The Alumni Annual Fund in action

The Alumni Annual Fund is an ongoing appeal which seeks the philanthropic support of its alumni and friends to invest in the University and its students, and supports projects that otherwise wouldn’t receive funding.

Exeter students put on a dazzling performance

This year the Alumni Annual Fund student society Footlights were able to seek the help of local professional set designer, Jason Denvir for their 2017 Northcott Theatre production of Mel Brooks’ The Producers.

The funds proved hugely beneficial for students involved with the project, instilling a confidence and a determination within the students to strive for professionalism in future theatrical endeavours.

The production was a huge success, both creatively and financially and would not have been possible without alumni support. Footlights’ members were invited to perform to University donors and volunteers at the 2017 Thank You Reception in London.

Enhancing Student Wellbeing

The rise of eating difficulties across the student population is a growing concern in the UK. With the help of the Alumni Annual Fund, Exeter’s Student Guild has established the ‘Eating Difficulties Support Group’ offering increased support for students with eating difficulties, including peer to peer support for those struggling with any form of eating difficulty.

It will provide a safe space to discuss issues and promote recovery and support. The group will be run by facilitators recruited, trained and supervised by Student Minds, the UK’s student mental health charity. The ‘Eating Difficulties Support Group’ is fully supported by the Guild Advice Unit and the University’s Wellbeing Centre.

Supporting innovative ways to keep fit

Funding from the Alumni Annual Fund has enabled the Sports Centre on Exeter’s St Luke’s Campus to purchase nine new Aquaboards, in addition to training two members of staff to deliver a new and exciting exercise class, Float Fit. The Float Fit class is a 30 minute high intensity interval training workout with a difference, this low impact, cross training class on water gives attendees a fun full body workout, helping to strengthen aerobic stamina and improve muscular endurance. With thanks to support from
the Alumni Annual Fund, this new class has proved to be real hit, and enhances further the health and fitness offers available to staff and students across the University.

The class was launched with a number of free taster sessions and is included in the Athletic Union’s ‘This Girl Can’ campaign supported by Active Devon.