College in drive to support community

HOPWOOD Hall College has joined a national initiative to help its staff and students support and connect with local communities.

The Good for ME Good for FE campaign aims to generate £1m of social value via a sustainable programme of community action including volunteering, fundraising and charitable partnerships.

More than 100 colleges have already joined the campaign which builds on the huge success of FE Foodbank Friday.

This saw colleges around the country come together during the pandemic to raise over £47,000 and collect more than 20,000 items for local foodbanks.

With demand for foodbanks remaining high, this strand of activity will continue as part of Good for Me Good for FE, to ensure that communities continue to be supported with basic food needs.

In addition, staff and students who are keen to undertake voluntary and fundraising activities will be supported to do so.

There is a strong link between volunteering and improved mental health - a current key priority for colleges and their staff following such a challenging year.

Julia Heap, principal and CEO of Hopwood Hall College, said: “We are delighted to be involved in this exciting and important national initiative.

“Generating social value is key to helping our communities to prosper, particularly as economies begin to recover post-pandemic.

“We see the Good for ME Good for FE campaign as a fantastic way to support those who are most in need and create more opportunities for people in the area.”