News: Public Services students get creative to help Guide Dogs

Our Nottingham College Sport and Public Service Technician, Abbi Hodgett, has written a blog post explaining some of the ways our staff have been encouraging students to keep themselves busy, keep learning, and keep fit during the lockdown. 

Abbi has written about a recent fundraiser that some of our Public Services students got involved with from home.

We wanted to help our students keep fit, stay motivated and complete their work, so we had to think differently. 

As part of the Level 2 Public Services course here at Nottingham College, our students complete a unit covering land navigation by map and compass. There is another unit which involves volunteering in public services. 

We decided to combine the two, asking our students to take part in a Guide Dogs charity walk challenge, with the twist being to keep to the confines of their back garden or yard (where applicable). 

Public Services student Emily Patterson told us she had set herself an unusual challenge. She said: ​“I dressed up as a military Santa and ran around my garden trying to make a cup of tea.” (safely of course!) 

Emily added: ​“This was a tough task to complete!” Not only did she manage to carry out this interesting task, she also managed to raise £20 for the Guide Dogs charity. Emily sent us a lovely photo of her and her dog Lez, who was there to help her complete the challenge! 

Fellow student Carter Marshall also took part in the event by running 2.5 miles at home. 

I spoke to Gail Lendis, Public Service Lecturer, who found this fantastic fundraising idea. She said: ​“Our Public Services students aspire to join one of our frontline services, and they are keeping fit, going the extra mile and remaining positive. 

“The challenges we set our students give them opportunities to learn skills, turning a negative into a positive wherever possible.” 

Not only have the students been able to provide evidence for their course, but they raised funds for a great charity too! It will help Guide Dogs ensure they can continue to provide life-changing services to help people with sight loss live the life they choose.”

A Public Services course can lead to an exciting and rewarding career in a range of areas, from the Armed Forces to the Emergency Services, Security or Prison Services.