Why nominate yourself for the Outstanding PLUS Awards? – from past winners and honourable mentions

Posted on by Careers Service

The Outstanding PLUS Awards (OPA) are open to all Bristol PLUS Award achievers. It offers an opportunity to gain invaluable articulation skills and reflect further on your achievements, leaving you with a sense of pride.

To be eligible, you must be a 2023-24 PLUS Award achiever and nominate yourself by 12 noon Monday 25 March.

Have you gone above and beyond in your PLUS Award experiences?

Explain how you created real change or impact by nominating yourself in one of eight categories:

  • Better World
  • Change Maker
  • Civic Superstar
  • Diverse Partnerships
  • Everyday Hero
  • Innovation
  • Resilience
  • Wellbeing Champion

Your PLUS Award activity can be at any level or scale, and we encourage a wide range of activities in our nominations. The OPA is a sought-after Award, with only eight winners every year – one from each category.

Hear from our cohort of 2022–23 OPA winners and honourable mentions to discover if the OPA is for you, and how it could benefit your future.

Debby Olowu – Resilience Honourable Mention

Peer Navigator at Off the Record

“Just go for it, you’ve already done the hard part by completing the Bristol PLUS Award.”

Remember: “It’s subjective, it is really easy to compare yourself to other people (…) but everyone shows different things in different ways, and (your experience) is just as good.”

Charlotte Harman – Everyday Hero Winner

Community engagement of Archaeological and Heritage education

“Aim high, tap into your unlimited potential!”


“The reflective report element (of the Bristol PLUS Award) opened my eyes to how much I had achieved. It made me recognise all the things I had been doing without taking stock of.”

Harry Lui – Resilience Honourable Mention

Head Hunter Consultant

“My experience as part of the PLUS Award pushed me out of my comfort zone, helping me overcome my shyness, improving my communication skills and my future career paths.”


“(The OPA) is a great memory, only eight people achieve it – and if you get shortlisted you get a free lunch!”

Tamryn Nicol – Wellbeing Champion Winner

Social care administrator and Legs for Africa Fundraiser

“It was a fun challenge to set for myself, as well as something that would look good on my CV!”


“You gain so many valuable skills, and (the OPA) gives you the chance to further reflect on these skills.”

Nako Abdullah – Better World Winner

Red Rebel Day Ambassador and Period Equity Advocate

“To all students out there, I strongly encourage you to apply for the OPA. It doesn’t only recognise the important work you are doing in the community, but most importantly it helps you reflect on your experience and accomplishments. I think this is a key aspect for your personal growth and development.”


“Do not hesitate, do apply – and share your awesome work with others!”

Ready to take the next step with your PLUS Award?

  • The OPA is only open to 2023-24 PLUS Award achievers. All sections of your PLUS Award have to be submitted and approved by our team before you have access to your OPA nomination form.
  • Submit your remaining forms in your PLUS Award evidence log and achieve your PLUS Award today!
  • OPA nomination deadline: 12 noon Monday 25 March.

Plan your nomination

  • Read our OPA guide and consider the category that resonates with your experience.
  • Read about past winners and honourable mentions through our OPA blog series.
  • We welcome and encourage a wide range of activities, from those with a large impact to wider society, to those with a close personal impact.
  • The OPA is about encouraging you to articulate your skills, and increase your self-empowerment. We are looking for your ability to meet the brief of your chosen category, so invest some time to plan your nomination and understand the brief of your chosen category.