Staff and students at HSDC are set to support and connect with communities surrounding the College’s three Hampshire campuses as part of a national initiative.
The Good for ME Good for FE campaign aims to generate £1m of social value through a sustainable programme of community action including volunteering, fundraising and charitable partnerships.
Being involved in this initiative supports the aims of HSDC’s Drive to 25 campaign, with the College aiming to be the first choice Further Education college for students, staff and employers in Hampshire by 2025.
As part of Drive to 25, HSDC aims to be recognised as the learning heart of its communities, meeting the needs of all our students whilst ensuring ethical practices and responding to our environmental responsibility.
More than 100 colleges have already joined the Good for ME Good for FE campaign, which will see staff and students supporting local foodbanks following the huge success of FE Foodbank Friday.
This saw colleges around the country work together during the pandemic to raise over £47,000 and collect more than 20,000 items for local foodbanks.
With demand for these services remaining high, this strand of activity will continue as part of Good for ME Good for FE to ensure that our 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.
Mike Gaston, HSDC Principal and CEO, said:
“Colleges are very much at the heart of the communities they serve and is a vital part of the work we do at HSDC. The Good for ME Good for FE initiative enables us to come together with other colleges to have a positive impact both locally and nationally.
“We are proud to be part of this exciting project at a time where communities are recovering from the impact of the pandemic. Our colleagues demonstrated huge kindness and compassion throughout the pandemic supporting those who needed it the most, so we are really pleased to encourage our colleagues to get involved.
“We also acknowledge the positive impact that supporting others and acts of kindness can have on our own mental health and wellbeing, which we are keen to encourage.”
The campaign is being spearheaded by London South East Colleges, East Coast College and Loughborough College. A list of colleges involved can be found on the LSEC website.