The University of Westminster has launched its annual Telephone Campaign to support the Ignite Fund which is a cornerstone of the University’s mission to help students thrive beyond the classroom. The campaign will see a team of 40 dedicated student callers reach out to alumni to make connections, share updates and raise essential funds.
Since its creation in 2016, the Ignite Fund has supported more than 950 students, offering grants between £150 and £1,500 for equipment, training, research, enterprise and professional development opportunities. In 2025 alone, 167 students received funding — the highest number to date — with nearly £90,000 awarded to help them realise their ambitions. The fund enables students to seize opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach, whether that be launching a start-up, attending international conferences or gaining additional qualifications.
The Ignite Fund is a key part of Zone29, the University’s new home for careers and enterprise, providing students and graduates with access to work-related programmes, opportunities and experiences, which is due to open in Spring 2026. The Ignite Fund is central to Zone29’s mission of unlocking talent, breaking down barriers and championing social mobility.
Jordan Scammell, Head of Development and Fundraising at the University of Westminster, said: “Donations to the Ignite Fund are crucial because they provide essential seed funding for students to pursue opportunities that enhance their employability and professional development. The fund helps alleviate financial stress, allowing students to focus on their studies and achieve high academic performance through extra-curricular opportunities which support their career ambitions.”
Agostina Sturla, a recent recipient who studied on the Digital Media, PR and Advertising BA Honours course, said: “Without the Ignite Fund, I simply wouldn't have had the means to take the professional marketing course that kick-started my career. The funding allowed me to gain vital industry skills in branding, SEO and digital advertising, and that portfolio was the key to landing my fashion PR internship.”
Andre Gordon, Pharmacy and Physiology BSc Honours graduate and previous caller, added: “Participating in the campaign was both transformative and immersive. Each call increased my confidence and resourcefulness. Hearing alumni stories created a sense of rapport beyond just a donation.”
Amar Kataora, Regular Giving and Legacy Officer at the University of Westminster, said: “This year’s Telephone Campaign is about more than donations — it’s about shared growth. Through the Ignite Fund, we’re supporting students’ ambitions, creating opportunities and shaping future leaders. Every conversation helps strengthen our Westminster community, and every donation helps a student take their next step.
“The Ignite Fund embodies the University’s values of opportunity, diversity and inclusion. By donating, alumni and friends are helping to ensure that every Westminster student, regardless of background, can pursue their potential.”
The Ignite Fund’s mission directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4: Quality Education, 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and 10: Reduced Inequalities. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Learn more about the Ignite Fund at the University of Westminster.
Learn about how to support the range of programmes running as part of Zone29.
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