Northumberland College recognised for their contribution to the community

Friday 21 March saw several Northumberland College staff take the role of torchbearers in a torchlit procession to celebrate Ashington heroes and because of work the College does to support its students and its community.

The staff were recognised for their contribution to the community and for their work supporting students to succeed in their education, life and employment at our Ashington campus but also beyond in the community.

‘Walk the Plank’ commissioned on behalf of Northumberland County Council, are an organisation that host a series of a year long series of events, as part of the project ‘Animating Ashington’, which the College is involved in around the regeneration taking place in the area.

The procession was a celebration of acts of kindness which take place in all corners of Ashington, for the people who go above and beyond, or who are always there. Individuals could nominate their local hero online to join as torchbearers in the flaming torch parade, giving the reason why they should be one of the 500 torchbearers.

Judith Quinn, Northumberland College’s Ashington Campus Principal said: “We are delighted to have taken part in a spectacular torchlit procession to celebrate the acts of kindness and the contribution of individuals to the Ashington community.

“Some of our staff were nominated for their work supporting students to succeed in their education, life and employment at our Ashington campus but also beyond in their community.”

Walk the Plank are specialists and pioneers in the creation, production and presentation of outdoor arts and performance. They host small-scale local events to bigger national events that draw both national and global attention, creating and producing outstanding moments of outdoor performance and public celebration.

Bev Ayre, Senior Producer at Walk the Plank said: “We were thrilled to continue our collaboration with Northumberland College on our Animating Ashington programme of events. Tourism and Leisure students assisted us as Fire Wardens for the Pride of Ashington Torch Lit Procession, whilst catering student provided free spicy pop- corn for visitors to Feast of Fire Garden. Over 3000 people attended both events which were warmly received by visitors and local residents.”

Judith represented the campus for the work that’s been done in supporting young people and adults and other college staff members were nominated for work in the community and volunteering, as well as work with ESOL students and in student support.

The College’s Business Admin apprenticeship Abby Pearson was also nominated for her work as a young carer. Abby said: “My Mam unfortunately has a chronic illness and so I must help both her and my little sisters.

“Before work every day, I take my sisters to breakfast club, I then take them out on weekends and weeknights, as well as helping with food shops. It feels really good to be nominated and recognised for things I do, even things in my personal life.”

Animating Ashington is a programme of events designed to bring colour and excitement to Ashington Town Centre and surrounding communities. A series of community-inspired artworks will bring colour to the town centre as the exciting regeneration programme takes place.

As well as College staff being nominated to take part in the parade, some of the College’s Travel and Tourism students also volunteered as fire wardens at the event, giving them exposure to large scale events that will complement their studies.

Helen Bramley, Lecturer and Programme Leader for Travel & Tourism at Northumberland College said: “Travel and Tourism Students Caitlin Robinson, Raven Briggs, Jessica Martin, Mackenzie Davis, Amy Chidklang, and Jorja Ricalton all undertook this exciting opportunity to serve the community by taking part as fire wardens to enable events such as this to go ahead safely.

“The students will become qualified fire wardens and be able to actively become involved in future events”.