Our annual Community Action Week saw hundreds of primary school children within our family of 21 schools across Derby and Nottingham, offering their support and services to a variety of local charities, sustainable projects and food banks within their local communities. From cake sales to fun runs and from organising food donations to providing flowers to the residents of care homes across the region, these child-led acts of kindness have generated thousands of pounds whilst raising awareness of important issues – once again demonstrating our values of Kindness, Respect, Equity and Creativity.

With the well documented cost of living crisis that has gripped our country, the stress placed upon the people who need it most has been highlighted more and more as we continue to find ways to help our neighbours. We encourage dialogue and debate as the Children’s Parliament also gathered for the final time this academic year. Each school showcased the impact they have made in their respective communities. Pupils from our Children’s Parliament continued to prioritise sustainability and environmental improvements.

This week-long event in June each year allows schools to participate in raising money for local causes within their community. The deeds done by the schools across the East Midlands have not only raised a lot of money, but they have shone a light on the important issues affecting the community. The children have also gained an early understanding of why efficiently managing their finances is significant, particularly in this current climate.

In just one week, schools like Lawn Primary in Derby have proven that it doesn’t take much to lend a helping hand. The children and staff at the primary school raised awareness on behalf of Bridge the Gap, who provide support and facilities regarding children’s mental health. Lawn’s fun run helped the school community raise over £3,300, a large contribution to one of many great causes across the UK. Meanwhile Pear Tree Community Primary School, also in Derby, got creative with posters encouraging everyone to look after their community and pick up litter. Allenton Primary School and Ashbrook Junior School participated in garden clean ups for the likes of Rolls Royce and the Transform Trust central team. Ravensdale Junior School in Mickleover hosted a Community Cream Tea with members from the local church and surrounding areas, singing songs and sharing memories together.

Over in Nottingham, much needed attention was paid to local care homes across the region, including Lark Hill, as they were sent handmade cards and flowers from Highbank Primary School. The choir at Robert Shaw Primary and Nursery School visited Willows Day Centre in Beechdale to sing songs and continue their regular visits to residents. The children at Edale Rise and Highbank Primary school also got their aprons on and raised hundreds of pounds with their cake sales. Whitegate Primary School raised over a thousand pounds with their sponsored walk to Rushcliffe Park on behalf of Clifton Food Bank and Forever Stars, a cause that supports families who’ve experienced child bereavement and infant loss. Meanwhile Sneinton St Stephens pupils organised a Plant Swap to encourage more parents and community members to be outdoors and create greener spaces.

Two of the schools within the trust were at the centre of BBC Radio Nottingham’s Breakfast Show coverage, hosted by Sarah Julian. Brocklewood Primary visited the residents of Beechdale Care Home to sing songs and share juice and biscuits, while Parkdale featured regularly on the airwaves as articulate students took over Julian’s show for a week, explaining the importance of managing money and documenting their visit to Hope Nottingham’s food bank to lend a hand. The pupils at Brierley Forest became ‘Ecowarriors’ as they took time during their breaks to clean up the litter in their school grounds and Sneinton. Parkdale and Edale students all helped to clean up their local community as part of a Big Clean Weekend. All schools across the trust work incredibly hard throughout the year to bring these important issues to life and link it with their learning across different subjects, this week is simply a snapshot of the plethora of projects these community-minded children lead on every day.

Rebecca Meredith CBE our CEO, spoke about how these week-long fundraising projects are ‘an important part of the Transform Trust calendar’. “I have been so impressed with the activities in and around our schools this year”, she said. “It really brings out the best in our schools and teaches the children the importance of community spirit, whilst encompassing our four Trust values; Kindness, Respect, Equity and Creativity”, Rebecca added.

“Schools have gone above and beyond in their Community Action endeavours from delivering letters to local residents, visiting care homes, fund raising, food bank collecting and lots more. I am very proud of them all – well done, and thank you to everyone who took part”.