Champions for Change is designed to provide you with the opportunity to influence change for the student population, such as leadership roles, Student Partner Intern roles, SU research roles, student staff and ambassadors. You'll learn to make the world a better place through social awareness, active allyship, the consciousness of the individual impact on society, critical thinking, and in-depth analysis of local and global communities.
You will need to complete one Champions for Change role to count towards achieving the Stellify Award - take a look at the eligble roles below:
The role is a supportive one in the Teaching, Learning and Students Team and is part of a large group of current students (UG/PGT) and PGR and PhD candidates that support the teaching, learning and student support activities in the Library. This can include supporting our workshops and sessions for My Learning Essentials, working on projects around widening access and outreach and writing blogs, analysing data and more.
Contact: Kathryn Miller - kathryn.miller@manchester.ac.uk (the role is advertised on Career Connect)
Careers Students Interns support students in 1-1 appointments giving them feedback on their CV, application form, cover letter, personal statement or LinkedIn profile. Full training is given. Interns also work with Careers staff on a wide range of projects to improve and promote the services that the Careers Service provides.
The internships run September-June. The post is open to returning University of Manchester students at all levels, PGTs can apply if they graduated from a degree from The University Manchester and have a CareerConnect account at the time of application.
All information regarding the role requirments and application process can be found via Career Connect in early August. All training wil take place in September.
Student Partners are current students paid to work in equal partnership with University staff on projects that aim to support the student experience. Student Partners are trained to work with staff on projects across the University, focusing on a range of themes and delivering tasks such as student consultation, data analysis, and report writing.
Contact: the Student Partnership Team (studentpartnership@manchester.ac.uk). All opportunities are advertised via CareerConnect.
From February to July each year, the Manchester Calling Campaign matches international offer-holders of UoM with current international students from their country or region for an informative telephone call about their next steps. Our student callers use their own personal experience to help offer-holders find answers to any questions they may have about life and study at Manchester. Eloise Baker eloise.baker@manchester.ac.uk / Chris Gibson christopher.gibson-3@manchester.ac.uk
(Recruitment for this role will normally take place from October onwards)
Work opportunities include working with prospective UG and PG students at University Open Days, campus tours, UCAS fairs, higher education conventions in secondary schools and community outreach schemes. Please contact ambassadors@manchester.ac.uk
(Recruitment for this role will normally take place from October onwards)
The University of Manchester’s fundraising programme raises crucial funds to support projects including life-changing student scholarships and world-leading research. You will raise money to support these life-changing projects at the University and engage with our alumni and friends on the phone. As well as asking alumni for their support through a donation, you’ll also answer any questions they may have and keep our database records up to date.
Contact: lucy.hobson@manchester.ac.uk (the role is advertised on Career Connect)
Recruitment Period: October/November
Please contact dependent on school:
School of Arts, Languages and Cultures – salcambassadors@manchester.ac.uk
School of Social Sciences – sossambassadors@manchester.ac.uk
School of Environment, Education and Development – seedambassadors@manchester.ac.uk
Alliance Manchester Business School – ambsambassadors@manchester.ac.uk
As a Student Rep, you are the link between students and the University on all things course related. You'll listen to students' thoughts and ideas about their course, and feed this back to your School.
What do I need to do?
What training do I need to complete?
You will need to attend a face-to-face training session within your school or programme. Online training is currently being developed so get in touch if you're interested.
Find out more about the role of a Student Rep
Business creation and development MCEL60032
This unit provides you with case study experience of the processes and activities involved in developing a new venture at the start-up or early stage of development. You will work in groups with a real-life client business, conducting analysis on the business owner, the internal operations of the venture as well as the venture’s external business environment. Using the outcomes of this analysis, you will develop a set of strategies and recommendations for progressing the development of the firm. The unit will help develop applied skills, testing your academic knowledge and technical skills in a consultancy-style client relationship, with specific focus on business analysis and business planning.
Formative assessment: Individual critical reflection outline; Interim group presentation
Summative assessment: Individual critical reflection - 60%; Group business report - 40%
Shaping ideas for the market MCEL60021/60022
This unit provides a detailed examination of one of the primary steps in the entrepreneurial process: identifying an opportunity and subsequently developing a business model. Entrepreneurs must learn how to build and leverage their networks to gain information from potential suppliers, partners, and customers. Throughout this unit, students will learn about various methods for obtaining market intelligence and how to analyse and interpret that research to identify, evaluate, and refine valuable opportunities. The ultimate goal is to develop a viable business model that indicates how value will be created for whom, how it will be delivered, and how value will be captured by stakeholders.
Formative assessment: Individual PowerPoint slides
Summative assessment: Individual report part 1, 1600 words (40%); Individual report part 2, 2400 words (60%)
Essential risk management for business MCEL63402
This unit takes a holistic approach to risk management in business and provides practical tools for managing risk, with a strong emphasis on effective risk communication methodology. Our practical tools include the use of a visual tool (BowTie) that makes risk understandable to all stakeholders, and software by CGE Risk Management Solutions that provides a state-of-the-art risk management solution. Rest assured that this unit will equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills to confidently manage risk in any business setting.
Formative assessment: Summary report
Summative assessment: Individual report - 60%; Individual presentation - 40%
Developing enterprising individuals MCEL60142
Ever thought about why people become entrepreneurs? Or if you could become one yourself? Being an entrepreneur is tough, physically and emotionally. This unit will show you how successful entrepreneurs use motivation and selfreflection to improve their decision-making skills and enhance their personal and venture’s performance. You’ll study case studies and personal development tools, models, and theories of entrepreneurship to develop your own entrepreneurial skills.
Formative assessment: Small set of PowerPoint slides related to assignment topic
Summative assessment: Structured report - 50%; Self-development plan - 50%
Running a society comes with its fair share of responsibilities and you're bound to learn so many things during your experience of managing a student group.
What do I need to do?
Find out more about the role of a Students’ Union Club or Society Committee Member.
At Manchester every halls of residence has a Hall Exec Team. These are made of up students who live in the Hall and are either Student Voice Reps or Events Reps who represent other students or organise social events for their halls such as summer balls, quizzes, BBQs and more.
What do I need to do?
What training do I need to complete?
Attendance at an essential annual role specific training event or workshop organised through the Students' Union to suit the requirements of the position.
Whether it is by being an UoM Sport club committee member, a Sporticipate session leader or a Campus Sport league coordinator, our sporting workforce is the beating heart of our activities.
What do I need to do?
Your hours will be verified towards 'Champions for change' by the Sport club captain/chair or the appropriate Sport staff member depending on the nature of the task being logged.
What training do I need to complete?
You need to attend an essential annual role specific training event or workshop to suit the requirements of the position, as well as an induction in the use of the SVS system.
Find out more about the role of an UoM Sports Leader.
Contact: sportsvolunteer@manchester.ac.uk
Sustainability Champions are students who take on an additional role promoting awareness of sustainability issues amongst their student peers to encourage environmental action. You’ll work with staff to raise awareness of opportunities to engage with sustainability across the University and Manchester.
What do I need to do?
As a Sustainability Champion you will:
What training do I need to complete?
There will be an initial briefing session to outline the University’s approach to environmental sustainability and your role. You’ll be invited to further training as required, for example on running events, social media, zero carbon, and 6R. You’ll be supported throughout the year by the Environmental Sustainability Team intern.
Find out more about becoming a Sustainability Champion
Contact: es@manchester.ac.uk
What do I need to do?
As a SALC Employability Champion you will:
What training do I need to complete?
You will particiapte in training sessions to develop the skills required.
Contact: Maria-Ruth.Morello@manchester.ac.uk
As an Employability Champion within Mathematics you will be a student influencer on employability issues. You will ensure the student voice is represented in the Department to help your fellow students gain a competitive edge for the future.
What do I need to do?
Take a lead role in the planning and delivery of careers activities for University of Manchester students by sharing experience and promoting activities and events to other students in your department. You must also do at least one of the following:
What training do I need to complete?
You will participate in training sessions to develop the skills required.
Contact: Marianne.johnson@manchester.ac.uk
THIS ROLE IS CURRENTLY BEING RESTED AND ISN'T AVAILABLE IN 2023/24. IT WILL BE BACK NEXT YEAR.
International 12 is a unique project that brings together a diverse group of 12 students from 12 countries. The students are selected through informal interviews at the beginning of each academic year. If selected, you will be part of a unique cultural and educational experience.
This project aims to bring people together to learn about each other’s culture as well as learning life lessons along the way.
What do I need to do?
As a member of international 12 you will be responsible for:
What training do I need to complete?
You will complete training which is relevant to the specific role.
Contact: info@internationalsociety.org.uk
As a Students' Union Project Leader you lead a group of fellow students within one of the students' Union community projects. This includes Student Action and Access All Areas.
What do I need to do?
As a Project Leader you will be responsible for:
What training do I need to complete?
You will complete training which is relevant to the specific role.
Contact: volunteering.su@manchester.ac.uk
As a Student Rep, you are the link between students and the University on all things course related. You'll listen to students' thoughts and ideas about their course, and feed this back to your School.
This project aims to bring people together to learn about each other’s culture as well as learning life lessons along the way.
What do I need to do?
You must do two of the following:
What training do I need to complete?
You willneed to attend a face-to-face training session within your School or programme. Online training is currently being developed so get in touch if you're interested.
Find out more about the role of a student rep.
Contact: StudentReps@manchester.ac.uk
THIS ROLE IS CURRENTLY BEING RESTED AND ISN'T AVAILABLE IN 2023/24. IT WILL BE BACK NEXT YEAR.
As a Student Wellbeing Champion, you'll boost engagement and awareness of the 'Six Ways to Wellbeing' in your School/Hall of Residence and across the university.
What do I need to do?
As a Student Wellbeing Champion, you will be required to:
Complete at least one core activity per semester. These core activities include:
Your activities will be logged and veified by the Student Support Team.
What training do I need to complete?
You’ll be trained in the University’s approach to positive wellbeing (Six Ways to Wellbeing), and the campaigns the University has planned across the year. You’ll also be trained in planning and running events, and in marketing and promoting them as part of the monthly meetings, with input from specialist teams. You’ll be supported throughout the year by the Student Support and Wellbeing graduate interns.
Find out more about becoming a Student Wellbeing Champion.
Contact: studentwellbeingchampions@gmail.com
Volunteering Champions are students who take on an additional role promoting community volunteering to other students in their subject area. As a Volunteering Champion, you’ll be a point of contact for students in your subject who want to find out about volunteering opportunities. You’ll work with staff to raise awareness of upcoming volunteering events and activities across campus, sharing your enthusiasm for community volunteering with others!
What do I need to do?
As a Volunteering Champion you will:
What training do I need to complete?
There will be an initial briefing session and then on-going networking sessions (two sessions per semester), where you can share ideas and best practice with other Volunteering Champions.
Find out more about the role of a Volunteering Champion.
Contact: volunteers@manchester.ac.uk
Heart Heroes are trained to deliver basic life support training to other students. This includes CPR, choking remediation, use of an AED and the recovery position.
No prior knowledge of basic life support is required as full training will be given to instructors on how to perform each of the skills required, and how to train others in the same skills.
The activity is student-facing and therefore counts towards Step up and Lead rather than Make a Difference which is community based volunteering.
What do I need to do?
As a minimum requirement you need to complete the Instructor training package (2 sessions) and co-lead at least 3 Heart Heroes training sessions during the academic year.
What training do I need to complete?
You will need to complete the Instructor training package.
Find out more by emailing Heart Heroes.
Contact: heartheroes@manchester.ac.uk
University of Manchester Physics Outreach (UMPO) is a student-led outreach group whose volunteers promote physics and astronomy to a wide range of public audiences. Every Wednesday in term-time they visit local primary and secondary schools to deliver physics workshops developed by the students themselves. The volunteers also deliver ‘science busking’ and tabletop demos for families and the public at science festivals, musical festivals, and in venues that include museums, shopping centres, markets and city spaces.
Committee members contribute to running the group and planning and arranging activities which counts towards 'Step up and Lead.' Student volunteers delivering outreach activity as part of UMPO can count their hours towards 'Make a Difference' Volunteering hours.
What do I need to do?
Student leaders are members of the UMPO committee and work as a team over 1-2 years to deliver a programme of activities including:
What training do I need to complete?
The committee have instituted peer training and a six-month overlap period so that new committee members can work with the person they will be replacing.
Find out more about the UMPO Leadership position.
Contact: umpo@manchester.ac.uk
As a Moving on Group (MOG) Facilitator you will be providing a consistent, supportive environment to other students to share difficulties and explore them in the presence of peers with the aim to support attendees to find new ways forward. You can remain in the Moving on Group Leader role for 2 or even 3 consecutive years if you choose to.
Recruitment to this role is only via engagement with the Counselling and Mental Health Service. Facilitators will be service users of the Counselling and Mental Health Service and have attended therapeutic groups, been an active member of the Moving on Group, before pursuing the role of facilitator.
What do I need to do?
As a Moving on Group Facilitator you will:
Every group has a designated member of staff from the Counselling and Mental Health Service available to them to debrief and be a source of contact.
What training do I need to complete?
All MOG facilitators (with the exception of the LGBTQ+) will have attended one of the service’s Therapy Groups before registering their interest in becoming a facilitator. All facilitators will have been supported in some way by the Counselling and Mental Health Service. You then need to be trained by either the Moving on Group Co-ordinator or the Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS services as a Peer Support group Facilitator. Training will be provided to you.
Contact: shanelle.mcintyre@manchester.ac.uk
THIS ROLE IS CURRENTLY BEING RESTED AND ISN'T AVAILABLE IN 2023/24. IT WILL BE BACK NEXT YEAR.
As an Entrepreneurship Champion, you will be a link between students on campus to the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre's (MEC) entrepreneurial activities. The aim of this role is for students who have a passion for learning and understanding entrepreneurship, will use their knowledge and connections to encourage students to develop their own entrepreneurial skills.
Entrepreneurship Champions are also a first point of contact for students looking to start their own businesses and wanting University support throughout their journey. Entrepreneurship Champion's activities and planned programmes are left up to their imagination to allow for innovative and creative events to be broadcasted. These could look like a workshop series or a networking social to encourage people to work on a project plan together.
What do I need to do?
AAs an Entrepreneurship Champion you will:
What training do I need to complete?
You will need to be trained by the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre as an Entrepreneurship Champion through an interactive online module hosted on Blackboard and then a hands-on in-person training session.
Find out more about becoming an Entrpreneurship Champion.
Contact: entrepreneurship@manchester.ac.uk
This online unit will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to address the SDGs. It presents the concept of sustainable development and explains the basis of partnership working that underpins the SDG approach. Each SDG is explored through its own module, drawing on cutting-edge research carried out by world-leading experts across the University of Manchester, together with input from external experts and international policy-makers and practitioners.
Assessment:
Take part in a series of consultation activities. Across the University and Students’ Union there are regular opportunities to voice your views to help influence a range of student experience issues. Sign up to a range of activities from the list below, completing no less than 15 hours of activity across the different opportunities.
Contribute at a Faculty Forum
Air your views at a focus group
To make your activities count towards ‘Champions for Change’ you need to sign up to a range of activities and then ensure you have an email confirmation or similar from each event you attend as evidence of your participation.
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