As another academic year ends, we want to say a big thank you to our alumni and supporter community for continuing to support the Hallam Fund.    

Without these gifts, the Hallam Fund cannot support the students who need it most or the vital research that our academic community undertakes. Not forgetting the essential career-building and wellbeing activities students need most during their studies. 

Take a read of just a handful of the projects and students our alumni and supporter community have supported in the 2023-24 academic year. 

Student support at Hallam

Donations go towards supporting the students who need it most at Hallam. Students like Adam can get involved in opportunities they would not be able to undertake without the Hallam Fund.  

‘I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous support. Your contribution has made a profound difference in my academic and professional journey. It has not only alleviated financial pressures but also opened numerous opportunities, from accessing essential study resources and participating in valuable internships to covering expenses for job interviews and necessary certifications. It has also freed up time to support the caring of my grandma.’ - Adam, final year construction student 

When people give to the Hallam Fund, our support spans wider than the life of one student. For students like Charlotte and Martin, their scholarship allows them to invest in their own education later in life to build a better life for their family.  

‘Thank you for supporting a working mother of young children to better my opportunities. (Funding) helps support individuals that wouldn't necessarily be able to come to university, especially women in the construction industry. The money allows women after having a baby, that have bills and an expensive output, to be able to go back to university, especially in this cost-of-living crisis.’ - Charlotte, architecture student 

‘Your kindness has contributed a positive impact not just to my studies but also to my mental wellbeing and by extension the wellbeing of my family. Your help has provided my autistic son with one-to-one support during my study hours and has relieved the stress of our financial worries. Our son, Heath, would like to give you a high-five, and my wife and I cannot express sufficiently how truly grateful we are. You have improved our life. I have started to regain confidence. For someone that has been debilitated with severe low mood and anxiety and the degenerative effects of stress, those green shoots are everything!’ - Martin, graphic design student 

Extracurricular activities

The Hallam Fund not only provides scholarships but also funds projects which benefit the student community from self-defence workshops and sport activities to documentary making and real-world research experiences featuring beavers in Cornwall! Students have the chance to broaden their experiences whilst at Hallam. 

Self-defence workshops 

‘Give it a Go – Self-defence workshops’ have supported nearly 200 students in developing real-life scenario-based self-defence skills. With emphasis on safety and disengagement, and avoiding confrontation and escaping situations early, the sessions have helped improve feelings of student safety. Students have now acquired a skill that will benefit them throughout their lives, whilst also improving their wellbeing and stress levels. 

Period Poverty 

This year, the Students’ Union ran a period subscription scheme for those who cannot afford period products. Since its launch, the scheme has given a box of products to 300 students each month. During research prior to the scheme, several students were having to use makeshift products or leave lectures early due to not having enough period protection - feeling anxiety and embarrassment - but now, they feel prepared and confident to attend university. 

Heller Bursary 

Each year, the Hallam Fund match funds the Heller Bursary, which allows students to pursue a passion outside of their area of study. Tyler was interested in making jewellery and used the funding to set up a home workshop, allowing him to take his hobby more seriously. A year later, Tyler changed to the Jewellery, Materials and Design course and started to find himself as an artist - it was a great choice as earlier this year Tyler won a bronze award at the Goldsmith’s Craft and Design Awards in London. 

Go Global Sport 

The GoGlobal Sport initiative offered students a chance to enjoy games in a relaxed and inclusive setting. Students of any skill level played badminton, cricket, basketball, volleyball, football, and hockey, with all equipment provided at no cost. All sessions to date have been fully booked and students feel an improvement in their mental and physical wellness. “It is good to have a little escape from studies. It helps to keep you more energetic, relaxed and releases all the stress and tension.” 

Student Wellbeing and Funding 

According to the Students’ Union recent Cost of Living survey, 63% of those who responded said they were skipping meals and 92% are skipping social events due to financial constraints, affecting their sense of community and wellbeing. These statistics show the continued effect of the escalating cost of living crisis. In response, the Hallam Fund and Students’ Union has provided a period product subscription service, a community fridge and cost of living shop for clothes and books.  

The University is committed to providing a holistic package of support for estranged students, student carers and care leavers. It is recognised that students in these priority groups are more likely to face greater financial barriers than many of their peers and your support helps reduce those barriers. Over this year, the Hallam Fund has already supported over 500 students through access to welcome packs, graduation support, interview funding, a leavers bursary, and provided funding for those facing financial difficulties. 

Your support

Sheffield Half Marathon 

On Sunday 7 April 2024, staff, alumni and friends ran the Sheffield Half Marathon, raising over £2,215 to support refugee and asylum seeker students here at Hallam - a University of Sanctuary. ‘The Sheffield Half Marathon is a fantastic event which really brings the city together. I wanted to raise money for the Hallam Fund to give something back to the University and the Sanctuary Scholarships fund is such a worthy cause that will make a real difference to someone’s life.’ - Sara Bradley, Sheffield Hallam staff 

Winter Appeal 

In December 2023, Dominika bravely shared her story as part of our first winter fundraising appeal which aimed to provide support for estranged and care experienced students over the winter break and beyond. Thanks to over 250 donors, we raised a total of £18,511, including Gift Aid. Your donations were used to help students pay for food or heat their home during the holidays, as well as providing special hampers containing food, vouchers, and a handwritten card. 

If you are interested in making a difference to the student and academic communities here at Sheffield Hallam University, learn more about giving to the Hallam Fund.