Students make an impact thanks to Volunteering Programme

Head of Volunteering, Naomi Pritchard, reflects on the school's successful Thursday afternoon programme. 

September 2021 continued to bring many Covid related challenges, however, I am delighted to say that the volunteering team were able to explore various options and pull together an assortment of student based projects, all of which have proved highly beneficial this year.  From planning educational trips at Whittington Castle, organising our local National Trust book shop, assisting at the local hospital and working in charity shops – our students have been kept occupied whilst gaining new skills and contributing greatly to the community.

The Restart Kenya team have spent Thursday afternoon’s zooming children in Kenya, supporting learning through play and encouraging spoken English whilst sharing jokes and using creative teaching techniques.  Despite Wifi challenges the project has allowed our Shrewsbury students to develop strong relationships with the Kenyan children and we are looking forward to progressing this project further next year. Thank you Karl (Ch, LVI), Buster (PH, LVI), Genevieve (M, LVI), Katy (MSH, V), (Sophie EDH, V).

Our Wellbeing team have learnt Mindfulness techniques which they will teach in local Primary Schools next year in order to promote wellbeing and mental health in young children.  In addition to this our Shrewsbury students have spent many hours at the local Headspace charity transforming the overgrown garden into a calm, tranquil space for people with brain injuries. 

Another great success this year has been the willingness and eagerness of our students to go to both Woodfield Primary School and the Grange Primary School to promote reading and listen to younger students.  Our students have found this very rewarding and have been great representatives and ambassadors of the Shrewsbury community.  In particular, the teachers at Woodfield have praised Jack (SH, IV) for his kindness and patience.

Four of our team have been quietly attending the local St Barnabas Foodbank every week, rain or shine and made a huge impact on the stock control and bagging up of groceries for clients.  Karen, Foodbank Project Lead has said ‘This year's volunteers have been truly amazing. They always work hard and play an important role in preparing for the busiest day of the week, packing parcels and sorting donations. All four volunteers have played an important part in the smooth running of foodbank PLUS. It is a pleasure to see them each week, knowing what a valuable part they play’.  Well done to Mikey (PH, LVI), Gabe M (PH, LVI), Natasha (M, V) and Florence (M, V).

 Our Global Social Leaders group have committed to weekly Refugee Homework Club sessions in which they diligently help students with their learning and support them with language difficulties.  This team have been particular sensitive to teenager needs and worked calmly to help provide the refugees with a place of calm and support.  Thank you Theo (SH, LVI) and Ollie (PH, LVI) for organising these sessions so well.

A particular highlight at our Field Day last week was our Fun Day in which 16 children and teenagers from the Severndale Specialist Academy took part.  The day consisted of a carousel of activities including dance, art and sport.  Our volunteering students had carefully planned the use of stickers, music, disco domes and space to ensure that our visitors had a memorable day and we look forward to hosting more days like this in the future. 

One of our most recent projects has given our Social Enterprise group the challenge of a genuine Marketing project in allegiance with the Gobowen Orthopaedic Hospital.  The group of six have spent many hours working with other local businesses to get this project off the ground and I look forward to publicising this further next term.  Harry (PH, LVI), George (PH, LVI), Kevin (S, LVI), Will (O, LVI), Kate (EDH, LVI) and Farah (MSH, LVI).

I am sorry I can’t individually name all 100+ students who have taken part in volunteering this year.  However, I can guarantee that every single student has made an impact to our local and wider communities and should be proud of their achievements.  Thank you to our growing team of staff who have contributed to our volunteering projects and of course, a big thank you to all of our partners who have taken the time to give us these opportunities and allow our students to develop their experiences in a variety of settings.

Mrs Pritchard
Head of Volunteering