College joins nationwide campaign to support local communities

Greater Brighton Metropolitan College (GB MET), has joined a national initiative to help its staff and students support and connect with their local communities across Worthing, Shoreham and Brighton.

The Good for Me Good for FE campaign aims to generate £1million of social value via a sustainable programme of community action including volunteering, fundraising and charitable partnerships.

Over 100 colleges have already joined the campaign, which builds on the huge success of FE Foodbank Friday. This saw colleges around the country come together during the pandemic to raise over £47,000 and collect more than 20,000 items for local foodbanks. Find out how GB MET supported FE Foodbank Friday here.

With demand for Foodbanks remaining high, this strand of activity will continue as part of Good for Me Good for FE, to ensure that communities continue to be supported with basic food needs.

In addition, staff and students who are keen to undertake voluntary and fundraising activities will be supported to do so. There is a strong link between volunteering and improved mental health – a current key priority for colleges and their staff following such a challenging year. Find out more about the MET’s commitment to mental health and wellbeing here.

GB MET Principal, Helena Thomas, says: “We are proud to be a part of this important initiative. By working in partnership with other colleges around the country, we can make a really positive impact on our own communities – across Brighton, Shoreham and Worthing – and those further afield. 

“Colleges play a vital role in their local community, which goes far beyond education. Working with communities to support social value is key to helping them to prosper post-pandemic.”

The campaign is being spearheaded by London South East Colleges, East Coast College and Loughborough College. A list of colleges involved can be found here.

For any other college wanting to get involved with Good for Me Good for FE or to find out more, contact Andrew Cox at London South East Colleges at [email protected] or call 020 3954 4607.