Students Helping to Save the Planet During International Earth Day Event

Supported Education students at Sussex Coast College Hastings helped to raise awareness of International Earth Day last week, by demonstrating ways that we can take better care of the planet.

The atrium at Station Plaza was an environmentally friendly zone last Thursday 20th April, as students aimed to inspire action for environmental protection using recycled and reclaimed materials to produce artwork and animations, hand-made gifts, grow plants, and create a huge visual centre piece.

Students created a ‘river’ collage using fabrics, drift wood, and plastic that they found washed up on the beach, and used it to explain to fellow students, staff and visitors about the negative impact that waste can have on the environment.

The students encouraged people to make personal pledges, hanging them on a wishing tree, to make small changes in their daily life and care for the planet. There was also a display of the department’s new ‘Ridan’ composter, which students will begin to use later this year to collect food waste from the college catering department and kitchens to produce their own compost.

Members from local organisations, Energise Sussex Coast and Transition Town Hastings also came along to talk to people about fuel poverty and renewable energy, and advise people on how they can help to create a more connected, healthier and self-sufficient community.

Roz Katz, Lecturer in Supported Education at Sussex Coast College Hastings said: “As a centre of education I feel that it is our responsibility to raise awareness about the environmental issues that affect us all.

“This is the second time we’ve held an International Earth Day because it is a great opportunity for Supported Education to learn more about the environmental issues we face, and they can show off their amazing talents to the wider college.”

The Supported Education programme provides a positive learning environment for those who have learning difficulties, disabilities or who may benefit from having the reassurance of belonging to a supportive programme; giving them skills in independent living, employability, personal and social development. Supported Education has Autism Accreditation status from the National Autistic Society.

Programmes are individualised and flexible, enabling each learner to progress at an appropriate pace. If you’d like to find out more then please visit our Additional Learning Support page on the website, or call 01424 458530.

Check out more pictures from International Earth Day on our Facebook page.