Earlier this year, Newcastle College launched a challenge for its students to make a positive impact in their local community, through 100 projects funded by the #iwill campaign. Now, to celebrate #iWill week, Lisa Hoseason, Director of Study Programmes at the College, shares some of the successful projects that students have been involved in so far.

Lisa said: “We really value Youth Social Action at Newcastle College, so joining the #iWill campaign in June was really important to us.

“We’ve integrated it into our core curriculum to ensure that all of our students have the opportunity to make a difference to the local community, mainly by including it within the Work Experience elements of our study programmes.

“Being part of the campaign means that all of our projects are led by our students and our staff are trained as facilitators to support and guide them through the process. We proudly work in partnership with The Key to plan, deliver and review all of the projects using their framework and that really helps our students to identify the skills, knowledge and behaviours they are developing whilst doing good for others.

“Our hair and beauty students put their existing skills to fantastic use through their ‘Jungle Buddies’ project, painting their faces as jungle animals to visit a local nursery and play educational games with the children there.

“Another group visited a local farm to help out, give a donation and entertain visiting children. We even had a group of students host a full day indoor festival to fundraise for a sensory room.

“Youth Social Action is obviously about making a difference to a charity or the community, but the impact it has on young people goes much further than that.

“Some of the students taking part in these projects are overcoming personal barriers and learning difficulties to be part of a team which is planning, making decisions and executing events. Most of them faced hurdles and had to change their ideas and improvise along the way.

“As well as the practical elements of these projects, our students have developed vital skills to help them become independent adults, such as teamwork and communication, perseverance and how to cope with stress. It’s been fantastic to see the difference it has made to many of our young people.

“The #iWill programme is two-years, but we are working on plans to ensure the sustainability of youth social action so we can continue to engage young people in purposeful activities that develop their confidence and make an impact on their communities.”