Degree honour for deputy mayor and charity founder

Alison Lowe and Jack Woodhams will receive honorary degrees

A regional deputy mayor and the founder of a men's mental health charity are to receive honorary degrees from York St John University.

Alison Lowe, West Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, has worked in politics as well as the voluntary sector, focusing on areas including mental health and domestic violence.

She will be awarded a Doctor of the University in November along with Jack Woodhams, co-founder of York support groups Menfulness and Yorkey Dads.

Vice Chancellor Prof Karen Bryan said she was "delighted" to recognise the honourees for their "inspirational work" across the region.

More than 2,900 students are due to graduate in eight ceremonies between 18 and 21 November.

Mr Woodhams will receive his honorary degree on 18 November, and Ms Lowe will be presented with hers two days later.

A spokesperson for the university said Ms Lowe had been "championing social justice for the communities she has served for over 30 years".

This included working as a Labour councillor, chairing the Leeds Domestic Violence Forum and serving as the chief executive for mental health charity Touchstone.

'Massive milestone'

Mr Woodhams, former students' union president, had "devoted his career to challenging stigma" around men's mental health, the spokesperson said.

Menfulness, which achieved charitable status in 2023, has now supported more than 500 men to access counselling and has received NHS funding to establish itself in Scarborough.

"It's a massive milestone for me, one that feels both exciting and so surreal," Mr Woodhams said on social media.

"I've been incredibly lucky to be surrounded by good people, doing good things simply because it's the right thing to do and it's those people who've helped make this possible."

Prof Bryan said the York St John graduation ceremonies were "a truly memorable occasion".

"Seeing our students graduate is one of the most rewarding moments of the year," she added.

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