Students studying Level 2 Public and Emergency Services at Bridgwater College recently held their annual volunteering sports event with Entry Level students from the College’s Crockers Centre in Cannington.

The event, now in its third year, aimed to help the participants interact with each other and take part in new sports that have been created by the Public Services students.

As part of their course, the group are expected to complete a qualification in volunteer working with specific groups. It is an integral part of the programme due to the high demand from the various public services for future candidates to demonstrate a willingness to give back to the local community. The week-long event required the students to create two, three hour events consisting of seven original sports created by them. The event gave the students the opportunity to create, organise, coach and deliver with the freedom and responsibility to make the event their own.

Public and Emergency Services student, Charley Higdon said,

“This was a great experience. I learnt new skills for helping other people and gained an understanding of how I have to behave to meet the needs of the environment.”

Student, Rebecca Barfoot-Franks added,

“It was great to have the opportunity to organise and run an event of our own that benefits other people but also helps us as instructors. I loved the event, especially seeing the Crockers students enjoying themselves and taking part because it proved we did a good job.”

Tyne Govier, Programme Manager for Level 2 Public and Emergency Services at the College said,

“The volunteering event has been an overwhelming success over a number of years. It’s a great way to get different communities within the College to work together and challenge our students, but also give the Entry Level students the opportunity to take part in sport and experience new activities. I hope that the experience will stretch and challenge the skills of my students and aid them in their future careers.”