Pupils from an independent Suffolk school have collected food and toiletries for a local homeless shelter after learning about the challenges people are facing after the COVID pandemic.

Lower and senior students, from Year 1 to Year 11, at Brookes UK School near Bury St Edmunds, were inspired to make the Harvest Festival collection with friends and family once they discovered more about homelessness in PSHE (Personal, social, health and economic) classes.

“The children were moved by the stories they heard, and the reasons behind why people become homeless,” explains Brookes’ Head of School, Natalie Taylor.

“Everyone has been affected by the past year, and I was so impressed with the way the pupils took it upon themselves to work together and gather such a significant donation from friends and families.”

“I know first hand that the kind donations were greatly appreciated by our residents,” said Rebecca Lee, project manager at Tayfen House, “Thank you from everyone at Tayfen.”

The Harvest Festival collection included cans and tins of food, dried pasta, non-perishable food and toiletries – such as shower gel, toothbrushes and toothpaste.

“I know first hand that the kind donations were greatly appreciated by our residents,” said Rebecca Lee, project manager at Tayfen House, “Thank you from everyone at Tayfen.”

“We see on a daily basis the positive effect that simple acts of kindness can have on someone’s life and turn a day around.”

Head of School Mrs Taylor delivered the collection in her car (see images), and saw the impact of the donations first hand.

“One of the residents saw me unload my chockablock car, kindly came out to help and reserved a few pieces then and there,” adds Mrs Taylor. “It’s great to see the real-life impact our donation has made, and for the children to realise that acts of kindness matter, and can really make a difference to people’s daily lives.”

“We strongly believe that teaching children to be thoughtful, caring and conscientious citizens who seek to help and support others is the only way to create a generation of people who have kindness and understanding at the forefront of how they choose to live their lives.”

Brookes is continuing its relationship with Tayfen House with a ‘Winter Warmer’ hamper collection, and is looking to organise a resident or member of staff to come into the school to talk to senior pupils in the coming months.

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Tayfen House has been offering emergency and long-term accommodation for single homeless people since 1998, and also offers training and employment opportunities for residents.

Brookes is a unique independent school for children ages 2 to 16, near Bury St Edmunds, offering a distinctive child-centred approach, small class sizes, and a culture focused on pupil wellbeing.

To find out more about Brookes, please contact us for a discussion or to arrange a visit.