Alleyn’s Partners with St. Mungo’s to Fight Homelessness

October 17th 2024

Alleyn’s is proud to announce that our pupils have selected St. Mungo’s, a UK-based charity committed to ending homelessness, as our new charity partner for this academic year. Every year, the school supports a new UK charity, with the aim of fostering pupil involvement in meaningful social causes. This year’s decision-making process reflected a renewed effort to engage the whole school community and cultivate a deeper connection to the charity we support.

A Pupil-Led Process

The school’s Charity Committee, made up of pupils passionate about giving back, spent several weeks researching and pitching possible causes. In an exciting change to previous years, where the committee made the final selection independently, the whole school community was invited to take part. In a lively assembly, pupils pitched their chosen charities, presenting the purpose, work, and impact of each organization. Following the presentations, pupils and staff voted, selecting St. Mungo’s as this year’s chosen charity.

St. Mungo’s works tirelessly to prevent homelessness and support people in rebuilding their lives, offering essential services including outreach programs, shelters, mental health care, and employment support. With their focus on providing both immediate aid and long-term solutions, the charity is making a meaningful impact on some of the most vulnerable members of society.

Continuing Our International Outreach: Sparrow Schools

Alongside our annual UK charity, Alleyn’s School also maintains a long-term partnership with Sparrow Schools, an education charity based in South Africa. Last year, thanks to the incredible efforts of pupils, parents, and staff, we raised £4,867 for Sparrow Schools. We are delighted to share how these funds will be used to support several vital programs that enrich the lives of young learners:

Art Therapy: Creative therapies, such as painting and dance, allow children to explore their thoughts and emotions while supporting their cognitive and emotional development. These forms of expression help children manage anxiety, trauma, and grief in constructive ways.

Drumming and Marimba Workshops: Engaging pupils in music helps them develop crucial learning skills such as memory, concentration, and impulse control. Weekly sessions with djembe drums and marimbas not only enhance focus but also promote emotional well-being, addressing challenges like anxiety and depression.

Phono-Graphix Reading Programme: In response to the learning disruptions caused by the pandemic, Sparrow Schools has implemented the Phono-Graphix program to improve literacy. The program focuses on teaching children how to recognize and decode sounds within words, providing them with the tools they need to read with meaning and fostering lifelong learning skills.

Building on Past Success: Ebony Horse Club

Last year, our chosen UK charity was the Ebony Horse Club, a community riding centre in Brixton that offers disadvantaged children the opportunity to develop confidence and social skills through horse riding. Thanks to the generosity of the Alleyn’s community, we raised £4,678.55 for Ebony Horse Club. In a heartwarming follow-up, the charity club will visit the centre after half-term to meet the team, see the horses, and learn more about how the funds we raised are making a difference. This experience will undoubtedly be a meaningful reminder of the impact we can have when we come together as a school.

Looking Ahead

We believe that supporting charitable causes cultivates empathy, leadership, and a sense of global responsibility in our pupils. We are excited to embark on a year of fundraising activities for St. Mungo’s and look forward to making a meaningful contribution to their essential work. Thank you to everyone who has already shown enthusiasm and support—we are confident that, together, we will make a difference.

Stay tuned for updates throughout the year, including news from our trip to the Ebony Horse Club. We are excited to share the journey with you as we work towards building a more compassionate world, both locally and globally.

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