In September 2016 a group of like-minded young people from a range of year groups took the initiative to meet regularly to discuss and pray about justice and peace issues at St Wilfred’s Catholic School. They decided to name themselves the “One World Group”. Meeting weekly to plan activities and events to raise awareness of issues surrounding Fairtrade, climate change and the global refugee crisis. From this small beginning they have led workshops in local primary schools, lobbied MPs, run Fairtrade stalls, and pressed their school to recycle more.
By far their most ambitious idea was to establish a ‘One World Garden’ at school as a space for all those who wanted to develop skills of nurturing the environment. They wanted the space to specifically serve as an alternative curriculum space for students who find the mainstream curriculum inaccessible. Going a step further they approached another local high school and special school to collaborate. They want to invite feeder primary school children who feel anxious about starting at secondary school to attend some sessions.
The groups chaplain said, “I think this award would be the recognition they deserve for taking the initiative with this project and making a real difference within the local community with regards to recycling, nurturing the environment and inspiring others. So many other members of the community have got ideas now to sustain and enhance this project, from building bug houses to growing herbs etc for the canteen and this was all kick-started by this group.”
Nyah Hawkes (11), Nicole Rudge (13), Anneka Dodd (15)
St Wilfred’s Catholic School, West Sussex (Diocese of Arundel and Brighton)