Catriona Nunn For over twenty years, YuCall has turned simple conversations into a powerful bridge between generations of the York community. What began in a small Heslington Hall attic has grown into a tradition of storytelling that has connected nearly 30,000 alumni with students following in their footsteps.
On weekday evenings during term time, a quiet corner of campus comes alive with conversation. Student callers settle in with headsets and handwritten notes, reaching out to graduates whose own university days stretch back years, sometimes decades. What begins as a simple catch-up often turns into something richer: stories of first lectures and lifelong friendships, career twists and unexpected opportunities.
In its earliest days, that quiet corner was quite literally the attic of Heslington Hall. Around ten student callers gathered there each evening, three times a week, during two short calling seasons each year. It was York’s early telethon: small in scale, paper-led and powered almost entirely by enthusiasm. From that modest attic space, something enduring began.
Since the early 2000s, YuCall has quietly strengthened the thread that connects past and present, reminding alumni that their relationship with the University of York doesn’t end at graduation – it evolves.
A Tradition That Began Before Social Media
YuCall began at a time before social media timelines, instant messaging and mass email updates. Thank you letters were posted by hand. Records were paper-based. Staying connected required intention.
At the heart of its founding was a belief that connecting with alumni should feel human rather than transactional. That ethos was shaped by Susie Braithwaite (Politics, 1982), who returned to York to build a programme that would give students the chance to connect directly with those who had gone before them.
Reflecting on her own experience as a York student and later as YuCall’s founding manager, she explains:
“Having attended York in its early days, it was clear to see how things had changed and how important the contribution of alumni could be. It was fun to be able to reminisce with some of our earliest alumni and really understand their point of view. For me, the alum on the other end of the phone should gain as much as the caller and the beneficiaries they are trying to help. It’s a really personal form of engagement. For students involved, it’s a learning experience second to none.”
From the beginning, student training was central. Callers were prepared not simply to ask questions, but to represent York with warmth and curiosity.
“Student training was paramount. Initially, in order to really learn about the callroom, I felt it was important to be present at all calling sessions. It was then wonderful to appoint some particularly gifted students as Callroom supervisors. I know that many of our callers have used their YuCall experience directly in their CVs and it’s wonderful to see their careers go from strength to strength.”
Alumni responded generously – not only in practical ways, but with time and encouragement:
“Alumni were – and still are – incredibly generous. Alumni were generous with career advice, sometimes even offering placements to our students, as well as helping financially.”
What Happens on the Calls
At its heart, YuCall is about conversation.
Students ask alumni about their degrees, colleges, favourite memories and the paths their lives have taken since leaving York. Alumni speak candidly about unexpected career turns and lessons learned along the way. Advice flows naturally. So does nostalgia.
Often, the discussion turns gently to how alumni can continue to play a role in today’s student experience – through mentoring, sharing expertise, offering encouragement or supporting initiatives that widen access to higher education.
Mary Taylor Lewis (English and History, 2021) experienced this firsthand when she joined the calling team during the pandemic:
“It was the best introduction to higher education fundraising I could have asked for. Working during the pandemic gave me a deep appreciation of the power of philanthropy in higher education, in a very direct way.”
When the team moved from campus to remote calling, the sense of connection deepened:
“This could so easily have been the end of our student calling, but the belief and support from the Fundraising Office at York meant we could continue. That belief was infectious. It was also a moment where so many people were looking for connections, and receiving a phone call from a friendly student was a lovely thing.”
Mary describes being struck by alumni openness:
“I was moved by how open York alumni were and genuinely interested in supporting causes at York. Witnessing firsthand the connection these donors felt to York was wonderful.”
She later returned to York in a professional role, reflecting:
“I gained a deeper perspective on how connected these alumni were to their university, and how clearly they could trace their life through the connections and experiences which shaped them during their time there. It was a circle, creating opportunities for future generations.”
Community Investing in Community
Over time, these conversations have helped sustain bursaries, hardship support and practical assistance for students facing financial pressures. For some, this support has made access to university possible. For others, it has ensured they can participate fully in student life rather than being limited by circumstance.
Since we first picked up the phone, our community has grown and flourished, with 660 student callers, including our latest campaign team, stepping into the call room to bridge the gap between past and present. The impact of these conversations is truly remarkable. We’ve had the privilege of speaking with 29,679 alumni, leading to an incredible 6,349 donations. Together, this has raised a staggering £3,617,431 over the past 5 years. It is a testament to the spirit of York that, through a simple conversation, our alumni continue to shape the future of the University and the lives of the students following in their footsteps.
Chloe Barnard (Biology, 2023) initially joined YuCall for flexible work but quickly discovered something deeper:
“The idea of calling strangers initially felt daunting, but I saw it as a challenge that would push me out of my comfort zone and help me grow.”
She was struck by how meaningful the exchanges became:
“At first, it can seem like a brief, transactional interaction, but in reality, those calls often create genuine moments of connection that stick with both sides. Alumni really appreciate hearing directly from current students, while students come away feeling inspired by the stories and advice they hear.”
For many callers, YuCall builds confidence that lasts well beyond university.
Lucy Whiting (Psychology, 2024) remembers the camaraderie as much as the conversations:
“What stands out most clearly for me is the community – callers, senior fundraisers and staff all supporting one another.
My initial motivation for joining YuCall was simply to build confidence in speaking over the phone.”
But the impact ran deeper:
“For many alumni it’s an opportunity to reminisce on their time at York and hear about how it’s changed. It also offers the student the opportunity to see where they could go in the future. I was given some excellent advice and found that a person’s career path often isn’t what they expect it to be when they’re 21.
My advice to YuCallers would be to make the most of every conversation. Use it as an opportunity to learn something new, whether that’s about the person you’re speaking to, the University, or even yourself. YuCall can definitely be challenging at times, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Knowing that you’re able to help so many students, whilst making great friendships and gaining important skills is something that stays with you long after you’ve left York and the calling room.”
Emily Sinclair (Music, 2014), who now manages YuCall, sees this sense of shared purpose every day and the growing pressures students face::
“I love hearing our students and alumni connect over how York has evolved and what’s stayed the same.
It’s becoming increasingly difficult just to financially survive at University, let alone get the full university experience. The need for financial support is greater than ever.”
For Emily, YuCall is about ensuring graduates feel they remain part of the York community:
“Looking ahead, I’d love for YuCall to keep building those genuine connections between current students and alumni, and to remind graduates that they’ll always be part of the York community.”
Staying Part of the Story
In a world of instant digital communication, a phone call might seem old-fashioned. Yet it remains one of the most powerful ways to build connection.
YuCall demonstrates that a university is more than concrete buildings, it’s a network of people bound by shared experience and mutual support. Alumni do not simply look back; they continue to shape what York becomes. Students do not stand alone; they step into a community that spans generations.
One conversation at a time, the story continues and every graduate remains part of it.
The YuCall team calls in February and March and again in October and November, from 01904 326280, and they’ll leave a voicemail if they miss you. If you’re free, please consider picking up the phone and having a quick chat with them.
