Year 7 students at Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy have proven that age is no barrier to social impact, thanks to their remarkable participation in the First Give Programme. Over several months, students worked in tutor groups to explore social issues in their local community, build partnerships with local charities, and take part in meaningful acts of social action, all culminating in a powerful final presentation.

The programme, which aims to ignite a passion for giving back, challenged students to compete for a £1,000 grant for their chosen charity. Throughout the experience, students developed key skills in teamwork, public speaking, empathy, and active citizenship. What stood out most, however, was the genuine passion and creativity they poured into their campaigns, each rooted in real issues affecting people across Sandwell.

Real Action, Real Impact: From Recycling to Respite Care

The winning tutor group, Class 7BB, partnered with Sandwell Young Carers, a charity that supports children and young people who look after family members. Their social action included organising a fun day inspired by the ethos of Sandwell Young Carers, hosting a face painting station, and running a poster campaign across the school to raise awareness. On top of winning the £1,000 First Give grant, the group raised an additional £80 to support young carers in the area.

Representatives from the charity were visibly moved by the efforts of the students. Sophia from Sandwell Young Carers, said, “We’ve been given the £1,000 for our charity and we know it’s going to a great cause. The children at our organisation are going to be absolutely amazed… this is going to help them have the respite they need and a break from their caring role.” Her colleague Rhea added, “We’re blown away by the students’ confidence, how they presented, and how deeply they understood our work. It made us so proud.” Another member of the team, Bex, described how they became emotional listening to the students speak, noting, “They remembered the questions they asked us, you could tell they really listened to us. Their passion came through so clearly.”

Other tutor groups also delivered powerful and creative campaigns. Class 7FCL, who worked with environmental charity Groundwork, focused on sustainability by building a greenhouse from recycled plastic bottles. Students launched a school-wide campaign to collect used bottles, planted flowers inside the greenhouse, and even started a petition for more recycling bins around the school. One student shared “We’re planning to keep collecting bottles next year and make our greenhouse even bigger. We want to make our school greener and build more awareness about the environment.”

Meanwhile, Class 7LAG chose to work with the James Brindley Foundation, which aims to tackle knife crime and promote safer communities. Their social action centered on a sponsored walk around the school field, representing a journey to safety. They raised money and spread the message that “walking free” without violence should be every young person’s reality. “I was proud of our walk. In the future, I want to do more than just one sponsored event,” said one student.

Courage, Creativity, and Care: Raising Awareness Through Experience

Elsewhere, Class 7DLM partnered with Andy’s Man Club, a mental health charity supporting men struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts. The students organised a penalty shootout, a bake sale, and other small fundraising activities, raising £78 for the cause. More importantly, they opened conversations about mental health and the importance of speaking out. One student reflected, “I learned that raising money is important, but so is just talking. We need to keep mental health in the spotlight, so no one suffers in silence.”

Class 7DL, who supported YMCA, took a more immersive route with their awareness campaign. Students created video diaries of themselves completing challenges that mimicked aspects of homelessness: living on just £2 a day, sleeping outdoors, and going without showers. One participant shared, “Sleeping on the floor was so uncomfortable. It made me feel even more passionate about helping homeless people. I’d love to do a proper sleepout event next year.” Their video campaign sparked conversations across the school and helped their peers empathise with people facing housing insecurity.

A Lasting Legacy of Compassion and Confidence

The First Give programme had a clear and lasting impact on both students and staff at Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy. Mr. Cooper, who supported the students throughout, said, “The amount of time, effort, and dedication the students have put in has been incredible. They’ve not only supported their chosen charities financially and through raising awareness, but they’ve also gained confidence and a much deeper understanding of the social issues affecting our local community.”

Mrs. Kaur echoed his sentiments, adding, “The programme has been amazing. The creativity has blown us away, from face painting, to selling cupcakes, to sporting challenges, and more importantly, the students have really engaged with the ‘why’ behind their work. They understand now that their voices and actions matter.”

Students themselves shared how the experience has shaped their outlook and ambitions. One student reflected, “Even though our project is over, I want our class to keep supporting Sandwell Young Carers. They need us.” Another student noted, “I loved speaking to the charities face-to-face. It gave us real insight. I’d be honoured to do something like this again.”

Inspiring a Culture of Giving

As the First Give programme draws to a close for another academic year, the legacy it leaves at Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy is clear: a new generation of socially conscious young people ready to act, speak out, and support others. Through their enthusiasm, bravery, and kindness, the Year 7 cohort has shown what is possible when education meets purpose.

Whether raising money, planting seeds, or advocating for change, these students have proven that even the smallest actions, when rooted in empathy, can have a powerful and lasting impact.

Now in its fifth year at Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy, it has been an absolute pleasure to witness the students’ growth and development throughout the programme. We have loved working with the Year 7 students, and we are excited to see how their passion continues to evolve. We look forward to supporting next year’s Year 7 cohort at this wonderful school.