Becki Futurefirst

Programme Officer @Future First

Cornwall, GB

The Sustainable Alumni Communities Project, run by Future First, will launch in 40 schools and colleges across Cornwall, Devon and part of Somerset this term. By September, these will be harnessing the wealth of talents and experience of alumni to help students make the crucial link between their studies and life beyond school.The attainment of British children is overwhelmingly linked to parental occupation, income and qualifications. This is fundamentally unfair and limits not only the life chances of individual students but also the contribution that they can make to the country.This is a huge economic, cultural and societal loss. Strong alumni communities can lessen this loss. Working alongside staff in school, alumni not only increase understanding about the world of work, they help drive ambition and aspiration. They build students’ confidence that there is a valuable place for them in the world of work.As a charity, Future First already works in 400 state schools across Britain taking alumni back every day to motivate the current generation. They bring careers education to life and are a huge asset in providing practical insights into working life. They inspire current students to believe they can achieve and no career door is closed to them.The biggest value of alumni is as role-models for students. Having been to the same school and lived in the same area, they relate particularly well to students. Alumni can prove to students that “someone like me” can succeed.