Telephone Campaign 2025

The Telephone Campaign is a fantastic way for us to stay connected with our alumnae and an essential part of our regular fundraising.

We thank you in advance for supporting Newnham College and for your willingness to extend a hand across the generations.

Each year we reach out to our alumnae as part of the Telephone Campaign. The Telephone Campaign is an opportunity for students and alumnae to share experiences, enabling you to gain an insight into life in College today and allowing current students to learn from those who have gone before them. We contact alumnae all over the world, updating you on College news and asking for your support towards Newnham’s fundraising efforts. Our students thoroughly enjoy hearing your stories and we do hope that you enjoy speaking to them too.

Thank you to everyone who supports the College.

Both students and alumnae find the experience enriching:

"I do love our Newnham alum! It was such a heart-warming experience of inter-generational solidarity."

"Congratulations on a telephone campaign that obviously gives great pleasure to those on both ends of the phone line!" Sandi Cobb (NC 1968).

Please let us know if you would prefer not to receive a telephone call as part of this year’s Campaign by emailing development@newn.cam.ac.uk or call 01223 335757.

Contact us

Roll & Development Office
Newnham College
Sidgwick Avenue
Cambridge
CB3 9DF

Tel. 01223 335757

roll@newn.cam.ac.uk

Donate now

Areas of Support: 2025

Supporting Our Students

Wellbeing

The Principal has been part of the review of mental health and wellbeing across the University which is leading to better mental health provision and support for students. The creation of the post of Wellbeing Advisor, based at Newnham, has been one of the results of this work, and is essential in supporting our students to ensure a more positive university experience, benefitting both their studies and future careers. We are fundraising to ensure Newnham has sufficient resources to endow this important post for perpetuity, so that students can access dedicated wellbeing support.

Academic Research and Learning

Shaping the direction of History at Newnham

From research into early astronomy, astronomical instruments and courtly science to modern French colonization and taxation, to social histories of late imperial China, to the economic history of the Ottoman Empire and the Eastern Mediterranean, our academics are working on truly diverse subject matter. We are raising funds for a permanently employed University Teaching Officer in History who is also a College Fellow and Director of Studies.

Greening Newnham

Many alumnae have lived in the wonderful buildings designed by Sir Basil Champneys, now listed. They have experienced having a beautiful room, but sometimes not such wonderful heating or draught insulation. Many students recall spending very cold winters during their studies at Newnham. The need to upgrade our historic buildings sensitively for improved warmth and comfort has been evident for a long time.

Thanks to generous support from previous donors to elements of the campaign, our students will benefit from refurbished houses that have had gas boilers replaced with air source heat pumps and improved insulation. Our vision is to work towards a carbon net zero site.

We are asking you to support us on our journey as we shape the green future of our College. By taking steps to green all of Newnham’s buildings, we join the global effort to reduce carbon emissions and safeguard not just our College’s future, but also that of our planet.

Area of Greatest Need

Unrestricted gifts give Newnham flexibility to seize opportunities and address unforeseen challenges as they arise.

Whilst we are very grateful for gifts for a specific purpose, it is particularly helpful to the College to receive unrestricted donations. These are applied where the need is greatest: whether towards the the shortfall in annual teaching costs, maintaining our historic Champneys buildings, or extra support for our students.

Meet the Callers

Rae

Hi, I’m Rae! I’m going into my second year studying Law and I’ll be one of the callers for the Telephone Campaign this year. Newnham is a very special place and one that I am very proud to call home. I really enjoy contributing to the Newnham Community and I will continue to do so as the JCR BAME Officer. My favourite thing about College is our lovely gardens! I can’t wait to share and discuss experiences at Newnham and get the support needed to ensure College remains the place that we all know and love.

Freddie

I am going into my second year reading History and Politics. My interest is in US foreign policy relations since WWII, particularly with socialist and communist countries. I can’t wait to start learning Mandarin at the language centre in October. I am a Speakers Coordinator, Events Manager, and the Winter Ball Food Officer at the Cambridge Union, a Junior Editor for the CJPA, a CAMbassador, and the Social media Manager for Newnham Ents Instagram. In my spare time I enjoy reading, using the Newnham gym, throwing dinner parties for my friends, and pressing flowers from the Newnham gardens. I look forward to connecting with Newnham’s fantastic alumnae through the campaign! 

Bushra

Hi! I am heading into my third year at Newnham studying Psychological and Behavioural Sciences. I really enjoy being part of and contributing to the Newnham Community, for example through my work as College Rep for Pink Week. Outside of my degree, I love to bake, dance, cycle, and do lots of arts and crafts like knitting and origami. I look forward to speaking with the inspirational alumnae, learning from them, and supporting the future of the College.

Alisha

Hi, I'm Alisha! I'm a third-year historian with a special interesting in medieval and early modern Europe. Outside of my degree, I like to get involved writing for Varsity, and overseeing the operations of the CU Islamic Society. I also enjoy yoga and café-hopping around Cambridge! 

Zainab

I am an incoming second-year studying Human, Social, and Political Sciences. While I greatly enjoy my degree, you will often find me outside the library, as I love taking part in community activities both within Newnham and beyond. I am excited to continue serving as Newnham Ents Officer, Publicity Officer for the Travel Society, and Under-Secretary-General of Events for Cambridge Model UN this year. I look forward to connecting with Newnham alumnae and to help support the future of the College.

Maria

I’m a part-time PhD student in the Department of Psychology, now entering my 4th year. My research focuses on the development of human temperament — I work with newborn infants and their families to explore how we can measure a baby’s temperament as early as possible using brain imaging and behavioural observations. Outside of research, I love spending time at Newnham with my husband and our 6-year-old son — we often enjoy brunch together on weekends and play hide and seek in the gardens. I look forward to connecting with Newnham alumnae!

Lauren

I’m in my third and final year studying Theology and I’m really looking forward to developing my Arabic language skills this coming year! Outside of academics, I enjoy getting stuck in to sport at Newnham: rowing, netball, and lacrosse to name but a few. I’m excited to chat with alumni, finding common ground (or should I say grass?!) and reminiscing on times well spent.

Lily

I’m a third year History student, and I’m particularly interested in feminist history and fashion. Whilst at Newnham, I’ve been the Vice-President for Newnham College Feminist Society and Newnham’s JCR. Outside of academics, I captain the Cambridge Women’s swim team and started rowing (as a complete beginner!) with NCBC in my first year. This year, I’m excited to get back involved with the Gender Agenda campaign and am also the Head of Publicity for the university charity fashion show. I’m super excited to be part of the Telephone Campaign again for a second year and am looking forwards to connecting with some of Newnham’s incredible alumnae!

Luckshika

I’m going into my final year studying Modern and Medieval Languages (German and Russian), following my Year Abroad studying in Berlin. I’m excited to get back to Newnham and degree work, especially spending more time studying film and identity. Outside of my degree, I am involved in access and outreach initiatives, as well as scrapbooking, writing, and reading. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to talk to Newnham’s alumnae about their experiences in college/university.

Jess

I am going into my third year of Natural Sciences, where I will be specialising in Neuroscience. Aside from being passionate about the brain, I enjoy playing polo and running (currently in training for a 10K and a half-marathon!). I also love to crochet, and I am currently working on my second novel.

Becky

I've just returned from my Year Abroad in France and Argentina and am going into my fourth year studying French and Spanish. Aside from my degree I love journalism, running, and music! 

Charlotte

Hi all - I’m Charlotte, and I’m going into my fourth year of Modern and Medieval Languages, studying French and Italian. This year, I studied abroad at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, and I spent my summer working at a summer school in Oxford. These were amazing experiences, but I am super excited to return to Newnham (my second home!) and to get back involved in everything I love to do there - namely rowing, gardening, and helping the languages society. Outside of my degree, I love to spend time outdoors: wild swimming, hikes, cycling, and foraging are some of my favourite activities, but you’ll also find me sitting down with a book and a cup of tea. I look forward to the telephone campaign and sharing the wonderful experiences that I’ve had at Newnham and hearing about your own!

Amelia

I'm going into my third year in my Classics degree. I'm particularly interested in Romano-British Archaeology, and love visiting museums and sites across the country, especially when I get the chance to dig. Other than my degree, I love reading - my favourite authors are Jane Austen and J.R.R. Tolkien, so I have somewhat eclectic taste! I'm also super interested in the history of Newnham and am always eager for an opportunity to learn more.

Serena

I’m a second-year in Theology, Religion and Philosophy of Religion from the US. I’ve got a particular interest in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies; before coming to Cambridge, I studied Arabic for over a year and spent some time in Amman, Jordan. In my free time, I love to knit, bake, read, and run. I’m currently on the Newnham Bar Committee, and I’m looking forward to running with CUHH this year. Super excited to speak to so many incredible Newnham alumnae!

Valentina

I’m Valentina, and I am a first year Theoretical Physics and applied Mathematics PhD student. I spend a lot of time around the Newnham gardens, music rooms and library. I’m really looking forward to hearing about other people’s experiences during their time here at Newnham.