Jonathan, 12 from Malton School, recently made a life changing contribution to those in need.
The Young Leaders Award (YLA) encourages pupils to consider the world around them and where the need is in their local communities, as well as global communities. Throughout the YLA, pupils are challenged with community projects that the group take part in collaboratively, and personal projects that are completed individually by the Young Leaders.
For his personal project, Johnathan collected 152 pairs of unwanted glasses from his friends, family and other pupils at school which he is donating to Vision Aid Overseas, who have been helping some of the world’s poorest people to see clearly for over 30 years. Without affordable eye care services, people living with poor eyesight often leave their condition to go untreated which can make their eyesight worse and can, if left untreated for long enough, lead to permanent blindness.
Johnathan loved working with Vision Aid Overseas to support their work. He said:
“Just like any other charity Vision Aid Oversea needs donations and support from members of the public. This enables them to help those in need and allows others to have a life more similar to ours. We are lucky, some others are not, so everyone needs to play their part. Whether it is giving a donation or giving a helping hand, it will allow the charity and those who the charity is helping to thrive.”
Helen Wilson, who teaches the YLA in Malton School, said:
“It is fantastic to see that this course has inspired a student to go the extra mile in his personal challenge. Jonathan has demonstrated clear strengths in his independence, taking initiative along with planning and preparation. He has shown his peers that a small action can make a big difference to others.”
Jonathan’s hard work was noted by Vision Aid, who thanked them for his contribution to helping those in the poorest communities around the world. Jonathan has brilliantly demonstrated the power young people have to make a difference in the world when given the opportunity to.
Find out more about youth led social action –bit.ly/IgnitingPotential
Find out more about Vision Aid Overseas - visionaidoverseas.org
The Young Leaders Award is a fully resourced leadership and character education programme, designed by the Archbishop of York Youth Trust,to be delivered by teaching staff within the classroom. The Award has empowered over 90,000 pupils from 700 schools to learn and practice key leadership skills and character virtues and to transform their communities through social action. Available at KS1 to Post 16, the YLA has clear links to SMSC, British Values, PSHE, Character Education,Citizenship, RE and SIAMS.
Ripley St Thomas C of E High School have been running the AYLA since 2014, now on their Year 7th cohort.
Students at Olive High School in Burnley have been supporting the homeless during Ramadan as part of their Young Leaders Award.
Archbishop Holgate's School, York, were delighted to welcome almost 100 members of local churches and the wider community to have afternoon tea.
