An impressive show

Leif Radford and Amy Mellon from the college's Youth Impact team

Members of the Youth Impact team with their balloons and messages

International Women’s Day was celebrated at Vision West Notts yesterday (8 March) and marked with an array of pink balloons lining the walkway into college.

Students who have formed a new group called ‘Youth Impact’ led on an activity aimed at showing support for women in need around the world. 

Youth Impact team members sold cupcakes ranging between 30p and 60p at two stalls to promote equality, rights and positive progression for women around the world.  With each cupcake purchased students were given a tag to tie to a balloon and write a message of their choice.

Over 50 balloons were tied to the Derby Road campus railings to show the college’s support for the international campaign.

A Level student Leif Radford (17) who is a member of Youth Impact said: “We decided to set up the group for students who are interested in making a positive difference to their local community and charities further afield.

“We’ve had the support of up to 40 students so far who we meet through the college’s Students’ Union.  Everyone has worked really hard to support events like International Women’s Day and the recent Fairtrade Fortnight.  Through working with the SU we are hoping to organise many more activities which can make a positive change to society.”

Youth Impact team members meet each week to share creative ideas for volunteering and fundraising and have plans to raise money for sick children and the homeless over the Easter period as well as organising a teddy bears’ picnic to support the NSPCC.

Learner voice co-ordinator Sue Harries said: “The energy and passion to help those less fortunate has really shone out from our new Youth Impact group members.  The team has shown so much creative initiative to engage fellow students in their activities and the college is proud of the work they’ve carried out so far.”