Projects include an anti-knife crime basketball match and a charity thrift shop
Learners at Suffolk New College have been promoting an anti-knife crime message as part of a social action month.
The learners from the educational establishment kick-started the campaign with a staff v student basketball match to encourage people to unite through sport and not divide through crime.
Anton Dixon is the basketball coach for Suffolk New College, and he put a staff team together to take on students. Anton said, “The game was a huge success, bringing energy, competition, and most importantly, a strong sense of community.
He continued: “Beyond the game, this event was about more than basketball. It was a celebration of the hard work and dedication these young people have shown all year, committing to something bigger than themselves, building a community in a space that encourages growth, respect, and positive change, that rejects crime. This was about more than sport—it’s about building a culture where young people can grow, lead, and inspire each other and promoting the idea that sport wins over knife-crime.”
One of the players on the student team was Marley Gunn, 18, from Ipswich. Marley said, “Sport gives me a safe environment and gives me something positive to do with a group of friends.”
(Staff members narrowly beat the students on this occasion).
In addition to the basketball game, all social action activities have had a sustainable theme.
During the month, more sporting activities will take place to encourage a healthier lifestyle and art and design students have set up a thrift shop to raise money for the Got to Read charity. An Ipswich-based benevolent cause that helps adult learners read.
Emily Merry Brown, 18, from Felixstowe, helped put the thrift shop together. She said, “It’s great to raise money for a really good cause. The event helped bring the college and the community together. It’s nice to support where we can.”
In terms of the sustainable theme of selling second-hand clothes in the shop, Jake Smith, 18, from Ipswich said: “Sustainability helps make the world a better place.”
Emily and Jake’s progress tutor, Rosie Rawlins-Waumsley said: “The art and design students worked on this for six weeks. All leftover clothes will be donated to a local homeless charity. All of these social action projects are brining students and staff together to help make a positive difference in their local community.”
Elsewhere, learners have been involved in a litter pick, a river clean and at the end of April, two separate groups of music students are creating charity singles using sustainable materials for St Helena Hospice and the British Red Cross.
Hayley Rigby – a personal development co-ordinator at the college – was a key figure in creating the social action month. Hayley said: “Social Action Month is all about getting the students to shine a light on injustices in society and highlight sustainability.
“Year three students from across our four college campuses have created projects and this programme of social action has been running for the last four years. The students have been really engaged and positive and we have 29 projects happening this year.”
Mike Mears, head of student personal development at the college, also helped oversee activities. Mike said: “At Suffolk New College, we’re immensely proud of our students’ commitment to sustainability. Through the social action meek, I’ve seen firsthand the incredible impact of their projects, from litter picks to sustainable fashion. Our college community, including staff, has come together to inspire and drive positive change for a brighter, eco-friendlier future.”