Kent Donor News - Autumn 2020

Alumni PG Scholar Page 2

Kent Covid Hardship Appeal Page 3

Kent Opportunity Fund Page 4

Donor News Bringing you the latest news from the Development Office at the University of Kent

Your donations help students in many different ways Your donations help Kent students everyday: helping to ensure that every student has the support they need in times of hardship; providing bursaries which allow gifted students from lowincome backgrounds to continue their education and fully participate in university life alongside their peers; and allowing us to offer postgraduate scholarships funded entirely through gifts from alumni and friends of the University.

Inside this edition: Alumni Postgraduate Scholar Laura Thomas-Walters is carrying out high-impact research that will provide much-needed knowledge on the front line of conservation.

“I cannot begin to adequately express my gratitude to all the donors who have given to the Scholarship Fund.

Their generosity is truly moving, and I fully intend to make them proud!�

Laura Thomas-Walters

Kent Opportunity Fund

Autumn 2020

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News

Alumni Postgraduate Scholar publishes framework for understanding consumer motivation among the illegal wildlife trade A new study led by Laura Thomas-Walters, who is studying at the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE) thanks to funding provided by Kent alumni, has created a framework for understanding the motivational drivers for the consumption of illegal wildlife products, to help inform the development of more effective interventions.

Illegal wildlife trade is one of the most lucrative international crimes and impacts not only threatened and endangered species, but also has a negative impact on local livelihoods and ecosystems. The dominant approach to combatting this market is to focus on the supply; however, there is growing understanding within conservation that it is important to also consider the demand side of the trade, the consumption of illegal wildlife products. Conservationists aim to either stop consumption through education and social marketing or offer sustainable alternatives.

Diane “The University of Kent has not only given me the opportunity to pursue my dreams – it has helped me to grow as a person.”

Rafaella “It is an honour to be an Alumni Postgraduate Scholar and I am truly grateful for this opportunity.”

Rafaella Siagkri

Diane Abdallah

This study focused on addressing the key knowledge gaps surrounding consumer motivation, because understanding the underlying reasons driving people to consume these products, as well as the cultural and societal context within which they are consumed, can help tailor interventions to be more effective.

Laura Thomas-Walters concludes,

“Our analysis provides a broad, globally applicable framework that can underpin the development of a common language for wildlife-trade research, making it easier for practitioners and researchers to identify relevant previous studies that could inform potential future interventions. Thus, it is an important step toward producing a more systematic approach to designing effective demandreduction interventions and carrying out this important work was only made possible thanks to the generosity of Kent alumni.”

Fathima

Kostas

“Once I leave university I want to mentor students in my area. I live in one of London's poorest boroughs and I hope to encourage the kids in my neighbourhood to go to university.”

“It helped me to fulfil the dream of my life. It gave me the chance to fully focus on my study which would never have happened without the Alumni Scholarship.”

Fathima Zainab Riyaldeen

Kostas Gravanis

www.kent.ac.uk 3

News

Kent Covid Hardship Appeal Help students affected by the Coronavirus pandemic Unforeseen hardship This year has seen four times the usual number of student requests for emergency financial support. The knock-on effect of the Coronavirus has meant many students are now facing serious financial hardship.

Staff in Student Support Services have been working tirelessly to help as many students as possible. But as we all come to terms with the challenges of a global pandemic, we know more students will need urgent financial support in the months ahead.

You can ensure there is help available for students by making a gift to the Kent Covid Hardship Fund today.

The effect on students Many, many students work part time to supplement their income while at university.

But the pandemic has affected nearly all retail, hospitality and leisure outlets, and students on temporary or zero-hours contracts were some of the first to be let go by their employers. Like all of us, students have bills to pay. Therefore, losing regular income, no matter how small, is having a significant impact on their already tight budgets.

By making a gift today, you can be there for them Your donation will help provide a Hardship Grant to a student whose financial difficulties are affecting their studies and their wellbeing.

Life can be lonely for these students at the best of times, and a crisis only amplifies these feelings. You can ensure those who are struggling get back on track to achieve their full potential.

Your support will provide a vital non-repayable grant to those experiencing unexpected financial difficulty. This means you’ll help students in need right now and in the future, as the full extent of the situation reveals itself.

• £40 could help a student with their weekly shop • £75 could cover an outstanding utility bill • £350 could help a student buy a basic laptop to help with the adjustment to blended (online and in-person) learning To donate to the Kent Covid Hardship Appeal, please visit: https://giving.kent.ac.uk/donations and select “Help Kent students”.

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In their own words…

Every year the Kent Opportunity Fund (KOF) supports students suffering from financial hardship. Often a bursary of just £200-£300 can make the difference between someone completing their degree or being forced to abandon their studies. The messages of thanks we receive say it all – here are just some of the many letters we receive from grateful students each year:

“Thank you so much… Last August my mother died of cancer and before she died I spent the summer holiday looking after her, so I couldn’t work and I didn’t have any money. The money I received from you will allow me to buy law text books which are very expensive. Once again thank you!”

“This help is the difference between me being able to finish my MA in Social Work and not. It will make the last leg of my studies a lot less stressful, and enable me to focus on the work needed for me to finish successfully. My family and I will benefit greatly in the long term through the employment opportunities available to me.

I am very grateful.”

“I am incredibly lucky to receive the Kent Opportunity Bursary which has eased some of my health related expenses and allowed me to continue with my final year at University… Without this help I would not be on track to graduate this year with a first, it has been an incredible support during a difficult year in my life.”

Support Kent students

Leave a gift in your will

The Kent Opportunity Fund supports a broad range of scholarships, student projects to enhance extra-curricular activities at Kent, and bursaries to support students experiencing financial hardship.

A legacy gift to Kent will support the University and its students long into the future and can inspire the next generation – knowing people believe in them. You may wish to remember a special passion such as music, or academic research, or you may wish to support access to education for all, enabling students from all walks of life to reach their highest potential. In supporting Kent, you are supporting the future of education as well as the local, national and even international community.

You can make your gift – one off or a regular donation by direct debit – online, at www.kent.ac.uk/giving.

A legacy bequest is one of the most personal gifts you can make; after you have remembered your loved ones, making a bequest enables the gift of education to be passed on to others.

You can also send a cheque to us at the University of Kent.

If you would like to talk to us about leaving a legacy to the University, please contact Jenny Richardson on 01227 823588 or email giving@kent.ac.uk

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“As a child growing up in poverty, in a home plagued with domestic violence, I never thought once that I would have the chance to go to university. Numerous setbacks meant that my mental health was impacted and my ability to fund my education was lessened. The Kent Opportunity Fund bursary has honestly been a lifesaver… It will give me a sense of stability that I have never had before, and allow me to pursue my education and get the most out of university life. There simply is no way to be more grateful.”