Queen Mary’s College has proudly returned from the prestigious ceremony at the House of Lords with two major national honours from the Association of Colleges (AOC ) Good For Me Good For FE Awards; Team Fundraiser of the Year and Overall Winner.
These awards recognise the College’s exceptional Social Action Project, a transformative three-day challenge undertaken by all first year students, which this year raised an extraordinary £30,693 for charities across the UK.
A Social Action Project That Builds Real World Skills
QMC Social Action is designed to give students the soft skills most valued by universities, apprenticeship providers and employers. Over three days students work in teams to design, plan and deliver a fundraising or community project from scratch. The initiative demands communication, teamwork, creativity, resilience and strong problem solving, skills that are essential for young people to develop.
This year’s student led activities included an Ironman triathlon, a 120 mile sponsored walk, a skydiving challenge, a game show style live event, esports tournaments and community support work such as painting a mural for a local primary school.
Why QMC Was Recognised Nationally
The double award win highlights the exceptional quality of students’ work and the professional standard of the projects they delivered. Charities across the region publicly celebrated their achievements, from Step by Step to the Teenage Cancer Trust and the FutureSense Foundation.
One team organised IkeFest, a major event at Basingstoke Rugby Club raising more than £3,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust in honour of their friend and fellow student Ike.
Victoria Renault, Director of Learning: Admissions, Progression & Engagement said “This award is a celebration of what happens when you trust young people and give them real opportunities. During Social Action Week, our students did not just meet expectations, they shattered them. In three days they raised nearly £31,000 for charities that matter deeply to them. What makes this achievement so powerful is that it proves a simple truth: when you have faith in young people, when you empower them and let them lead, they achieve phenomenal things. They show creativity, resilience and compassion that inspires us all. To our students: this award is yours, and it reminds us that the future is bright because of you.”
Principal Mark Henderson highlighted the link between the students’ skills and the national recognition: “The national recognition we received is entirely down to the exceptional skills our students demonstrated, supported by the dedication and guidance of our staff. Their ability to organise large scale activity, collaborate effectively and create meaningful impact in just a few days shows the confidence and capability developed here at Queen Mary’s College. These awards are a direct reflection of the hard work, talent and teamwork of everyone involved and I could not be prouder.”
A Programme That Sets Students Apart
QMC Social Action has quickly become one of the College’s distinctive strengths. It gives young people the chance to lead real projects with real responsibility, building independence, confidence and motivation that carry far beyond the classroom.
While the funds raised this year will support dozens of charities, the biggest impact is seen in the students themselves. Their professionalism, resilience and creativity are the reason Queen Mary’s College has now been recognised on the national stage, and why the College will continue to invest in this ambitious initiative.
This blog contains information about the student projects, causes and success during the 2025 Social Action Project. Read More>>
