The Valley Leadership Academy pupils spread winter warmth to local community

As the winter nights draw in and the temperatures plummet, pupils from The Valley Leadership Academy are spreading seasonal cheer throughout their community by supporting local people through its Winter Gift Programme.

At The Valley Leadership Academy, we pride ourselves on making a positive difference to society. We are committed to playing an active role in our community and helping others. This winter, we are stepping up our efforts to support the most vulnerable people in our community.

The Winter Gift Programme is an annual campaign which sees pupils and staff from every Star Academies school unite to participate in a broad range of charitable giving, acts of kindness and volunteering; all with one simple aim – to make sure no one faces the challenges of winter alone.

Throughout the campaign, we will be supporting those in our local community – young and old – who are unwell, elderly or living in care, and those experiencing homelessness, loneliness or food poverty. As well as benefitting vulnerable people, our pupils will also gain from their involvement by expanding their leadership qualities – by devising, organising and taking part in charitable endeavours – and experiencing first-hand the positive impact of helping those less fortunate.

Our pupils have been taking part in a wide range of activities to support numerous local charities and support organisations this winter season. To spread kindness and joy through the local community the school ran a Christmas Card Competition. The context was won by Eleanor Hammond in Year 7 whose creative designed featured a beautiful winter scene. The winning design features on the school’s official Christmas card. Pupils have written messages of hope on hundreds of cards which have been sent to members of the local community. Local residents have also been given hot chocolate gift packs, which pupils have delivered to their homes.

To support people in the local community experiencing food poverty, pupils from the school have participated in a ‘Big Cook Off’, providing 100s of prepared meals to the RAFT Foundation Foodbank in Rossendale. Pupils and their families have also generously donated food items to the school’s reverse advent calendar where donations will be used to prepare food hampers for Haslingden Community Link. Meanwhile, pupils will pull on their winter woollies on Christmas Jumper Day in aid of Rossendale Hospice.

Shane Carey, Principal at The Valley Leadership Academy, said:

“Our Winter Gift Programme not only supports the most vulnerable members of our community, but affords our pupils the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and to experience the personal satisfaction that comes from demonstrating kindness and helping those less fortunate. It gives me an enormous sense of pride to see our pupils, parents and colleagues embrace this invaluable campaign with such incredible compassion and generosity.”