Community Work
Bring Me Sunshine
A programme that engages with our elderly community through a variety of different interests and activities and enables us to build enriching bonds. A calendar of events and initiatives across the year, involving different year groups, that either tie into our elderly citizens’ interests or extend existing school activities to incorporate their valued insight and experience.
It was felt that an overaching theme would pull the programme together so the students came up with the name of ‘Bring Me Sunshine’, a nod to the well-loved local comedian, Eric Morecambe.
In order to reach those in need, the students have established links with other groups and charities in our community who all share a passion to combat loneliness and isolation; Just Good Friends, Parkinson’s UK, Dogs for Therapy, the NHS, Lancashire Memories (a group that aims to recover lost childhood memories) and Fylde Borough Council. We also recognised that the students’ own grandparents and AKS school alumni benefit from our outreach.
Aims:
The project has developed an ethos of volunteering across the whole school and underlined the message about the power of a smile and the value of conversation. Over half of our students have been directly involved with events, but the programme’s visibility to the entire school has helped inspire a new perspective on how a community should work and has encouraged students to consider how they can make a difference. Success has been shared through frequent assemblies, noticeboard updates, and presentations to the governing body.
We have been touched by the numerous positive comments shared with us from our elderly citizens in person, through emails, and even reviews on Facebook! They comment on how much they have enjoyed the activities and give us many more ideas of activities we can consider.
“What a lovely afternoon we had, made very special by all the students who danced with the community. You are all amazing and I thank you from the bottom of my heart”
“Bringing sunshine to our community… you are amazing!”
Beach School programme
Utilising the school's close proximity to the beach and Ribble Estuary and working closely with the Park View team and rangers, this partnership allows young learners to learn outdoors and discover the natural environment. At the same time understand about the importance of conservation and natural habitats.
Toilet Twinning
AKS was the first school in the UK to twin every toilet in the school with a new toilet for a school in a developing country - over 35 of them.
AKS is only one of two schools in the country to have a Young Soroptomists Club as well.
Fundraising and volunteering
An educational partnership that allows AKS students to understand more about living with a disability and why it is important to have a more inclusive society. Student have raised important funds through balloon raffles and a sports dinner, both organised as part of the Sixth Form Ambassador's programme.
The school is currently supporting N Vision through the Junior School Student Council.
Dementia Friends
Dementia is caused by a number of diseases that affect the brain. The most common is Alzheimer’s but diseases also include vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies and Pick’s disease. Different types of dementia affect the brain at different rates and in different ways, but other things like someone’s personal circumstances, the people around them and the environment in which they live, will affect their experience of dementia. Dementia progresses in a way that is unique to each individual.
The Dementia Friends initiative is helping to turn communities across England into dementia friendly communities.
AKS students attend and participate in the dementia friends sing-along every Christmas at The Lowther Pavilion.
Sparkle Malawi
Through the school service leadership group, 'AKS Action,' every form class is challenged to raise funds throughout the summer term to sponsor a child at Sparkle Malawi (founder Sarah Brook is an alumnus of the school).