The University of Salford is a National Special Award Winner 2020

Green Impact is one of the Students Organising for Sustainability United Kingdom (SOS-UK) flagship change programmes that has the goal to work towards a more positive future.

The University received the award for its ‘Green Plan It Challenge’, delivered in collaboration with the Royal Horticulture Society (RHS) and chosen as the winner from 45 organisations that are involved in the programme.

The winning initiative saw Year 8 and 9 pupils from 12 local schools being mentored by colleagues and students at the University in partnership with the RHS, encouraging them to think about the environmental challenges facing green spaces.

Dr Michael Hardman, Senior Lecturer at the University who was involved in the programme said: “We are delighted to be winners of the 2020 Community Action National Green Impact Awards. This demonstrates our commitment as a University in driving sustainability practices, working with key partners and doing what we can to engage with the community to improve knowledge on the steps we can take, however small, that make a difference to our environment. 

“Working with local schools is part of our civic responsibility. Myself and my colleagues really did enjoy working with the young students, getting them to rethink the role of green spaces. We have a long-standing relationship with the RHS and The Green Plan It Challenge is one of the many exciting initiatives we have been involved in prior to the much-anticipated RHS Garden Bridgewater, which is due to open in 2021.”

Find out more about Green Impact and the award-winning sustainable programmes they help deliver.