Winner
Betty Nairuba
International Development Management MA, 2015
After studying at Westminster, Betty returned to Uganda. As Executive Director of Concern for Neighbors and Community Engagement, she works to make an impact in the lives of marginalised people in local communities.
As a child, Betty experienced first-hand how negative cultural beliefs and a lack of resources can lead to limited options for young people, particularly girls. Concern for Neighbors and Community Empowerment has the philosophy that communities know their problems better than any development worker, and also have more viable solutions.
Through the charity initiative, over 1,000 adolescent mothers have been supported to return and stay in school, and 500 disabled women and teenage mothers have been empowered economically through vocational and entrepreneurship skills training. This has enabled them to realise their potential and participate in community development.
Finalists
Jane Chelliah-Manning MBE
Law LLB, 1995
Jane Chelliah-Manning was awarded an MBE in January 2023 for her work in the Civil Service and her work as chair of Powerhouse, a charity which supports women with learning disabilities. In 2015, when Jane was appointed chair of the charity, Powerhouse was on the brink of closure. As Powerhouse is the only charity in the UK for women with learning disabilities, Jane worked tirelessly to revive it and ensure that these women could continue to have a safe space. Within three months Jane was able to put Powerhouse back on its feet so that it could continue to offer a lifeline of services for women with learning disabilities. Women are taught reading, writing and social skills through Powerhouse, and are provided with advice, support and care in a dedicated space.
John Sidebotham BEM
Transport Planning and Management MSc, 1985
John Sidebotham has designed and put in place a full-scale health, wellbeing and support structure for Network Rail. Driven by his personal experience with depression, John recognised the importance of support and space for open dialogues about mental health. During the pandemic, John used Microsoft Teams to start daily wellbeing calls which continue today. The sessions John designed cover a huge range of issues including domestic abuse, prostate cancer, neurodiversity, transgender awareness and men’s mental health. John was also able to get messaging onto special notice boards at train stations to help promote mental health campaigns and other health matters, such as World Encephalitis Day. John has worked to spread support, compassion and kindness throughout Network Rail, including in stations, to inform and help others.
Nsima Udoh
International Relations and Security MA, 2011
Nsima is a dedicated community volunteer. After the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Nsima Udoh spearheaded a collection centre for humanitarian support for those affected by the conflict. Nsima led a team of volunteers who collected and sorted thousands of products that were delivered to the Polish border for victims of the war. Nsima is also an active participant in the Basingstoke and Deane borough, where he volunteers as one of the organisers of Black History Month Basingstoke. Additionally, he organises recreational sports activities to promote physical and mental wellness, and build community in the local area. As former Chair of Basingstoke African Caribbean Catholic Association, Nsima led the group to raise funds for the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD). At the Place to be Proud of Awards 2022, Nsima won Volunteer of the Year.