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Be the Change is Teesside University's workplace giving scheme, designed to support the fantastic work of a wide range of charities and community groups in the Tees Valley.

Through employees' monthly salary donations, the University can provide grants of up to £500, four times a year, to selected organisations to offer additional support. The University is match-funding donations and kickstarted the scheme with an initial £5,000. Staff who sign up to donate the pennies from their salary can nominate organisations for support. Rachael Barker, Head of Alumni Engagement and Stakeholder Development, said: 'The Be the Change scheme is another way that the University gives back to the local community. We are very proud of our team, whose donations are helping to change lives across the Tees Valley.'

kickstarted the scheme with an initial £5,000. Staff who sign up to donate the pennies from their salary can nominate organisations for support.

Rachael Barker, Head of Alumni Engagement and Stakeholder Development, said: ‘The Be the Change scheme is another way that the University gives back to the local community. We are very proud of our team, whose donations are helping to change lives across the Tees Valley.’

Nite Light CIC social enterprise, based in central Middlesbrough, supports the most vulnerable people in the community and has also received £500 through the scheme. Set up in 2020, Nite Light CIC aims to help improve the quality of life for those in need, providing hygiene bags and meal cards to support people who are homeless or facing financial difficulty.

It's been another busy year for Teesside University, with our staff, students and alumni once again making headlines across the globe. Here are some of the highlights you may have seen in the news...

Dr Gillian Taylor appeared on BBC 2's Countryfile to discuss the work being carried out by her research team to preserve a historical, archaeological site threatened by climate change.

Dr Lisa Baldini shared expert insight into research behind microplastics for The Independent as a study revealed they were found in operating theatres.

Sports and exercise academics Dr Jonathan Taylor and Dr Michael Graham wrote for The Conversation about the benefits of being a ‘weekend warrior’ when there is limited time available for workouts throughout the week. The article was reshared by The i.

Nutrition and public health expert Professor Amelia Lake was interviewed by Susanna Reid and Ed Balls on ITV breakfast show Good Morning Britain about young people's consumption of energy drinks.

Potential health risks associated with adopting a raw vegan diet, popular among celebrities, were highlighted by Dr Laura Brown. Her comments were originally shared by The Conversation and featured in The New York Post and Mail on Sunday.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s visit to Teesside University’s National Horizons Centre was highlighted by BBC World News, ITV News, The Times, The Guardian and The Independent as well as in a number of international publications.

Creative writing academic Lucy Burns was shortlisted as one of the four best young writers today in the 2022 Sunday Times Charlotte Aitken Young Writer of the Year award category.

Much-loved therapy dog Brengle was awarded an honorary ‘dogtorate’ by Teesside University in recognition of his work supporting mental health and wellbeing. The news was highlighted nationally by BBC News, ITV News and the Daily Mirror, as well as being shared extensively on social media.

Since opening in 1998, it has grown into a team of around 100 volunteers, who assist with riding lessons each week. They rely entirely on fundraising and donations to subsidise the cost of riding lessons.

The Times was among the national publications highlighting England football superstar and Teesside University graduate Beth Mead's success after being named Sports Personality of the Year.

Teesside University academic Denise Dye was awarded with the prestigious title of Queen's Nurse, BBC News and ITV News reported. Dr Lisa Baldini shared expert insight into research behind microplastics for The Independent as a study revealed they were found in operating theatres.

Dr Pippa Oldfield featured in a BBC World Service broadcast in which she shared her expertise on war photographers.

Tourism expert Beverley Boden commented on the popularity of holiday destination Center Parcs in a piece for The Independent as well as later reports from The Sun and the Daily Mail.

School of Health & Life Sciences Dean Professor Tim Thompson offered insight into the NHS long-term workforce plan as it marked its 75th anniversary on BBC Radio 5.

The award of an honorary degree to renowned architect and television presenter George Clarke, who was involved with the original design of Teesside University's library, was highlighted by BBC News.

International Business School academic Dr Mansoor Soomro commented on how extreme temperatures including heat waves impact working arrangements in a report by BBC News.

The Unicorn Centre in Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough, which provides horse-riding therapy for disabled adults and children, was one of the first organisations to benefit from the scheme, with a total of 11 charities each receiving £500 in the first round of donations.

Fashion academic Lynne Hugill discussed the latest workwear trends which are seeing professionals turn to less formal clothing with BBC News.

Dr Christopher Massey considered how we can apply what we have learned from the General Strike of 1926 to managing railway strikes today in a piece published by MSN News and The i.