Forever Keele 19
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My years at Keele were the three
most fun and exciting years of my
life. Keele allowed me to get involved
with so many different activities,
ranging from hockey through to the
concert band. Working as a resident
support assistant, partaking in latenight
music rehearsals in the Clock
House, spending Friday afternoons
dissertation-writing (accompanied by
a pint, or two) at the KPA, and running
around the University filming content
as digital ambassador for the Keele
social media accounts, are just a few
of the many brilliant memories that I
made at Keele.
During my degree I took on five
different jobs to help me finance my
studies, two of which gave me a
competitive edge during interviews:
working as a resident support assistant
and also a digital ambassador for
Keele University’s Marketing and
Communications Department. The
first job was an eye-opener in terms of
interpersonal skills and communication.
The second was not only a lot of fun
but also gave me concrete hands-on
experience that I was able to showcase
and use later on.
If I could give any advice to students
now it would be to socialise and enjoy
yourself, but don't forget to work a
little too. Think one step ahead, start
building your network today in an
authentic and well-intended way -
your peers, friends, colleagues and
strangers can all teach you at least one
thing. Who knows, they may help you
out one day.
During my second year at Keele I
connected with a very inspirational
honorary graduate and we still write
about once a year. He is not only
inspirational but also gave me a fresh
perspective when I needed it.
If you would like
to share your news,
especially if you would
be happy to feature in a
University publication
or would like to take
part in a careers event
or initiative, please let
us know by contacting:
[email protected]
Hardship Fund Appeal 2020
Although long-established, never has
the University’s Hardship Fund seen
such a demand for help. Due directly
to the impact of Covid-19, many of
our students have suddenly found
themselves struggling to make ends
meet, having perhaps lost jobs during
both term-time and over the summer or
they have families that are now under
increased pressure financially due to
redundancy or lockdown restrictions.
Grants from this emergency fund have
been hugely appreciated and have
helped to ease anxiety and stress
amongst our student community and
their families; and it continues to
provide a much-needed temporary
lifeline, helping to alleviate some of the
desperate financial situations in which
students and their families have found
themselves.
We have been incredibly heartened by
the generosity of our alumni community
to date, and are so grateful to everyone
who has donated to this very deserving
appeal. At the time of writing we have
raised over £21,700, which is directly
going towards the emergency support
of some of our students during these
unprecedented times.
Just this amount alone has gone on
to support c.43 students, with average
“Thank you so much! I feel like a huge
weight has been lifted. I can’t explain
how much this money means. I have
lost so much sleep worrying about my
situation and this will enable me to
actually concentrate on my degree"
Quote received from a student
recipient.
pay-outs of £500 per student, but
we foresee that more support will be
needed into the new academic year as
things won’t be going ‘back to normal’
any time soon. Just 25 people giving
a one-off donation of £20 can help at
least one student navigate through
interim financial hardship and distress
and make their future brighter, by
enabling them to continue with their
studies.
Even the smallest amount when
collectively given with many other
alumni will make a huge difference to
the immediate support we can give our
student community, hopefully reaching
our target and beyond.
To give to this appeal, click here.