel will consist of:

• the current Societies and Volunteering Committees;

• the Activities Development Coordinator;

• the Student Citizenship and Employability Development Coordinator;

• the Activities Officer; 

• the Union Development Officer. 

Judging

Keep an eye on this page to find out about our judges for this year!

 Nominations will be checked to ensure they are in the correct category. The judges will be given the criteria above and will use this to decide the winners. They may choose to award a Highly Commended prize in some or all categories.

Tips for Sending a Great Nomination

• Make sure that your nomination is written clearly and concisely.

• Use the criteria listed in the award descriptions to tell us why your nomination deserves this award!

• Include a mixture of important figures and feedback about this group within your nomination. This will fully reflect the impact that this group has had on student life or the wider community at York.

• If you are able to, include different forms of evidence to show off your nomination’s successes! Evidence for your nomination could include videos, screenshots, photographs taken throughout the year.

• Make sure that your nomination is not over 500 words. You want to be detailed, but being straight to the point is the key. We want to know why your nomination deserves this award, and what they have done to achieve this.