Impact 2023

ISSUE No 7 2023

YOUR SUPPORT IN ACTION

Fostering student enterprise

How you are supporting successful student entrepreneurs like Elizabeth Ola

10 ways to make a difference

Discover the many volunteering opportunities open to you and your organisation

Around the world

Westminster Working Cultures is back! How our volunteers are transforming students’ global outlook

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IMPACT | INTRODUCTION

WELCOME

F

irst and foremost, we would like to say a big thank-you for all of the support you have generously provided to the University and our students. In this issue of Impact, you will discover the various ways in which your donations, time and expertise are collectively shaping the futures of Westminster students and graduates.

You’ll find out how our ambitions at 29 Marylebone Road are set to become a reality in 2025. This groundbreaking hub will bring together students, entrepreneurs, employers and the local community.

With accessibility, inclusivity, and sustainability at its core, this transformative space will offer students and employers a collaborative environment to thrive.

Student Antonio Aciobanitei shares the impact of his experience in Mumbai, which he visited as part of the Westminster Working Cultures International programme. You’ll hear about the profound difference this trip made to his professional journey, and how another 171 students benefited from similar experiences around the world this year. From networking with local alumni speakers to being immersed in multinational companies, the Working Cultures trips provide unique insights that help shape our students’ global outlook.

You’ll also hear about a remarkable new initiative called the SelfLeadership Programme which will support the psychological health and

IMPACT Issue No 7 2023

To donate a gift to the University of Westminster, please visit: donate.westminster.ac.uk

Editor Jenny Stubberfield Contributors Freya Wooding, Julia Ross and Laura Hughes, Kacper Rudolf Development and Alumni Relations University of Westminster 32-38 Wells St, London W1T 3UW T: +44 (0)20 3506 6245 E: development@westminster.ac.uk

wellbeing of our young entrepreneurs.

Visiting Professor and founding funder of the programme Graham Shapiro discusses partnering with the University’s Centre for Resilience to guide young entrepreneurs towards success, resilience and self-care.

One such entrepreneur is Elizabeth Ola, who shares her journey as a young businesswoman who turned her passion for cosmetics into a thriving business, TRU SKN. You’ll discover how the University’s support, mentorship and funding opportunities have empowered Elizabeth and countless others to turn their ideas into tangible success stories.

We also have an update on our Soho Poly theatre, which is set to officially open this autumn following a successful fundraising campaign.

With its rich history of inclusivity and radical creativity, this iconic venue’s revival will once again provide access to a diverse set of voices in the arts.

Finally, we’re excited to launch the Chancellor’s Circle, a group of employer partners who are creating significant opportunities for our students across multiple programmes.

The unwavering support of our alumni, donors and friends never ceases to amaze us. Thank you for your ongoing generosity.

Jordan Scammell Head of Fundraising and Development Laura Hughes Head of Alumni Relations

A charity and a company limited by guarantee.

Registration number: 977818 Registered office: 309 Regent Street, London W1B 2UW Thank you to all colleagues, students and supporters who have contributed to this issue.

9862/06.23/SC/GP

CONTENTS | IMPACT

CONTENTS 4

Fostering student enterprise ith the support of Westminster programmes, student Elizabeth W Ola’s business TRU SKN is a successful and growing enterprise

Planning permission success 8

lanning permission has been granted for the refurbishment P of our 29 Marylebone Road site

10 ways to make a difference 9

A round-up of the volunteering opportunities open to you at Westminster

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10 Our leading volunteers 2023

We recognise our outstanding alumni volunteers in this year’s Alumni Volunteering Awards

12 Celebrating the reopening of the Soho Poly

e celebrated the reopening of the historic Soho Poly this June W with the Summer Festival

14 Around the world

whistle-stop tour of the nine international trips our Westminster A Working Cultures programme has delivered this year

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18 Building resilience for long-term success T he new Self-Leadership Programme offers psychological health and wellbeing support to student entrepreneurs

20 Did you know...?

Some recent research highlights, enabled by our generous donors

22 Announcing the Chancellor’s Circle

ur Chancellor, Natalie Campbell MBE, has launched the O Chancellor’s Circle – a new community of employer partners

23 Meet your student callers

e speak to students from last year’s telephone campaign W about their experiences calling alumni and the importance of the Ignite Fund

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22

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IMPACT | FOSTERING STUDENT ENTERPRISE

3,000

STUDENTS ENGAGED IN ENTERPRISE ACTIVITIES WITH WENETWORK IN 22–23

700+

STUDENTS HAVE RECEIVED FUNDING FROM THE IGNITE FUND SINCE 2016

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STUDENT BUSINESSES IN THE BIG IDEA COMPETITION FINAL THIS OCTOBER

FOSTERING STUDENT ENTERPRISE Students at the University of Westminster come from a diverse range of backgrounds, and don't always have access to the funding and networks that can open up business opportunities. By working to embed enterprise into the student experience and offer a range of supportive programmes, we are making enterprise a viable career path for our students and recent graduates.

FOSTERING STUDENT ENTERPRISE | IMPACT

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IT WAS JUST NICE TO KNOW THAT SOMEONE BELIEVED IN ME

I

magine being a full-time student, with classes, coursework and multiple deadlines to juggle around your part-time job. Now imagine that on top of that, you are also an entrepreneur, running a new and successful start-up that you are growing alongside your studies.

Elizabeth Ola, a Business Management (Entrepreneurship) student, finds the time, energy and most importantly, the passion to do just that.

At the beginning of her second year at Westminster, she launched TRU SKN, a cosmetic brand that promotes diversity and inclusion in the beauty industry.

By the end of the same academic year, TRU SKN had a pop-up shop on Oxford Street and Elizabeth was pitching the product to major retailers.

While much of this success can be attributed to Elizabeth’s vision and drive, the opportunities at the University of Westminster allow business ideas to be explored and entrepreneurial spirits to flourish.

The University provides support to nurture student and graduate entrepreneurs.

From business mentoring, tailored workshops and enterprise competitions, to talks from inspirational alumni role models and a range of funding opportunities – all contributing towards making enterprise more inclusive and accessible.

It was in this environment that Elizabeth was supported to launch and develop her business, although her flair for entrepreneurship is very much home-grown.

“I’ve always been entrepreneurial,” she says. “I come from a very entrepreneurial family, so business is a common topic of discussion in our household.”

Despite knowing from a young age that business was her calling, Elizabeth says that for a while she “wasn’t exactly sure” what industry she would go into.

But looking back, there were some early clues. For example, she recalls giving a PowerPoint presentation to her parents as a teenager, on why she should be able to wear makeup.

“I remember begging them to please let me wear makeup, because I’ve always just been so passionate about it!”

This early enthusiasm for cosmetics led Elizabeth to home in on the beauty industry, as she says: “I think when it comes to business, the most important part is choosing something that you’re truly passionate about. And I’m truly passionate about beauty.”

TRU SKN is distinctive as a makeup brand as it also has a strong social message; one which resonates with its growing customer base. It promotes diversity and “prioritises ethnic consumer needs”, encouraging customers to feel comfortable in their ‘true skin’. All products have a universal shade, meaning that the pigments in them apply the same to light, medium and dark skin tones.

This is something which Elizabeth says she has always struggled to find elsewhere.

“We live in such a diverse city, but there are still not enough options being made

available to people with a darker skin tone.

I wanted to be able to create something that allows people to feel beautiful and confident in their own skin. So what we’re all about is making you know that we thought about you – not just one specific group, but everyone.”

Until Elizabeth came to Westminster, TRU SKN was little more than an idea. It was only when she heard about the Ignite Fund (formerly The 125 Fund) during a lecture in her first year that things started to take shape.

The Ignite Fund is made up of donations from generous alumni supporters and matched, pound-for-pound, by the Quintin Hogg Trust. The initiative gives students access to funding to pursue a dream project, whether that means developing a website, purchasing equipment, taking part in a course, or launching a business.

Elizabeth applied for funding in 2022 and was awarded £1,500 to set up her business.

But what she gained from the process was even more valuable.

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IMPACT | FOSTERING STUDENT ENTERPRISE

IT WAS JUST NICE TO KNOW THAT SOMEONE BELIEVED IN ME.”

Elizabeth showcased TRU SKN on Oxford Street

FOSTERING STUDENT ENTERPRISE | IMPACT

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IT ALL MAKES SUCH A BIG DIFFERENCE FOR STUDENTS LIKE ME "When I entered, I had no website, no products, no branding, it was all just an idea. There was nothing to go off.

“It was the fact that somebody read my plan and believed in my idea, and it sounded like it made sense to them.

“For me that was a really big moment and actually made me feel like, ‘Yeah, I can do this.’ It gave me the kick to be like, ‘Let’s go – let’s start something.’

“The Ignite Fund was the first thing I entered, and the most important because it was just nice to know that someone believed in me.”

As TRU SKN developed, so did the support provided by the University, as Elizabeth became involved with the WeNetwork.

The Westminster Enterprise Network (WeNetwork) is the University’s enterprise and innovation hub. Its purpose is to bring together students and recent graduates with industry to develop their entrepreneurial skills.

The WeNetwork collaborates with external partners and industries to run a range of workshops and competitions, including the annual Big Idea Competition.

In partnership with Santander Universities UK, the competition aims to support and empower student and graduate entrepreneurs in developing their business ideas and freelance careers. Participants benefit from workshops and mentoring, plus a chance to win funding to enable business growth. In 2022, Elizabeth won £250 towards her business as a ‘Rising Star’, and in October 2023, TRU SKN was awarded £5,000 in the grand final.

“It’s really good. It’s more money to help fund new product development and any campaigns, and just make sure everything is moving forward with all the products that we have.”

Again, while funding is undeniably useful when building a business, what the University can offer is something much more intangible. Something that young entrepreneurs wouldn’t be able to find elsewhere.

As Elizabeth says, the most important thing for her is that the University “actually, genuinely cares” about her and the business.

“The WeNetwork has just been really supportive emotionally. It’s not like, ‘Hey, take money and then just go figure

it out yourself,’ because you’re more likely to make mistakes that way.

“I don’t know everything, and even though they might not know everything, it’s just somebody to talk to, somebody to help me or connect me with someone who would know.

“It’s more valuable than money because even if you had money, you still wouldn’t know where to go.”

Elizabeth is an excellent example of a student who embraces every opportunity that she gets. In fact, it was while she was on the Westminster Working Cultures trip in Singapore that she saw an email about a competition to have a pop-up shop on Oxford Street.

The Small Business Goes Big competition by Adobe and Enterprise Nation would give Elizabeth the chance to showcase TRU SKN on Europe’s busiest shopping street. It was an opportunity too good to miss, even though she was halfway around the world, on an intense programme of activities with international alumni.

“I had to apply. But the deadline day was the day we were landing back in London.” Waiting to take off in Singapore, Elizabeth was making screenshots of the application questions and spent the flight home scribbling answers in her notebook.

“As soon as we landed in the UK, the first thing I did was to apply. I submitted it right before midnight.”

Her dedication paid off. TRU SKN was chosen as one of ten small businesses across the UK to host a pop-up shop on Oxford Street for two days in May. Having this physical presence was a pivotal moment for the brand and its mission, Elizabeth says.

“It was exactly what we needed. For a customer to be going about their normal day and to be able to just go into a store and find the makeup that looks good on their skin – that’s what people were able to do on that day.

“It was so beautiful for me to see, because it was literally our mission being accomplished in person. I could see it happening, live. It just felt really good. I felt so proud that day.”

Enabling people from all backgrounds and ethnicities to have this easy access to the cosmetics they want is driving TRU SKN’s plans for the future, as Elizabeth continues to reach out to major retailers.

“Being in a retail store would achieve that goal of having a physical presence in people’s everyday lives,” she says.

Meanwhile, the programmes provided

by Westminster for supporting student entrepreneurs are soon to have a physical presence of their own.

The building at 29 Marylebone Road, set to open in 2025, will be an inclusive hub for employability and enterprise.

It will be home to the WeNetwork, along with Future Ready Mentoring, Westminster Working Cultures and other employability schemes that provide students with tailored support and links to industry.

By having a physical space, Westminster can provide access to more facilities, creative spaces and an expansion of current employability support, as well as more engagement with local employers. Meaning that even more students like Elizabeth can transform their passions into realworld businesses.

“It is so nice and refreshingtosee universities supporting entrepreneurship,” Elizabeth says. For her, Westminster has been “instrumental” in the success of TRU SKN. “Just knowing they were there for me and always cheering me on. Inviting me to events, as well as the financial support through the competitions. It all makes such a big difference for students like me. Because we can actually go ahead and build something.”

SUPPORT STUDENT ENTERPRISE There are many ways you can help make enterprise more accessible to Westminster students. If you are interested in supporting our programmes, we would love to hear from you.

• To connect with our WeNetwork team, email: wenetwork@westminster.ac.uk • Or to donate to the Ignite Fund, visit: donate.westminster.ac.uk

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IMPACT | PLANNING PERMISSION SUCCESS

2025

IS WHEN THE BUILDING WILL OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY

£5.8M

WAS GRANTED BY OFFICE FOR STUDENTS TO BUILD INNOVATIVE TRAINING SPACES

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STOREYS WILL BE DEVELOPED INTO COLLABORATIVE WORKSPACES

PLANNING PERMISSION SUCCESS Planning permission for the refurbishment of our 29 Marylebone Road site has been granted, enabling the creation of a new hub for enterprise and industry – with accessibility, inclusivity and sustainability at its heart.

T

he nine-storey building is set to become the UK’s most inclusive centre for employability and enterprise, bridging the gap between education and the business world.

An inclusive hub Located just across the road from the University’s Marylebone Campus, it will bring employers, local residents and the University’s communities under one roof. By welcoming Westminster alumni and the wider community, the new centre will provide students with access to inspirational employer-led events and activities, as well as training and networking opportunities for employers and local organisations.

When complete, it will feature creative spaces to support collaboration and engagement with local businesses as well as event and exhibition spaces to showcase student enterprise and achievements. It will also host an array of state-of-the-art training

facilities, including a digital studio and maker space.

“We are delighted that our plans to refurbish our building at 29 Marylebone Road have been approved by Westminster City Council,” says Linsey Cole, Director of Business Engagement at the University of Westminster. “These new facilities will help our students to secure jobs and create enterprises through an exciting programme of employer-led events, workshops, and mentoring. The centre will also support Westminster’s businesses to secure new talent and provide new training opportunities for residents. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners, local businesses and residents in the next phase of the building’s development.”

A sustainable space The plans, designed by ADP Architecture from their London studio, were praised by the Planning Committee for their commitment to sustainability. The reuse

and retrofit of the existing building avoid the carbon impact of a new build, and there is a planned 69% reduction in carbon emissions.

Greening has also been considered, with a green roof planned for the 8th floor, greening agreed for the 1st floor terrace, and bird and bat boxes included in the design.

The University has secured a £5.8m grant from the Higher Education regulator Office for Students (OfS) to build innovative training spaces at 29 Marylebone Road. With planning permission now granted, construction is expected to start later this year. The planned opening date is summer 2025.

SUPPORT THE VISION If you wish to learn more about the project and support its realisation, please get in touch via: 29mr@westminster.ac.uk Artist's impressions of the building's external facade, and internal floors (above)

10 WAYS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE | IMPACT

3,355

VOLUNTEERS CURRENTLY SUPPORT OUR PROJECTS

84%

OF OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE ALUMNI

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1,793

VOLUNTEERS MENTOR STUDENTS AND RECENT GRADUATES

10 WAYS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE Volunteers are instrumental in the success of our students and graduates.

Our key engagement, enterprise and employability programmes rely on the input and expertise of our dedicated volunteer network.

A

s a volunteer, you can enable Westminster students by giving them the tools, insights and confidence they need to succeed, while fulfilling your own values and also promoting your organisation’s social commitments.

Here is a round-up of the volunteering opportunities you can get involved with at Westminster – either as an individual or a partner organisation, alumnus or nonalumni supporter.

Deliver a talk as a guest speaker Lead careers-focused guest lectures, panel discussions or workshops to support students to develop their skills and knowledge.

Mentor Share your expertise and experience to inspire Westminster students as they embark on their career journeys, through our awardwinning Future Ready Mentoring programmes.

Create a leadership experience Create ‘leadership experiences’, such as work-shadowing a CEO or joining a Board meeting, which will be awarded to exceptional students to support their professional ambitions.

Offer work and placement opportunities Provide exclusively ringfenced work experience or placement opportunities for University of Westminster students and graduates.

BECOME A VOLUNTEER TODAY If you recognise the potential of Westminster students and the value in dedicating time to support them, we would love to hear from you. Get in touch to find out more about volunteering at Westminster: alumni@westminster.ac.uk

Design a ‘live project’ Deliver ‘live projects’ with your organisation, such as hackathons, which our students can work on to provide a solution to your organisation’s needs.

Pledge a digital donation Provide access or licences to software applications which can support our students starting their business or career journey.

Provide a venue Welcome our students to your organisation by providing a venue and catering for an event, which could include award ceremonies or annual receptions to celebrate their achievements.

Offer a co-working location Make your office space a ‘co-working’ location, for students and new graduates seeking a base for starting out their freelance or entrepreneurial careers.

Host students in your office Invite a group of students into your office for a ‘themed’ one-off tour, talk or skills workshop.

Foster enterprise and entrepreneurship Develop the next generation of entrepreneurs by offering specialist advice, resources and expertise to our students and graduates interested in working for themselves or starting their own business.

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IMPACT | OUR LEADING VOLUNTEERS 2023

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ALUMNI WON ACROSS THE 5 CATEGORIES IN THIS YEAR’S AWARDS

2,814

ALUMNI ACTIVELY VOLUNTEER ACROSS OUR PROGRAMMES

101

NATIONALITIES REPRESENTED BY OUR ALUMNI VOLUNTEERS

OUR LEADING VOLUNTEERS 2023 We are thrilled to announce the winners of the Alumni Volunteering Awards 2023.

ALUMNI VOLUNTEERING AWARDS

H

ere at Westminster, we are incredibly fortunate to have hundreds of dedicated volunteers who selflessly give their time and expertise to support students at the University. Our alumni go above and beyond to support our students’ success and the University’s mission through mentoring schemes, careers talks, hosting events and workshops, and so much more. During Volunteers’ Week every year, it is our pleasure to recognise and celebrate the commitment of these alumni through our Alumni Volunteering Awards.

COULD YOU BE AN ALUMNI VOLUNTEERING AWARD WINNER? Find out more about the many volunteering opportunities available to our alumni and supporters: westminster.ac.uk/get-involved

There are five categories, reflecting the breadth of volunteering opportunities at Westminster and the numerous ways our alumni get involved, including: • Alumni Speaker of the Year Award: For alumni who have delivered an outstanding presentation, lecture, workshop, or panel discussion

THE WINNERS

ALUMNI SPEAKER OF THE YEAR

• Going the Extra Mile Award: For alumni who have provided dedicated support across multiple initiatives or activities • Exceptional Support of Students and Recent Graduates Award: For alumni who go above and beyond to provide professional development support to students and recent graduates • Long Serving Volunteer Award: For the marathon alumni volunteers who have supported Westminster for at least three years • Volunteer Partner Award: For nonalumni partners who, recognising the potential of Westminster students, generously offer specialist knowledge and insights to support their development With so many fantastic nominees this year, we announced seven winners across the five categories.

Peggy Elechi Business Management BA, 2021 Peggy was a star panel speaker at the What Comes Next? – Business Management event, where she was able to use her recent experience of entering the job market to advise current students on where to start after graduating, how to negotiate your salary and offer reassurance about starting something new. As well as engaging with the students during the panel and Q&A, Peggy stayed after the event had concluded to speak to the attendees and answer more questions.

OUR LEADING VOLUNTEERS 2023 | IMPACT

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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR AWARD WINNERS, AND A BIG THANK-YOU TO ALL OF OUR VOLUNTEERS!

Karl Donaldson Psychology BSc, 2019 Karl has worked for over three decades to make a difference to the lives of young people through his work as a youth practitioner. Karl was part of the What it Takes to Overcome impostor Syndrome panel in November 2022, where he discussed his experience as a mature student at Westminster and gave excellent advice to attendees on how to start to overcome personal doubt. Karl was able to offer advice on how he has worked to change his views about imposter syndrome by embracing his unique qualities and developing a greater sense of belief in his capabilities.

GOING THE EXTRA MILE

EXCEPTIONAL SUPPORT OF STUDENTS AND RECENT GRADUATES

LONG SERVING VOLUNTEER

Ivy Edemafaka Professional Practice Architecture PG Dip, 2020 Ivy has contributed so much to Westminster across many areas. She is an Architecture mentor and Part 3 Champion, which has included guest critiquing Architecture student projects to provide feedback and suggestions for students returning from their work experience module. She has also joined the Westminster Architecture School’s Employer Advisory Board to support the University in preparing students for entering the architecture industry.

Dr Emily Rosado Journalism MA, 1999 Emily has been volunteering for Westminster since 2016. She has been a podcast speaker, shared alumni profiles, supported EDI initiatives at Westminster and hosted WWC trips to Washington DC in 2018, 2019 and 2022. Emily serves as an adviser to the Westminster EDI Programme Board and advocates for supporting Asian American voices. With her commitment to diversity, inclusion and wellbeing, Emily reflects Westminster’s values and actively works to further them both through her support of Westminster and her work overseas.

VOLUNTEER PARTNER

Haroon Omar Mahdi Interactive Media Practice MA, 2018 Haroon Mahdi has been part of Future Ready Mentoring at Westminster since 2018, and part of Group Mentoring since its inception. Haroon has always been committed to supporting his mentees to help them achieve their academic and professional goals. This year, Haroon has provided one-to-one support through the Career Mentoring Programme. Despite the minimum commitment being five mentoring sessions across the six-month cycle, Haroon and his mentee have had ten mentoring sessions, with an additional five scheduled to take place. His mentee has not only had the opportunity to excel in their professional development, but also to grow enormously in self-confidence.

Sam Badcock Marketing Communications BA, 2020 Sam has been an incredibly generous and dedicated volunteer – facilitating work experience, participating in events and hosting the Westminster Working Cultures (WWC) UK June 2022 group. He was a keynote speaker at the WWC Annual Reunion event, and also joined the panel for the What it Takes to Enter the Job Market event, where he shared his experience as a recent graduate and offered excellent advice to students about their early careers.

The Howard de Walden Estate The Howard de Walden Estate is responsible for overseeing a diverse community of residents, educational institutions and businesses. It has provided outstanding support to students at Westminster for over six years. This includes funding annual scholarships for students who are estranged from their families, hosting internships and Westminster Working Cultures UK events, supporting mentoring programmes and providing financial support for the University’s hardship fund during the costof-living crisis.

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IMPACT | CELEBRATING THE REOPENING OF THE SOHO POLY

1970–80s WAS WHEN RADICAL LUNCHTIME THEATRE WAS FIRST PIONEERED

100s

OF PEOPLE FROM THE LOCAL COMMUNITY TOOK PART IN WORKSHOPS DURING THE FESTIVAL

89%

OF THE WAY TOWARDS OUR SOHO POLY RESTORATION FUNDRAISING TARGET

CELEBRATING THE REOPENING OF THE SOHO POLY Following the restoration of the University’s iconic London fringe theatre, the Soho Poly relaunched in June, with the Soho Poly Summer Festival.

Ashaine White performs on stage at the festival's musical finale

I

t has been over 50 years since the little theatre in the basement of our building at Riding House Street first opened its doors. Despite its size, in the '70s and '80s, the impact of the Soho Poly theatre was huge, making it perhaps the most important alternative theatre venue in London.

By pioneering so-called ‘lunchtime theatre’, it allowed the arts to become an integral part of everyday working life. It was a leading venue for underrepresented writers – especially women – and was radical in its approach to widening access to the arts.

Establishing itself as a fixture on the London ‘fringe’, the Soho Poly also helped to launch the careers of well-known actors, writers and directors. But despite the historical importance of the much-loved

venue, when the Soho Poly left the premises in 1990 to become what is today’s Soho Theatre on Dean Street, the basement space was left abandoned and fell into disrepair.

Fast forward to 2023 and, thanks to generous funding and the engagement of the local community, the theatre has been brought back to life.

After rediscovering the space in 2012, Dr Matt Morrison, Head of Creative Writing at Westminster, has worked alongside Professor Guy Osborn, Director of the Centre for Law, Society and Popular Culture, to restore the theatre and the inclusive, accessible community spirit it represents.

Beginning with a dynamic series of public engagement events, including pop-up festivals, plays and exhibitions, to generate

interest in the theatre’s revival, a project to fully renovate and modernise the basement was later launched.

As the theatre had been neglected for 30 years, urgent work was needed to address repairs to the fabric – from the hazardous rickety wooden stairs to the deteriorating brickwork and timbers, and specifically the need to make the space fully accessible.

After a two-year restoration, the theatre has been transformed into a warm and welcoming space.

But what the Soho Poly represents is much more than a building. It signifies the importance of the arts and celebrates inclusion, creativity and community.

Which is why, when the Soho Poly Summer Festival took place in June this year, it paid homage to the original spirit of the historic venue and offered a dynamic week’s programme of events to people for whom the arts are harder to access.

Supported principally by Westminster City Council and the Quintin Hogg Trust, the festival offered a mixture of community-focused and free public events, including school workshops, play readings, gigs and more. Each event was designed to give a flavour of what the new space will offer and celebrate the arts, identity and untold stories.

One programme collaborated with Unfinished Histories and gave people the chance to view a play reading of Jackie Kay’s work Chiaroscuro, a celebration of gay women of colour, which was first performed at the Soho Poly in 1985. The play was then followed in the evening by a gig from acclaimed singer David Lance Callahan, who had previously performed at the University back in the 1980s with his band The Wolfhounds, something celebrated in the Polyphonic initiative.

CELEBRATING THE REOPENING OF THE SOHO POLY | IMPACT

The festival also collaborated with partner charities Open Age and the Fitzrovia Centre to put on a Community Creative Writing workshop, and Badge Cafés were hosted throughout the week by Dr Ben Walters.

“For the Badge Café, Soho Poly was the perfect playground and testbed to have fun, explore new creative forms and joyfully disrupt the everyday. The space is intimate, versatile and quirky,” says Ben. “The Summer Festival brought together a diverse combination of pleasure-seekers who created more together than we ever could have separately. It was a privilege to be part of the reopening of such an exciting space.”

Meanwhile, the focal point of the festival was the Disrupt Your Everyday local business challenge.

This was a chance for local businesses to discover the secret artists amongst their workforces. Participating companies encouraged their employees to showcase their artistic talents, uncovering hidden musicians, writers and painters. For one day across the borough, arts and culture were brought into the very heart of ordinary working life – in true Soho Poly spirit.

“Our Disrupt Your Everyday local business challenge was a great success,” says Dr Matt Morrison. “It was brilliant to have engagement from organisations and

charities, including the National Academy for Social Prescribing, Kids, and Fun Palaces, not to mention University of Westminster neighbours like the Cookery School.

“The Soho Poly also ‘took over’ Little Portland Street for the afternoon, handing out flyers and inviting passers-by to make badges whilst being serenaded by musicians and drag queens!”

From an iconic fringe theatre venue, to abandoned basement and now, a vibrant community hub for inclusivity within the Regent Street area. After years of planning, fundraising and restoration, the vision of Soho Poly theatre – to bring arts and culture into the heart of the community – is now being realised.

The Summer Festival was just the beginning. The theatre will continue to host events, offer community engagement to University partners and local schools, and provide students and the London arts community with a new performance and education space.

With the building and its spirit fully restored, the Soho Poly remains a little place with a big purpose: to make arts accessible to everyone.

DISRUPT YOUR EVERYDAY To learn more about the project and get involved with events and opportunities at the Soho Poly theatre, visit: westminster.ac.uk/ restoring-the-soho-poly Members of the Westminster community took part in creative workshops

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14

IMPACT | AROUND THE WORLD

Alumnus Raul Castro hosted students at Amazon's offices in Barcelona, April 2023

AROUND THE WORLD | IMPACT

351

STUDENTS HAVE PARTICIPATED IN WWC INTERNATIONAL SINCE ITS LAUNCH IN 2017

90%

OF STUDENTS ON WWC INTERNATIONAL TRIPS ARE FROM AN UNDERREPRESENTED BACKGROUND

15

132

VOLUNTEERS HAVE SUPPORTED OUR WWC PROGRAMMES OVER THE PAST YEAR

AROUND THE WORLD

Our Westminster Working Cultures (WWC) International programme relaunched in September 2022. Since then, we have run nine international trips, giving 172 students the chance to experience work insights and diverse employment cultures in major cities around the globe.

OUR TRIPS 2022–23 SEPTEMBER 2022

TORONTO

SEPTEMBER 2022

WASHINGTON DC

JANUARY 2023

MUMBAI

JANUARY 2023

CAIRO

APRIL 2023

BARCELONA

APRIL 2023

MIL AN

APRIL 2023

SINGAPORE

JUNE 2023

BRUSSELS AND PARIS

JUNE 2023

BERLIN

F

rom networking with local alumni and careers talks from our accomplished hosts, to touring offices of multinational companies and soaking up the local culture – students broaden their horizons, and develop themselves personally and professionally over the week-long trips.

“My experience has been nothing short of life-changing, and I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of such an amazing programme,” says Antonio Aciobanitei, a Computer Science student, who had the opportunity to visit Mumbai in January.

“I learnt a variety of valuable skills that have already had a significant impact on my career prospects. However, the most significant change that I experienced during my time in Mumbai was a shift in mindset.

By listening to the inspiring stories and advice of the volunteer speakers, I was able to gain a new perspective on what is possible in my career and feel more confident and motivated to pursue my goals. This newfound sense of purpose has allowed me to be more focused and driven than ever before.”

A huge thank-you to our amazing international volunteers who have welcomed and hosted us, giving Westminster students a life-changing experience.

See more images from our WWC International 2022–23 trips in our image gallery

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IMPACT | AROUND THE WORLD

RIENCE G E P X E Y M NOTHIN N E E B S HA F SHORT OGING N LIFE-CHA

Students make a pit stop at the Eiffel Tower during their trip to Paris, June 2023

Alumna Claudia Di Stefano welcomes students to her office at IBM in Milan, April 2023

Students learn about the working culture in India during a visit to Atlas University in Mumbai, January 2023

Students journey to the Egyptian pyramids on a trip to Cairo, January 2023

AROUND THE WORLD | IMPACT

Students stop by the Holocaust memorial in between sessions in Berlin, June 2023

Lorenzo Evans gives students a tour of the Kennedy Centre for Performing Arts followed by a careers talk, in Washington DC, September 2022

Students visit Niagara Falls on a trip to Toronto, September 2022

COULD YOU BE AN INTERNATIONAL HOST? If you are based in one of these cities, or have any connections there, we would love to hear from you! Get in touch via: workingcultures@westminster.ac.uk

I WAS ABLE TO GAIN A NE PERSPECTIVEWO WHAT IS POSSIBN IN MY CAREER LE

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IMPACT | BUILDING RESILIENCE FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS

13 JUNE

MARKED THE LAUNCH OF THE SELF-LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME

£15K

PLEDGED TO SUPPORT THE PROGRAMME OVER 3 YEARS

6–12

MONTHS ON THE PROGRAMME WILL TEACH ENTREPRENEURS RESILIENCE

BUILDING RESILIENCE FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS

In June, the University of Westminster’s Centre for Resilience launched the Self-Leadership Programme, to support the psychological health and wellbeing of student entrepreneurs.

A

s an entrepreneur, I’ve always been quite scared of failure.”

Visiting Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Graham Shapiro, an award-winning digital designer and inventor, has experienced, firsthand, the rollercoaster ride of young entrepreneurship.

Coming from a “very non-affluent beginning”, he struck out early – establishing Graham Shapiro Design, just a few years after graduating.

And over the past quarter of a century, he has invented the game-changing patented tools, interloopmailer® and Reggie®, and produced branding and websites for iconic

luxury businesses. He is now putting the wheels in motion to make things just a little bit easier for some of the next generation of entrepreneurs.

By donating £15,000 through his charity the Graham Shapiro Foundation, and agreeing to mentor students, he has helped to bring Westminster’s new Self-Leadership Programme to life.

Lasting 6 to 12 months, the programme aims to instil resilience and self-care in students. Those who are participating in entrepreneurship schemes through the WeNetwork (Westminster’s entrepreneurial hub) are signposted to the University’s Centre for Resilience for the programme.

Graham Shapiro (centre) has helped bring the Self-Leadership Programme to life

“The idea was – as well as the entrepreneurial idea, how do they look after the person who’s going to deliver that idea? i.e., themselves,” says Justin Haroun, the programme’s Director.

Beyond nurturing the soul behind the start-up, research has shown that taking care of your emotional health boosts creativity and keeps you productive.

Put another way – taking breaks makes breakthroughs happen.

As head and co-founder of Westminster’s Centre for Resilience, Justin specialises in using psychometric and physiological data to help people understand and manage their personal stress triggers.

“Our physiology is Stone Age, if you like,” Justin says. “It hasn’t really adapted to the modern world. But our psychology is having to work in a fast-paced environment, where there are snakes around every corner.”

For a newly minted entrepreneur, these “snakes” could be anything from a negative comment on social media to failing to win crucial funding.

Among other things, the Self-Leadership Programme will help students understand why they may feel the way they do, and teach them strategies for recovery, resilience and long-term success.

“You can’t upgrade your physiology,” Justin says. “But you can do certain practices that calm your physiology – and that will help your psychology to better manage its way in the world.”

Mindfulness is a big part of this – but if people are working under conditions which are not sustainable, mindfulness alone simply isn’t enough.

“What we’re not doing is a kind of sticking plaster mindfulness,” Justin says. “As in, the whole place is burning down – and you’ve just got to practise mindfulness!”

BUILDING RESILIENCE FOR LONG-TERM SUCCES | IMPACT

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Justin Haroun (right) is Director of the Self-Leadership Programme

WHAT WE'RE NOT DOING IS A KIND OF STICKING PLASTER MINDFULNESS The Centre’s acclaimed ResilienceLab 360 has helped a variety of organisations boost resilience amongst their senior management teams. “It has left me with the sense that in highly stressful situations, there are things I can do to regulate my own stress,” one senior NHS Consultant said after participating.

In the view of Paul Donovan, CEO of ODEON & UCI Cinemas Group, the Centre for Resilience “is at the forefront of developing thinking in this important area of leadership.”

And adapting these methods to support Westminster’s own students seems particularly timely right now.

Mental health issues are affecting more and more young people, and university students of all ages face very specific financial, academic and social pressures.

Many now also face unprecedented debt levels on graduating.

Burgeoning entrepreneurs, meanwhile, have to deal with long days and nights, constant new challenges, and decisions that could make or break their ventures.

The strain entrepreneurs place themselves under is a subject close to Graham’s heart. In 2009, the same year he patented the interloopmailer®, Graham suffered a brain spasm. “In the end the diagnosis was being too stressed and overworked,” he says.

The experience served as a “warning”, which inspired him to completely “reset” the way he managed his business and his life. It was also a major driving force behind the formation of the Graham

Shapiro Foundation – which supports both young entrepreneurs and broader mental health concerns Meeting Justin and learning about the Self-Leadership Programme was a “lightbulb moment”, Graham says. Its approach and diagnostic tools are, in his view, “unique” – and its aims also closely align with the goals of his Foundation. “I want to embrace the programme,” he says.

“That’s it, at the end of the day – I think the whole idea can help people.”

Though he is not a Westminster alumnus himself, Graham feels a strong connection with the University.

“As soon as I walked into the uni on my first day, I thought ‘Yeah, this is a very special place – it’s doing special things.’”

Beyond the funding he’s providing, Graham’s mentoring alone will be hugely beneficial to students, Justin says. “To look at someone who’s created an incredibly successful business, who’s been there before them, walked the path, understands the terrain and is willing to put a hand back and say – ‘Hey – I know what it’s like and I’m gonna support you not with words – I’m gonna support you practically with the resources, which is the funding. And I’m also

gonna be there with you on this journey to help you.’ I think that’s really, really powerful.”

The Self-Leadership Programme will also include coaching sessions with Westminster graduate and Revolution Resilience founder Kate Fismer.

In the future, Justin hopes to take the programme’s teachings beyond Westminster – enabling more alumni, like Kate, to mentor other young people through a social enterprise spin-off.

“We want to put it in the hands of, you know, a secondary school, a further education college, prison services – wherever this can have benefit to people that would not normally have access to this kind of support,” he says.

Future donors could even choose to fund rolling this training out to specific organisations, or even communities they wish to support, Justin adds.

And while the primary focus is on helping individual humans live the best lives they can, there are broader systemic paybacks, too. “If you can help our younger generation be more creative, more resilient and to be more confident, that’s only going to be a good thing,” Justin says. “There is an investment for the future there.”

SUPPORT THE SELF-LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME The more funding received, the more young entrepreneurs can acquire the tools they need to be long-term players in the world of business. To find out more, visit: donate.westminster.ac.uk/self-leadership-programme-for-student-entrepreneurs

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IMPACT | DID YOU KNOW...?

4

RESEARCH COMMUNITIES AT WESTMINSTER MAKING REAL-WORLD IMPACT

450

DOCTORAL STUDENTS CONTRIBUTE TO RESEARCH AT WESTMINSTER

£5.5M

PLEDGED BY QHT TO SUPPORT PROJECTS AND RESEARCH OVER 3 YEARS

DID YOU KNOW…?

THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER DELIVERS WORLD-LEADING RESEARCH Our academics, students and colleagues deliver research that has real-world impact.

Much of this research relies on our donors and partners, who see the value in funding pioneering research at Westminster. With their generous support, we can expand research and knowledge exchange at the University, enabling breakthroughs in fields such as science, sustainability and transport. Here are some of the recent discoveries that our donors’ support has helped Westminster researchers to uncover:

AI TOOLS CAN BENEFIT CANCER RESEARCH A research project led by Dr Kalpana Surendranath, Leader at the University’s Genome Engineering Lab, could potentially revolutionise DNA damage studies in cancer and disease research.

The Lab brought together academics, students and international experts in DNA damage to demonstrate how advancements in the field of computer science, particularly AI, can be used in genome instability studies.

The study used deep learning, an AI-powered machine learning method that can create multiple layers of algorithms and networks, making large-scale data processing more efficient. Around 1,800 images of genome instability were generated by past PhD students in the Lab to validate the model. The results are intended to provide encouragement for further work in building AI powered tools for basic cancer research.

The Genome Engineering Lab was set up at Westminster to train young researchers in the methods and theoretical knowledge needed to investigate complex molecular and cellular biology problems.

With initial funding from the Quintin Hogg Trust (QHT), further research at the Lab has been enabled by donor Raj Sitlani, who has funded additional hardware and equipment, providing students with more hands-on, practical experience.

DID YOU KNOW...? | IMPACT

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THE OVERUSE OF ANTIBIOTICS HAS RESULTED IN THE EMERGENCE OF ‘SUPERBUGS’ In collaboration with Dr Manal Mohammed, Senior Lecturer in Medical Microbiology, eight students conducted research about superbugs and launched a campaign to raise awareness of these antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

The emergence of superbugs is a global health problem and if no action is taken, it is expected that antibiotic-resistant superbugs could cause a million deaths each year by 2050.

With the support of the QHT, the project recruited Design and Film students to work with their Life Science peers, and create posters and videos to raise awareness of superbugs.

“The global threat of antimicrobial resistance requires that we work together across borders and sectors to tackle this silent pandemic,” says Dr Manal Mohammed.

“We are very grateful for the funding received from the QHT Research and Knowledge Exchange to recruit undergraduate and MSc students to work together in raising public awareness of superbugs and providing advice on how to stop their spread.”

SCHOOL STREETS CLOSURES IMPROVE STREETS FOR CHILDREN

STEREOTYPES COULD REINFORCE LOW CYCLING RATES The University of Westminster’s Active Travel Academy (ATA) has published the first-ever research exploring the cycling experiences of UK-based women of colour who are regular cyclists.

The ATA was set up in 2019 with a substantial initial investment from the QHT. It brings together expertise to lead research, teaching and knowledge exchange on walking, wheeling, cycling and other active modes, and reduction in car use.

In this latest research, led by Dulce Pedroso, PhD student and Fellow at the ATA, and co-authored by Rachel Aldred, Professor of Transport, found that cyclists are already marginalised on caroriented roads, and the dominant perception of these cyclists is that they are masculine and sporty. Women of colour who do not fit these stereotypes are further marginalised on the road and may struggle to negotiate how they are represented.

“To increase cycling rates, we have to look beyond the demographics who are currently well represented in cycling,” said Pedroso.

“We know that there is an unmet need and thus huge potential in growing cycling rates among women, people of colour and especially women of colour, but we know very little about underrepresented cyclists.”

A recent report authored by Asa Thomas, a PhD researcher at the Active Travel Academy, has found that ‘School Streets’ closures in London have improved the overall experience for the children that are using them.

The project was funded by Cross River Partnership, contributing to their Healthy Streets Everyday project.

The new report ‘Making School Streets Healthier’, investigated the ‘School Streets’ closure trials in London, which are initiatives where the streets in front of schools are closed to cars at the beginning and end of the school day. The closures aimed to encourage children and their parents to walk, cycle or scoot to and from school.

The research found that the School Streets schemes have made streets healthier. Motor traffic was found to be radically curbed both during the closure and over the course of the day, which has improved the overall experience of using these streets.

Talking about the research, Asa Thomas said: “With some caveats, this research provides more evidence for the effectiveness of School Streets in improving the urban environments through which children travel to schools in London. The use of before and after data in this study allows for a detailed analysis of behaviour in the urban environment which will hopefully prove helpful to designers and policy makers working on future schemes.”

THANK YOU! Thank you to all our partners and individual donors who make a huge impact through funding research at Westminster. To find out more about contributing to our programmes, please get in touch via: development@westminster.ac.uk

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IMPACT | ANNOUNCING THE CHANCELLOR’S CIRCLE

12

EMPLOYER PARTNERS ARE ESTABLISHED MEMBERS OF THE CHANCELLOR’S CIRCLE

19,000

CURRENT STUDENTS COULD BENEFIT FROM TRANSFORMATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

10 S

OF WAYS YOUR COMPANY CAN VOLUNTEER TO SUPPORT EMPLOYABILITY AT WESTMINSTER

ANNOUNCING THE CHANCELLOR’S CIRCLE Natalie Campbell MBE was officially installed as the Chancellor of the University of Westminster in February. During the celebrations, Natalie announced the Chancellor’s Circle, a new community of employer partners from across different sectors, who have each committed to create transformational opportunities for our students. social enterprise Belu Water, said: “It was a huge opportunity and privilege to say yes to joining the University because there is so much alignment between how I’ve built my career and the priorities of the University itself.

“The first thing I said was 'How can I help?'

The things I heard were that students need opportunities, they need work experience placements, they’d like to listen to interesting people… and that’s why I created the Chancellor’s Circle.”

THANK YOU TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE CHANCELLOR’S CIRCLE

Above: Natalie Campbell MBE with Satia Rai, CEO IPSA

M

embers of the Chancellor’s Circle support a range of activities designed to enhance the career prospects of our students and graduates, including mentoring, careers talks, career insight days and workshops.

Speaking of their decision to join the Chancellor’s Circle, Satia Rai, CEO of the International Professional Security Association (IPSA), said: “IPSA joining the Chancellor’s Circle was a natural progression for us. We were part of the University’s award-winning Future Ready Mentoring programme last year, which was an incredible experience and we wanted to continue to build on our partnership.

“IPSA’s values are very much aligned with Westminster’s. The security industry is striving to become more diverse and more inclusive. Our membership will allow us to reach out to a younger and more diverse workforce and enable us to show the students that the security industry is a great and rewarding career choice.”

A fellow Chancellor’s Circle member, Cognizant, one of the world’s leading information technology and professional services companies, has also provided exceptional support to our students across mentoring and outreach initiatives this year. A particular highlight included an exclusive career insight day at Silverstone, where Cognizant Outreach welcomed our Computer Science students to the Aston Martin F1 campus to learn about technology advancements and open their minds to STEM careers.

Midhusa Mohan, UK Outreach Strategist at Cognizant, said: “Cognizant Outreach is all about providing underrepresented groups in tech access to opportunities they may not have had otherwise to inspire and enable them to pursue STEM careers. So it has been a real pleasure to provide opportunities to Westminster students through our Chancellor’s Circle partnership.”

Speaking about joining the University of Westminster, Natalie, who is Co-CEO of the

• The Association of British Insurers • Belu Water • Cognizant • The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities • The Howard de Walden Estate • I nternational Professional Security Association • Ocean Bottle • Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation • The Royal Foundation • Stonehage Fleming • VOLA • NetCompany

If your company would like to partner with our students through the Chancellor’s Circle, we’d love to hear from you: collaborate@westminster.ac.uk

MEET YOUR STUDENT CALLERS | IMPACT

£50K

RAISED DURING 2022 ALUMNI TELEPHONE CAMPAIGN

£150–£1.5K GRANTED TO SUCCESSFUL STUDENT APPLICANTS FROM THE IGNITE FUND

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1000+ ALUMNI WILL BE CALLED THIS NOVEMBER

MEET YOUR STUDENT CALLERS Each November, the University runs a telephone campaign as part of our regular giving programme. The campaign is a fantastic way for us to stay connected with graduates and a great opportunity for alumni to learn more about supporting the Ignite Fund (formerly The 125 Fund).

T

he telephone campaign is also a chance for alumni to reconnect with the University via our student callers and have some incredible conversations.

Former student callers Sanjeeda and Sherin share some of the highlights from their experiences of speaking to alumni during last year’s annual telephone campaign.

SANJEEDA

APPLIED BIOTECHNOLOGY MSC WHAT DID YOU MOST ENJOY ABOUT BEING A STUDENT CALLER? “One of the most enjoyable aspects was the ability to connect with so many different people who share a common connection to the University. A highlight that stands out was a fascinating conversation I had with an alumnus who had graduated 30 years ago, but still held strong and vivid memories of his time at the University. He recounted his

experiences, his favourite spots around the campus, and how his time at Westminster had shaped his personal and professional life.

It was a reminder of the enduring impact the University has on its students.”

WHAT DID YOU DISCUSS WITH THE ALUMNI YOU SPOKE TO? “We covered a wide range of topics during our conversations. From their current professional endeavours to the changes and developments they’ve noticed at Westminster since their graduation. We also delved into the importance of the Ignite Fund and how it contributes to the student experience and the overall growth of the University. Many alumni were keen on the idea of giving back, especially when they learnt about the direct impact of their contributions.”

WHY IS THE TELEPHONE CAMPAIGN IMPORTANT? “It’s not just about raising funds; it’s about updating alumni on how the University has evolved, learning about their achievements post-graduation, and building lasting relationships. The funds raised are integral to supporting projects, scholarships and facilities that are critical for current and future students, thereby ensuring the continued legacy of excellence at the University of Westminster.”

SHERIN

BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES MSC WHAT DID YOU LEARN DURING YOUR TIME AS A STUDENT CALLER? “As an international student, these warm conversations with the alumni made me feel connected and welcomed to Westminster, just as I was beginning my journey with the University. Knowing them and their success boosted my confidence.”

WHY SHOULD ALUMNI PICK UP THE PHONE TO STUDENT CALLERS? “A conversation that takes just a few minutes might be life-changing for a student at the receiving end. Even if alumni don’t actively participate as donors, any suggestions and conversations are invaluable.”

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SPEAKING TO YOU THIS NOVEMBER! This year’s campaign will take place between 28 October and 19 November. To find out more about the life-changing impact of the Ignite Fund, or more details on the telephone campaign, please visit: westminster.ac.uk/the-telephone-campaign

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IMPACT | Making Real Change in Real Estate

FUTURE READY MENTORING

How c a n I tailo r my app lication for this position ?

W he r plac e is the best e to lo job o pp or o k f o r tuni ties?

best can I w o H or are f prep r view ? te an in

CAN YOU HELP OUR STUDENTS WITH CAREER ADVICE? The University of Westminster's Ask a Mentor Service matches students with a mentor for one-off conversations to answer specific questions about job applications, career opportunities, interviews and more.

BENEFITS OF JOINING ASK A MENTOR AS A MENTOR • Short-term, one-off mentoring conversations can fit into your busy schedule • Offer your expertise to students and recent graduates with industry-specific questions • Develop your coaching and advising skills in a short space of time

CAN YOU HELP? Our students need mentors from a wide range of industries and roles.

Visit westminster.ac.uk/mentor-signup to register today.