News & Stories

A group of Year 5 students at Milwards Primary School in Harlow, Essex, showcased incredible teamwork through a thoughtful initiative to support those experiencing homelessness in their community. By exploring compassionate values and researching local charities, they discovered ‘Streets2Homes’, a Harlow-based charity that provides a day centre for those facing homelessness.

The students created advertising posters and prepared an engaging assembly to inform the rest of the school about their upcoming collection day. Students from all year groups were invited to get involved to donate food, clothing, toiletries and more.

Each student played a role in the assembly planning - some took centre stage as speakers, others lent their creativity and skills to scripting and designing the slide, while a dedicated few volunteered to answer questions from the audience.

On the designated day, the group visited classrooms to collect donations and were thrilled by the generosity of their peers. There were hundreds of donations and with everyone in the group pitching in, the students helped to load the bags into my car, ready to be delivered to Streets2Homes. This was the moment that the students realised their efforts and enthusiasm had paid off, and the moment that I realised I hadn’t cleared out my car boot…

Streets2Homes were so grateful to the children. They said:

“This is very much appreciated by all and is a massive achievement for them to collect so much. Please send on our thanks to all the amazing children and their families at Milwards Primary School.”

The young changemakers didn’t stop there. Using recycled materials they had collected from home, such as milk cartons and fizzy drink bottles, they crafted charming plant pots and planted succulents in them. These were then gifted to every classroom, spreading a little greenery and joy throughout the school, as well inspiring others to rethink, reuse and recycle.

The group also planted sunflower seeds in recycled tin cans to keep on their own classroom windowsill to nurture. Their plan is to transplant the sunflowers outdoors in May, to flourish in the sunshine.

When asked about how participating in the projects made her feel, student Olivia responded:

“It made me feel happy, because when we did the assembly, it was really fun and it made me feel like we made people’s lives better and we helped people.”

The projects chosen by this remarkable group of Year 5 students not only supported a vital local cause but also highlighted the students' dedication to sustainability and compassion for those around them.

Their actions have made a lasting impact on their school and beyond.

Transform Our World is a Global Action Plan programme supported by the #iWill fund. Through their involvement with Transform Our World, young people are becoming more able and more motivated to take collective action for the good of people and planet.