Ten new Gold Scholars per year are also supported by your Alumni Fund. Since the Programme was launched in 2017, your gifts have enabled 294 promising young minds to attain an outstanding education, regardless of background or circumstances.

“My experience at university really wouldn’t have been the same without my scholarship,” says Georgia. “With the increased costs of living and the pandemic, I haven’t needed to worry about money, allowing me to focus on my degree.”

But a Gold Scholarship offers more than just financial help. Gold Scholars are often the first in their family to proceed to higher education, and often don’t have anyone they can ask for advice on university life or career aspirations. That’s why they receive training in skills such as networking, as well as access to mentors and support with completing 50 hours of volunteering, fundraising or outreach work per year.

The Programme's volunteering requirements led to Georgia's involvement with 1st Impressions, founded by School of Management senior lecturer, alumna and Gold Mentor, Dr Jane Ellis-Brush.

“I got interested in social media content and marketing from my time with 1st Impressions, a charity that provides vulnerable women with coaching and professional clothing for job interviews," Georgia explains. "I met Jane through the Programme and got chatting about how I could get involved.”

Jane adds:

“Georgia came to work for 1st Impressions in the early days of us setting up. She quickly became an integral part of our little team, taking responsibility for all marketing activity and helping us to create our online profiles. We were delighted when she was successful in getting a fantastic graduate opportunity!”