Eastleigh College student Sophie, who is currently studying Level 3 Accountancy while doing her Apprenticeship with Hampshire County Council, has warmed the hearts of the community with her generous donations to vulnerable young people this Christmas.
Sophie put her passion for supporting care-leavers into action and organised a successful present collection for young people leaving care, after hearing that care leaving teams in Hampshire were looking for present donations.
In just four weeks Sophie collected an astonishing 2,000 presents which will benefit young people from four care-leaving teams, covering Havant, Basingstoke, Fareham and Totton.
Sophie explains why she put all her efforts into the project to help young people, “I am a care-leaver and was in similar situations to these young people, where I didn’t feel like I could talk to anyone. I don’t want other young people to think they’re on their own this Christmas.”
To deliver the presents in time, Sophie enlisted the help of a local company who donated a van to deliver the gifts to the local areas. Sophie’s present collection has finished for this year but you can still donate Christmas gifts to vulnerable people by taking your donations to the YMCA in Southampton, where Sophie has also volunteered in the past.
One of Eastleigh College's governors, Councillor Judith Grajewski, has been appointed Local Authority Director of Solent LEP. This Local Enterprise Partnership brings the business community together with the further education and higher education sector to ensure a prosperous and sustainable economic future in the region.
Eastleigh College has been awarded AoC Beacon Status in two areas, in recognition of its excellent support for students, and for the College’s work with employers, providing professional training and delivering skills to help grow the economy.