Business Level 1 learners at Lewisham College have successfully completed the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust Get on Track programme. The developed their confidence, teamwork and employability skills while delivering a social action project that has made a lasting impact on the College community.
Alongside the coaching programme and social action project, learners also achieved an eight-hour Money Matters qualification, helping them develop valuable financial knowledge and skills to support their personal and professional futures.
Supported throughout by athlete mentor Claire Bennett, Commonwealth Games fencing team gold medallist, learners were encouraged to challenge themselves, share their ideas and build the confidence to take ownership of a real-world project. The programme helped participants strengthen key skills including communication, leadership, problem-solving, resilience and financial awareness.
Improving Space4U Through Glow & Games
As part of their social action project, learners identified an opportunity to enhance Space4U, the College's wellbeing and social space for learners. Recognising the importance of creating a more welcoming and inclusive environment, particularly for female learners, the group developed Glow & Games, an initiative designed to make the space more engaging, comfortable and accessible for everyone.
Working collaboratively, learners planned and delivered every aspect of the project, including managing a £250 budget, designing improvements to the space, promoting the launch event, organising activities and gathering feedback from their peers. Throughout the project, they demonstrated creativity, professionalism and strong teamwork.
The project culminated in a presentation to representatives from the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust and corporate partner KKR, where learners shared their ideas, evidence of impact and reflections on their journey. Their confidence, professionalism and the quality of their work impressed the audience, highlighting the significant progress they had made throughout the programme.
Recognising the value of the learners' ideas and their contribution to improving the student experience, the College Principal matched the funding secured through the project to support the implementation of the proposed improvements. This investment will help ensure the learners' ideas result in meaningful and lasting enhancements to Space4U.
The success of Glow & Games demonstrates the power of learner voice and the positive difference learners can make when given the opportunity to shape their college experience.
Claire Bennett, coach at Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, said: "It has been an absolute joy working with the Business students at Lewisham College. Watching them grow as future business leaders, develop a deeper understanding of financial wellbeing, and ultimately pitch for and deliver their social action project has been one of the proudest moments of my time as an athlete mentor. From day one, they have shown dedication, commitment and a willingness to embrace every opportunity that came their way, including an inspiring World of Work Day at KKR.
“A huge thank you to their wonderful teacher, Marie, and to all the teachers and support staff at Lewisham College, who went above and beyond to make this programme such a success. Your encouragement and belief in these young people have made a real difference.”
The programme has provided learners with valuable experience that will support their future progression into further study, employment and wider community engagement. It also highlights the positive impact that partnerships between education providers, employers and charitable organisations can have in helping young people develop the confidence and skills needed to succeed.
