Ahead of the annual telephone campaign to raise donations for the Ignite Fund, we spoke with past student callers about their experience reaching out to Westminster alumni.

The Ignite Fund is available to all Westminster students and provides funding for projects aimed at improving employability and professional development.

Westminster student Valerio applied to be a student caller in 2023, to connect with alumni and hear their stories. As a recipient of the Ignite Fund himself, he also wanted to give back to the community by helping raise money for other students:

“I have received funding from the Ignite Fund myself and wanted other people in similar situations to mine to be able to benefit from it as much as I did.”

Talking to alumni has been a positive and formative experience for Valerio, especially as it enabled him to hear how past graduates have navigated life after university:

“By reaching out to former students, I was able to hear their experiences, gain valuable career advice, and establish a sense of rapport. I gained a deeper understanding of how alumni have navigated their careers post-graduation, and many shared wisdom and insights that were both inspiring and practical.”

Valerio tells us that being a student caller is also a great chance to develop new skills, such as communication and interpersonal skills:

“Participating in this fundraising required very strong communication and interpersonal skills, especially understanding and connecting with the alumni. I became more confident in presenting the importance of the Ignite Fund, honing my ability to adapt conversations and convey messages effectively.”

Valerio’s experience as a student caller influenced his perspective on giving back to the University, inspiring him to see the importance of supporting current students:

“Seeing how the donations help students develop their skills, launch projects, and achieve their dreams, really opened my eyes to the importance of giving back. It highlights how alumni contributions can directly empower future generations to succeed.”

The experience was also rewarding for our student caller Tazmin, who shared her enriching conversations with alumni:

“The campaign allowed me to meet a variety of alumni from different journeys and have meaningful conversations. Each alumnus had different experiences and taught me something.”

A major takeaway from Tazmin’s participation in the campaign is the value of working collaboratively:

“With regular goals, check-ins and a supportive team I enjoyed showing up to work. This experience taught me the importance of supporting each other in work environments.”

As a current student, Tazmin was able to appreciate the impact of alumni donations on students’ lives:

“I was able to see the importance of how the alumni support helped current students succeed. I felt thankful that alumni were passionate about their support and making our dreams and goals a reality.”

All student callers’ invaluable work has greatly influenced the student experience for all Ignite Fund recipients. Thanks to alumni donations, Westminster students are able to reach their full potential.

The annual telephone campaign will take place from 27 October to 17 November 2024 and we’ll be reaching out to alumni like you to support the Ignite Fund. Since 2016, this fund has empowered almost 800 Westminster students, including 122 this year alone.

If you want to learn more about the Ignite Fund and supporting the University of Westminster, please visit: https://www.donate.westminster.ac.uk/appeal/ignitefund