Cake, companionship and community
AT NORTH London Collegiate School, in Edgware, the Founder’s Day prayer reminds students: “Thou dost require much from those to whom much is given”. Charity is an important part of school life, teaching young people to give back to society.
NLCS girls regularly volunteer after school at local care homes and guests from the homes were invited to the school’s annual summer get-together, the Livability Party. More than 30 girls volunteered at the party, chatting to guests, serving coffee and cake and acting as bingo callers.
Other recent charity activities at North London included a performance by the year 12 choir at the Henry NiHill care home. They had performed at the Royal Free Hospital earlier in the year.
The school’s charitable programme is named Canonaid, after the location of the school, at Canons. This year, the Canonaid house fête and sports day were combined to create an end-ofterm extravaganza including inflatable sumo wrestling, a bungee run and hair braiding, raising money for Plan International, which advances children’s rights and equality for girls.
Merchant Taylors’ School, in Northwood, holds Mencap fun days and fundraisers and supports Phab, which helps children and adults with serious mental and physical disabilities. For one week in the holidays (Phab Week), MTS boys, with girls from nearby St Helen’s School, look after their teenage guests 24/7 and organise activities for them — this year, they even enjoyed a trip to a flying simulator. MTS is one of only three schools involved in Phab Week, which many pupils describe as a life-changing experience. The school also raises awareness of charitable causes through presentations and discussions in its tutor periods. Speakers from global and local organisations are also invited to give assemblies.
This year, 30 boys went on a World Challenge expedition to Mozambique and Swaziland, including some time spent volunteering at an Aids-affected village.
Teenagers seeking Jewish volunteering opportunities can sign up to Project Impact, run in conjunction with JVN, the Jewish Volunteering Network.
Project ImpACT creates and supports meaningful group volunteering opportunities for years nine to 11, for a variety of charities, Jewish and general.
Activities have included cooking dinner for the homeless, running a lunch quiz and tea for Holocaust survivors, creating digital activity books for children in hospital, visiting care homes to interact with the residents and making food packages for underprivileged families. A cookathon on November 4 will provide dinner for 100 homeless people.
Project ImpACT hours can be tied to a Duke of Edinburgh award, V Inspired and other awards. More details from info@projectimpact.org.uk
It is the aim of South Hampstead High School that students not only play their part in the school community, but also in the community beyond school, volunteering and raising funds for worthwhile causes. “Working with and for communities plays a crucial role in shaping sensitive and empathic leaders and at South Hampstead, we are determined