Students sleep-in for soup kitchen

This was all in the name of fundraising and empathy for the homeless, by students on the Level 2 and 3 Early Years courses at West Nottinghamshire College.

The group of eighteen students brought in their sleeping bags and cardboard boxes together with their warmest clothes while tutors prepared bread and soup suppers in the college’s sports hall at the Derby Road campus, to support Mansfield’s soup kitchen.

Although under cover and safe, the learners experienced what it is like to not have a bed to sleep in. They also brought in some snacks to eat along with their supper of bread and soup. Each student has been collecting sponsorship money and the group hopes to raise up to £1,000 to buy produce for the soup kitchen.

Their efforts were sponsored by family and friends so that goods can be purchased for Mansfield’s well-known soup kitchen which is now based on Dallas Street, having left its Mansfield Marketplace venue this summer.

The group of learners, who are all training for careers in the childcare industry, showed great empathy when volunteers from the soup kitchen visited the college to speak about their work with Mansfield’s homeless. From this they decided to raise cash for the service through their own sponsored ‘sleep out’.

Tutor Sue Swinscoe said: “The students have worked very hard so far to raise sponsorship money and they really embraced the sleep over. They’ve become very aware of the homeless plight in our community and have put lots of thought and effort into helping those less fortunate.”

Student Isabelle Calderwood, who was one of the students taking part in the sleep over, said: “I felt like I was doing something good and worthwhile for the community and it’s a very good charity to help raise money and supplies for.”