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Preston’s university gives honours to two former students who have transformed social and justice sectors

Posted on - 23rd December, 2024 - 7:00pm | Author - | Posted in - Education, Lancashire Police, Preston City Centre, Proud Preston, UCLan, University campus
Helen Bingley OBE recieving her award Pic: UCLan

Earlier this month, Helen Bingley OBE was awarded an Honorary Fellowship award and Susannah Clarke KPM received an Alumni Achievement Award by the University of Central Lancashire.

Helen Bingley, who is the King’s official representative in the county for issues relating to the maintenance of law and order, is a graduate and former member of staff at UCLan.

While receiving her award, Helen thanked the University and said, “I came to this University as a student who would never achieve what I’ve achieved today without its widening access.

“I had no A levels and I couldn’t come on a full-time degree. I had to come in on a part-time degree and the University believed in me all that time ago.”

Read more: UCLan name change to University of Lancashire approved despite survey suggesting name could be confused with Lancaster University

After graduating from University, Helen initially started working in healthcare and developed a passion for access to good healthcare and education.

This led to her establishing the Abaseen Foundation over twenty years ago, which allows her to support and guide some of the poorest populations in rural North-West Pakistan.

Her tremendous work led Helen to receive an OBE in 2019 for the significant contribution she has made.

Susannah Clarke recieving her award at her former university Pic: UCLan

Similarly, Susannah Clarke also graduated from UCLan but with a BA Hons in English and Linguistics.

Following this degree, she then joined the Lancashire Constabulary and worked in numerous roles, including Detective Chief Superintendent and Head of CID for Lancashire.

After 32 years working in the police force, Susannah retired in 2022 and is currently the Director of the Lancashire Violence Network. 

Her work now consists of focusing on the underlying drivers of vulnerability of people, and collaborating on various projects in UCLan, supporting academics in their work.

In recognition of her inspiring career, Susannah was recently awarded the King’s Police Medal.

Reflecting on her career and education at UCLan, Susannah said: “Things have developed a lot at the University and I’m really grateful to be given the award because it’s given me the opportunity to reflect on everything that’s happened and also realise how lucky I was to come here in the first place.”

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