Category: Bristol Volunteers

Alumni and friends gathered in Hong Kong on Tuesday 14 January for dinner, which was a great success.

The dinner was hosted by the Bristol Hong Kong Alumni Network, the network also welcomed Sir Richard Alan Field, who had just arrived in Hong Kong the day before as he begins his appointment as a Deputy Judge of the High Court of Hong Kong.

A special thanks goes to Hau-yin Raymond Yuen (MSc 2009) for coordinating the event and making it such a success. Events such as these are central to building a strong network of alumni in Hong Kong.

Charles Gunter  (BSc 2006, MSc 2009)

On Saturday 14 December, 200 alumni, current Wills residents and guests from the University and the city, celebrated the 90th Anniversary of the opening of Wills Hall. At 5 pm, David Dewar, Director of Chapel Music and doctoral student, gave an organ recital in the Dame Monica Wills Chapel. From 6-7 pm a drinks reception was held in the entrance and bar areas. The aperitifs included in a specially commissioned anniversary gin, “Old Wills”.

Guests took their seats in the Dining Hall by 7 pm and guests of honour processed into the Wills Hall Fanfare. Brief introductory addresses by the two most recent Wardens, Professors Robert Vilian and Julian Rivers (PhD 2005) preceded dinner, and speeches by the JCR President (1st year law student Terri Boardman), alumnus and Patron Robert Marshall-Andrews (LLB 1965, Honorary LLD 2015) , and our guest of honour, the Rt Honourable the Baroness Hale of Richmond DBE (Hon LLD 2002, Honorary Fellowship 2017), concluded the evening. Entertainment after dinner was provided by the Bristol Hornstars and Michael Richardson from Special Collections prepared an exhibition of archive materials from the history of Wills and the University which was on display in the Michael Wong Pakshong lounge.

Start the new year as you mean to go on, join Bristol’s strong community of experts by volunteering your time and expertise. We work with departments, schools and faculties across the University to match our alumni volunteers with relevant and rewarding opportunities.

Current volunteering opportunities are listed below. 

---

Share your career insights with students

London Career Insights event
We are looking for alumni who can share their career stories and give exclusive insights into their industries at our upcoming graduate careers event in London.

• London, 12 March 2020. *We are particularly interested in hearing from alumni who work in Government or the third sector for this event.

If you could support current students and recent graduates at our London Insights event, please get in touch with the Bristol Volunteers team at alumni-volunteers@bristol.ac.uk.

---

Alternative Careers with an Engineering or Computer Science Degree
The Faculty of Engineering are looking for Engineering and Computer Science alumni now working in non-traditional careers to share their experience with students at a networking event. The date of the event is to be finalised but will most likely be an evening in the week commencing 16 March 2020.

If you are interested in getting involved, please email holly.delafield@bristol.ac.uk.

---

Social Sciences and Law’s Careers Week
The Careers Service and Faculty of Social Sciences and Law are organising a week of talks and events for students to enable them to explore a variety of careers, recognise the value of their degree and approach their career planning with greater confidence. If you are interested in volunteering for either of the events below please email ellen.grace@bristol.ac.uk.

• Careers in Marketing and Communications – Wednesday 12 February 1 – 2 pm
  Join a panel of alumni to do a short (5-10 minute) talk, followed by audience Q&A.
• Charity mingle – Thursday 13 February 5.30 – 7.30 pm
  Join an informal networking event for students interested in working in the not-for-profit sector. You would be required to simply come along and chat to our students over refreshments.

---

Geography alumni careers event – Thursday 6 February, 5 – 7 pm
The School of Geographical Sciences and the GeogSoc student society are looking for alumni to share their career stories with their current students. Join a panel of alumni to share insights into your career path and answer questions from the audience. If you could help students explore the variety of careers available please contact james.palmer@bristol.ac.uk.

---

Careers in Tech Week, 2 – 6 March 2020
Do you work in tech but don’t have a technical background? The Careers Service are looking for alumni to take part in a panel event during their upcoming Careers in Tech Week. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact employer-services@bristol.ac.uk.

---

Mathematics Alumni evening
The School of Mathematics are looking for maths alumni from a variety of sectors to discuss their career journey with students. You can choose to take part as a speaker or a networker. For more information please contact maths-alumni@bristol.ac.uk.

---

Offer your time as a mentor

Faculty of Social Sciences and Law 2019/20 Professional Mentoring Schemes
The Professional Liaison Network (PLN) in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law are currently recruiting for their 2019/20 Professional Mentoring Schemes, which match students to a relevant professional who has studied a related degree and is now using this in their current role.

If you fit any of the following criteria and are interested in becoming a mentor, please use one of the sign-up forms below. For further information about our mentoring schemes please contact nora.pau@bristol.ac.uk.

• • Studied an MSc relating to social sciences policy and are now working in public policy – Public Policy sign up form
  • Studied an education-related degree or qualification and are using it in your current role – Education sign up form
  • Have studied a finance-related degree and are working in a risk or compliance role within in a bank OR are working within audit or consultancy in a role advising banks – Banking sign up form

---

Build our global alumni networks

Working in partnership with the University, we have alumni networks, professional groups, Halls Associations, sports groups and networks in many locations all over the world. These networks help members to gain new social and professional contacts, benefit from advice and expertise, connect with other like-minded alumni, and gain access to exclusive activities.

To find out how you can connect with our groups, or for more information about starting a new network, please contact the Bristol Volunteers team at alumni-volunteers@bristol.ac.uk.

---

To keep up to date with our latest volunteering opportunities sign-up to our Bristol Volunteers digest, or explore our ongoing volunteering opportunities online.

Alison Wilson (BA 1966) 

The Cambridge Branch held its Tenth Annual Dinner on 20th October 2019 in the sixteenth century Hall of Christ’s College Cambridge, a romantic setting for this special occasion. Eighty members and friends sat down to enjoy the superb cooking that the college chefs provided, complemented by wine from the cellars. Previously many of them enjoyed tours of the college with alumna Una Dinning, a professional guide, and a visit to the Old Library where the Librarian had laid out a carefully-chosen selection of rare books. Dinner was preceded by a drinks reception in an upstairs room overlooking the Hall.

As coffee was served, Alison Wilson thanked the many people who had helped to make the dinner a success and mentioned that she would be stepping down as Chair at the next AGM. (Later she was presented with a bouquet.) She then introduced the after-dinner speaker, political economist and Master of Hertford College, Oxford, Will Hutton. Will is an alumnus of the University of Bristol and has an honorary degree. Will had been in London all day on the march for a second referendum and spoke passionately about his belief that Britain should remain in Europe. He generously answered very many questions from the floor, speaking altogether for nearly an hour. Even those of a different political persuasion found it a stimulating encounter.

Over the years the Branch has steadily built up its numbers and has many loyal members who come to all the events. The Committee would like to thank them and the Alumni Relations staff at Bristol for their continued support.

Alumni and friends gathered in Hannover for a festive alumni get-together this November. Hosted by the Germany Alumni Network, the evening was a great success.

Alumni and friends from around Germany met at the Hannover Christmas Market and shared their memories of Bristol over a glass of mulled wine.

A special thanks goes to Robin Knop (Cert 2018) & Torge Steensen (MSc 2010) for coordinating the event and making it such a success. Events such as these are central to building a strong network of alumni in Germany.

Please join the Germany Alumni Network Linkedin group to hear about future events.

Today marks International Volunteer Day and we would like to take a moment to thank all our volunteers who support the University across the world.

Bristol Volunteers live in over 60 different countries and support Bristol by mentoring, taking part in panel discussions, submitting material to our archives, speaking to students through Bristol Connects and organising local events and activities.

We’re so grateful to all our Bristol Volunteers. Thank you all for your continued support.

Volunteering can be a great way to make new connections, learn new skills and give back. Make 2020 count by joining our growing community of Bristol Volunteers.

Opportunities coming up in 2020

Bristol Connects

Our online platform, Bristol Connects, offers all alumni the opportunity to share the benefits of their experience with students and fellow graduates. Share your career insights online as Career Experts, link with prospective students as Study Experts, or share your Alumni Profile and inspire the next generation. Find out more on our webpages.

---

Bristol Career Insights events

Bristol Career Insights are a series of global events which harness the expertise of local alumni to support current students and recent graduates looking to take the next steps in their careers. We would love to hear from alumni who can share their career stories, give exclusive insights into their industries and share their experience at our upcoming events:

• Shanghai, Friday 27 March
• Beijing, Monday 30 March
• Hong Kong, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, summer 2020
• London, summer 2020

If you are interested in getting involved or would like to find out more, contact the Bristol Volunteers team at alumni-volunteers@bristol.ac.uk.

---

Bristol Mentors

Bristol Mentors is a programme that matches students with an alumni mentor, who can help them explore ideas and share advice on how to break into their industry. With a focus on supporting students from under-represented backgrounds, eligible students will be matched with a mentor to provide support throughout the academic year.

Find out more about our Bristol Mentors programme online, or get in touch with the team at alumni-mentoring@bristol.ac.uk.

---

Build our global networks

Working in partnership with the University, we have alumni networks, professional groups, Halls Associations, sports groups and networks in many locations all over the world. Find out how you can connect with our groups on our Alumni Networks webpages or talk to a member of the team about starting a new network by contacting us at alumni-volunteers@bristol.ac.uk.

Find out more

Keep up to date with our latest volunteering opportunities sign-up to our Bristol Volunteers digest, or explore our ongoing volunteering opportunities online.

Alumni gave a warm welcome to our students undertaking their study abroad year in Boston, at a welcome event this November. Hosted by the Boston Alumni Network, alumni helped welcome students as they navigate their first few weeks in Boston.

The evening was a great success, students enjoyed the chance to meet alumni and hear about their experiences, both in Bristol and Boston. Alumni had the opportunity to catch up with old friends as well as meet and connect with alumni who were new to the city.

A special thanks to Jon Kanter (BA 1992), who helped co-ordinate the get-together held in a lovely space in Central Boston. The group was updated with plans of a new space – Connect Boston – within the University’s new alumni engagement platform, Bristol Connects. Bristol Connects is an exclusive, online space for alumni, students and staff.

A very big thank you goes to all Bristol Volunteers who give up their time to support the University by helping students and keeping the Boston alumni network connected.

Find out more about our volunteer-led groups and networks and about Bristol Connects.

Alumni and friends gathered in central Sydney for an alumni get-together this October. Hosted by University of Bristol Pro Vice-Chancellor (Global Engagement), Dr Erik Lithander, the evening was a great success.

Alumni and friends from around Sydney were warmly welcomed to a drinks reception, alumni had the chance to catch up with old friends and meet alumni new to the city. Erik provided alumni with updates on the exciting new developments happening in Bristol.

Events such as these are central to building a strong network of alumni in Australia, and our special thanks go to Izzi Barnes (MSci 2015) and Lorna Whitwam (MSc 2005) for all their help in coordinating the event and making it such a success.

If you would like to organise an alumni get-together in your city, please contact us at alumni-volunteers@bristol.ac.uk.