Christmas in the Community

The spirit of giving started early at our Foundation Christmas Fayre with students creating a range of handmade and festive items, including sweets, gift bags, and cakes, raising a staggering £1,700 for the homeless charity Routes to Roots. This is a partnership that provides more than just funds; it connects our students directly to the vital work being done for the homeless in Poole

At Eagles Mount Care Home, the circumstances were about more than just delivering cards. It was about closing the generational gap to deliver handmade Christmas cards to residents. Each student was paired with a resident to create a personalised card. One group set off in the morning, while another went in the afternoon. Alison Williams, Wellbeing Lead at Eagles Mount, said: “The residents loved getting personalised cards, and really enjoyed meeting the students that came in and being able to talk in person. A few of the students were a bit apprehensive at first, but by the time they had finished, they were chatting and laughing, and it was lovely.” Eagles Mount Care Home is one of several care homes that the college works closely with to help give students real-life experiences of the workplace. 

In Branksome, our T Level Health students joined local businesses at St Aldhelm’s Church to help prepare for their Christmas celebrations. Having sponsored a Christmas tree alongside local businesses and community groups, the students helped to decorate it with handmade ornaments they have created themselves, adding a personal touch to the festive atmosphere. This is a focal part of the St Aldhelm’s Christmas calendar and the congregation it represents. 

Throughout December, students gathered in ‘The Hub’ to paint a sign for a local charity's Santa's Grotto event. Phoebe McMullen, Student Enrichment Coach, shared: “So many students chose to get involved, and it was wonderful to have the opportunity to connect more with some of them, and also to sit back and watch them work together, build each other up, and try new things.” Further student volunteers assisted in setting up for the event, and the finished pallet was delivered to the local charity on Friday, 12th December. 

Festivities continued on the 11th and 12th of December, when first-year T Level students welcomed several residents from the Diverse Abilities disability charity to promote Christmas cheer. Students helped residents to do pass-the-parcel, sang songs in small groups and gave cake made by SEND students from the college. Darrel, a first-year T Level student, said: “We’ve put some decorations out, and met people from Diverse Abilities. We did pass-the-parcel, and it’s actually been pretty good, and it’s been great to see everyone.” CJ, another student on the course, said: “I love talking and interacting with them. I’ve really enjoyed it.”

It is great to see our students heading into the Christmas break on such a good note, having traded the classroom for the community to make a real local impact. And it is this spirit of partnership we look forward to picking right back up when the new term begins.