Liz Hackling, Assistant Headteacher at Bridge Learning Campus, has seen first-hand the transformative impact Community of Purpose can have on young lives. She plays an active role in Bristol Achieve – a programme dedicated to helping children from disadvantaged backgrounds to unlock their potential and build confidence through peer mentoring.
How did you first find out about Community of Purpose?
During the time I’ve worked as the assistant headteacher at Bridge Learning Campus, I’ve nurtured partnerships with local community organisations.
Over the last few years, more and more children at my school have become involved with the programmes run by Community of Purpose. Some pupils have been nominated for a Bristol Young Heroes Award, while others have attended the Break Free holiday club or the Bristol Together Championships. It often plays a big role in their home and family lives.
How important do you think CoP is in Bristol?
It’s massively important. The kids I teach can be very good at ‘hiding their lights’, but initiatives like the Bristol Young Heroes Awards celebrate the challenges they’ve overcome or the things they’ve achieved. They get to stand on a stage, surrounded by friends and family, and be told: “we’re really proud of you”.
It’s also great to see the children mixing with completely different social groups during the Bristol Together Championships or the Break Free club. It gently guides kids out of their comfort zones, and shows them that there’s a world beyond their immediate surroundings.
Could you talk a bit about your involvement in Bristol Achieve?
I’ve been involved in this mentoring programme for four years. It partners younger children from disadvantaged areas with mentors from independent schools in year 12. The students chosen as mentees are often doing well academically, but interest in grades and attainment can wane as the kids get older. This programme helps to keep them engaged and motivated as they progress through school.
With the help of their mentors, the mentees create presentations about topics they’re passionate about, before speaking at a special event. This is always an amazing night, and we’ve heard talks on everything from football to game design. This year, they’ve researched the best ways to achieve their chosen careers – whether it’s a university course, work experience or an apprenticeship.
The younger children also attend a summer camp where they put their leadership skills into practice with games and activities. It gives them the chance to put their phones away, and just be kids for a few days!
What kind of skills and experiences does this programme provide for kids?
It’s brilliant for teaching the soft skills that play such a big role in further education and employment. You can see their confidence and ability to communicate improve throughout the experience.
The study and research skills they develop as they work towards a presentation are also invaluable. Ultimately, it’s about the well-being of the kids involved, and there’s a deliberate focus on self-reflection and mindfulness as well as personal growth.
How has this programme affected mentors and mentees in different ways?
Both sets of students gain confidence and perspective. The mentors are often from quite different backgrounds, and I think sharing their lived experiences really benefits everyone involved.
The mentees are also introduced to new environments, and opportunities they may not have known existed. After visiting the independent schools involved in the programme, many of them aspire to scholarships or other routes into higher education. It’s so important that children from all backgrounds feel a sense of belonging. Bristol Achieve makes my pupils feel that they’re worthy of any learning or career pathway they choose to take.
As a teacher, time is such a precious resource. Ideally, we’d be able to dedicate hours to each child but it’s just not possible. The tailored support and coaching Bristol Achieve participants receive is invaluable.
Would you want to see this programme rolled out more widely?
Absolutely. The benefits of the programme are clear: increased confidence, communication skills and clear goals to aim for.
You can feel the buzz in the room during the presentation event. It sounds cheesy to call it a meeting of minds, but that’s what it is! The kids are working together towards a shared purpose.
What kind of challenges do children in Bristol face?
Mental health issues, social media and knife crime to name just a few. Staff at BLC work hard to provide a safe, supportive environment for the children. We want to ensure our children feel valued.
Introducing local children to new experiences and environments helps with this; it offers a fresh perspective on the different paths they could choose to take. The external public speakers who come in to share their stories also inspire them.
The message we give to the students who participate is: if you want to reach a goal, we’ll help to get you there.
How would you describe the effects of Bristol Achieve in one sentence?
It’s impacting young lives in a really big way!