Well over a third of colleges have added their support to the new Good for Me, Good for FE community action initiative, spearheaded by three principals and launched only a week ago.
The campaign, which hopes to create a sustainable programme of community action across the UK, while helping to support the wellbeing of FE staff, has attracted the support of 95 colleges so far. It is based on the scientifically proven benefits that volunteering and supporting social causes have on mental health and will build on the success of FE Foodbank Friday, an initiative that raised over £47,000 and for which 20,000 food items were collected.
Good for Me, Good for FE will focus on the continuation of Foodbank Friday, encouraging FE staff to take part in volunteering activity within and outside college communities, and developing corporate and charitable partnerships to sustain long-term impact.
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Sam Parrett, from London South East Colleges; Jo Maher, from Loughborough College; and Stuart Rimmer, from East Coast College, who are leading the sector’s drive to collectively generate £1 million of social value over the next year, have said they are delighted with the response so far.
FE colleges taking part in community action
Ms Parrett said: “The response we have had from the sector to Good for Me, Good for FE in just a week since launch has been phenomenal - a quarter of all FE colleges in England! This commitment to generating social value completely reflects the crucial role of colleges as anchor institutions.
“Not only will this initiative help local communities around the country, it will also enable colleges to better support the mental health and wellbeing of staff and students. Myself and my colleagues are incredibly excited about progressing activity and I thank every college that has already committed to being involved.
“We will soon be announcing several charitable partners coming on board, who will help open up volunteering opportunities for our staff - and ensure the campaign can sustain long-term impact and action.”
Mr Rimmer added: “We’d like to thank all our colleagues up and down the UK who have committed to becoming part of this venture. It feels that the time for a focus on volunteering and community contribution really is now.”
Ms Maher said: “FE is just brilliant. To see the engagement from principals, CEOs and their colleges for this campaign, after the volume of work they have got through in the last 18 months, is a real testament to our shared values and passion for social mobility.
“We have been blown away by the support and we care deeply about making this campaign a fantastic success. Thank you for all of your support.”
