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The Alumni and Friends Fund Grant continues supporting the incredible work of our staff and students, funding projects that uplift the University community and enrich student life. This year, thanks to the ongoing generosity of our amazing supporter community, 17 impactful projects have been brought to life. Each reflects the lasting difference made possible by the support of our alumni and friends. In this final instalment, we're proud to share the remaining highlights from this year's funded projects, all powerful examples of how your support continues to inspire progress and opportunity across campus.
Find out about our first four projects here, or our second group of projects here!
University of Liverpool Futsal Club
The University of Liverpool Futsal Club aims to unite current players, alumni, and the wider student community through a series of inclusive events. Supported by the Alumni and Friends Fund Grant, the project will host charity matches, alumni days, and “Turn Up and Play” sessions to promote well-being, build community, and encourage wider participation—particularly among women. Funding will cover venue hire and referee fees, helping to raise the club’s profile and support the development of a potential third men’s team.
“Thank you for believing in our project and for helping us create something truly meaningful. Your support inspires us to continue growing and continue to try our best in giving back to the community.”
2025 Socio-Legal Studies Association (SLSA) conference
In April 2025, the University of Liverpool proudly hosted the Socio-Legal Studies Association (SLSA) Annual Conference—its first major legal conference in 20 years, welcoming around 600 delegates. With support from the Alumni and Friends Fund Grant, six bursaries enabled postgraduate researchers to attend this event. The conference offers vital opportunities for early-career academics to present their work, receive feedback, build networks, and develop key skills for future academic careers. By supporting participation, the project strengthens socio-legal research capacity and ensures that PGRs remain connected and supported in an increasingly competitive academic environment.
“We are extremely grateful for the generous support that you have provided. The bursaries you have funded will allow post-graduate researchers to begin building crucial research networks at a time when other funding is increasingly stretched so without your help Liverpool PGRs would be at a real disadvantage.”
Public legal education for stateless people and refugees
A new initiative in the University of Liverpool’s Law Clinic is supporting the development of a public information guide on how to naturalise as a British citizen, specifically tailored for refugees and stateless individuals. In collaboration with the UNHCR, a draft guide has been created and will be tested for clarity and effectiveness. Under the supervision of a staff member who is also a Law Clinic solicitor, students will present the material to a focus group, gather feedback, and report findings to UNHCR. This project addresses a critical gap in accessible legal information and reflects the University’s commitment to impactful, real-world legal education.
Improving the Standard of Canvas Course Design
The Department of Computer Science are working with recent alumni James Barber and Zack Walker as they lead on a project to improve digital accessibility and navigation across Canvas modules. Drawing on six years of student voice experience and their expertise as web developers in a local tech start-up, they are creating a Canvas course template, running an interactive “Pimp My Canvas” workshop, offering one-to-one “Canvas Clinics” for academic staff, and launching the “Canvas Awards” to celebrate excellence in course design. Their work supports inclusive education and aims to set a gold standard for accessible learning resources across the University.
Release Peace: The Magazine
This project will support Politics students at the University of Liverpool to become published authors through a partnership with an international non-profit organisation, Release Peace. Over 11 months, students will develop 1,000-word articles for Release Peace’s global affairs magazine, gaining invaluable experience working with professional editors. Their work, covering key public interest topics, will reach influential audiences including UN staff, policy officials, and think tanks. The initiative enhances students’ writing skills, confidence, and employability. Funding will support editorial, technical, and administrative costs, as well as a virtual celebration event recognising the students’ contributions and 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
“This project will give students first-hand experience of professional writing and the opportunity to become published authors. This not only builds students' skills and confidence but also contributes to their employability after graduation.”
SubAqua
Liverpool University SubAqua Club (LUSAC) is investing in essential equipment upgrades to improve the safety, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness of its diving activities. With support from the Alumni and Friends Fund Grant, the club will purchase new DIN pillar valves and conversion kits to replace outdated yoke cylinders. The DIN system, widely recognised for its enhanced safety and reliability, is now the industry standard. This upgrade will reduce maintenance costs, improve compatibility with modern diving gear, and ensure safer experiences for student divers. These improvements will support the club’s continued growth and allow more students to explore the underwater world.
“The funding that we have so generously received will be used to purchase 11 DIN pillar valves (3/4), 7 DIN pillar valves (25mm), and 15 yoke-to-DIN conversion) [...] This will remove one of the main training issues we have experienced when onboarding students, namely, the lack of standardisation of the kit causing issues. Thank you!”
IntoUniversity Kirkby Mentors
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Funding from the Alumni and Friends Fund Grant will enable undergraduate students at the University of Liverpool to volunteer as mentors at the IntoUniversity Kirkby Centre by covering the cost of travel passes. These student mentors are paired with young people aged 10–17 from disadvantaged backgrounds, offering one-to-one support in academic development, emotional wellbeing, and future aspirations. The initiative provides a valuable experience for both mentors and mentees, enhancing young people’s confidence and ambitions while giving University of Liverpool students the chance to develop key communication, leadership, and mentoring skills.
“Thank you! Your support will mean that our undergraduate students can benefit from a volunteering opportunity which would not otherwise have been available to them, improving their employability and allowing them to expand their networks.”
Other projects supported by the grant this year:
- Trampolining Club: Thanks to Alumni and Friends Fund support, the Trampolining Club has enhanced accessibility, improved training, and is preparing to host a regional competition, promoting inclusion, growth, and student opportunity.
- Tropical Modernism: designing for the Global South: With Alumni and Friends Fund support, Architecture students travelled to Ghana for a new tropical design studio—gaining hands-on experience in climate-responsive architecture through the department’s first undergraduate West Africa trip.
- Law Clinic Student Leadership Project: With support from the Alumni and Friends Fund, Liverpool Law Clinic is launching a leadership programme - empowering student volunteers through expert training, mentoring, and networking while strengthening its community impact and inclusivity.
- Arion 8: Engineering students are building a record-breaking hand bike for a global speed challenge. Alumni and Friends Fund support is fuelling innovation with essential materials to optimise design, performance, and aerodynamics.
- 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.
- 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.
Thank you once again to our 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.