The Colleges sit at the heart of student life at Lancaster and are often the first to notice when students’ needs begin to change. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we can respond quickly and meaningfully. Your support continues to strengthen our communities, enrich student experiences, and ensure help is there when it’s needed most. Here are just a few examples from the past year.

Bowland College: Supporting Personal and Career Development

Donor generosity has enabled a range of awards that help students broaden their horizons and prepare for life beyond Lancaster. Each year, £2,500 is committed to opportunities including:

• Lancashire and Cumbria Travel Scholarships – two awards of £500
• Career Acceleration Awards – up to ten awards of £100 to support interviews, open days, internships and conferences
• Community Engagement Awards – two awards of £250 for cultural exchanges, conservation work or volunteering projects

Alongside this, our Student Engagement Fine Income Fund provides up to ten awards of £75 each to help students join new sports teams and societies. Together, these funds ease financial barriers and encourage students to make the most of their time at Lancaster.

County College: Building Community and Lifting Spirits

County College has continued to support its students through hardship funding and a programme of community-building activities. This year saw inter-college sporting tournaments boost morale, the County Netball team benefit from new equipment, and an uplifting ‘Australia Day’ celebration with a BBQ and live music welcome new international students on a dark winter evening - drawing more than 100 attendees.

The College Bar has also enjoyed a renewal, creating a more inviting space for staff and students to relax and connect.

Furness College: Nature, Wellbeing and a Breath of Fresh Air

At the start of the summer term, Furness College took 30 students on a wellbeing trip to Grizedale Forest in the Lake District. Funded by donations, the day offered a welcome break from exam pressures and the chance to explore one of the UK’s most beautiful landscapes - an entirely new experience for many.

Travelling through villages that share their names with Furness accommodation, students reconnected with nature, supported their mental health, and enjoyed time away from campus. Feedback was heartfelt:

• “Being able to completely remove myself from deadlines for a day really helped ease stress and gave me a fresh perspective.”
• “As someone from the South, it was wonderful to explore the North West and spend time in nature. The trip had a really positive impact on my wellbeing.”
• “I’d never visited the Lake District before. As an overseas student, it meant a lot - my first time away from Lancaster, and a chance to make new friends. I’m very thankful.”

Thanks to donor generosity, Furness could offer a memorable, restorative experience that students truly valued.

Pendle College: Creating Welcoming Spaces for Community and Creativity

During 2024/25, Pendle College has used alumni funding to revitalise key communal areas, giving students much-needed places to relax, study and connect. The upstairs games room has been fully refreshed with new lighting, comfortable seating, rugs and soft furnishings, transforming it into a bright, modern space for students to enjoy between lectures.

The nearby Harpley Lounge has also been upgraded with sofas, armchairs, soft lighting and a bookshelf, along with board games and DVDs to support JCR-run movie nights and wellbeing events. As Pendle accommodation does not include shared living rooms, these communal spaces are especially valued.

Student feedback has been overwhelmingly positive:

• “The upgrades to the games room have made a noticeable improvement. It feels more inviting and relaxing, and the new lighting and storage keep the space bright and tidy. It’s now a vibrant place for staff and students to unwind.”
• “The team have done an amazing job revamping what used to be a dingy, lifeless space. We now spend much of our day in the games room - working, playing and hanging out. Every detail has made a massive difference, and students from other colleges have commented on how much more welcoming it feels.”

Plans for the Future

Looking ahead, donor funding will support the refurbishment of Pendle’s popular music room. Used daily for rehearsals, band practice and gig preparation, the space is well loved but now in need of repair. Funding will allow the College to refresh décor and replace worn equipment, including:

• Digital piano
• Acoustic guitar
• Drum kit repairs and spare parts
• Floor lamps
• New posters and décor, plus general room improvements
• Large beanbags for relaxed practice and collaboration

These updates will ensure the music room remains an accessible, creative space for all who use it.

Fylde College: Supporting Students Through Rising Living Costs

With the ongoing cost-of-living pressures, the need to support students with essential items. Thanks to donor generosity, Fylde College has been able to continue offering practical, meaningful support.

Community Cupboard

Donor funding has helped us keep our discreetly located Community Cupboard stocked with essential food and hygiene items. Open to all students without monitoring, it provides a judgment-free way to access support, with clear signposting to further help where needed. Throughout the year, stock was adjusted based on student feedback, and will continue to be restocked during the term.

Free Food Events

Donor support also enabled five free food events, offering lunches and dinners - often integrated with JCR-led ActiviTEAs in the Fylde Common Room. These gatherings bring students together, provide a break from academic pressure, and include activities ranging from crafting sessions to larger wellbeing events such as our successful Mental Health Day in March.

Ongoing Plans

Funding will also be used to enhance college spaces and strengthen engagement with prospective, current and former students. Planned projects include redecorating Fylde Common Room with new soft furnishings to create a more welcoming environment, producing a virtual tour showcasing college facilities and accommodation, and recruiting student ambassadors to highlight the vibrancy and culture of Fylde.

Your contributions make a tangible difference every day, and we are deeply grateful for the positive impact you enable across our Lancaster community.