By Mrs Day (Co-Curricular and Community Outreach Manager)

During the Autumn Term, Year 10 have been taking part in an advocacy programme called Giving Forward, teaching them the important role advocacy can play in supporting a chosen cause. At BGS, programmes like this give our students the opportunity to use their voices to champion causes they care about and make a real difference in the wider community.

After the internal heats where all 20 groups presented, six teams were selected to go through to the final; SMK Gateway, Bedfordshire Disabled Horse Riding Association, Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre, the Isabel Hospice, Link to Change and Harry’s Rainbow.

The final was held on Tuesday 27th January, the judges, Mrs Gibson (Headmistress) Lucy Bardner (Community Programmes Director at the Harpur Trust), Michaela Martindale (CEO at FACES), and Paula Stevenson (DAHS 1989), had a very difficult decision as all of the groups showed great knowledge and passion in advocating for their chosen charity.

After much discussion and deliberation, the judges awarded the £1000 grant money to Shifana, Sara, Enya, Matilda and Lena (all from 10JDF) for their chosen charity, Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre. They had an excellent understanding of the charity and its work, and used the information from the charity to produce a creative and persuasive presentation which included a video they had made when they visited the centre. The team representing Isabel Hospice was awarded £250 for their charity.

While the other groups were disappointed not to have won money for their charity, it is equally important that they have raised awareness of their charity and social issues in our community.

Thank you to all of the charities who gave their time to support our students and to the students who worked with passion and determination.