Community impact secures Chichester College students an award 

Photo credit – A2Dominion

Students from Chichester College received first place in the Young Unsung Hero Award at the A2Dominion Making a Difference Awards, held in London back in June.  

The awards ceremony, held at the Beethoven Centre in Queens Park, recognised the student’s commitment, ingenuity, and perseverance in enhancing the Swanfield Park community gardens in Chichester. 

For the last seven years, students from the college’s Foundation Special Educational Needs department have constructed wooden planters for community gardens, which are used to display flowers and shrubs and grow vegetables for local residents.  

To achieve this, they used recycled wood from the college joinery department to construct the planter kits, which are then assembled on site, giving students hands-on experience in practical skills.  

The college was nominated by Janet Read, Communities Partner at A2Dominion Housing Association, who praised their “quiet determination, resilience, and compassion”, adding: “They’re tackling challenges, improving lives, and showing us all the power of youth to lead change.”     

Roger Curwen, a lecturer in special educational needs at Chichester College, said: “This award is a massive boost for our students and our department. The opportunity to gain real work experience in the community is the most important part of their curriculum.     

“Many of our students find it difficult to communicate or interact socially, but this cooperative project gives them purpose, confidence, and pride. They see their work making a difference – and that’s incredibly valuable.  

“To receive this recognition from A2Dominion is absolutely wonderful. It shows our students that their efforts are appreciated and that they’re doing something meaningful.” 

The students were presented with an engraved trophy, a £100 shopping voucher, and a further £300 for future projects in the community by Dawn Wightman, A2Dominion’s Director of Customer and Communities.