Spreading winter warmth in our communities

As the winter nights drew in and temperatures plummeted, the Star family stepped up its efforts to support the most vulnerable people in its local communities. The Winter Gift Programme has seen all 33 Star schools combine to spread seasonal goodwill to thousands of individuals and families living in the neighbourhoods around our schools.

Across the country, pupils and colleagues participated in a broad range of charitable giving, acts of kindness and volunteering; all with one simple aim – to make sure no one faced the challenges of winter alone.

The trust’s leadership specialism took centre stage as the campaign provided pupils of all ages with a platform to expand their leadership qualities – by devising, organising and taking part in charitable endeavours – and experience first-hand the personal satisfaction that comes from helping others.

Through a momentous culmination of acts of selflessness and kindness across the whole Star family, this year’s Winter Gift Programme has provided a seasonal boost to thousands of people. Collectively, our inspiring pupils and staff have donated and distributed:

• 3,000+ hot meals to those in need
• 10,000+ items to food banks serving the communities close to our schools
• 1,500+ toy and gift hampers to children, elderly and vulnerable adults, in hospitals and in care
• Over £10,000 to local charities

Across the country, in each Star Partnership, schools have been making a positive difference.

Lancashire

At Highfield Leadership Academy in Blackpool, pupils prepared hundreds of freshly cooked meals for Amazing Graze, a local soup kitchen. Local residents and friends enjoyed a community party which included musical performances and games to spread festive cheer and kindness. Kind-hearted pupils, families and staff also donated food items which were used to create hampers for local community kitchens, homelessness hostels and residents of local care homes and sheltered accommodation.

Pupils, families and staff at The Olive School, Preston have been generously donating gifts and winter treats to create stunning gift hampers for residents of Fairmont Care Home, adding a sprinkling of kindness, companionship and joy amongst the elderly residents. The school community has been generously donating non-perishable food items to help support local families in need this winter. The food will be distributed via Noor Foodbank, which supports over 100 vulnerable families every month.

Greater Manchester

Throughout December, Oulder Hill Leadership Academy’s Winter Gift Programme activities focussed on supporting local charities and community organisations that provide valued services to vulnerable people in Rochdale. The school was brimming with gifts, toiletries and food – all generously donated by caring pupils and their families and staff. Each year group selected a different worthy cause to support. One year group donated clothing to people experiencing homelessness, whilst another gave toys for families in need supported by NHS Rochdale Care Organisation’s Reaching Out programme.

Pupils and staff at Eden Girls’ Leadership Academy, Manchester created beautiful gift hampers packed with gifts, treats and winter warmers donated by the school community. The lovingly-prepared hampers were distributed to a local charity supporting women and children who are victims of domestic violence, a local nursing home and a homeless shelter. Pupils also held a winter bake-off challenge to produce home-baked cakes and cookies. The sweet treats were packed into 100 snack packs and distributed to people in Manchester experiencing homelessness.

West Yorkshire

In Bradford, pupils and staff Laisterdyke Leadership Academy donated breakfast items, including cereal, jam and fruit juice, to support local families facing food poverty. Hundreds of food items were also donated to Bradford Central Food Bank. The school brought some warmth to the cold winter weeks for staff at Bradford Fire Station; pupils delivered hot drinks and woolly gloves as a thank you for their service to the community. The Salvation Army was another recipient of the school’s winter campaign, which was presented with 25 care packs for its service users.

Over recent years, High Crags Primary Leadership Academy in Shipley has forged a strong bond with residents of a local residential care home. This winter, pupils once again extended the hand of friendship to Hallcroft’s residents. The children spread festive cheer by performing a carol concert, including a popular singalong with the residents, and delivered a personal gift hamper to each of the 45 residents.

West Midlands

Pupils at Eden Girls’ School, Coventry lovingly prepared 200 freshly-cooked hot meals for the local Salvation Army homeless shelter. To lift the spirits of those spending the festive period in hospital, the thoughtful pupils created gift hampers for children staying on the children’s ward at University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire.

At Starbank School in Birmingham, local residents and community groups were welcomed into the school by pupils, parents and staff to enjoy a winter wonderland. At the Winter Fair, families and friends of the school enjoyed participating in games, visiting Santa’s Grotto and sampling traditional festive treats. The school’s charitable drive has also seen generous pupils donate large volumes of food, toiletries and household essentials to local food banks.

London

Over 600 items of food were donated by families at The Olive School, Hackney to support the growing demands on the services of a local homeless shelter. Gift hampers – packed with winter gifts and sweet treats – spread cheer to local emergency services workers, community organisations and hospital patients.

At Eden Girls’ School, Waltham Forest, compassionate pupils made it their mission to ensure that more than 130 vulnerable children received a present this festive season. The school’s charitable drive also saw it provide gift hampers to local care homes, the Salvation Army and a local homeless shelter, along with 300 hot food parcels.

Added By: Star Academies | Date Added: 20th Dec 2023 | Posted In: Latest News