Colchester United's Football in the Community have been working hard in December.
Their Education staff, as part of the Premier League Primary Stars programme, have been delivering Social Action Projects with Primary School Children in Year Five at St Clare’s RC Primary School in Clacton-on-sea.
Social Action is delivered within the '#iwill' campaign’s framework to inspire children and young people to create projects that can benefit those most in need within their communities.
It was identified that the elderly within our local community were isolated more than ever due to the recent lockdown, and that children would design projects to help combat this in the lead up to Christmas.
Age Concern Colchester & North East Essex, along with local care homes, are kindly supporting the children in the distribution of their projects to make sure the children’s work gets to those who can benefit from it the most.
The Year Five pupils took part in lessons virtually on Zoom with Colchester United FITC Premier League Primary Stars Co-ordinator Kieran Michaels, detailing a five-stage approach to designing and delivering a Impactful Social Action Project:
1.Idea Mapping
2. Project Proposal
3. Project Design
4. Project delivery
5. Project Review
Kieran Michaels said of the scheme: “It's great to see Primary School children recognising how they can have a positive impact on their community and support those most in need."
"The variety of projects that were created by the children highlighted what a creative and thoughtful next generation we have and all had a desire to put a smile on people’s faces especially for Xmas!”
Charlotte Adams the children’s Year Five teacher added: “This time of year, we often visit a local care home and sing Christmas carols."
"This year, due to the pandemic, we’ve been unable to do so. Therefore, it’s nice that we’ve been able to support the elderly in another way this festive period.”
Some Social Action Projects that the children designed and are currently delivering include:
Xmas Foodbank
Xmas Decorations
Advent Calendar
Xmas Stories
Xmas Cards
Shelby, a Year Five pupil said, “It’s been fun because we get to help the elderly by painting for them and giving them something so they aren’t lonely at Christmas.”
In the lead up to the festive period, the children are continuing to deliver their projects and help make a difference to those elderly people in our community!
From the Year Five Children at St Clare’s RC Primary School and Colchester United FITC, have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!