Royal Garden Party
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BSU attends Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace
Wednesday, 21 May, 2025Last week, four members of the BSU community were invited to attend a prestigious Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.
Each summer, the Sovereign hosts an average of three garden parties at Buckingham Palace and one at Holyroodhouse in Scotland, where guests are invited to meet with members of the Royal Family, enjoy tea, and explore the famous palace gardens.
Supported by the Department for Education, the party recognised and celebrated those working in education throughout the country, bringing together representatives from across educational fields nominated by a national network of sponsors.
Representatives from BSU were recognised for the positive impact they have had on their community. The party was attended by Joseph Barton, Disability Advisor (Neurodiversity Including Autism Spectrum), Peter Etchells, Research and KE Lead and Professor of Psychology and Science Communication, Melissa Mulhall, Pro-Vice Chancellor Academic Planning, and Ruby Sant, Inclusive Communities Development Officer.
For BSU’s Pro-Vice Chancellor Academic Planning, Melissa Mulhall, the occasion for recognition was the development and successful approval of the University’s new Access and Participation Plan, which outlines six integrated intervention strategies, all designed to support equality of opportunity across the student cycle.
Consistently championing inclusion and student success, Melissa described the event as a highlight of her 25-year career in education and recognised the outstanding achievements of those with whom she shared the experience. She said:
“It was such a privilege to be amongst a group of like-minded, committed and dedicated professionals who are committed to the education and skills sector and its transformative power to change and shape lives. It feels a very fitting celebratory milestone in what is my 25th year working in the higher education sector – a sector that I love working in and find thoroughly rewarding and challenging in equal measure.”
Ruby Sant was also among those picked to attend the Royal Garden Party. Heading up BSU’s Inclusive Communities unit, Ruby was recognised for the development of the innovative new creation space in Radstock.
Nominated by the local authority, the initiative has built a strong, supportive community of artists and makers, offering free access to creative courses, ranging from welding to music, alongside childcare and support for those not typically engaged in further education.
Ruby said:
“It felt good to be recognised and to know that the work we are doing is meaningful at a national level.”
Disability Advisor, Joseph Barton, was nominated for commitment to accessibility and student support. Discussing his perspective on the event, he said:
“Everyone had a different story of why they were there, with the shared thread of having made a difference. I think that can be said of everyone in education, that the work we do can and should be celebrated.”