The Alumni and Friends Fund Grant continues to champion the outstanding efforts of our staff and students, supporting projects that enrich University life and enhance the student experience. Thanks to the generosity of our dedicated supporter community, this year we’ve proudly funded eighteen inspiring initiatives. Each project reflects the incredible impact of the philanthropic spirit shared by our alumni and friends. Here, we’re delighted to share just a few highlights from this year’s funded projects—shining examples of how your support is making a difference.
Trampolining Club
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The University’s Trampolining Club has made exciting progress this year, thanks to funding from the Alumni and Friends Fund Grant. Support has enabled the purchase of essential safety and accessibility equipment, including trampolining steps that make the sport more inclusive for students with disabilities.
These additions have improved training conditions and positioned the club to apply to host a regional competition, bringing fundraising opportunities, hands-on event experience for committee members, and a chance for more students to compete locally.
The club welcomes members of all abilities and offers both competitive and casual sessions. With this new equipment, it continues to grow as a friendly, inclusive space while supporting the University’s wider commitment to accessible extracurricular activities.
“Without the support you give, our club would not have seen the advancements that we have. In the time I have been at the club, our significant equipment purchases have all been made possible through your generosity, which has allowed our club to expand and has led us to be the lovely group that we are today.”
School of Architecture's Trip to Ghana
The University’s Architecture department is launching a ‘tropical architecture’ design studio for final-year BA Architecture students, challenging them to design naturally ventilated and shaded buildings suited for tropical climates. The project is set in Accra, Ghana, where students will travel to study local environmental conditions, observe the site, and visit various examples of tropical architecture. Funding from the Alumni and Friends Fund Grant has gone towards subsidising the cost of travel for the students. Building on the department’s existing research expertise, this initiative marks the first undergraduate field trip to West Africa, offering students a unique opportunity to engage directly with climate-responsive architectural design in a real-world context. At a more affordable price.
“We would like to sincerely thank the Alumni and Friends for their kindness and generosity. To visit West Africa and to study the architecture, climate, and culture is a wonderful opportunity that you’ve made possible. The students will learn so much about sustainable design and climatic comfort and be able to put these lessons into practice when they graduate later this year.”
Law Clinic Student Leadership Project
Liverpool Law Clinic, which provides over 400 free legal advice appointments annually to local community members, is launching a leadership programme for its student volunteers. The initiative offers mentoring, networking, and tailored leadership training from an expert consultant to a cohort of 20 students, with funding going towards hiring the consultant for the sessions. Volunteers will apply their leadership skills in clinic roles, enhancing their employability and enriching their activities. The programme builds on the clinic’s award-winning commitment to diversity and inclusion, further supporting students’ development and expanding its community impact.
“Thank you for giving us this opportunity to develop the clinic further and to increase our students’ employability skills.”
Arion 8
A team of engineering students is designing, building, and racing a recumbent-style hand bike for the World Human Powered Speed Challenge in Nevada, September 2025. Inspired by Arion 4—a previous team project that holds the female world speed record of 46.54 mph—the new bike aims to reclaim the male record of 51.58 mph. Funding from the Alumni and Friends Fund Grant will support essential materials and manufacturing, including carbon fibre for the shell, seating, and wheel covers to reduce weight and boost aerodynamics.
“Your support will allow us to turn our designs and hard work into a physical working bicycle. Through the creation of the bike, it will also bring awareness to disabled cycling through our two riders, who are also grateful for the opportunity to go and break more records.”
Other projects supported by the grant this year:
- Toddler Science Club: Brought science to life for local toddlers through the Toddler Science Club, with themed, hands-on sessions led by students. Funding provided materials, books, travel support, and aprons to inspire the next generation of learners.
- Rowing Club: Through the Alumni and Friends Fund Grant, the Rowing Club is upgrading essential speaker systems in four boats, enhancing safety, communication, and performance, ensuring coordinated, high-quality training and racing for current and future members.
- LASER: LASER’s Rocket and Rover Teams are engaging students in national space competitions, using grant funding for vital materials, promoting collaboration, technical skills, and innovation in space engineering at Liverpool.
- Windsurfing Club: Liverpool University Windsurfing Club (LUWC) is launching wingsurfing sessions with new equipment funded by the Alumni and Friends Fund, expanding access to water sports, boosting skill development, and offering exciting new outdoor opportunities.
- Beyond EARTH: Beyond EARTH brings students and staff together to create ancient technology-inspired gardens and deliver archaeology experiences for primary pupils, fostering engagement, education, and a sense of belonging in the University community.
- Liverpool University Canoe Club (LUCC): LUCC is improving safety and inclusivity in canoe polo with new kit funded by the Alumni and Friends Fund, ensuring all members can participate comfortably and confidently in training and competition.
- Women’s Rugby League: Liverpool’s Women’s Rugby League team is competing nationally and championing charitable causes, with grant funding supporting travel, helping sustain momentum toward BUCS recognition and greater opportunities for women’s rugby across the UK.
- University of Liverpool Futsal Club: Liverpool Futsal Club is fostering community and inclusion through charity matches, alumni events, and open sessions - grant funding supports venue and referee costs, encouraging wider participation and potential club expansion.
- 2025 Socio-Legal Studies Association (SLSA) conference: The University hosted the SLSA Conference (its first major legal conference in 20 years), with bursaries enabling Postgraduate Researchers to attend, supporting early-career researchers through networking, skill-building, and strengthened socio-legal research capacity.
- Public legal education for stateless people and refugees: Law Clinic students are partnering with UNHCR to develop a citizenship guide for refugees and stateless individuals—bridging a legal information gap while gaining real-world experience in impactful, accessible legal education.
- Improving the Standard of Canvas Course Design: Recent alumni are leading a digital accessibility initiative to enhance Canvas modules, delivering templates, workshops, and awards that support inclusive education and set a gold standard for accessible course design.
- Release Peace: The Magazine: Politics students will write for Release Peace’s global affairs magazine, gaining editorial experience and exposure to influential audiences, supported by funding that also enables a celebration of their achievements. Read the first two articles here! - From Orgreave to Hillsborough: Britain's Institutional Denial and the Killing of Almost 100 People - 93% of Children in Northern Ireland Are Still Kept Separated
- SubAqua: Liverpool University SubAqua Club (LUSAC) is upgrading to safer, industry-standard DIN diving equipment with grant funding, enhancing safety, reducing costs, and supporting club growth by enabling more students to explore underwater adventures confidently.
- IntoUniversity Kirkby Mentors: Funding from the Alumni and Friends Fund Grant covers travel expenses for University students volunteering as mentors at IntoUniversity Kirkby, providing vital academic and emotional support to young people, boosting confidence and aspirations while developing students’ leadership and communication skills.
Thank you once again to our incredible supporter community—your generosity continues to make projects like these possible. We’re excited to share more updates on their progress as the year unfolds!
To find out how you can provide support to Liverpool students, please visit the Student Fund webpage.