Social Action in their local community

We’re delighted to share the third instalment of our series, celebrating the achievements of the young people on our programmes, and spotlighting the social action projects they have successfully delivered. 

Dame Kelly Holmes Trust’s schools-based programmes, On Track to Achieve and AQA Unlocking Potential, are designed to boost wellbeing, increase confidence, strengthen resilience and build self-esteem so individuals can fulfil their true potential. Over the course of the 2024/25 academic year, students across the country have been working hard with their Athlete Mentors to identify, plan and execute a Social Action Project which is close to their hearts and benefits those around them.  

Wymondham College delivers Wellbeing Workshop 

Young people at Wymondham College in Norfolk identified, planned and executed a wellbeing workshop for year 6 students starting secondary school this coming September.  

Throughout the year the group worked with athlete mentor Su Miller, a former Badminton player who became a British National Champion as well being ranked 11th in the world during her successful career. 

For the day itself, the students planned four stations for the students which all represented one of the key concepts of the 5 Ways to Wellbeing, which forms a key part of their learning on our programme. They had stations for Be Active, Keep Learning, Stay Connected and then final one was the prize ceremony, which they aptly coined Give.  

The Social Action Project delivery day coincided with one of the heatwaves which swept across the UK earlier this summer, and reflecting on the group’s delivery, Su said: “I’m really proud of the students as they showed excellent resilience, leadership and adaptability coping with the heat, as well as some technical issues.” 

Social Action Project in full swing at Wymondham College

Bourne Academy raise £1,000 for local knife awareness charity 

Along with athlete mentor, double Olympic Gold medallist sailor, Sarah Ayton, students at Bourne Academy in Bournemouth delivered a Social Action Project which raised a record amount of any fundraiser at the school to date.  

Their project involved raising funds for a local knife awareness charity in Bournemouth called Changes Are Made. The charity was set-up after Cameron Hamilton, an 18-year-old an ex-student at Bourne Academy was stabbed and died in August 2023 after a night out with friends.  

Established by Cam’s family and friends, Changes Are Made aims to spread awareness of the dangers of carrying knives. To help the charity with vital funds, the group delivered a powerful assembly as well as organising multiple activities such as a cake sale, sponge-the-teacher event and a school non-uniform day to raise money for the charity.  

Sarah said: “This social action project from the group was a brilliant example of young people making such a big difference. The feedback from pupils, teachers and the charity was nothing short of game-changing — with real impact felt in how students are now thinking and talking about knife crime. The group should be proud of themselves.”