Ignite Report 2021 by University of Southampton

IGNITE REPORT 2021

TOGETHER WE ARE IGNITING POTENTIAL

WELCOME On behalf of everyone here at the University of Southampton, I want to start by saying a massive THANK YOU for your kind support. The Ignite Programme is 100 per cent funded by donations and heavily reliant on the time given by volunteers too, so we genuinely wouldn’t be able to do anything in this report without you. This has been such a challenging year, but thanks to you, our generous supporters, we’ve seen a huge step change in what we can now offer our students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Many of our students came to University worried about being able to afford their rent and having enough food to eat. Your gifts have alleviated those burdens. Some Ignite students do still work part-time, but that is now a choice, not a necessity, and they can work a sensible number of hours to complement their university studies. Our overall goal for Ignite is to improve attainment rates for our students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Together, we want to provide a level playing field and give everyone the same chance to succeed. So, alongside crucial financial support, each Ignite student also benefits from our comprehensive Ignite Programme - a blend of workshops, mentoring and reflective practice to help them make the most

of their time at Southampton. With support from the Ignite team, our students are securing internships, developing their skills and are part of a family away from home, celebrating success and tackling challenges together. We also want to say a big thank you to those of you who have volunteered your time to speak to Ignite students. It is so valuable for the group to learn from those deeper into their career, being able to ask honest questions and build their networks. We really appreciate all the time you have given. Finally, thank you to those of you who have pledged your support for students starting this September. We hope this report gives you a taste of what’s to come. However you have contributed to the Ignite Programme this year, these pages are filled with notes of appreciation directly from our students, letting you know the amazing difference your support has made to them. Florence Harvey Head of Student Success Widening Participation and Social Mobility

LOTTIE, BSc EDUCATION AND PSYCHOLOGY Lottie knew she wanted to study at Southampton from the moment she stepped foot on campus at an Open Day. Her experience and qualifications in the education sector meant that she was a perfect candidate for the BSc Education and Psychology course, and after applying in January 2020, she received an unconditional offer to start the following academic year. “I met a current student and took part in a mock lesson, and from then on, I could not wait to start. I didn’t attend any other university open days because I knew from being on campus, being with the lecturers, and meeting the current students, Southampton is where I wanted to be.”

Money worries Despite being excited for this new chapter in her life, Lottie was anxious that she would struggle to make ends meet at university. Like many of the students that apply for the Ignite Programme, Lottie did not have a strong network of support that she could rely on for financial help. Coming from a low-income family, as a full-time carer for her mum, and the first in her family to enter higher education, she is from an underrepresented background. Whilst government loans and grants help the majority of students fund their university experience, some need extra support. “I was absolutely terrified of not being able to fund my way through university, let alone have a fulfilling experience like most of my peers. I managed to get an overdraft using a new student bank account, but I really struggled. I immediately tried to find work, just so I would be able to get myself through and support my mum at the same time.” Because of these challenges, students from backgrounds like Lottie’s are more

likely to drop out before they finish their education. If they do make it to graduation, they are far less likely to achieve a 2:1 or first-class honours than their classmates. The Ignite Programme helps level the playing field.

Applying for Ignite The Student Experience team told Lottie about the Ignite Programme and she applied. Her application was successful and she received an Ignite Bursary of £10,000 split over the three years of her education at Southampton. Lottie was ecstatic when she found out about her bursary: “The bursary has allowed me to get more involved with university life. I have met so many new friends, been able to join in with clubs and societies, and generally feel comfortable about having enough food and essential items. I would miss out on all of these experiences if it were not for the bursary.”

Holistic support The support that this financial assistance offers cannot be emphasised enough, and the new holistic nature of the Programme plays a huge part in helping students to develop and grow. “The Programme has supported me in many ways. It has enabled me to look

Why I give – Richard Everett “My motivation for contributing was twofold: I came to Southampton with a Local Authority grant in the days before student fees. I felt very fortunate at how my career had progressed since graduating and originally considered that I should at least ‘pay’ the equivalent to the fees that I would have had to pay today to help other students who may come to the University in similar circumstances to mine at the time that I started. I have continued to give subsequently as the benefits of the Ignite Programme clearly meet a real need.”

into developing a freelancing business as part of my blog, I have been able to work with other students to support my new podcast, I have had opportunities to apply for internships, and meet staff around the University that can help me with all different problems: careers, general support, and money.” Lottie will continue to be a part of the Ignite Programme throughout her time at University, and she is incredibly grateful to the alumni and supporters that have made it possible: “Thank you so much for providing this bursary for me. Thank you for giving students, like me, the opportunity to succeed, and for giving up your time and money to support us improve the world for the next generation. There is nothing I can say that would thank you enough.”

A YEAR LIKE NO OTHER Here at the University, we worked hard throughout the academic year to adapt the Ignite Programme to the everchanging landscape of lockdowns and social-distancing restrictions, ensuring that students continued to feel connected and supported.

OCTOBER 2020 Promotion of Ignite Programme to eligible students The Ignite Programme is open to all students who have been made a conditional offer to study at Southampton and who meet one of the following criteria: ´ Have been in local authority care or looked after for three months or more ´ Have a home address in an IMDQ1 neighbourhood (indices of multiple deprivation, lowest 20 per cent)

28 OCTOBER – 6 NOVEMBER Applications are reviewed and interviews take place.

11 NOVEMBER On campus welcome event The group get the chance to meet each other in a socially distanced, covid-safe environment and learn more about the year ahead.

17 NOVEMBER Workshop 1 - Keeping your options open Students learn about the large range of support and options available to them whilst at University.

24 NOVEMBER Workshop 2 - Confidence to Succeed Students reflect on their own journey. We help them carry out a skills audit and consider the various attributes they have which will not only help them to succeed, but can set them apart from other students.

1 DECEMBER Workshop 3 – Building towards your future The Careers Team talk to Ignite students about how the service can support their university journey, with an emphasis on work experience. 4

DECEMBER-JANUARY Ignite internship preference sought from students

9 MARCH Workshop 9 – Budgeting and Finance

All Ignite students are offered a paid-internship opportunity. We take students’ aspirations and interests into account when finding internships.

Students benefit from budgeting and financial advice to help them handle their finances at university.

2 FEBRUARY Workshop 4 – Study abroad and social session

13 APRIL Workshop 10 – Wellbeing

Students learn about their study abroad options and the funding available for these courses, and take part in a group team-building exercise.

9 FEBRUARY Workshop 5 – Building your network Students learn the importance of building social and professional networks. They are taught how to create LinkedIn profiles and how the platform can help them with developing skills through LinkedIn Learning.

23 FEBRUARY Workshop 6 – Academic skills The Academic Skills Hub team talk to students about the services on offer, ensuring that all Ignite students have the right tools to manage their workload.

Students are encouraged to have open conversations about their mental health and managing their wellbeing, including how to spot signs of mental health issues and importantly how to deal with them. This is especially important for students who have little or no parental support.

18 MAY – 31 AUGUST Ignite internships take place Ignite students complete their internships, gaining valuable workplace experience and building professional networks that will help them in their future years.

11 JUNE On-campus Ignite Celebration Event All members of the Ignite Programme have the chance to get together as a group and celebrate the amazing progress they have all made this year.

26 FEBRUARY Workshop 7 Leadership Civil Service Fast Stream Speakers from the Civil Service Fast Stream provide information on the leadership opportunities the scheme offers. Students discover their own leadership potential at university and in the workplace.

2 MARCH Workshop 8 – Teamwork The group take part in a fun-filled team building exercise, offering them a break from their studies and simultaneously helping them build a community. 5

MALEEHA, MEnvSci ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE The Ignite Programme is a lifeline for many students - who may otherwise have to choose between working to make ends meet or studying in the library. Maleeha is a first-year Environmental Science student who knew this conflict only too well. “My situation was quite stressful. My dad was out of work for a long period of time as he was recovering from a heart operation. I needed a lot of textbooks and a laptop able to support advanced computer programmes for my course. Receiving Ignite funding lifted a huge weight off my shoulders! It meant that I could focus on my studies instead of worrying and feeling guilty about how much the things I needed were going to cost me.” This financial support offers all-important stability. However, at Southampton, we are aware that money can only do so much to aid social mobility. Which is why this year, with your help, we extended the Ignite Programme to include a unique offering of exclusive learning and development opportunities to help disadvantaged students gain new skills and grow their professional networks during their studies.

Experiential opportunities Maleeha has embraced this new support. Not only has she been an active participant within the Ignite Workshops, she has also taken part in a number of extra-curricular and work experience opportunities. “I found out about the Student Innovation Project (SIP) through one of the Ignite talks. It’s a six-week project that anyone at Southampton can take part in. You are

given a real client with a real issue that you have six weeks to research, before presenting them with your solutions that they can then implement in their business.” Maleeha was involved in a project relevant to her interests and her course, ‘Environmental Impact of Southampton City Life’. Working in a team for their client, KBR Inc, she researched Green City Plans, and together the group summarised their ideas in a presentation to the business at the end of the project. The Student Innovation Project isn’t the only extra-curricular activity Maleeha has been involved in. She is currently tackling elderly isolation in care homes through the international entrepreneurial programme Enactus, and this summer will be taking part in a 4-week, virtual online Summer School at Gothenburg University learning about biodiversity in Western Sweden. “Our Enactus project aims to tackle isolation in care homes and we do this by running weekly music, art and drama sessions with the elderly in local care homes. With Enactus nationals, it was my first-time taking part in the competition alongside 66 other Enactus teams across the UK. After coming second last year, this year we won! Now, we are preparing for the World Cup, competing with Enactus teams across the globe.”

New skills Through these opportunities, Maleeha has been able to develop new skills, meet new people and gain exposure to experiences she may not have had the confidence to achieve without the Ignite Programme. “Both the SIP and Enactus have helped me develop my entrepreneurial skills and given me a taste of how to make a business plan and present to clients in the real world. The summer school will give me an opportunity to learn something new from another place.” “My favourite part has been, and will always be, the people I meet. It has been interesting to meet other academics, who have different stories about why they chose to do Enactus, SIP and the Summer School. It is a nice feeling when you come to the end of the project and see how far you have come, from strangers to friends!”

“ Receiving Ignite funding lifted a huge weight off my shoulders! It meant that I could focus on my studies instead of worrying and feeling guilty about how much the things I needed were going to cost me.”

IGNITE IN NUMBERS Thanks to your generous support, the 2020/21 academic year saw a huge increase in the number of Ignite students. Here’s how your support has helped our students this year: THIS YEAR’S COHORT

238

16 bursaries of £10,000 over 3 years 14 awards of £1,000 for each year of study 1 full scholarship of £42,000 over 3 years

applications

Southampton students eligible

IGNITE SESSIONS

100%

of students would recommend the Ignite Programme

95%

of students were extremely satisfied or satisfied with Ignite workshops

89%

have been inspired or had their aspirations raised by Ignite

89%

have a better understanding of how to maximise their university experience

94%

suggest they felt more equipped to research employment or career opportunities after our workshops

Top 4 things students valued most about sessions:

Relatable speakers that shared their personal experience

Relaxed and informal atmosphere

Careers and internship information

Opportunity to engage with speakers

LUKE, MEDICINE BM5 University was a late ambition for Luke. After leaving school, he pursued his dreams of becoming a chef, working within the fine-dining industry for a number of years. He succeeded in his field, and moved on to working in food development for some of the UK’s leading supermarkets. But he started to want more. “I felt that I wanted to be changing the world in some way, and I just wasn’t achieving that with what I was doing. After careful consideration, I decided that Medicine would be the best choice for me. The prospect excited me and although it seemed like a mountain to climb, I really liked the challenge.” Being a mature student resulted in a number of hurdles. Luke was unable to attend an open day due to his work schedule, and when he was offered a place on his dream course, he was immediately worried about how he would support himself through the coming years. “Finances are a tricky situation. This is especially the case on a five-year degree, with a potential master’s year making it six years. I can’t depend on my parents or family for finances, so I must be careful.” Like all the students eligible for the Ignite Programme, the University contacted Luke about the opportunity. He immediately applied, and after an interview, was notified that he was successful in gaining a bursary. “The bursary has been extremely beneficial. It has provided me with a fantastic opportunity to further my education and make my time at university a lot more comfortable. I can’t be grateful enough!” Luke has also taken full advantage of all the opportunities that the Programme affords students.

“My favourite part of the Ignite Programme is the amazing opportunities that come from it. Ignite has given me an outlet from my busy education. Socialising with a range of students, especially during these times, is something that I really appreciate. I have had the opportunity to work as an intern on a mature student project – something I am passionate about. I have also been able to secure funding for my project through the Aspire Awards, a grant given to students who have ideas that can help their community, which is going to contribute to improving my education and career.” The 10 Ignite workshops throughout the year allow students to come together and learn about key areas of their professional and personal development. For Luke, this has meant learning a range of skills including: managing finances, setting up a successful LinkedIn profile and analysing his strongest and weakest employability skills. With the help of Ignite, Luke has settled into the first-year of his course and life at Southampton well, and is looking forward to the future. “Aside from studying, the University is an exciting institution to be a part of. There are incredible opportunities, and I have taken every chance I have been given to enter into these. I am fortunate to say that I have been involved in the Ignite Programme and I have Southampton donors to thank for that.”

Why I give – Chris Spackman “My time at Southampton gave me a tremendous start in my adult life and a long-term advantage in my career. It also introduced me to people who became friends for life. I owe a huge debt of gratitude, and now I am retired I wanted to give something back - particularly to people who face a financial challenge taking advantage of a degree. There will be students who aren’t fortunate to have families who can help them out financially, so I wanted to see if I could help with this. I particularly wanted to provide some additional funds towards bursaries that would support a student through the whole degree, not just the first stage. I think it will significantly improve the chances of someone starting and completing a degree without the stress of constantly having to find enough money. Hopefully it will reduce the number of students who fail to complete for financial reasons.”

GIVING THE GIFT OF TIME Alumni volunteers are a key part of Ignite workshops. Each speaker shares their own personal experiences of entering their chosen career path and the challenges and successes they have faced. They provide students with valuable insight into what can be achieved after graduation and have proven a popular addition with this year’s cohort. Here is what some of the Ignite students had to say: Every week, different guest speakers give up some of their time and give us talks - about what they are currently doing, how it began and the challenges they had to face getting to their final destination. Along with their personal experience, they impart words of wisdom and skills that have helped them, in the hope that it might help us one day. Even if the speakers have nothing to do with my course, I haven’t once felt that something that has been said didn’t apply to me in some way.”

It was great knowing the speakers have been through the same steps as us, hearing their successes, and taking on board their advice”

The speakers gave brilliant and varied information which I can apply to many aspects in my life.”

Hearing from the alumni and guest speakers is very inspiring, as it helps me believe I also can be as successful as them.”

Why I give – Chris Richards “I feel very strongly that people should not be denied opportunities because of their financial or social circumstances. Ignite immediately sparked an interest because I can relate to that: I was a young, ordinary guy going to university from a very ordinary background a long, long time ago. “It’s amazing how many people go to university and lack confidence – who aren’t sure if they should be there. And that there are people who are denied the opportunity to do things because they feel they aren’t entitled, aren’t good enough, or can’t afford to go – those are the things which can undermine someone’s confidence. “For an opportunity to do that to be denied because you just can’t afford it financially, is not great is it? So, if there’s a small thing that I can do, and many others can do, to actually enable that journey – if I can help someone think ‘yeah, I’m part of something, I should be part of it, and I can grow from here’ – that’s a nice feeling.”

LETTERS FROM OUR STUDENTS Thanks to your generosity, Ignite students are able to thrive at university. We asked this year’s students what the Ignite Programme meant to them.

First and foremost I would like to thank the donors for making this programme possible. The Ignite Programme has enhanced my view of the world, broadening my horizons to better ready myself for the world ahead. I am forever grateful.’’

The Ignite Programme is a great way for me to step outside my comfort zone. I made the most out of the online workshops by building up the courage to speak in front of everyone. I also found the speakers who attended these workshops useful as they taught me how to work in a team and the importance of using Linkedin.”

Ash BM6 Medicine

Lesley BSc Computer Science

Ignite has enabled me a more comfortable time at university whilst helping me understand what the working world requires of me once I enter it. I now feel more employable and have learnt what skills I need in the workplace.” Jade Law LLB

Being a part of Ignite has been a wonderful experience so far and has enabled me to focus on my studies and not worry about funding my course through financial aid. Thank you to everyone who has generously contributed to the Programme. Because of you, many other students like me will also have the chance to access resources and opportunities that may have otherwise been a dream to them.” Ruth BSc Economics and Finance

The Ignite Programme has offered me multiple opportunities in terms of career guidance, financial help, and mentoring sessions. I was able to connect with other students outside my course and I have met some great people.” Leanne BSc Psychology

The Ignite Programme has helped me to achieve a sense of community in times when it is incredibly tough to do so. The workshops have installed a new sense of confidence in my post-University skill set. I would like to say a big thank you to the donors who have made this possible” Samantha BSc Midwifery

The Ignite Programme has been one of the ways I have met new people in this year of social distancing. I have learnt that I am not alone in my experiences this year and many people are in a similar situation to me. In this year of uncertainty, Ignite has offered steady, weekly meetings that inform and bring people together. Everyone involved had somewhere to speak and be heard.”

The Ignite Programme has been a life changing experience for me whilst at university. I have had a social outlet by participating in the weekly sessions, and I have developed and worked on key skills as part of each themed workshop. Finally, the funding has been a lifeline for me as a mature student. It will definitely come in great use for my future university studies. So thank you so much!” Luke BM5 Medicine

Daniel MEng Aeronautics & Astronautics

I’m very grateful for the Ignite Programme and all the opportunities that it has offered. A lot of good advice was given and there was much encouragement to take on leadership roles within the University.” Melike BA Graphic Arts

You have helped me and my family out a lot so saying thank you is the least I could do. I am very fortunate and grateful that bursaries such as this exist. I am sure there are students who are in an even worse situation than I am. So, when they have to start worrying about financial difficulties on top of whatever it is that they are going through, whilst trying to get their degrees, it is extremely difficult! So thank you once again for giving me, and others, the peace of mind to put my energy into my education.” Maleeha MEnvSci Environmental Science

Thank you Thank you again for your vital support. Together, we are shaping the future of talented students and helping them to reach their potential in life. We look forward to keeping you updated as the Ignite Programme grows.

Find out more: southampton.ac.uk/ igniteopportunity

Office of Development and Alumni Relations, University of Southampton, University Road, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom +44 (0) 23 8059 2747 supportus@southampton.ac.uk

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