College buildings may be closed for face-to-face teaching, but lecturers and students are busier than ever with lessons online, working towards their qualifications and supporting their local communities.

London and South East Education Group is hoping to raise £20,000 to support food banks in the London boroughs of Bromley, Bexley and Greenwich. So far they’ve raised over £4,000. 

We're aiming to raise £20,000 to support foodbanks in the London Boroughs of Bromley, Bexley and Greenwich. Help us reach our goal and #donate on @JustGiving https://t.co/yOHhL0m6Bc

— London SE Colleges (@LSEColleges) March 30, 2020

The RNN group has put together a “happiest hits playlist” for staff and students, featuring Bruno Mars’ Uptown Funk, Kenny Loggins’ Footloose and of course, Hakuna Matata from The Lion King. 

Check out this 'Happiness Hits’ playlist that @RNNGroup has put together for its students. Do you have any of your own suggestions? #LoveOurColleges pic.twitter.com/rb7qPNaUnE

— Association of Colleges (AoC) (@AoC_info) April 3, 2020

Joe Gaughan, a business student at Newham College, produced a video of his street showing support for each other, the NHS and other key workers.  

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Supporting communities

At Harlow College, the engineering department has been supporting their local hospital by manufacturing protective visors and donating over 10,000 items of PPE. 

🌈 5 things that have made us smile this week!
2️⃣ @HarlowCollege support frontline staff at @NHSHarlow by manufactuing protective visors in @EngineeringHC HAMEC and donating over 10,000 items of PPE #LoveOurCollege @AoC_info pic.twitter.com/MUymr2cH4G

— Harlow College (@HarlowCollege) April 3, 2020

Peterborough Regional College also donated all of their PPE to their local hospital.

So pleased that @prclatest can support @CambsPboroCCG by donating all our PPE to front line NHS staff. #StayHomeSaveLives #LoveOurColleges #NHSheroes pic.twitter.com/bZuEEqeTLl

— Rachel Nicholls (@RachelJNicholls) April 2, 2020

Barnsley College are providing their students with virtual “cultural capital trips”, which have seen students watch everything from a live performance of Valery Gergiev conducting Szymanowski and Brahms by the London Symphony Orchestra to a glimpse of the styles worn by Marie Antoinette and how the legacy they left still inspires fashion designers today.

Tuesday's Cultural Capital expedition sees us look close to home and have the chance to explore a miner's strike exhibition and awareness campaign by the Barnsley Museums in 2014. Find out more: https://t.co/rsBSvPNtgM

— Barnsley College (@barnsleycollege) March 31, 2020

At Weston College, one health and social care lecturer has shared her top tips for teaching remotely.

Very proud of our staff for going above and beyond to help their learners during unprecedented times.

I'm continuing to see brilliant levels of initiative and commitment in order to adapt to the digital environment.#MyVirtualCollege #LoveOurColleges @AoC_info https://t.co/ngO7CzYa4S

— Sir Paul Phillips (@SirPaulPhillips) April 3, 2020

Media students at Cambridge Regional College have been developing their skills in body painting by creating rainbows of hope for everyone. 

Media make-up students have joined the nation in creating rainbows as a sign of hope, but rather than posting them in windows they have been using the opportunity to develop their skills in body painting. Fantastic idea!#WeAreCRC #LoveOurColleges #rainbow #rainbowart pic.twitter.com/f44W9p2JUq

— CRC Huntingdon Campus (@CRC_Huntingdon) April 3, 2020

Leeds City College started #ThankYouThursday and called on students to tweet thanks to anyone who made a positive impact on them this week. 

We’re running a new weekly segment called #ThankYouThursday!

Tweet us letting us know who you would like to thank. Who has made a positive impact on you this week? It could be a family member, friend, or someone from college.

Don’t forget to use the hashtag!#LoveOurColleges pic.twitter.com/m98O8W9j9M

— Leeds City College (@leedscitycoll) April 2, 2020

And in the kitchens of Windsor Forest Colleges, volunteers have been busy preparing food for those who are vulnerable or self-isolating. 

Our Zest kitchens have been busy this week, full of volunteers preparing food for the vulnerable and self-isolating🍽️

Yesterday, our Restaurant Manager, Beryl, joined @sloughcvs voluntary staff, helping to make 1⃣0⃣0⃣ pasta dishes✨#LoveOurColleges @AoC_info @SloughOutreach pic.twitter.com/bjvOS8CM3e

— Windsor Forest Colleges Group (@WindsorForestCG) April 1, 2020