We continue to be amazed by the creativity students display in their social action projects and their ability to communicate social issues in diverse ways. The inspiring, impactful, and innovative projects carried out by young people across the country showcase their skills and passion for making positive changes in our society. These efforts demonstrate that our students are not only capable of driving change now but are also likely to continue doing so throughout their lives. Here are some of our stand-out moments from 2023/24
Tonyrefail Community School: Empowering Students Through Community Engagement
This year’s Tonyrefail Community School First Give Final was a testament to the power of student engagement and community spirit. Year 8 students passionately supported a variety of local charities, notably Active4Blood, chosen due to a personal connection with their form tutor, Miss Gunter, who had benefited from blood donations following a life-changing accident. The final showcased the students’ dedication and enthusiasm. Miss Gunter expressed immense pride in her students, stating, “Their willingness to help raise awareness made me very proud.” This initiative highlights the impact of personal connections in fostering a sense of purpose and community involvement among students.
Empowering All Student Voices at Havant Academy
First Give creates a safe space for students to discuss personal social issues, often leading classes to support related charities. A student at Havant Academy who has received lifelong support from The Elizabeth Foundation, inspired their class to advocate for the charity. Similarly, the winning class supported Motiv8, a local charity impacting many students’ lives.
Mr. Rielly (HOY 8) noted the programme’s emphasis on local impact and the remarkable student engagement. He shared how a student with ADHD delivered an exceptional presentation, exemplifying newfound confidence.
“He really practiced his parts during the sessions to get it completely right, and then to stand up in front of everyone and present and stay so focused was phenomenal for us to see… you could see how impassioned he was and that he wanted to do for his class.”
Mr. Rielly-Head of Year 8 at Havant Academy
Celebrating Student Commitment in Social Action
The First Give Final at Co-operative Academy of Stoke-on-Trent’s highlighted the dedication and creativity of Year 8 students. Ten groups presented their projects on a range of social issues and charities, showcasing their passion and hard work. The event featured inspiring local charities including Savana for Survivors of Sexual Abuse, the Right Stuff Project and the Macari Foundation for the Homeless.
The social action projects showed great creativity and included art installations and podcasts. The winning group, supporting Stoke on Trent Foodbank, demonstrated exceptional commitment by volunteering at the charity’s warehouse and raising nearly £500. Their efforts made a significant impact, reinforcing the power of student-driven social action.
