Green Gown Awards 2019 - Sam Gibbons, Keele University - Finalist

I have shown over the past year how a student union officer can be a campaigner, lobbyer whilst also working with the institution to create a more sustainable campus and world.  

Many of the student-led schemes I helped run as a student have now become institutionalised whilst as an officer ensuring their funding and future running, including The Great Donate, Student Eats and the food coop within the zero-waste shop.  

From helping students with campaigns, to running and organising the city-wide youth strikes, setting up the Extinction Rebellion Stoke I left a legacy of environmental work that has left the campus and local area a more sustainable place than when I arrived. 

Top 3 learnings:

• Find your allies, work with them, use existing networks and create new ones. 
• Broaden out your appeal to get as many engaged as possible. 
• Don’t stand back and wait for others to do it.