Barkerend Primary Leadership Academy pupils spread winter warmth to local community

As the winter nights draw in and the temperatures plummet, pupils from Barkerend Primary Leadership Academy are spreading seasonal cheer throughout their community by supporting local people through its Winter Gift Programme.

At Barkerend Primary Leadership Academy, we pride ourselves on making a positive difference to society. We are committed to playing an active role in our community and helping others. This winter, we are stepping up our efforts to support the most vulnerable people in our community.

The Winter Gift Programme is an annual campaign which sees pupils and staff from every Star Academies school unite to 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.

Throughout the campaign, we will be supporting those in our local community – young and old – who are unwell, elderly or living in care, and those experiencing homelessness, loneliness or food poverty. As well as benefitting vulnerable people, our pupils will also gain from their involvement by expanding their leadership qualities – by devising, organising and taking part in charitable endeavours – and experiencing first-hand the positive impact of helping those less fortunate.

Our pupils have been taking part in fundraising activities including a cake sale, a school bake off contest and a chocolate tombola. The proceeds have been used to purchase gifts which have been wrapped and placed in decorative hampers and given to the residents of Shakespeare Court, a residential home close to the school. Pupils from the school have been building friendships with residents of Shakespeare Court for several years.

This December, pupils and staff visited the care home to spread kindness and joy amongst the elderly residents by playing games, giving handmade cards and messages of kindness, and presenting a personalised gift hamper to each resident. Pupils from the school also visited Chestnut Lodge residential home to perform Christmas songs which spread warmth and delight to residents on a cold winter’s day.

As well as supporting local care homes, the school’s winter campaign is also participating in the Salvation Army’s Shoebox Appeal – donating toys and gifts to children who might not otherwise receive a Christmas present – and raising funds for Bradford Hospitals Charity’s by collecting donations for Christmas Jumper Day.

Ann Winter, Principal at Barkerend Primary Leadership Academy, said:

“Our Winter Gift Programme not only supports the most vulnerable members of our community, but affords our pupils the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and to experience the personal satisfaction that comes from demonstrating kindness and helping those less fortunate. It gives me an enormous sense of pride to see our pupils, parents and colleagues embrace this invaluable campaign with such incredible compassion and generosity.”