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Volunteer Stories

When it comes to volunteering, our alumni always step-up and give their all to help our students and each other. Here’s three stories, showcasing the ways in which you can get involved!

Mentoring Young Minds: Adiel Mambara and the UWL Mentoring Scheme

Mr Adiel MambaraDespite his busy work as the UK and Ireland Country Manager at Royal Brunei Airlines, alongside sitting as a Board member on the Board of Airline Representatives (BARUK), Adiel Mambara continuously finds time to support his old University.

 

Recently Adiel has been taking part in our mentoring scheme, meeting regularly with a final year student to offer support, advice and guidance on everything from final year studies to starting out on a post-university career.

 

We asked Adiel why he considers mentoring a valuable use of his time:

"Mentoring gives me the chance to engage with university students who may see things differently in a changing world, but most importantly offering my services to add value, introducing new ways of thinking, challenging assumptions, and giving back to my ecosystem (the aviation industry), the same way my mentors in my career helped me when I first started out."

 

"A good mentor will critique, not judge; guide, not advise and will continually share ideas and options that in the end will direct a mentee’s path into their chosen field. To the mentee, it is important to get help in identifying a good mentor based on compatibility of skills, experience, and mentoring goals."

 

 

Do you have advice to share? Do you want to inspire the next generation of UWL graduates? Are you looking for a rewarding chance to do something worthwhile?

 

If you’re thinking of becoming an alumni mentor, please click here to register your interest.

Sharing Her Story: Lesi Nayuoh and UWL Panel Events

Lesi nurseLesi Nayuoh is no stranger to public speaking. In addition to her work as an oncology nurse, Lesi presents popular public health discussions on social media, under the handle LesiNayTalks. These talks, inspired by Lesi’s master’s degree in Public Health, aim to encourage people in the BAME community to start talking about difficult and taboo topics surrounding health and wellbeing.

 

For UWL, Lesi has taken part in a number of panel events, including the popular Alumni Engage event: The Role of Activism in the NHS. You can watch this event here.

 

Reflecting on her experience giving talks at UWL, Lesi said:

"Volunteering and giving talks is important because it gives me the opportunity to raise awareness on health issues, thereby influencing people's decision making, motivate change and help people to be proactive in their health and wellbeing. It empowers people to be involved in their health and wellbeing."

 

 

There are so many opportunities to speak at UWL events; take part in a panel aimed at current students, participate in one of our recruitment events or careers fairs, or volunteer to take part in Alumni Engage, a series of interviews with inspiring alumni broadcast live over Zoom.

 

If you’re interested in getting involved, please click here to register your interest.

Being the Chair: Helen Pidgeon and the Alumni Board

HelenThe Alumni Board is a fruitful collaboration of individuals who strive to create exciting opportunities for you engage with the University. Just because you’ve graduated, there’s no need to lose contact. Our dedicated Alumni team run a varied and extensive programme of events and communications to keep you in the loop.

 

The Board consults on everything going on at UWL, offering advice, opinions and suggestions to ensure we continue to offer the best possible service to our alumni community. It includes members representing many of our schools and is chaired by Helen Pidgeon, who represents the school of Law.

 

When asked about her role on the board, Helen said:

“I have found my time on the board to be very rewarding; I’ve especially appreciated the chance to learn about the challenges our students currently face, considering how we can help them, the wonderful diversity of our graduates and the amazing careers they have gone on to achieve.”

 

If you would like to join the alumni board, please click here to register your interest.

 

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