ACTIVE CAMPUS COORDINATORS | Christmas Festival Brings Sport to Supported Learning Students

In the spirit of collaboration the Active Campus Christmas Festival, organised by Glasgow Clyde College, West College Scotland, City of Glasgow College, and Kelvin College, unfolded as a resounding success.

Spearheaded by Active Campus Coordinators Natalie Dott, Savannah Antoine, Gregor Cree, and Grant Sutherland, the event aimed to foster engagement among supported learning students and provide a boost of fun as the autumn term draws to a close.

The festival, kindly hosted by the University of Strathclyde, provided a host of opportunities for a diverse group of 50 students from the various colleges. Amidst the festive spirit, these individuals got stuck into a variety of activities – all facilitated by a cohort of enthusiastic sport students from City of Glasgow College. Their energy and commitment was brilliant, helping to engage the participants in activities including badminton, zumba, boccia, and various ball games.

The event was not just about the activities; it was also about getting students trying new experiences, creating new relationships, and, most importantly, having fun. It was excellent to see students from the four colleges forming friendships and building a sense of community and belonging.

The Christmas Festival will hopefully provide a template for future success within the College sector, where there is a significant appetite to find creative ways to engage students in sport and active health – and particularly those students that would normally face barriers to inclusion.

Active Campus Coordinator Natalie Dott reflected on this pioneering day saying “The first of many Active campus festivals took place in Strathclyde Sports facility which saw over 50 supported learning students taking part in different forms of physical activity. This events outcome was many happy faces and lots of eager students who now want to participate in activity at their own college who wouldn’t have done so otherwise without attending this event.”

Collaborative Achievement: Within a short span of time, the four colleges Active Campus Coordinators successfully combined efforts to orchestrate an event benefiting 50 students. This collaboration exemplifies the potential for joint initiatives among educational institutions at a regional level.

Engagement and Sustainability: The City of Glasgow College students’ handling of activities paves the way for replicable models in future events. Their involvement not only made the event successful but also set a sustainable template for subsequent ones, with a focus on delivery to students, by students. This experience will also have enhanced their own learning and contributed to the outcomes of their course.

Community Building: Beyond the activities, the festival provided a platform for students to step into a university setting, expressing interest in broader engagements like joining the University of Strathclyde gym and getting to see the club structure. It also facilitated the formation of new friendships among individuals with shared experiences.

As for the future, there’s a collective desire across the Active Campus Network to replicate this model in varied formats throughout the year. This event serves as a testament to the positive effect of the Active Campus Coordinator roles in Scotland’s Colleges, showcasing the power of collaboration to provide opportunity to previously underserved student communities.

You can see the full album of photographs from the event, taken by Andrew Leinster, here.