Three graduates were recognised with Alumni Achievement Awards
Three distinguished University of Central Lancashire graduates have been recognised with special awards.
Amanda Chadwick MBE, Rhianne Pope and Samuel Elliott-Black were all presented with Alumni Achievement Awards during the institution’s recent graduation ceremonies.
Society and Community winner Amanda, who graduated in 2017 with a degree in mental health nursing, was recognised for her selfless charity work and helping to make hospital admissions and major surgery a less scary time for children and young people.
The single mum-of-three daughters, from Manchester, came up with the idea of Pyjama Fairies after her youngest child was rushed into hospital with heart failure only two days after being born.
The charity, which she founded while a mature student in 2015, makes pyjamas and surgical gowns specially designed for babies and children having surgery or any other medical test where hospital clothing must be worn. Each garment is made in colourful, age-appropriate fabric and is designed to minimise discomfort when medical intervention is necessary.
"To know that people who were part of my cohort and my personal tutor have recognised the achievements that I’ve made is lovely"
— Amanda Chadwick MBE
The Eleanor Independent Hospital Director, who was nominated by the University for the most inspirational student nurse of the year, has been awarded the Prime Minister’s Point of Light Award and has recently been awarded an MBE in the New Years Honours’ List.
She said: “I feel honoured and I feel incredibly proud. To know that people who were part of my cohort and my personal tutor have recognised the achievements that I’ve made is lovely.”
Newspaper journalism postgraduate Rhianne, who completed her course in 2010, currently manages the media team at Barnardo’s, the UK’s largest children’s charity.
When she worked as a Senior Press Officer for Thames Valley Police, she received a Chief Constable's Commendation for her work in developing the Force’s response to a six-month child sexual exploitation case and subsequent serious case review.
"I absolutely loved my year that I had here at the University so I’m absolutely over the moon to receive this award"
— Rhianne Pope
Rhianne, from Chorley but now living in Oxford, has managed the British Transport Police (BTP) Press Office through some of the largest major incidents ever faced by the Force, including the Croydon tram derailment in 2016, and BTP’s responses to the terrorist attacks at Manchester Arena and London Bridge.
The mum-of-two daughters, who was recognised with a Society and Community prize for all that she’s achieved in her career so far, was also involved in planning the communications for the death of Queen Elizabeth II, as well as the Coronation of King Charles III in 2023.
She commented: “I feel very chuffed to have won an award. I absolutely loved my year that I had here at the University so I’m absolutely over the moon to receive this award.”
Art and creative winner Samuel first graduated from the University of Central Lancashire in 2014 with a degree in fashion brand management and worked in the fashion industry until he was made redundant during the first lockdown.
"I’ve worked really hard over the past few years on my business so to receive this recognition is incredible"
— Samuel Elliott-Black
Not only was he unemployed, but Samuel’s dad also unfortunately passed away around the same time. Finding himself at a career and life crossroad, Samuel returned to University and graduated with an MA Fashion and Lifestyle Promotion in 2022.
He used his experiences to launch Sam’s Naturally Handmade, a company that makes 100% natural and eco responsible multisensory wellbeing products such as wax melts, candles and teas.
The products, which have been stocked by high street retailer John Lewis, are all inspired by the five senses mindfulness technique used in cognitive behavioural therapy to manage anxiety and depression, something Sam suffered with after his dad’s passing.
The North-West Health and Wellbeing Star-Up of the Year winner was recognised for his entrepreneurship skills and forging ahead with a career change as a mature student.
He added: “I feel really happy about receiving the Alumni Achievement Award. It came completely out of the blue and was completely unexpected. I’ve worked really hard over the past few years on my business so to receive this recognition is incredible.”
