Students and staff across East Kent Colleges (EKC) Group have been contributing to their local community in Community Week.
The five day event sees an array of exciting projects unfold which aim to benefit the community.
Some of the brilliant work which took place included the creation of a Santa’s Grotto in time for a town’s Christmas light switch on event, while students at another campus decorated baubles which will be sold for a charity.
Community Week, which took place last week, gives students the opportunity to engage with their local community, network, and gain vital skills in communication.
T-Level Onsite Construction and Carpentry students at Folkestone College got stuck into transforming the construction building into a Santa’s Grotto in time for the College’s ‘Big Christmas Light Switch On‘ on Thursday, 28 November.
Painting and Decorating students have also been contributing to the community by renovating memorial benches at Kingsnorth Gardens in Folkestone so they can be used for years to come.
Curtis Andrews, who is a Level 2 Painting and Decorating student at Folkestone College, said: “It’s been a great project to take part in, it’s one of my first practical projects here [as a new student].
“I’ve done similar work before, but it’s good to see how this will make an impact.”
At Dover College, Level 2 Art students made Christmas baubles which will be sold to raise money for the Dover Smart Project.
Meanwhile, Ashford College, ESOL Employability Skills students arranged a Remembrance Day afternoon tea for Royal British Legion members.
The students made scones and sandwiches which were enjoyed by the attendees who also listened to poems students had written about the war.
Staff also took part in Community Week with Group Leadership Board members visiting the Kent MS Therapy Centre in Canterbury where they helped with cleaning and general maintenance at the site. The centre is Kent’s only purpose-built therapy centre for people with MS.
Lucy McLeod, Deputy CEO at EKC Group, said: “Our Group has proudly said #iWill to youth led social action across the communities we serve for many years, delivering a range of incredible projects across East Kent.
“It is always absolutely amazing to see the learners come to life as they put the skills they learn within our Colleges to use, making a positive impact on the communities which they live in.
“As an organisation we’ve been delivering our Community Weeks’ annually for a number of years. These see all of our staff and students tackling community social action projects across East Kent, working with charities and civic organisations to make a positive difference. It’s wonderful to see the range of projects we’ve tackled during our most recent Community Week, and brilliant to continue with our #iWill pledge for the future.”
Taking part in positive social action does not stop there for EKC Group as this week it’s supporting ‘I Will Week’.
The I Will Movement represents young people from all backgrounds, whose lives and contributions have been shaped in different ways by the events of 2024.
During the annual celebration of the incredible work young people are doing across the UK to improve their lives and communities through social action, I Will Ambassadors come together to shape the themes and events of this week, focusing on the issues that resonate most with them.
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