Student Impact Awards finalists announced

We’re delighted that Team UOP RAG Officer Ben Green has been announced as a finalist for the Volunteering Impact Award. Our Climbing Club have been announced as finalists for the Student Achievement Impact Award.

The University of Portsmouth Student Impact Awards recognise the achievements of our students and their contributions to our city, the wider region and worldwide. Our students and alumni make countless positive contributions to society every year and these awards, organised by the University and the Students’ Union, are just one way for us to celebrate them.

Ben Green, our finalist in the Volunteering Impact Award, is our Team UOP Raising and Giving (RAG) Officer. Ben is also President of the Squash Club. 

As RAG Officer, Ben is responsible for being a student voice and supporting us in having an impact on the student experience. Ben coordinates and delivers the RAG activities for student sports clubs across all 34 clubs.

Charities and Campaigns Ben has supported: 

• Movember
• British Heart Foundation
• Reverse Advent Calendar
• Sporting Minds mental health
• LGBT History Month
• Plus many more

In the RAG Officer role in 2023-24 Ben helped Team UOP raise £40,000 for local and national charities. Ben has raised £38,000 so far this year with more fundraising activities still to come. Ben supported Team UOP clubs in coordinating and delivering 66 fundraising events.

As President of the Squash Club, Ben is a leader for his club and has grown the club. Recruiting more male and female members has meant there have been more competitive opportunities for students. Ben has also ensured that social sessions take place to encourage more participation in the sport he loves. Ben’s passion for developing sport, giving students a positive experience and fundraising is infectious. 

The Climbing Club prides itself on being inclusive and welcoming, creating a safe space for any level of climber. This year has seen the student-led club committee make positive changes to enhance their student experience offer. The club have built relationships with staff working together to develop the offer students have for indoor climbing. This academic year also introduced a new outdoor trip to give variety and different experiences for students. The dedication the club puts into their inclusive environment goes above and beyond expectations, ensuring they know their members and work to support reasonable adjustments for members. 

In 2022-23 and 2023-24, the club were experiencing a decline in membership numbers and struggled to align to Sport and Recreation. The current committee have worked tirelessly to change this. The 2024-25 committee focused on prioritising relationships with Sport and Recreation, working closely with the Climbing Development Officer and Sports Experience Team. This led to a committee workforce that has developed into great leaders. The committee attended leadership training, attended club development meetings and communicated effectively with staff. 

The club focused on embedding itself into the Team UOP community. The club’s engagement with Team UOP campaigns such as Movember, Swim 4 Seals and Reverse Advent Calendar raised over £1,500 in semester 1. For Movember, the club climbed Everest with 1,609 climbs across 18 sports clubs, raising £788.56 for charity. A prime example of the improvement in networking and relationship skills from the committee.

Team UOP Climbing’s committee epitomises how they can improve the student experience. With commitment, relationship building, fundraising and inclusivity at the heart of what they do. The club have had a huge impact on many students this year, and they represent the University with pride and positivity.