COLLEGE NEWS: Award success for Prince’s Trust Team at Bridgwater and Taunton College

THE Prince’s Trust Team 42 at Bridgwater and Taunton College was recently awarded the Community Impact Award at the Prince’s Trust Celebrate Success Awards that were held in Bristol.

The Celebrate Success Awards recognise the achievements of young people, overcoming the barriers and difficulties they have in life, helping them move towards a more successful future.

The team were presented with the Community Impact Award by TV impressionist and comedian, Jon Culshaw, for the positive contribution they have made to the local community, whilst developing their own skills.

Bridgwater Team 42, which consists of eight students, who have each battled with an array of anxiety and mental health issues, were nominated by their team leader, Amanda Johnson, for the fantastic work and commitment they portrayed at the West Huntspill Project, a day centre for adults with learning disabilities in Highbridge.

The team chose the day centre for their community project as part of their 12 week course as they felt it would have the greatest impact to the recipients.  The work undertaken included painting murals in one of the classrooms, transforming the garden and creating a sensory garden at the centre.

Taking into consideration the needs of the day centre users, the team set to work raising funds to complete the project by undertaking a bag pack at Asda in Bridgwater.  Despite the long term anxiety and communication issues throughout the group, they worked together to raise £224.24 in just four hours. This money helped to fund equipment and resources to complete the project to a high standard.

PHOTO – TOP: Students (from left to right) are Chloe Cousins, Michaela Price, Zoe Mills, Ricky O’Shey and Joe Geen. There were three other students involved in the project but they could not make the presentation - they were Emma Hills, Robert Matthews and Tom Howell.

There are ten regional Community Impact Award winners across the country, three of which will be selected to advance to the national final of the Celebrating Success Awards next spring.

Amanda Johnson, team leader for Prince’s Trust at Bridgwater and Taunton College, said: “The community aspect of the Prince’s Trust Personal Development and Contributing to the Community course has helped the team to develop patience, reliability, communication and problem solving skills.

“Winning the regional Community Impact Award is an amazing achievement that has really helped the team members to become more positive about themselves and their situations, installing belief that if they work hard, focus and persevere, then they can achieve all that they wish.

“The staff at Bridgwater and Taunton College are extremely proud of Bridgwater Team 42, and wish them the very best of luck at the National finals next year.”

If you would like more information about studying at Bridgwater and Taunton College please contact the Information and Guidance team on 01278-441234, or visit www.btc.ac.uk.