Grŵp Llandrillo Menai’s students’ union beat the odds to win the title of FE Student Union of the Year out of all the colleges in Wales, for the second year running.

The prestigious event was held at the University of South Wales’ students’ union in Treforest, Pontypridd. Alex Rollason, National Union of Students (NUS) Wales’ deputy president, presented the award to the delight of the college group’s three student union presidents: Jacob Jones, Coleg Llandrillo; Charlotte Till, Coleg Menai; and Rabia Ali, Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor.

Also in attendance were college representatives Doti Young, Coleg Llandrillo’s higher education student union president, Sarah Wynn Griffiths, student enrichment officer; and Lisa Johnson, Coleg Llandrillo’s learner services manager.

Judges were highly impressed that the students’ union’s campaigns engaged with thousands of students across 12 campuses and 4 counties. Campaigns across the year included the Further Education Wellbeing Learner Conference, ‘Deadly Impacts’ lectures with the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, North Wales Police, Welsh Ambulance Service, and its ‘Money Matters’ campaigns which promoted budgeting, the benefits of saving regularly, and the dangers of debt.

The students’ union was also commended for all its work for its charity of the year for 2018/19, Macmillan Cancer Support, holding numerous fun events. These included head shaves, carrying a life-sized dummy on a stretcher for eight miles, an I’m a Student, Get Me Out of Here themed event, Macmillan coffee mornings, Christmas jumper days, cake stalls, Christmas fairs and football games.

The students’ union also promoted LGBT+, where it decorated all campuses with the rainbow flags, celebrated LGBT history month by sharing resources and invited local LGBT+ youth groups to attend the campuses.

The college’s student enrichment officer, Sarah Wynn Griffiths, said: “It’s been an absolute pleasure working with such enthusiastic, motivated and hardworking young people. It’s fantastic to be recognised for all our work, especially for the second year running!”

Jacob Jones, student union president for Coleg Llandrillo, said: “Winning the award meant so much to us all. It has made all of our hard work, commitment and dedication over the last year worthwhile. Thank you so much to all of the staff and students for being so engaging with us and supporting all of the projects, stalls and activities we’ve worked on this year. We’d also like to say a massive thank you to Sarah Wynn Griffiths for all of the support and guidance she had given provided us with - we couldn’t have done it without you.”