Ayrshire College nominated for Green Gown Awards
Ayrshire College has been shortlisted in two categories at this year’s Green Gown Awards.
The Green Gown Awards recognise the exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by colleges and universities throughout the UK and Ireland, and emphasise an institution’s role in enabling and empowering young people to tackle pressing global issues.
Ayrshire College has been nominated for the ‘Benefitting Society’ and ‘Student Engagement’ awards at this year’s ceremony.
Benefitting Society
The College’s HND groups for Coaching and Developing Sport have been recognised for their mental health awareness campaign and event, #PassingPositivity, which garnered celebrity support on social media from the likes of WWE wrestler Drew McIntyre, Outlander actor Steven Cree, sports broadcasters Hayley McQueen and Jim White, and the late wrestler Adrian ‘Lionheart’ McCallum.
The Sport & Fitness students’ all-day event aimed to raise awareness of the benefits that physical activity can have on a person’s mental health. The event raised £1,587.53 for the Kris Boyd Charity.
#PassingPositivity took place at the College’s Kilmarnock Campus. Kris Boyd was there to lend his support, as well as former Kilmarnock FC footballer Andy McLaren and the Scottish Football Association’s (SFA) Head of Community Development Paul McNeill – who fronted the SFA’s ‘Football Saved My Life’ campaign.
Former Kilmarnock and Scotland striker Kris Boyd said of the nomination: “I am delighted to hear about this campaign being shortlisted for such a prestigious award. Mental wellbeing is so important, but is something that can, at times, can be overlooked and neglected.
“It is great that the students and the College are being recognised for the work that they have done in terms of highlighting this cause, and bringing together so many different support groups to work collectively to try and address this issue.
“The social media campaign was a phenomenal success and is something that will continue to make a difference to so many. The message of #PassingPositivity is now 'out there' and will continue to grow, and will continue to make a difference to those who find themselves in difficult circumstances and experiencing negative thoughts.”
Student Engagement
The Sport & Fitness department at Ayrshire College is also a finalist for the Student Engagement Award. They are nominated for the Jo Love Soccer Centre – which provides free football sessions to Ayrshire girls, organised in partnership with the Scottish FA’s South West of Scotland region and Active Schools.
The sessions take place on a weekly basis at the College’s Kilmarnock Campus.
Cherryl Fulton, East Ayrshire Active Schools Co-ordinator, said of the nomination: “Since its launch in October 2018, the Soccer Centre has grown from strength to strength. Girls from different schools and differing backgrounds come together to enjoy the fun environment and get to play football. We work closely with local teams to provide a pathway for girls who want to progress from the Soccer Centre to competitive games.
“In my opinion one of the main reasons the girls keep returning is the fantastic female role models at the Soccer Centre - all the female coaches are or have been Ayrshire College students who volunteer at the Soccer Centre. Parents have commented on the excellent facilities at Ayrshire College and have said this is one of the reasons they continue bringing their child.
“One of the recent highlights for the girls from the Soccer Centre was when they got to play on the Hampden Park pitch at half-time of the Scotland v Jamaica match! And to top it all off the got to meet their idol, Jo Love, at the end of the game.”
Ayrshire College has achieved great success in the past at the Green Gown Awards.
In 2018, the College was nominated for the Next Generation Learning and Skills Award.
In 2017, Ayrshire College was nominated for the Community and Student Engagement Awards – winning the latter.
In 2016, Sport & Fitness lecturer David Dougan was shortlisted for the Staff Award, while the College was Highly Commended for the Community Award.
John McTaggart, Curriculum Manager for Sport & Fitness at Ayrshire College, said “This is a tremendous achievement for the College, but more significantly to the staff, students and community partners who have all contributed to the success of these initiatives. It is testament to the positive relationships that have been built with all partners that have allowed the students to make such a valuable and worthwhile contribution to the communities of Ayrshire and beyond. This is something and a department and college that we try and contextualise with the delivery of unit to give the students a positive learning experience, whilst gaining their qualifications and making a difference where it matters.”
12 July 2019
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