Students at Nottingham College’s Basford Campus have been celebrating the completion of two programmes focused on confidence, personal development and creating positive change within their communities.
The Be the Change: Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Celebration Event marked the end of a seven-week programme delivered to Animal Science and Early Years students. The programme gave students the opportunity to explore important topics including healthy relationships, consent, personal boundaries, wellbeing, staying safe and the support services available within the community.
The celebration event brought students together to reflect on what they had learned and recognise the progress they had made throughout the programme.
Students heard from a range of guest speakers, including representatives from Nottingham Trent University and The Topaz Centre, as well as a member of Nottingham College staff who shared their own lived experience of VAWG. These contributions helped create open and honest conversations around respect, support and the importance of challenging harmful behaviours.
The day included workshops, discussions and bystander intervention activities, giving students the chance to explore how they can support others and make a positive difference. Students also created personal pledges outlining the actions they will take moving forward to help build safer and more respectful communities.
The event featured a keynote session from Kheron Gilpin, motivational speaker, Ubuntu Ambassador and Tutu Foundation UK Ambassador, who spoke to students about resilience, confidence and using their voice to create change.
Students also shared their own reflections on the programme and how it had influenced their understanding of relationships, personal responsibility and supporting others. The celebration ended with certificates being presented to students who completed the programme.
Zoë Randall, PSD Tutor at Nottingham College, said:
"Be the Change has empowered students to become active allies and advocates for change. They have developed the knowledge and confidence to challenge harmful behaviours and contribute to a safer future for everyone. I am incredibly proud of them, for their engagement, compassion and commitment. I feel lucky to have been able to deliver a programme with such importance and impact."
The following day, students took part in the Boys Impact Programme Celebration Event, marking the end of a programme designed specifically for young men and focused on positive masculinity, wellbeing, respect, relationships and awareness of Violence Against Women and Girls.
Throughout the programme, students explored topics including peer influence, emotional wellbeing and the impact their words and actions can have on others. Through open discussions and shared experiences, they developed stronger relationships with one another, built confidence and gained a greater understanding of the importance of supporting their peers.
Students also took part in a range of activities as part of the programme, including creative projects, anti-knife crime rap recording sessions, a mental health video series and a civic action project developed in partnership with external organisations.
The programme has been delivered across most Construction groups at Nottingham College and was developed in partnership with Nottinghamshire Police, Equation and Only Notts Recording Studio. Students are also preparing to present their civic action project around bleed kit placement across Nottingham to Nottinghamshire Police HQ, with a date currently being confirmed.
A highlight of the celebration event was the screening of student-produced films exploring men’s mental health and emotional wellbeing. The films, created as part of a cross-faculty digital project, encouraged conversations around mental health and showed the confidence students had developed in discussing issues that can often be difficult to talk about.
Students also presented work completed through the Future 6 framework, exploring areas including careers, finances, health, relationships, personal development and community. Their projects reflected the thought, creativity and ambition developed throughout the programme.
Rueben Williams, Personal Development Tutor at Nottingham College, said:
"The Boys Impact programme has shown these young men that their voice matters, their actions have meaning, and their impact can help create a safer, more respectful future for everyone."
He added that the programme had helped students grow in confidence, empathy, resilience, leadership and self-awareness, giving them skills and values that will support them in college, work and everyday life.
Personal Development Lead Deborah Ball said:
"Throughout the programme, students engaged with some genuinely difficult conversations with maturity, openness and real sensitivity. As a campus, we are incredibly proud of the way these young men have represented themselves, each other and Basford Campus throughout."
Both celebrations recognised the commitment and achievements of students involved, highlighting the importance of giving young people the opportunity to have meaningful conversations, challenge perceptions and develop the confidence to make a positive difference.
The work completed through both Be the Change and Boys Impact demonstrates the value of personal development programmes in helping students build the knowledge, confidence and skills they need for life beyond college.