6
Keele Key Fund
The Keele Key Fund enables a range of innovative student-led projects which have a positive impact on the student community at Keele .
Thanks to the generosity of alumni , more than £ 345,000 has supported 98 projects since the fund was launched in 2007 . Here are just some of the projects completed in 2022 .
Chocolate , Law and Dinosaurs
‘ Chocolate , Law and Dinosaurs ’ is a podcast developed in collaboration with second year Law students ; it brings a unique blend of topical discussion and humour to the Keele community through a new medium .
“ The Keele Key Fund allowed us to buy all the equipment necessary to record , store and edit the podcast , and without the funding the project would not have been possible . Our aim is to use the platform to engage with questions around student experience and the challenges of university , but also offer reassurance and gentle guidance , creating a space for students to relax and learn at the same time .”
“ The students involved in these first podcasts will be involved in recruiting and training new student partners , to ensure the sustainability of the podcast . Longer term , the hope is to be able to build a forum and a website to both host all the podcasts and encourage listeners to engage in supportive conversations and receive effective signposting to sources of support .”
Michael Fay , Senior Lecturer in Law
‘ Chocolate , Law and Dinosaurs ’ is available for you to listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts .
Emergency maintenance equipment for Bikers of Keele
There are students on campus who rely on scooters and motorbikes for their transport , and a number of these join the Bikers of Keele Society each year . The Bikers of Keele ‘ Emergency Maintenance Equipment ’ project was organised to enable students who own motorcycles to temporarily remedy any basic maintenance issues when things go wrong .
Through the Key Fund , the Bikers of Keele Society is grateful to now be able to offer the basic equipment required to plug punctures , recharge and recondition motorbike batteries , and inflate tyres . The society can now also offer some of the tools required for general maintenance , in the form of a universal socket set and paddock stands for elevating the bike off the ground . Almost all of the kit purchased is reusable and will solve the most common issues that bikers on campus face .
“ The successful outcome of the grant was well received by our members , and they feel that the equipment would not only benefit current members but would also aid and entice other bikers to join the club . Whilst we hope we will never need it ; it is comforting to know that the emergency maintenance kit is available for the new academic year .”
Bikers of Keele
New music folders for the Keele Philharmonic Ensembles
Keele Philharmonic Ensembles ( KPE ) includes a wide range of students , staff and alumni from across the university . KPE rehearse weekly throughout termtime and perform 2-3 concerts per year which take place in the University Chapel , showcasing the work within the orchestra .
47 black leather , gold-lettered music folders were purchased for the orchestra and choir . The folders are a long-term investment and are now protecting expensive music sheets from loss or damage and maintaining the formality and professionalism of the orchestra .
Although folders may seem a small investment , KPE emphasised how vital these are for keeping their resources organised , and for the orchestra ’ s overall reputation .