Here at Norwich School we are proud to work with our local community throughout the year. As Steffan Griffiths, Head, says:

“Norwich School has been an integral part of the city since its earliest foundations at the end of the 11th century and being a force for good in our local community remains a key driver for our work in the 21st century.”

However, it is particularly busy this week, as pupils and staff alike have been signing up to activities with a number of our charity partners, to mark Volunteers Week; an annual celebration of the contribution millions of people make across the UK through volunteering in their communities.

On Monday, during our June INSET day, our staff have loved having Little Lifts with us in school, as colleagues learnt a great deal about the important work the charity does whilst also helping to pack care packages which are given to thousands of women undergoing treatment for breast cancer in our region and beyond. It was great to hear how these boxes help.

On the same day, The Benjamin Foundation welcomed colleagues who had volunteered to help spruce up a garden of one of their accommodation sites. We were pleased to send a donation of plants and hope the residents enjoy spending time outdoors this summer! Amanda Butters, a member of our Support Staff at the Lower School tells us a little more about her experience:

“Support Staff were given the opportunity to do a spot of volunteering at our recent Inset Day. 

A small team were invited to help to improve the garden at one of the Benjamin Foundation homes. This was at Linden House where 16-18 year olds are provided with support at a safe home where they can gain the skills they need, such as cooking, shopping and budgeting money, so that they can leave and forge an independent life.

The team arrived with an assortment of flowers, vegetables and seeds, and after looking at the site, quickly began to make plans on how to transform the area. 

The garden already had several recycled but neglected tyres which had previously been used for plants. They then spent the morning emptying and moving the tyres, weeding and pruning. Following the heavy work, they then had the pleasure of working out a plan of how to use the plants provided to make different colourful displays in various areas of the garden. As the volunteers on the day had not seen the garden previously, or been involved in the choice of plants, they felt like they were in a version of a TV challenge programme, up against the clock and a gardening version of ‘Ready, Steady, Cook!’

The volunteers were delighted with what they had achieved in a relatively short period of time and returned to school with a feeling that the time spent at Linden House had been thoroughly worthwhile. 

Hopefully the finished result will give the residents pleasure as they watch it grow during the summer and enjoyment as they nurture their new garden.”

Later this week old and young will come together for a Sports Day with a difference as we work with local charity Friend in Deed to host their Intergenerational Sports Day. During the day attendees aged from 0 to 90 years old will form teams and take part in an egg and spoon race, a skittles competition, relay races and a bean bag toss. The aim of the event is to bring members of our society of all ages together and show the value of connecting the older generations with their community.

We finish a busy week with the fantastic Discover Your Ability Day. Teaming up with Able2B the event gives children and young adults with a disability and current Norwich School pupils the opportunity to work collaboratively in pairs to complete challenges with the support of Able2B staff and volunteers. Hosted in our Lower School Playing Fields, pairs will complete a run/walk around an 800m route around the Lower Cathedral Close and a cycle race using adapted and non-adapted bikes, along with other sports day activities.

It is wonderful to see so many pupils and staff get involved in our partnership activities, working together to support the community in which we all live and work.