Champions in our Colleges

Join us in celebrating the hard work and dedication of support staff in further education

Champions in our colleges logo

Celebrating support staff in further education

This year’s Champions in Our Colleges took place on Friday 1 May 2026. 

Champions in Our Colleges is UNISON’s annual celebration of all support staff working in further education. 

The day is designed to recognise support staff working in further education, and to show appreciation for hard work and dedication they deliver every day.

Get involved

Find out how UNISON members can take part in Champions in Our Colleges day:

  • Get active on social media, tag us in your photos using the hashtag #ChampionsInOurColleges.
     
  • Enter UNISON’s 'Nominate a Champion' prize draw.
     
  • Set up recruitment stalls in colleges.
     
  • Email your principal to get them involved.
     
  • Write to your local newspaper to let them know you’re celebrating support staff.
     
  • Hold a coffee/cake morning for support staff.
     
  • Hand out leaflets and print posters to put up in your colleges.
     
  • Running a stall at a college, eg booking a food van to give out hot food/drinks.
     
  • Organising a social media takeover.
     

  • Organising a free prize draw.

     

2026 Champions in our Colleges winners

  • Louise Williams, Tutor (CYMRU/Wales)
  • Tom Hewitt, Digital Skills Trainer (East Midlands) – OVERALL WINNER
  • Wishes to remain anonymous (Eastern)
  • Wishes to remain anonymous (Greater London)
  • Susan Daniels, Learning Assistant (Northwest)
  • Michelle Slater, Specialist Support Practitioner (Northern)
  • Leigh Vanderstay, Support Staff (Scotland)
  • Wishes to remain anonymous (South East)
  • John Crumpler, Learning Support Worker (South West)
  • Yvonne McPherson, Programme Co-ordinator (West Midlands)
  • Victoria Clark, Chef (Yorkshire & Humberside)
“Consistently shown a deep commitment to understanding and addressing the needs of our students and staff members. Through thoughtful marketing campaigns, he ensures that our messages resonate with our audience”
Testimonials
2025 winners
“She is so supportive of all staff, very approachable, knowledgeable and never judges. She keeps an open mind and is always encouraging with how to manage things in the best possible way”
Testimonials
2025 winners
“Always puts learners first, demonstrating unwavering kindness and care in her approach. Her extensive knowledge of her role allows her to support students not just academically, but also in their social and emotional development”
Testimonials
2025 winners
“Continues to be consistent and responsible in her actions. Her ways of working where she is kind, curious, open and informative and treating colleagues, peers and putting students at the forefront of everything she does is incredible”
Testimonials
2025 winners
Group of students studying outdoors

Resources

Downloadable assets
CIOC email header CIOC Facebook graphic CIOC Instagram graphic CIOC Twitter graphic CIOC Teams background image version 1 CIOC Teams background image version 2 CIOC Email template principals CIOC email template CIOC photoboard template
White UNISON logo

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