Glasgow Kelvin’s Personal Achievement students are contributing to their community in a very poignant way. 

The group has spent time in the big outdoors during the restrictions, contributing to the work going on at Pollok Park to commemorate those lives lost during the COVID pandemic.

The Learners have been working alongside Alison Greig and the Pollok Park Countryside Rangers’ team to support several projects, chief among these being the COVID Memorial Project.

This particular project has focused on the planting of small purple and white chequered fritillaria, made famous by the designs of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, as a fitting tribute to loved ones lost in the last two years.

College students, who were already involved with the team, were asked to be involved with the installation and launch of the Memorial Site to plant the bulbs and other wildflowers at the Riverside Field in Pollok Park.

With the support of Glasgow City Council’s Countryside Rangers’ teams, families who lost loved ones to the pandemic have already been helping to shape the Covid Memorial grove and have planted some of the fritillaria, which are now being brought on in greenhouses before being put in the ground close to the site.

Once in bloom, the site will provide a space for quiet contemplation for those bereaved by the virus and whose ability to grieve has been challenged by restrictions.  The students recognise the importance of the project which will help people heal in the time to come.  The campaign to establish a memorial site, championed by Herald Scotland, has received popular support :

Scotland's Covid memorial: Charles Rennie Mackintosh flowers provide inspiration | HeraldScotland

The Personal Achievement students have also been involved in a range of other bio-diversity projects with the support of the Countryside Rangers.  The first of these was the original ‘Flower Power Project’ which was created by Alison Greig and the Countryside Rangers team and saw these young learners growing and potting on wildflowers, eventually planting them out to support their Pollinator Plan and meadow creation throughout the city.

This innovative project is complimented by the Woodland Restoration Project which will see Glasgow Kelvin students creating bio-diverse glades to encourage wildlife, cutting back and removing alien species and growing indigenous plant species.

In addition, the learners have been invited to take part in the Burrell Woodland Walk Project where they will be planting bulbs behind the building of the newly transformed Burrell Collection.  With tree planting and bluebells they’ll help to re-establish the woodland floor and character.

All of the projects are focused on the environment, helping to raise awareness of sustainability which is a core aim of Glasgow Kelvin College.  The students have done and are doing a sterling job, despite interruptions caused by the pandemic.  Their activities also put them at the heart of the community, contributing not only to civic pride in the city but to mental and physical wellbeing, and the healing, of the people of Glasgow and beyond.

The College is delighted to work in partnership with Glasgow City Council’s Countryside Rangers’ Team and the learners are excited to be taking part in such a high-profile and innovative movement.

Glasgow Kelvin College and Young Enterprise Scotland, are thrilled to have won the coveted Skills Development award at the annual CDN Awards which took place recently.

With a history of working in close partnership with other organisations to create positive opportunities for the young people of Scotland, the College sees the award as an affirmation of their role as a community partner, an enabler and a centre of excellence for digital inclusion.

A long time partner of Young Enterprise Scotland (YE Scotland), the College worked with them and the SCQF to ensure the accreditation of awards made to young people through the successful YE Scotland Company Programme which works with school pupils to encourage enterprise skills and resilience.

Each year, the programme delivers success for more than 500 young people, introducing them to the business and meta-skills which are essential for young entrepreneurs and employees alike.  Introducing them to the concept of ‘Business Start-up’, the young people learn about product development, market research and sales promotion.

To develop the programme, the College worked with YE Scotland and SCQF staff to align the students’ learning achievements with the qualifications framework.  Supported by the College ICT team, the young people participating in the programme were able digitally to work towards recognised qualifications to enhance their industrial and commercial experience.

The CDN Awards are held each year to celebrate the significant work of college staff across Scotland and Glasgow Kelvin was thrilled to be shortlisted from the 150 excellent submissions which CDN received this year.  The College was delighted to be nominated in such an important category of the CDN Awards and to be one of several very worthy candidates up for the Skills Development Award.

The Awards were presented at a glittering ceremony in the Raddison Blu, Glasgow, and there to collect the award on behalf of the partnership were Marie Woods on behalf of Glasgow Kelvin College and Fraser Morrison, Company Programmes & Digital Delivery Manager with Young Enterprise Scotland.  Celebrating with them was Robin Ashton, Vice Principal for Curriculum at Glasgow Kelvin College.  Robin said;

“This is a fabulous accolade for the College, for Young Enterprise Scotland, for the SCQF and for the large team of staff whose hard work has made such an impact on our young people.  The importance of partnership can’t be underestimated and we are thrilled to be part of such a successful and groundbreaking initiative.  Our thanks go to College Development Network and to all colleagues who contribute so much to making the sector an innovative and effective service.”

Chief Executive of Young Enterprise Scotland, Geoff Leask, said;

“Enterprise skills are key to all, not just those who at some point want to start a business. That is why this award recognition goes a long way to enhance the parity of esteem for enterprise skills and gives them the rightful recognition they deserve.”

 

Group pic: (l to r):  Fraser Morrison, YE Scotland; John Clarke, Senior Curriculum Manager, Glasgow Kelvin College; Jeanette Evans, Vice Principal – Operations, Glasgow Kelvin College; Robin Ashton, Vice Principal – Curriculum, Glasgow Kelvin College; and Steve Shand, Digital Development Manager, Glasgow Kelvin College)