Community Action is a big part of Forest School – and it takes shape in many forms!
At Forest School, we actively encourage pupils to involve themselves in the wider community through activities such as volunteering. We firmly believe this level of engagement provides our pupils with optimum experiences and opportunities to develop important skills in environments outside of an academic setting and forms an intrinsic part of their personal development. Supporting charities through volunteering or fundraising is also another core aspect of Forest School’s commitment to pupil development and its support of the local and wider community. We also believe in engaging the whole Forest Community in our community-focused activities such as collections for books, winter coats and foodbank donations amongst others.
Recent examples of community action and charitable fundraising include:
Sixth Form Volunteering at Haven House Children’s Hospice
During timetabled Activities lessons, our Sixth Form students dedicated their time volunteering at Haven House, a local charity providing care for children and young people who are unlikely to reach adulthood. The students provided essential support with a range of important projects and events for the charity such as their family Halloween and Christmas functions.
Lower School Volunteering at Branches
Meanwhile, our Lower School pupils enthusiastically engaged in volunteer work at Branches, a homeless shelter providing essential support within the local community. By participating in these activities, pupils develop an awareness of the lives of others and learn the importance of empathy and teamwork whilst making a positive impact on their local community.
Community Art Project
Pupils from Year 11, 12 and 13 painted a mural in the library space of a local primary during their timetabled Activities lessons. The pupils worked diligently together as a team to devise and paint designs within a set timescale; their finished mural reflected the beauty and diversity of the natural environment and created an enchanting and calm library space for the primary school pupils to enjoy.
Collections
We hold a winter coat collection every year and donate the coats to a local branch of The Salvation Army. The Forest community always rises to the call for coats with an overwhelming response. Last year, we collected over 20 sacks filled with adult and children sized coats. Over the course of a year, we have also collected books, advent calendars and toys for two Christmas appeals, Easter eggs for a children’s charity and whole school termly collections for a local Trussell Trust foodbank.
Charitable Fundraising
The Houses in the Senior School and the Prep School also make collections for local charities they support such as local homeless and animal shelters and foodbanks and organise charity events such as bake sales and pre-loved clothing sales to raise funds for these charities.
Recent examples include:
Crafting for a Cause
Our pupils collected unwanted toiletry gift sets donated by the Forest community as well as making delightful handmade items such as chocolate truffles and spiced orange cordial to create lovely hampers to be raffled to raise funds for: The Magpie Project and Celia Hammond. The Magpie Project focuses on supporting homeless mothers and children in our area, providing them with essential resources and a safe environment. The Celia Hammond Animal trust is dedicated to rescuing and rehoming stray and unwanted cats in east and south east London, playing a crucial role in local animal welfare.
Pre-loved Clothing Fundraiser
Pupils ran a pre-loved clothing sale to raise money for local charity, Haven House Children’s Hospice, to help fund their important work such as respite care for families and sensory play and music therapy for the children under the care of the Hospice.
Join us in celebrating the dedication and achievements of our students as they continue to make a positive impact on our community and beyond!
