Star family unites to spread winter warmth to local communities

As the winter nights draw in and the temperatures plummet, the Star family is stepping up its efforts to support the most vulnerable people in its local communities.

The trust’s Winter Gift Programme will see all 33 Star schools and its Star Central team combine to spread seasonal goodwill to thousands of individuals and families living in the neighbourhoods around its schools.

Across the country, pupils and colleagues will 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.

Civic leadership and philanthropy are key tenets of Star’s philosophy to nurture and inspire young people to develop the character to become future leaders. The trust’s leadership specialism will take centre stage as the campaign provides 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.

The Winter Gift Programme – which links to each of the STAR values of Service, Teamwork, Ambition and Respect – has two key strands: tackling food poverty and spreading kindness.

From today (27 November) until the end of December, pupils and staff will rally to fundraise, volunteer and work in partnership with local charities and community groups to support those most at need in their communities.

Tackling food poverty

With so many vulnerable individuals and families facing hardship this winter, schools will increase their efforts in distributing food to those experiencing food poverty. Staff and pupils will don aprons, commandeer school kitchens and cook up thousands of freshly-prepared hot meals. Their culinary delights will be lovingly packaged before being delivered to local residents, community groups and homelessness organisations.

Others will organise food drives to collect nonperishable, essential items of food and hygiene products. Classrooms will be transformed into production lines with products being carefully selected, packed and distributed to local recipients through school and community foodbanks, and delivered directly to homes, care providers, charities and community groups.

Spreading kindness

The Star family will also extend a hand of friendship to those who may find themselves isolated from families and friends this winter. By visiting elderly care home residents, and hospital and hospice patients, pupils will endeavour to lift spirits and spread joy by showing compassion and companionship. Along with sending cards, letters and video messages, pupils from Star’s primary and secondary schools will visit isolated and unwell individuals, delivering cards and gifts as well as offering friendship and providing entertainment through musical performances.

Local residents and community partners will also be invited into Star schools to enjoy food and friendship, and thousands of gifts will be distributed as a thank you to emergency workers and to spread goodwill in our communities.

Sir (Mufti) Hamid Patel CBE, Chief Executive of Star Academies, said:

“At Star’s core is a commitment to nurturing a sense of philanthropy and inspiring our young people to develop a genuine desire to support those less fortunate than themselves. Our Winter Gift Programme provides a platform not only to offer friendship and a helping hand to our local communities but for our pupils to experience a sense of pride and civic duty from the joy of serving others.

“It is enormously heartening to see our pupils, parents and colleagues embrace this invaluable campaign with such incredible compassion and generosity. It gives me great pride that, together, the Star family is uniting to spread kindness, friendship and cheer to those who may be struggling during the cold winter months.”

You can keep a track of all of our schools’ inspiring Winter Gift Programme activities by following @StarAcademies on X (formerly Twitter).

Added By: Star Academies | Date Added: 27th Nov 2023 | Posted In: Latest News