Kingston University alumni share their expertise and raise vital funds for our Inspire the Future Campaign
Posted Thursday 30 May 2024
More than 1,400 Kingston University alumni picked up their phones this spring to chat with students on our Inspire the Future campaign. If you were one of them - thank you.
Our team of 28 enthusiastic student callers, studying a range of courses from law and creative writing to computer science and artificial intelligence, reached out to alumni to share updates about the University, seek advice and raise vital funds.
Kingston alumni donors gave new gifts and recommitted their support. One group of alumni donors match-funded all new donations, together delivering over £87,000 to support students through our Hardship Fund, KU Cares programme, postgraduate scholarships and Opportunities Fund. We cannot thank you enough for your generosity and support.
Law student Nneka, who joined this year's Inspire the Future campaign, found her experience incredibly rewarding. "I know students who really struggle financially, so knowing that the University has a service that will help them continue with their degrees and enjoy their time at university as well, it's really important."
At Kingston University, we take pride in being a top ten Social Mobility University. With 30% of Kingston students having a household income below £25K, we understand that some of our students can be disproportionately affected by financial difficulties. That's why the Hardship Fund provides one-off support to help Kingston students in financial need to ensure their studies stay on course. Often, the sums of money needed are relatively small, but the impact on the student is huge.
Nursing student Portiah is a beneficiary of the Hardship Fund.
Nursing student Portiah is one of the students who has been helped to continue her studies. "As a single mum, I knew it would be challenging, but I thought I would be able to survive with NHS shifts and my student loan. However, unlike other degrees I couldn't work full-time during the summer because I have placement.
"To make ends meet I cut my kids' after-school activities and scaled back my food shopping. I also supplemented my student loans with my credit card, thinking it'll all be worth it. When I got the Student Support Grant, I was able to buy good food and saved some money to help me through the summer, when I don't get any student finance. Without the support of the Hardship Fund, I would be hugely stressed and in far greater debt."
Thank you to all those who supported our students through the Inspire the Future campaign. We appreciate you sharing your valuable time to talk to our student callers. Illustration and animation student Matilda shared: "Alumni who pick up the phone have typically been very kind and open with me. I've had really lovely conversations with our alumni about how their degrees continue to affect their lives and made me consider some things about my own work."
If this has inspired you to join other alumni and support even more students by giving, please find out more about how to donate.
There are lots of ways you can offer your expertise to Kingston students to create brighter futures. From mentoring and guest talks to profiling your career, hundreds of Kingston alumni get involved every year as an Alumni Champion. To register your interest please visit our website.
