The sculpture Ribbons has been shortlisted for the 2025 Public Statues and Sculpture Association (PSSA) Award for Sculpture.
Created in 2023 by artist Pippa Hale and supported by city partners including Leeds City College and Leeds Arts University, Ribbons celebrates the achievements of nearly 400 inspirational women connected to Leeds.
The installation, located at the top of Leeds City College’s Quarry Hill campus, comprises five sweeping corten steel ribbons etched with the names of nominated Leeds women. Among them are Suzanne Gallagher (Quarry Hill Campus Principal) and Ann Marie Spry (Group Vice Principal at Luminate), as well as pioneering figures such as suffragist Isabella Ford, Olympic boxer Nicola Adams OBE, and Leeds West Indian Carnival founder Gertrude Paul.
Ribbons also honours the city’s unsung heroes, including Tina Suryavansi, founder of Homeless Hampers, and Rebekah Wilson, who launched the charity Zarach to tackle child poverty.
The project was initiated by Rachel Reeves MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and brought to life through a partnership led by Leeds Arts University, Leeds City Council, and community collaborators.
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At The Vine, home to our specialist Profound and Multiple Learning Disability (PMLD) provision, students recently took part in an exciting digital inclusion project exploring new ways to support communication. Using BrightSign Gloves – an innovative tool that translates sign language into speech – learners were able to experiment with technology designed specifically to break down communication barriers for deaf individuals.
The project gave students the chance to build their digital skills, confidence, and problem-solving abilities, while also deepening their understanding of how assistive technologies can transform everyday interactions. By engaging with tools that promote accessibility, learners were able to see first-hand how inclusive design can empower people and expand opportunities.
This work reflects our belief that inclusion should be embedded into every aspect of curriculum design. It’s not just about using technology – it’s about fostering awareness, independence, and respect for diverse communication needs.
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