A group of students at the University of Worcester have prepared school packs for two Ukrainian child refugees coming to the UK.
The Early Childhood in Society students put together the packs, containing stationery, lunch boxes and water bottles, as well as treats such as small games, hair gel and confectionary, after a plea to help two Ukrainian boys arriving over Easter.
Course Leader, Niki Stobbs, said: “The BA Early Childhood in Society is underpinned by social pedagogy, which is about education in its broadest sense, not only teaching children but attempting to make their lives better. The level five students had discussed their desire to support children and families in need and were pleased to rise to the challenge of preparing the school packs.”
Student Tamzin Murphy said: “I was having ideas about ways that I could help as many vulnerable children and families as much as I can. I was struggling to know where and how to begin so I approached my course leader who was completely supportive from the beginning. As part of our university degree, we talk a lot about collaborative working in order to make children’s lives better and we want to place children at the very centre of everything that we do.”
Fellow student Abbie Harris said: “The course has opened my eyes to see from families’ perspectives what they are going through. I felt a responsibility to help. It’s all about the doing.”
Rhian Gakhal said: “It shocked me to see what’s going on in Ukraine and I felt I had to do something.”
Rosie Dempster added: “It’s not enough to just learn about children. Social pedagogy looks at children in their community. I would like this to continue after our course has finished. I would like to do things together to help families in the future.”
The students are now planning further collections to help refugees and others in need.