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.
After careful planning, detailed risk assessment and subject to any further Government announcements Eastleigh College is extending onsite campus teaching, learning and assessment to more learners from 1 June. The College has remained open during the Covid-19 pandemic as staff have been providing a broad range of onsite and online services. Therefore this phased approach builds upon the onsite levels of service and support which has been available to learners identified as vulnerable, or the children of key workers since 23 March.
Eastleigh College is enjoying a period of unrivalled success across Hampshire as 16-18 student provision continues to go from strength to strength. Read more about our recent accolades including being recognised as the best college in Hampshire for 16-18 student achievement in the government’s recent national achievement rates, and our shortlisting for a tes award, in part, for our excellent GCSE resit results.