24 exceptional teams and individuals from colleges across the country have been announced as finalists in the Good for Me Good for FE Awards 2025.
The announcement was made at the AoC Annual Conference in Birmingham this morning, by AoC Chief Executive, David Hughes, and Group Principal and CEO of London South East Colleges, Dr Sam Parrett CBE.
The awards, in their third year are sponsored by NCFE, FE Associates and The Skills Network – with FE Week as a media partner. They recognise and celebrate the outstanding fundraising and volunteering efforts of staff and students across the country, generating significant social value within their communities.
The judging panel comprises esteemed experts from across FE and the wider education sector – including: Shelagh Legrave; Professor Jo Maher; Dame Sally Dicketts DBE; Dr Katerina Kolyva; David Hughes CBE; David Gallagher; Phil Packer MBE; Lesley Davies CBE; and the awards Patron, Rt Hon Baroness Nicky Morgan.
There are eight award categories, each with three finalists, reflecting the diverse social action activities being undertaken. The judges noted the extremely high standard of entries with decisions being very difficult to make – with the finalists as follows:
- Individual Fundraiser of the Year: This category celebrates individuals who have demonstrated remarkable dedication to fundraising efforts. Finalists are: James Shields (Loughborough College Group); Robert Smith (Dudley College of Technology); Loui Frost (Cheshire College South and West)
- Team/College Fundraiser of the Year: Recognising collaborative fundraising achievements. Finalists are: Waltham Forest College; City College Plymouth; Queen Mary’s College
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Student Volunteer of the Year: This award celebrates students who have gone above and beyond in volunteering. Finalists are: Autumn Barker (North Hertfordshire College); Olivia Cook (Lincoln College); Sultan Arel (East Coast College)
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Staff Volunteer of the Year: Honouring FE staff members for their significant volunteer contributions. Finalists are: Emma Shipstone (Nottingham College); Lewis O'Callaghan (MidKent College); Lisa Whait (Loughborough College Group)
- Volunteering Project of the Year: This category recognises impactful projects dedicated to mental health and wellbeing. Finalists are: Clair Firth (Leeds City College); Rebecca Myrie (Milton Keynes College); Autonomy Project (Sunderland College)
- Volunteering Accreditation Excellence Award: This category recognises colleges that demonstrated excellence in delivering the Change Maker qualification pilot. Finalists are: Nottingham College; USP College; MidKent College
- Inspirational Role Model of the Year: This category honours individuals who show outstanding leadership and commitment to social change. Finalists are: Emma Shipstone (Nottingham College); Kerry Amos (USP College); Danny Lee (Loughborough College Group)
- Outstanding Long Service Award for Volunteering: This award recognises dedication to volunteer service over time. Finalists are: Frances Fahy (SGS College); Lisa Humphries (Chichester College); Ric Holmes (East Coast College)
The finalists will be invited to a special ceremony at the House of Lords on 5 December 2025, hosted by The Rt Hon Baroness Nicky Morgan, where winners will be announced.
Announcing the shortlist on stage at the AoC Annual Conference, David Hughes CBE and Dr Sam Parrett CBE congratulated finalists, saying:
“We are delighted to reveal the shortlist for the Good for Me Good for FE Awards 2025. The independent judging panel noted that the standard of entries was extremely high, reflecting the inspirational social action that is taking place at colleges across the country.
“These amazing individuals and teams not only give their time to help others, they represent everything that the FE sector stands for: deeply embedded in their communities, with colleges acting as true anchor institutions.
“Thank you to our judges and our sponsors; we are extremely grateful for their involvement. And of course, thank you to everyone who has taken the time to nominate someone for these awards.
“We are very much looking forward to revealing the winners at the House of Lords on 5 December and celebrating the many exceptional teams and individuals who make our colleges so very special.”
In addition to the announcement of the finalists, the new Good for Me Good for FE Changemaker digital qualifications were also revealed at the conference.
These will be available to all colleges, enabling them to formally recognise and reward students’ volunteering activities. The new qualifications will help showcase the employability skills students gain through contributing to their communities.