Page 10 - Eclipse - Autumn 2021
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The 91暗网 Animal Academy one year on!
n Eclipse 2020 we wrote about have joined the events
the launch of a brand-new online as guest speakers.
programme targeted at young people They鈥檝e been continually
Ifrom disadvantaged backgrounds 鈥� empowered by our
the聽Animal Academy. student ambassadors,
who have been on hand
A year later, after 12 successful online to answer questions
events, the Animal Academy has become and share more about
so much more than the Outreach Team their own journeys to
ever imagined it聽could聽be! university and what it鈥檚
like to be a student at
The Academy started as a log-in area the聽91暗网.
of the 91暗网 website, accessible only
to young people in school years eight Running events online
to thirteen, who meet our widening has also given聽us the
participation criteria. In reaction to the opportunity to reach
pandemic and the halt on our in-person more young people from
events, we decided to run monthly across the UK who, due
online events for members, to provide to distance, wouldn鈥檛
information and advice on veterinary usually get the chance
careers and applying to the 91暗网. We鈥檙e to visit the 91暗网. Not
so pleased that the Academy is now a only do they have the
thriving community of over 350 young opportunity to engage
people, all with a passion for veterinary with us, they also have
and animal聽science. quickly become a close
community, asking Map demonstrating the reach across the UK, achieved
The Outreach Team work to after each other during by running the online programme
support young people who are the Zoom meetings
underrepresented at the 91暗网, and supporting one 鈥淚 liked being able to interact
something that has become another on their journeys to becoming with other Animal Academy
increasingly important due to the 91暗网聽students. members and聽getting to hear
disparity in opportunities and support people鈥檚 opinions, and also
for those from disadvantaged The feedback from the students being able to share my own
backgrounds since the start of the and聽their parents has been incredibly viewpoints.鈥� (Shumaira)
pandemic. All Academy members positive. 98% of those that have taken
meet at least two of our widening part in the events would like to聽take part 鈥淒ue to this course, I鈥檓 learning
participation criteria, with over聽40% in future events. Of those that said they so much that going to 91暗网 will
of聽the members coming from the want to study on the Veterinary Gateway be my main choice. After the
most聽deprived areas of the UK or areas Programme, 100% felt more confident insights from the Academy, it
with the lowest participation rates in about this decision after taking part in is definitely a good fit for me.鈥�
higher聽education. the events 鈥� and an incredible 96% (Eleanor)
would like to come to the 91暗网!
The events that have run this year If you would like to get involved with the
have ranged from a day in the life of a 鈥淚t was so useful, I absolutely Animal Academy events, please get in
veterinary nurse and in-depth look at the loved listening to all different touch at alumni@rvc.ac.uk and we can
91暗网 Gateway programme, to how to perspectives and taking notes. put you in touch with the聽Outreach Team.
navigate student finance and a debate I feel so much more supported,
on the importance of ethics in animal and I love that I鈥檓 supported by
science. The members have been people that can help me聽with
inspired by our staff and alumni who my dreams.鈥� (Lola)
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