From Awareness to Action: 8 Zephaniah’s Journey with Bringing Hope Birmingham

From First Steps to Lasting Impact

Readers might remember that earlier this year, I visited Ark Victoria Academy at the very beginning of their First Give journey, where Year 8 students were beginning to explore social issues affecting their local community of Small Heath, Birmingham. This is the first year that Ark Victoria Academy have taken part in the First Give programme, facilitated through the generous support of the Buffini Chao Foundation.

At the time of my first visit, there was a sense of curiosity in the room – students starting to recognise both the challenges around them and their own potential to respond. I promised then that I would return at the end of the programme to see what had changed.

What I found on my return was something far more powerful than a completed project. It was a shift in mindset, in confidence, and in purpose. Nowhere was this more evident than in 8 Zephaniah, whose work with Bringing Hope Birmingham captured exactly what meaningful social action can look like when young people are truly invested.

Students presenting in Ark Victoria’s First Give Final

A Message That Resonated and Mattered

As highlighted in my first visit, students were encouraged to engage with local charities and better understand the social issues affecting their local community. For 8 Zephaniah, their connection with Bringing Hope Birmingham quickly became something deeper.

The charity’s belief that “everyone has a second chance” resonated immediately. It reflected the lived values of Ark Victoria Academy – that each day has a fresh start, and that individuals are not defined by their past but by their willingness to grow.

Students began to explore the realities faced by individuals leaving prison, confronting stigma and recognising the barriers to reintegration. What stood out was not just their understanding, but their response. As one student reflected “Before this, I didn’t really think about what happens after somebody has been in prison. Now I realise how hard it is, and how important it is that people don’t feel judged forever.”

Letters of Hope: Empathy in Action

8 Zephaniah’s project centred on an innovative and deeply human form of social action: writing letters to individuals returning from prison. In collaboration with Year 7 students, they created messages of encouragement, reinforcing the belief that change is possible and that everyone deserves a second chance.

Rather than focusing solely on fundraising or awareness, students chose to connect directly with individuals who are often stigmatised and excluded. Their letters reflected the core values of their school community – particularly the belief in starting each day afresh and striving to become the best version of oneself.

Writing the letters made it feel real. It felt like we were actually helping someone, not just talking about it.

Student, Ark Victoria Academy

What might have seemed like a simple activity became something far more profound. Year 7 students wrote with honesty and compassion, reminding recipients that their past does not define their future. They shared messages of hope, resilience, and belief – echoing the same ethos that had inspired 8 Zephaniah in the first place.

For the Year 8 students leading the project, this was a defining moment. They were not just learning about social issues; they were actively shaping how others experienced them. One student explained, “Writing the letters made it feel real. It felt like we were actually helping someone, not just talking about it.”

Judges praised the originality and emotional depth of the social action, recognising it as a powerful example of empathy in action. Students themselves were inspired by Bringing Hope Birmingham’s ethos that “everyone has a second chance” and their work demonstrated a clear understanding of community rehabilitation, inclusion, and compassion.

Beyond the Final: A Lasting Connection

8 Zephaniah with their cheque for Bringing Hope Birmingham

Their efforts culminated in a powerful Final presentation, where 8 Zephaniah were awarded the £1,000 First Give grant. Yet, as with many of the stories first seen at Ark Victoria Academy, the impact did not end there.

The project has continued to build meaningful connections beyond the classroom. Representatives from Bringing Hope Birmingham, including Zuriel and Robin Thompson, returned to school for a follow-up assembly to celebrate the students’ work – a moment that not only recognised their achievements, but reinforced the real-world impact of their actions.

Reflecting on the award, they shared, “This funding will allow us to continue supporting individuals on their journey to rebuild their lives. What these young people have shown is that belief and encouragement can be transformative – we are incredibly grateful and inspired by their work.”

Looking back to that initial visit, where students were just beginning to engage with social action, the growth is unmistakable. 8 Zephaniah have not only developed awareness of a complex social issue, but have taken meaningful, compassionate action to address it – demonstrating the kind of thoughtful leadership and empathy that First Give seeks to nurture amongst the next generation.

Building a Generation of Changemakers

The programme has not only impacted students but has also left a lasting impression on staff and the wider school community. Headteacher Ela McSorley praised the cohort, stating:

“Our Year 8 students have embraced First Give with incredible maturity and compassion. They have engaged thoughtfully with complex social issues and shown a genuine commitment to making a difference in our local community. It has been inspiring to see their confidence and sense of purpose grow throughout the programme.” 

Assistant Headteacher, David Cremin, echoed this sentiment, adding:

“What has stood out most is how invested the students have become – not just in their own projects, but in each other’s causes. They’ve developed empathy, teamwork, and a real belief that they can create change. The quality of their ideas and presentations this year has been exceptional.” 

Attending the Final, Isaac Jones, Director at First Give, also reflected on the impact of the programme, sharing:

“What we’ve seen here at Ark Victoria Academy is exactly what First Give is all about – young people recognising the issues around them and feeling empowered to act. The passion, creativity, and empathy shown by Year 8 has been remarkable, and it’s clear they are developing into thoughtful, socially conscious individuals who want to make a difference.” 

As seen in the early stages of Ark Victoria Academy’s journey with First Give, the initial aim was to introduce students to social action. This next chapter shows just how far they have come. Students are no longer just learning about social issues – they are actively engaging with them, challenging perceptions, and building meaningful connections with charities and their communities.

The legacy of this year’s programme is clear. Through the partnership between First Give, the Buffini Chao Foundation and Ark Victoria Academy, young people in Small Heath have not only become more aware of the world around them – they are becoming the changemakers determined to improve it.

By Aaron Dhanoa- Programme Manager for The Midlands