How we’ve empowered our communities to raise aspirations in 2024

Over 1,000 members of our university community – including alumni, colleagues, retired staff and current students – united to support young people and celebrate those who had overcome barriers to reach their potential.

Moving on Up: Empowering our communities to reach their potential

A recent report from the Institute of Fiscal Studies concluded that social mobility is the worst it has been in 50 years. Uniting our global alumni, colleague and student communities, the 2024 NCL in Action programme aimed to help as many people in our communities as possible to achieve their potential and move up.

NCL in Action 2024 began on Friday 1 March with a launch event at St. James’ Park which included a keynote address from Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner and alumna, Kim McGuinness, on her hopes for the progression of the region; a lively debate discussing whether education is the most powerful tool to achieve our potential; and an intimate fireside chat with actor, musician, songwriter, author, producer and honorary graduate, Jimmy Nail.

Participants were then invited to take action and get involved in volunteering opportunities and activities throughout the month of March to empower young people in our local community and across our alumni network.

Events were also hosted by our international alumni networks throughout the month of March so those unable to join us in-person at St. James’ Park could still get involved and reconnect with their fellow Newcastle graduates. Events were held by alumni networks based around the world namely in China, Singapore and Malaysia, with over 130 attendees.

A huge thank you to our alumni and supporter community, as well as our colleagues and students, for joining us in raising aspirations this March.