Foundation of Light group recognised at South Tyneside Mayor's Award

A group of Year 7 students were recognised at the South Tyneside Mayor’s Award presentation after working with the Foundation of Light.

The all-girl group from Boldon School have been engaging with their community and building skills as part of the locally recognised award.

Awarded by South Tyneside Council, the Mayor’s Award follows a programme of four themes – Skill, Physical Activity, Volunteering, and Expedition – and is often referred to as a ‘mini-Duke of Edinburgh Award.’

Foundation of Light has worked with the Year 7 students since 10 January this year to support their success in the award, providing access and ideas for their community engagement and volunteering.

The group took part in several local community project such as litter picking, fundraising for new recycling bins, and a youth-led social action project based on Mental Health Awareness.

They have also supported other Foundation programmes, organising an arts day for participants of the Boldon Wear Together session, which meets at Boldon Community Association.

Their success across the four themes resulted in the group picking up the Bronze Award, which was presented by South Tyneside Mayor – Councillor Fay Cunningham – at a presentation night at Boldon Village Hall.

South Tyneside based Aspire Technology Solutions, a key partner of the Foundation of Light, were in attendance after offering financial support to the Foundation group’s projects.

The work doesn’t stop at the Bronze Award. The group’s next project is to work with a local nursery to improve their sensory offering by buying new toys and books with the help of funding from Aspire Technology Solutions.