Celebrating SERC as Part of the ‘Good for ME, Good for FE Campaign’

At the start of the year, SERC and the other colleges in Northern Ireland joined a national campaign called ‘Good for ME, Good for FE’ to help staff and students support and connect with local communities. The campaign aimed to create a sustainable programme of community action across the UK, whilst helping to support the mental health and wellbeing of staff and students, given the scientifically proven benefits that volunteering and supporting social causes have on mental health.  

One of the overarching aims of the campaign was to generate £1 million in social value through the collective work of all participating colleges across the UK. In fact, a total of 114,000 hours were volunteered, £118,000 was raised through fundraising, and 98,000 food items were donated, helping families and communities across the UK and generating more than double the target social value.  

Two SERC student volunteers who helped achieve the campaign goals were recently honoured at the SERC Excellence Awards 2022.  

Rebekah Baxter, winner of the SERC Bangor Volunteer of the Year Award, is a uniform and protective services student who has been participating in several volunteering opportunities. These include a food bank collection with her classmates, volunteering at her local church, acting as a hockey coach on weekends and she is also a member of St John Ambulance and volunteers with them regularly. She has also been involved in planning several fundraising activities with classmates.  

Katelyn Kelly, winner of the SERC Downpatrick Volunteer of the Year, is an art and design student who has volunteered at her local gymnastics group for four years. She recently started work with this gymnastics group part-time, helping with younger children and teaching gymnastics to the wider community. Katelyn is also a student carer who helps at home with childcare.  

SERC staff also helped with various fundraisers. SERC Training and Innovation Consultant Rudi Lohe raised £249 by getting his long hair cut short for Fields of Life. Annje McKeag, SERC Procurement Manager, abseiled down Belfast Castle, raising £2,301 for Tiny Life, Northern Ireland’s premature and vulnerable baby charity.  

These are just some of the amazing feats SERC staff and students have accomplished to raise money and provide help to social causes around the UK and the rest of the world this year. A massive congratulations to all those who volunteered or raised money, and thanks to all those who donated to help your local community.  

Visit www.serc.ac.uk to unlock your future #BetterOffAtSERC.