New City College students spread kindness with gifts for children’s hospice

New City College students have been spreading a little happiness to children and families supported by Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice through a special community project.

Working alongside colleagues from the college’s Tutorial and Enrichment and Mental Health teams, students from Rainham’s Construction and Engineering Campus helped prepare a collection of donated gifts to bring some extra joy to children facing life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.

Taking time out from their classes and workshops, the students wrapped presents and wrote heartfelt messages to accompany the donations for the children.

The gifts were donated by Tesco, Asda and Hobbycraft and were delivered to the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice, in north London, by college staff.

The hospice provides vital care and support to babies, children and young people with life-threatening or life-shortening conditions, as well as their families.

During the visit, NCC staff, including Natasha Bryce, Senior Lead for Tutorial and Enrichment at Ardleigh Green and Rainham campuses, Isobel Cattle, Enrichment Coordinator at both campuses, and Akira Johnson and Angelie Hughes from the Mental Health team, were welcomed by Faye Armitage, Community Engagement Officer at Noah’s Ark, who gave them a tour of The Ark – the hospice’s purpose-built home.

The NCC staff gained a valuable insight into the organisation’s work and the importance of community support in helping families through incredibly challenging times.

Natasha said: “It was really wholesome to see the care and thought that our students put into wrapping the presents and writing such thoughtful messages. They really took the time to think about the children and how the gifts would make them feel and it made them appreciate the difference that a simple act of kindness can make.

“We are incredibly grateful to Faye Armitage and the team at Noah’s Ark for accepting our donations and for taking the time to show us around The Ark. It was a wonderful reminder of what can be achieved when we work together with our communities.”

Building stronger community connections

New City College is keen to develop more opportunities for students to make a positive difference through partnerships with charities, community groups and organisations.

Local charities and organisations interested in working with the college, whether through fundraising, donations, volunteering or future student enrichment projects, are encouraged to get in touch.

The Tutorial and Enrichment Team would particularly welcome opportunities to build lasting relationships with organisations in and around Havering.

Natasha said: “This could be a wonderful opportunity to build a “Community Connections” strand into the college’s enrichment work, create ongoing relationships with local organisations and give students regular opportunities to contribute positively to their community.”

To discuss a potential collaboration, please contact Natasha Bryce, Ardleigh Green and Rainham Senior Lead for Tutorial and Enrichment, at natasha.bryce@ncclondon.ac.uk.