Hammersmith Student Wins Award for Overcoming Huge Challenges

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Care leaver Zaynab Sohawon with autism battled mental health issues

Award winners celebrate the recognition they have received

July 28, 2023

An undergraduate student from Hammersmith has received an award at the fifth annual Student Social Mobility Awards.

She received the ‘Improving Social Mobility Award in recognition of the way in which she defied the odds as she prepared for life after university.

Zaynab Sohawon, who is studying Neuroscience at the University of Birmingham said, after being shortlisted, “Winning the awards would enable me to further my advocacy, acting as an elevated platform to help even more autistic young people with mental health challenges. Winning the awards would enable me to be a catalyst for change and a symbol of recognition, allowing me to be a guardian of hope for others like myself”.

She is an autistic care leaver who has severe and enduring mental illness which caused her to be sectioned for 4 years as a teenager but she was always committed to her education.

Zaynab thanked Zoe Grasby, one of our young people at her charity adding, “I did not start my advocacy or charity work to receive recognition, only to make a difference. It is wonderful to have received this.”

She added that winning the award would help her to further her advocacy and support even more autistic young people with mental health challenges.

When asked about role models she named Saty Bhogal who created Birmingham's only trauma service for young people. She whistleblew and nearly lost her job, but she did it for the benefit of patients with severe mental illness.

Announced during a ceremony at London’s Mansion House, the nominees and winners were celebrated for their grit, resilience and determination to succeed.

The UK faces a persistent social mobility problem as demonstrated by the recent research from the Social Mobility Commission, which reveals that “people from professional family backgrounds are 80% more likely to enter professional jobs compared to their less-advantaged
peers”.

The Student Social Mobility Awards are organised by the social mobility charity upReach to recognise the incredible achievements of undergraduate students, organisations and individuals striving to improve social mobility across the UK. This year’s ceremony was the biggest yet, with 18 awards being handed out and over 200 attendees to celebrate the successes of young people, schools, employers and universities.

The nominated students have managed to find success despite numerous socio-economic challenges, such as limited professional networks, juggling multiple responsibilities alongside studying, reduced access to careers support and living in areas with low job prospects. 68% of
nominees were the first in their family to attend university, 60% were eligible for free school meals and 35% had caring responsibilities or were previously in care.

This year, there were over 175 undergraduate nominations, with nominees hailing from 47 different universities. An independent judging panel of 14 leading representatives across the fields of education, business, technology, and the charity sector have selected the
winners from the outstanding nominees.

Nick Bent, CEO of upReach - the charity behind the Student Social Mobility Awards said, “In the current economic climate, events like the Student Social Mobility Awards are more important than ever before. By spotlighting individuals who have, in spite of
their socio-economic background, overcome immense challenges to succeed in their chosen career path, we can provide vital role models for the next generation.

“Equally, it is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the individuals and organisations working exceptionally hard to transform social mobility across the UK.”

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