Post by Mrs Chané Mann –
Co-ordinator of Health & Social Care and Teacher of Psychology at Wimington Academy
As Christmas approaches we have a lot to be thankful for and we can look forward to a season of festive fun with our families and friends. Christmas is a time of giving and community spirit and, as such, it is important to remember that there are those who are not as fortunate and who are faced with real hardships during this time. Sadly, over 13 million people live below the poverty line in the UK and the need for food banks is increasing. In the last couple of years, well over a million emergency food packages were given out to adults and children in need.
As a school we feel very strongly about helping those in our community who rely on the generosity of others. The Year 12 Health and Social Care students decided that as we are an Academy that cares about our community, it would be wonderful to collect donations which will be given to a local food bank to help those in need. The foodbank offers help to local people in crisis, who are often referred by specialist agencies such as social services, GP surgeries, schools, care centres and probation teams.
The students of Wilmington Academy, part of the Leigh Academies Trust, in Dartford came together to support this worthwhile cause. The students and families of Wilmington Academy were so generous in their donations of food and toiletries for the Local Food bank. We are so proud of the community spirit and kindness they have shown. This is the ‘Wilmington Way’.