Student Volunteer Award shortlist for Zoe’s mental health work

A Goldsmiths, University of London student’s commitment to helping her peers improve their mental health has been recognised by the National Union of Students’ annual Student Volunteer of the Year awards.

Zoe Webber is one of five UK students shortlisted by judges out of nearly 100 entrants the prize, which will be awarded during Student Volunteering Week on 22 February.

Zoe is President of RE:mind mental health society, a Students’ Union society supported by Goldsmiths’ Student, Alumni & Library Services. She is also the co-founder of the Dedicated Listeners project, a non-judgemental peer-support listening service for Goldsmiths students.

RE:mind is an innovative student led society focused on promoting open conversation about mental health. They run events for Goldsmiths students on a weekly basis, from mindfulness meditation to group chats, talks and arts events, such as dance therapy.

By raising awareness and removing stigma, the group’s aim is to encourage everyone to think about their mental health in the same way they would their physical health.

The society was founded by Irma Allen in September 2013 and went on to win the ‘Best New Society’ award at Goldsmiths later that academic year, and ‘Best Society’ in 2014. The society is currently led by Zoe Webber and Hope Trimmer. In 2015 they received funding from the university’s Annual Fund to publish a creative writing magazine, run by fellow student Orla Price.

Zoe describes the newly launched Dedicated Listeners service as “offering an ear to listen, a free cuppa tea, and a couple of biscuits in a safe, non judgmental and confidential space”. Zoe and her volunteers explain that they are “basically students going through stuff too who understand how important it is to really be heard and understood when things get tough and to not feel we are going it alone” – but they are also professionally trained in offering support.

Dr Katarina Lezova, Gold Award Coordinator, Goldsmiths Careers Service, says: “Working with Zoe while she was doing the Gold Award I was impressed by the time and effort she dedicated to improving the mental health and wellbeing of others.

“Through encouraging people to talk about mental health her volunteering has clearly had a considerable impact on the wellbeing of other students. She fully deserves to be among the final five for the Student Volunteer of the Year Award and I wish her good luck in the final stage!”

The NUS Student Volunteer of the Year award is an annual celebration of the diverse spectrum of volunteering initiatives undertaken by UK students. Nearly 100 nominations were submitted from colleges, universities, volunteering projects, charities and national organisations.

Student Volunteering Week runs from 22-28 February. Find out more at www.studentvolunteeringweek.org