University honours a truly inspiring leader
02 May 2019
WATCH: How our Alumni Volunteer of the Year faced bouts of malaria and violent political protests to deliver 350 hours of workshops to over 4,400 Togolese young people – and more
Our alumni winner for the Volunteer of the Year Award, Natalie Cheung has used her strong and inspiring leadership skills to make an impact in Zambia, Togo and Britain, including back here on campus.
Natalie led a team of Togo YMCA volunteers through bouts of malaria and violent political protests to deliver 350 hours of workshops to over 4,400 Togolese young people.
The charity said that without Natalie’s enthusiasm, patience and selfless support, the team would not have delivered their wide variety of programmes. She gave every volunteer the encouragement and environment to thrive and contribute their best.
Now celebrating its 175th anniversary, it has named her YMCA England and Wales Young Leader of the Year 2018.
Natalie, who graduated with a BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering in 2015, is working as STEM Ambassador Coordinator for STEM Learning. She works at the non-profit organisation to manage volunteers and break down stereotypes about engineers and scientists and has been described as a “catalyst”, bringing innovative new ideas and change.
She also sits on multiple engineering committees in a commitment to promoting the construction and engineering industries as career opportunities for young people, mentors a student in our Manchester Gold programme and continues to volunteer for a variety of causes.
Here you can watch her story: