Community Links and Social Action 2026
Community Links and Social Action 2026
As another remarkable year draws to a close, we would like to celebrate the extraordinary commitment, compassion and leadership shown by students involved in the Social Action programme at College. Whether running the SHE-CLC marathon, volunteering or making lunches for the pantry, we have had an incredible year of service in action.
Every week, more than 148 Sixth Form students volunteered with 14 local organisations across Cheltenham, giving their time, energy and enthusiasm to support children, older people, charities and community groups. Whether reading with primary school pupils, helping in food banks, or spending time with residents in care homes, our students demonstrated that meaningful change often begins with small acts of kindness carried out consistently.
While these experiences undoubtedly benefit the wider community, they also shape the young women taking part. Social Action is not simply about volunteering; it is about developing confidence, compassion, resilience and a lifelong commitment to serving others.
Building Confidence Through Service
Many students begin volunteering feeling uncertain about what they can contribute. Very quickly, they discover that simply showing up each week, listening, encouraging and building relationships has an enormous impact.
At one local care home, students have formed genuine friendships with residents through weekly visits filled with conversation, board games and laughter. Residents now look forward to the girls' visits each week and often ask when they will return during College holidays.
For the first time this year, we also did our World Book Day outreach with UC4. Girls went to five different local primary schools to read ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ with children and plant some beans.
These experiences build confidence in ways that cannot be taught in a classroom. Students learn that kindness, patience, and simply giving someone their time can make a genuine difference.
Stepping Outside Their Comfort Zones
Social Action encourages students to embrace new experiences with confidence.
Whether supporting children with severe learning difficulties, helping in busy primary classrooms or working alongside community organisations, girls are encouraged to take initiative, solve problems and adapt to unfamiliar situations.
This year, we launched our first MFL outreach workshops. Throughout the morning, pupils enjoyed a carousel of fun, interactive sessions introducing them to a range of languages, including French, German, Japanese, Spanish, Italian and Chinese. Activities included dance, games, role-play, art, quizzes and creative challenges, giving children the opportunity to experience different languages and cultures in an engaging and memorable way.
From creating an origami fish and performing a French sketch to dancing to a Chinese song and learning how to order gelato in Italian, there was something for everyone. The morning was designed to build confidence, spark curiosity and inspire a love of languages as pupils prepare for the transition to secondary school.
It was wonderful to see our SFC1 students embrace this opportunity with such enthusiasm, confidence and professionalism, demonstrating excellent leadership skills while sharing their passion for languages with younger pupils.
These opportunities allow students to develop leadership skills naturally while recognising the importance of reliability, teamwork and service.
Student-Led Projects
Some of the year's most inspiring initiatives have come directly from our students.
Working closely with our community partners, girls organised live musical performances at Gardner's Lane, Faithfull House and Astell House, bringing music and companionship to residents throughout the year.
One group of students raised enough money to purchase an egg incubator for Astell House after learning about funding pressures within the NHS. Their thoughtful gift enabled residents to experience the joy of watching chicks hatch together.
Following her Confirmation, Natasha (UC4) chose to forgo traditional gifts and instead asked family and friends to donate to the Foodbank at St Gregory's Catholic Primary School. Her initiative raised £500, providing £400 in food vouchers for families in need and £100 in book vouchers for the school's library. Natasha's generosity made a meaningful difference to the local community and exemplified compassion, service and generosity, demonstrating how a single act of kindness can have a lasting impact.
Generation Connect—a student-led initiative—has continued to tackle loneliness among older people by organising art sessions, concerts and opportunities for meaningful intergenerational friendships.
Every project has been developed collaboratively with our partner organisations to ensure it meets genuine community needs while creating valuable learning experiences for our students.
DofE Social Impact
As part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s award scheme at Bronze, Silver and Gold, all students undertake a period of volunteering. This ranges from volunteering at College, helping with the recycling programme, sorting laundry and helping with the younger years at houses, to helping at local primary schools and care homes.
The range of volunteering across approximately 300 students has a huge impact on both the CLC community and the wider local community. Each year, DofE sends us a breakdown of the social impact these volunteering hours have. This year we achieved 4420 hours equating to £33,370. We are very proud of the commitment and dedication our students show towards completing their DofE Awards.
A Lasting Legacy
This year, College raised over £44,000 for charity. Much of this was done through our very popular uniform sales run by St Hilda's House, as well as bake sales, colour runs, casino nights and clothing sales. We work closely with our chosen College Charities, and it has been a pleasure to work alongside St Hilda's East, Gloucestershire Young Carers and Longfield Hospice.
As part of the funds raised, our leavers have created a legacy that will continue long after they leave College. Former College Council Member, Dr Fiona Pathiraja and her husband, Mr Soren Fryland-Moeller, have kindly gifted £10,000 in honour of the Class of 2026 to support Longfield Hospice, the students' chosen College charity.
The donation will establish a bereavement counselling service for young people who have experienced the loss of a loved one – a cause that is packed with meaning for our College community.
Looking Ahead
At Cheltenham Ladies' College, Social Action is not an addition to education – it is an essential part of it.
Through service, our students discover confidence. Through partnership, they develop compassion. Through new experiences, they become more resilient, more courageous and more prepared to lead lives of purpose.
To every student who volunteered this year, thank you. Thank you for your kindness and commitment.
Most importantly, thank you for the lasting difference you have made to our community!
We look forward to seeing the impact you continue to make in the years ahead.
Mrs Isaac, Social Action Mentor