Alison
Making giving easy
Alison's ambition
My name is Alison Noble, I am from Edinburgh in Scotland, and I am a final year History student.
My ambition is to increase student philanthropy and volunteering on campus.
When dealing with university stress, societal pressures and life’s ‘lemons’, helping others has always given me a sense of fulfilment and happiness, yet I can see how busy students may find themselves too occupied to contribute to helping others.
It seems daunting, but as students, we are the generation on the verge of becoming the leaders of our society, and it is important that we bring with us a fundamental desire to help others in need. Especially as it will be us and the younger generation tasked with tackling the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.
During my first two years at UofG I threw myself into volunteering, becoming a member of Glasgow University Service to the Homeless, a member of the SRC Conversational English Volunteer scheme and taking time out to volunteer with mental health societies.
Entering my third year I took on a bigger challenge: I was named the Director of Charity for the 2018-2019 Glasgow University Charity Fashion show - the largest student fundraiser in Glasgow. It was a challenging yet rewarding position which gave me the opportunity to organise events, work with individual members to reach their fundraising goals, form a strong relationship with our partner charity and I even completed a skydive! By the end of the academic year the society had raised £34,130.79 for our charitable partner and had been named Society of the Year on Campus!
It is my current aim to get a round-up system on campus, where customers have the option to round-up to the nearest pound at the checkout, with the money going to charity. This is a simple way to incorporate giving into the foundations of student life. I have been awarded funding from the June Cockburn Prize here at UofG, which will help me to reach this goal, so watch this space!
Why Glasgow?
I loved the University of Glasgow’s flexible learning options. For my course especially, there were so many different module choices which was important because I wanted to study something I was truly interested in and passionate about.
Also, the career services here are fantastic. My subject is not strictly speaking vocational, so having a good careers advice service has proved invaluable for me. It’s something I think people forget to look into when considering their university choices.
Finally, I visited Glasgow during their Open Day and I loved the campus layout. There is a central hub to the University, which really enables you to work but keep up with your social life.
Why History?
Since the start of senior school, I have loved History. A lot of people don’t see the use in learning about what happened years, if not centuries ago, but everything that happened in the past effects the present. It is all extremely relevant to current affairs and enhances your understanding of the world around you.
Also, I have found in recent years that the skill set you gain from reading History is transferable in many careers and roles. It allows you to keep your options open.
Alison is one of the University of Glasgow’s Future World Changers: students with ambitions to improve lives across the globe. Follow their journeys using #UofGFWC.