Good for ME Good for FE
Good for me good for FE campaign was launched in Colleges in England in June 2021 and has now rolled out to all Colleges. The campaign's original aim was to fill foodbanks and build partnerships with charities and companies and the target was to raise £1 million in social value through staff volunteering.
What is Good for Me Good for FE
Good for ME Good for FE is a national campaign driving a sustainable programme of community action across the UK.
Colleges have come together to support this, encouraging their staff and students to get involved in a wide range of volunteering and fundraising activities, generating over £4m of social value in the past two years.
As Anchor Institutions and civic leaders, colleges are having a hugely positive impact on the lives of people within their communities – and working together, collectively as a sector, is creating even more impact.
Building on this success, the campaign is now working with a range of partners to ensure that Good for ME Good for FE becomes a sustainable part of FE life, entwined in the sector’s DNA.
The campaign has 3 elements:
1.Foodbanks in Colleges – weekly collections for the local foodbanks/ charities - If you would like to learn more about the foodbank campaign visit our Foodbank Page
2.Staff Volunteering – capturing the number of hours that staff give to volunteer – (inside and outside of college). The volunteering element is split into two categories: General and Expert.
Expert volunteering is where you are providing expertise in a specific area eg, legal, accountancy, technical, communications.
General volunteering is any type of volunteering that does not require a specialist skillset.
3.Showcasing Volunteering – promote the good work that colleges do, good news stories, community and college links (charitable partnerships)
The impact of the campaign will be measured through a ‘social value calculator’ by calculating how many volunteering hours have been contributed to social goals such as increasing access to employment and skills, helping the environment and growing businesses
Benefits of Volunteering
- Reduces Stress
- Prevents feelings of Isolation
- Increases Confidence
- Gives a deeper sense of purpose
- Provides meaning through service
The impact so far:
- £4m of social value raised so far
- 223,400 Food items donated
- 172,000 volunteering hours have been completed
- £258K raised through fundraising
Find out more about the campaign.
Commenting on the sector’s fantastic response, Dr Sam Parrett CBE
“The response we have had from the sector to Good for Me Good for FE in just a week since launch has been phenomenal - a quarter of all FE colleges in England! This commitment to generating social value completely reflects the crucial role of colleges as Anchor Institutions.
“Not only will this initiative help local communities around the country, it will enable colleges to better support the mental health and wellbeing of staff and students. Myself and my colleagues are incredibly excited about progressing activity and I thank every college who has already committed to being involved.
“We will soon be announcing several charitable partners coming on board, who will help open up volunteering opportunities for our staff – and ensure the campaign can sustain long term impact and action.”
CEO of East Coast College, Stuart Rimmer MBE, adds:
“Research points directly to benefits for staff and students volunteering. Reduction is stress, preventing feelings of isolation, increasing confidence and providing a deeper sense of purpose and meaning through service.
“This is important at a time when individual and community wellbeing is of utmost priority. Lock down has shown us that people are designed to be in communities.
“Coming together to help others is hugely beneficial for everyone. Colleges give thousands of hours every year in fundraising, volunteering and community engagement.
“It’s brilliant that this new initiative can recognise this but more importantly help connect the local with the national to help us all do a little bit more.”
Contact Us
Email: healthandwellbeing@nrc.ac.uk
