Private School News

BMS students volunteer in local community

Community Service at Bedford Modern School is an option for Sixth Form students. Placements take place weekly and there are currently 26 students at the School volunteering in organisations such as the Red Cross Charity Shop, Salvation Army and Save the Children Shops in Bedford and Willen Hospice Charity Shop in Milton Keynes. BMS students also visit local schools helping pupils with I.T., reading, drama and art.

Dr Andrew Rowley, Community Service Organiser at BMS, School Chaplain and Head of Philosophy said, “BMS has a terrific group of students volunteering for community service. Every year I am completely bowled over by the amount of effort students put into this and the rewards they get out of volunteering.”

The Community Service volunteers all register to receive nationally recognised awards through the V scheme. V awards recognise and reward the positive impact students make through their volunteering. A special V50 award is available to students who complete 50 hours of volunteering in any twelve month period.

BMS Sixth Form students, Stephen Hartill, Stephen Bone and Madeleine Bogacki are currently volunteering at the Salvation Army Charity Shop. “It is definitely a worthwhile experience. I enjoy seeing how the charity works and it is nice to feel that I might be making a difference,” said Stephen Hartill.

“It is inspiring to hear stories from other volunteers. Undertaking community service helps students realise what is going on outside their comfort zone,” said Stephen Bone.

Madeleine Bogacki added, “Having weekly placements means volunteering is consistent. I would encourage other students to get involved and not be afraid of trying something new.”

BMS community service students are also involved in producing a prison newsletter for relatives of prisoners at Bedford Prison. The newsletter is designed by the students with the intention of providing a support network to families of prisoners.