Inspiring Social Action and Skills Development at Edgar Wood Academy

At First Give, we are dedicated to empowering young people as they make a positive difference in their communities through charitable social action.

Through our core programme, a whole year group of students engages in a dynamic experience where they identify social issues that they care about, connect with local charities and develop and deliver social action projects for those charities. In the latter half of the programme, students prepare engaging and creative presentations that they’ll showcase at their school’s First Give Final – an exciting celebration at the end of their programme where the year group compete in their classes to secure a £1,000 First Give grant on behalf of their class charity.

Edgar Wood Academy, part of the Altus Education Partnership in Rochdale, participated in the First Give programme with its Year 9 cohort this academic year. For many students, it was their first opportunity to connect with social issues in their community and develop their confidence, communication skills, and empathy.

Throughout the programme, students demonstrated deep personal investment in the causes they selected. The winning group- Suehani, Lilia, Samual, Thomas, and David from 9O, chose to support Springhill Hospice, a charity close to their hearts. Several group members had personal experiences with the hospice, which gave their presentation an authenticity and emotional depth that resonated with both their peers and the judges.

In their social action project, the group ran a bake sale and a “Guess How Many Sweets in the Jar” competition, raising £137 for the charity. But it was their personal growth and meaningful engagement with the hospice that truly stood out. The students had spoken directly to hospice staff and learned about their day-to-day work. A story about a wedding held in the hospice particularly moved the group and deepened their connection to the cause.

Suehani shared advice for future participants: “Don’t be afraid!”, a reflection of the confidence she gained during the programme. Lilia noted improvements in her confidence and public speaking skills. Samual cited improved teamwork and communication, adding that the project “brought us closer to our community.” David credited the experience for helping him “think on his feet” and “speak with pride and passion.” Thomas spoke about how the programme “gave us insight into what people go through,” showing the group’s enhanced empathy and awareness.

The judging panel was deeply impressed by 9O’s clarity, passion, and ability to present without notes, which allowed for fluid speech, strong posture, and confident eye contact. The group’s genuine connection to their charity, combined with their powerful delivery, made them worthy winners.

Another highlight was 9W’s work with Mind. Student Tracy reflected: “I feel closer to my community and more connected. Spreading awareness is really important.” Sam, also from 9W, said he had “more confidence presenting – I wouldn’t have done this before First Give.”

The programme had whole-school impact as well. Headteacher Paul Jones praised its dual value:

The final event was a culmination of weeks of hard work, with enthusiastic student engagement and visible growth in presentation skills. Groups responded positively to feedback during their presentation skills workshop and showed noticeable improvement in their final delivery. The event also fostered strong community involvement, with local judges and representatives attending to support the students.

Judges commended class 9G for their professional presentation and creative use of a poem to engage their audience, awarding them a commendation.

Jo Haworth-King, Partnership Development Manager at Altus Education Partnership, commented:

“From a Trust perspective, the First Give programme complements Altus’ mission, vision and core values… It ensures we are developing students as model citizens, while making local communities proud of their academies and the role they play in improving lives across the borough.”

The First Give programme at Edgar Wood Academy sparked passion, personal growth, and community engagement among students. It allowed young people to discover the power of their voices and actions while building meaningful connections with local charities. For students like those in class 9O, it wasn’t just about winning- it was about discovering their ability to make a difference.