Students from Whalley Range High School in Manchester worked on their Transform Our World projects at a regular after school club. After a great deal of discussion and research, the girls (ranging from 11 – 14 years old) chose to focus on three areas of interest for their work.

Team Sweet Tooth decided from the first session that they were keen to be involved with paediatric leukaemia patients. This group really wanted to interact face-to-face with children and came up with the initial idea to go into the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital to run an arts and crafts workshop.

However, after sending emails outlining their ideas, they have had to adapt their project to fit in with Covid restrictions. All the girls were understanding and immediately changed to raising money for the RMCH. They put their heads together and came up with the idea of a Bake Sale.

Artemis, a Year 9 student said  ‘even with Covid, we can make a positive impact and show we care’.

The group broke into two teams: advertising and logistics, with the aim to have their event during the final week of February half term.

Meanwhile, Team ‘No Hunger’ are setting up a food bank to support local charity South Central Foodbank.

Zara, a Year 7 student, said ‘We wanted to create an ongoing project not just a one off as we know so many people are struggling to survive’. The girls decided they also wanted to raise money to contribute to their foodbank so have decided to organise a stall selling pens and fidget toys. The group have been in touch with the foodbank and have created posters and PowerPoints for assemblies sharing the specific food and toiletry requirements that they are so desperately in need of.

Alongside these fundraising projects another group called ‘Unwind your Mind’ has decided to set up a pop up lunchtime relaxation event. The group want this to become a regular safe space as well as an opportunity to demonstrate different ways to relax. They are planning on providing stress relief through music, art opportunities, fidget toys and creating pamphlets to explain ways to relax.

Ushna and Zoha, Year 7 and 8 students have been resourcing art materials and using their budget to plan out appealing activities. ‘We want students to know we care and that they have somewhere to chill’.

Whalley Range High School is supported by Youth Engagement Officer Liz, funded by #iWill.