Pupils from Highfield Leadership Academy volunteered their time to organise a special Platinum Jubilee party for residents from Blackpool Coastal Housing (BCH), in a bid to tackle social isolation and loneliness.
The party was the latest in a series of befriending initiatives the ‘Highfield Helpers’, the secondary school’s group of pupil leaders, have undertaken to support members of their community over the past four years.
Following weeks of organising with local residents, BCH staff and Councillor Peter Hunter, pupils provided guests with an afternoon of entertainment, conversation, quizzes and food at Lostock Community Centre, after the original plan of an outdoor street party was scuppered by the weather.
After Deputy Mayor Councillor Peter and Deputy Mayoress Anne-Marie opened the event, attendees were treated to a musical performance from the school’s Highfield Voices choir, who then instigated a sing-along with the guests to classic songs such as ‘Bring Me Sunshine’ and ‘We’ll Meet Again.’
Year 7 pupil Grace also provided entertainment through a dance performance, while fellow student Colby also delighted the guests with his violin talents.
Following the entertainment was the customary Jubilee Party food, provided in part by Highfield Leadership Academy’s Platinum Jubilee Kindness Kitchen. Not only did they create tasty desserts for the community party, year 8 students at the school also prepared 240 portions of food to local charity Amazing Grace for those in food poverty.
After the party was rounded off with a raffle and a rendition of the National Anthem, volunteers from the scheme and the school also hand delivered party food to BCH residents who couldn’t attend the party, along with a doorstep chat to ensure no one missed out.
Year 9 pupil Astrid said:
“Our Academy has enjoyed celebrating The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. We have been planting trees, writing stories, creating artwork, dancing, cooking and making cards for our community. I have also been lucky enough to help prepare for and host our community party event with Debbie from BCH.
“We really enjoyed meeting with her and the guests from BCH at our weekly Jubilee workshops. Our party was a great celebration. Everyone was laughing and singing. It was so much fun. We even managed to deliver food to some of the guests who couldn’t come to the party and make our Kindness Calls so that all our friends from BCH knew we were thinking of them.”
Nicola Dodgson, Assistant Principal at Highfield Leadership Academy, said:
“Everyone enjoyed an afternoon of fun, food, and forging friendships. Service is one of Highfield Leadership Academy’s values, we are very proud of the young people who chose to be their best and serve their local community by organising and hosting this wonderful celebration for The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. We are delighted that we could help people connect and enjoy celebrating this historic event.”