Thanks to the generous support of alumni and friends, a portion of the money raised through the Alumni and Friends Fund is made available to support one-off projects across the University. Students, societies, and staff are invited to submit applications for funding to support projects to enhance the student experience.
In total, seven projects received a total of £17,954 from the Alumni and Friends Fund Grant last academic year. You can read about some of the projects below:
Coping with COVID Podcast
The Coping with COVID podcast was initiated as part of the University-wide response to COVID-19. The podcast provides students with practical ways to look after their mental well-being during the pandemic and features interviews with experts, providing practical evidence-based advice and signposting to support and resources. The podcast has proven to be a popular resource for students, with more than 2,400 downloads so far. The podcast team were awarded the Grant to support with web hosting and training so that the podcast can continue to be available for students in the months to come. You can listen to the podcast here.
“Thank you so much to everyone who has donated to the Alumni and Friends Fund. This funding will enable the “Coping with COVID” podcast to continue providing students with practical ways to look after their mental wellbeing during the pandemic. With this support we will be able to record more interviews with medical, nursing and AHP students, giving an insight into the challenges they have faced and the valuable contribution they have made to patient care. We are excited to see how the podcast will continue to grow and reach a wider audience with your help. Thank you for your generosity!” - Dr Helen West & Dr Suzi Gage, Lecturers in Psychology and Podcast Hosts
The Formby Footprints Project
The Photogrammetry Team received funding to purchase 3 cameras which would allow them to carry out a new method of photogrammetry which is COVID-19 safe. Much of the team’s former museum and lab-based work has been disrupted due to the pandemic, and outdoor photogrammetry activities provide an opportunity for the team to continue their important research.
The Formby project is expected to start in early 2021. The project will provide a clear student-driven research focus for the team’s activities and allow the team to gain valuable first-hand experience of research activities, while also providing a much-needed team activity in a time when remote working and isolation is having a real impact on student morale.
The Team were fortunate to receive funding from the Alumni and Friends Fund in 2019, which allowed them to expand their activities by purchasing additional camera equipment and in turn allowing more members to join.
“We cannot thank enough the Alumni and Friends donors and supporters (and coordination team) for your continued interest and support in the Photogrammetry Teams activities and development. Your support has been instrumental in the establishment of the Photogrammetry Team, which has directly contributed to the educational, and professional development of all members of the team as well as the impact the university has had on the field of photogrammetry in digital heritage.” - Dr Ardern Hulme-Beaman, Leverhulme Early Career Research Fellow in the Department of Archeology, Classics and Egyptology
Other projects in receipt of the Alumni and Friends Fund Grant include:
- The Liverpool Vet Rugby Team received funding for new training equipment
- The University of Liverpool Biodiversity Action Group were awarded funding to build the first wildlife pond on campus
- The Department of Archaeology, Classics and Egyptology received funding to kickstart the development of the experimental archaeology centre at the University’s Botanic Gardens at Ness
- The Department of Irish Studies and English were awarded funding to run the ‘Whose History?’ pageant to celebrate the history of the University of Liverpool and its neighbouring communities
- The Liverpool Vet Hockey Team received funding for First Aid Kits and PPE
The support of alumni and friends is crucial to kickstart these initiatives. Your support encourages students to follow their passions, be creative and take part in opportunities that would not otherwise be available to them.
To find out how you can support and create opportunities for our student community, please click here.