Izzy Rainbow
International Relations BA (Hons)*
- Year of graduation: 2021
- Current job title: Mental Health Foundation Coordinator
- Current employer: MD Educational Foundation
- Industry sector: Health
What inspired you to study at UON?
I didn’t really know the course existed until my friend in sixth form said she was studying it – that was a lightbulb moment for me when I looked up what it was! When I was 14, I’d participated in an exchange programme to Kenya which had always stuck with me. This course was a way to harness the things I’d seen and learnt about the Global South in ways that I knew school couldn’t.
How did you embrace the Changemaker mindset?
I joined the STAR committee (Student Action for Refugees) at the beginning of my second year – it was desperately short of members, so would have otherwise folded. I initially just wanted to help out as I didn’t know too much about it, but once I’d learned more and began meeting the young people we volunteered with, it became my passion and I’m so glad I accidentally fell into it! STAR is a national charity, with headquarters in London, but the Northampton branch of STAR is located at the University, in conjunction with the local youth group, Learn to Live.
As well as trying to stop the society from folding, we ensured there were enough volunteers to attend the weekly youth group on a Friday and at Union Day, I was actively involved in advertising STAR to recruit more volunteers to help out. Our ultimate aim was to create a safe space for the young refugees to speak English and play games, in order to enhance their wellbeing.
Embracing challenges and believing in social change is important to me. Supporting the community at Northampton was something I’m proud of, and something I will embrace in future endeavours.
How did the Changemaker Team support you during your university journey?
The support the Changemaker Team gave STAR by promoting our events really showcases what the Changemaker ethos is all about. The team helped us to figure out how best to raise awareness of STAR and engage with the University, as well as how to balance my studies with wanting to do more to help. They were always so supportive and validating during this period.
Also, the Changemaker Enterprise Week, hosted by the Changemaker Team, brought about so many interesting talks and workshops which were designed to get us thinking about employability.
How have you personally grown and developed since engaging with the Changemaker team?
I’m much more confident and have learnt a lot about immigration and the system we live in. I’ve also become very passionate about supporting refugees with their wellbeing and mental health and would like to hopefully go into a line of work where I can continue to do this.
What is your current role?
I’m currently working as a Mental Health Foundation Coordinator for MD Educational Foundation, a charity which contributes a grant to pay for the salary of a Wellbeing Practitioner to support the wellbeing of Sixth Form students. We’re hoping to be supporting five schools from different demographic areas by January 2023. We’ve supported one school since 2020 and have also provided gym equipment for a Wellbeing Hub which was created for the students.
What are your future plans?
I’d like to embody some of the Changemaker values by supporting the Ukrainian residents that have moved into my hometown. I hope to set up a youth group for the young people, to enable them to integrate into the town, learn English and have fun.
What excites you most about the future?
I think because the future is so unknown, that can be quite exciting, but it’s simultaneously terrifying! I hope to improve on the skills that I’ve already learnt and continue to help people in whatever I do.
*International Relations has been replaced with Politics and International Relations BA (Hons).