Spring Community Week Roundup

Community Week brings together students and staff from across the College to engage in social action projects which give back to the local community.

This week serves as a valuable opportunity for students to apply the skills they’ve learnt and are continuing to develop, whilst completing a project to help others in and around the community.

Here’s a glimpse of the work the College has been involved in throughout this week:

ESOL and Foundation Learning Conservation at Hambrook Marshes

Helping with a conservation project at the picturesque Hambrook Marshes, ESOL and Foundation Learning students put their gardening skills to the test. They were tasked with propagating the willow to create habitats for the wildlife and new trees for the local weavers society to use for upcoming projects. 

Gary Ashman, Programme Director of Foundation Learning, put on his gardening gloves and joined the students on the Marshes. He explained: “We have worked in partnership with Kentish Stour Countryside Project for five years now. It is a local environmental project with the aim to improve the biodiversity of the landscape.

“The students are doing a great job. Many of the ESOL students are currently fasting as it is Ramadan yet they have still got stuck straight in! What they are doing here is having an impact and positive effect on the local environment.”

One of the first students to grab some secateurs and start the project off was ESOL learner, Emal Mitzakhel. Emal shared: “We are feeling good and are happy to help with our community. It is good as we all live in the same community.”

Students were guided by Andy Craswell, who works for the Kentish Stour Countryside Partnership, he really impressed with the hardworking attitudes of the students.

Sport Coaching and Development Workshops for Bysing Wood Primary School

Sport students created fun sports sessions for the pupils from Bysing Wood Primary. Students planned the activities appropriately, considering ages and abilities of the students who would be participating. 

During their sessions children enjoyed fun warm up exercises, target practise using different sized balls for precision and team games including benchball and dodgeball.

All children really enjoyed the session and staff from the school commented how professional the students had been. They were impressed with the activities that the students had planned, commenting on the appropriateness of exercises chosen and timings considered, ensuring the children were kept engaged at all times.

Level 3 student, Ayse Morling said: “I’m pleased with how the session went.

“I was concerned the children would be reluctant to join in at first, but they got involved straight away. I think they all enjoyed it, so that’s the main thing.”

Health and Social Care Easter Gifts for Care Home

Over in Health and Social Care, T Level students are supporting a local care home, providing cards and decorations to bring some joy during the Easter season. 

Crafts in the making included floral wreaths and bouquets made out of tissue paper, in addition to decorative eggs and a series of Easter cards.

The idea of creating seasonal crafts was inspired by some of the students’ own experiences in work placement, where they’ve been creating art with care home residents to lift spirits. 

Learner Jade focused on creating floral bouquets, and said on the day: “I’m really enjoying creating today as I know from previous experience that it makes a lot of the residents happy, and it’s nice to know that our efforts will help them over Easter.”

These will all be delivered to OId Farm House, an Assisted living facility located in Canterbury, in the near future, with 40+ residents in total.

Health and Social Care Blood Pressure Checks

Health and Social Care students have been offering free blood pressure checks to both staff and students in The Street, providing an opportunity for everyone to monitor their health.

The project, led by the students and supervised by their lecturers, allowed participants to have their blood pressure measured at no cost.

Groups of students took turns conducting the checks, ensuring that each individual had a chance to take part while gaining valuable healthcare experience.

Hair and Beauty Workshops with Thornden Wood Primary School

Hair and Beauty students led sessions with eager Year 6 pupils from Thornden Wood Primary School.

During the day, children toured the Salon, learnt hairstyles and techniques including plaiting and how to use curling rollers, had mini manicures and designed their own nail art.

Students worked hard, providing demos and supporting the child to use the sally head dolls and practice nails.

Early Years Nursery Visit to Spring Lane

Early Years students invited Nursery children to visit our Spring Lane campus for a ‘Stay and Play’ session.

Students planned and hosted a variety of activities for the children including an Easter scavenger hunt and parachute games. They also supported the nursery children to make journey sticks and art with natural resources.