Leeds City College

A Journey of Discovery and Service
In March, a group of students from Quarry Hill Campus embarked on a transformative two-week volunteering trip to South Africa. Funded by the Turing Scheme and delivered in partnership with Gap Africa, students from Public Services, Health & Social Care, and Creative Media & Digital Arts programmes immersed themselves in community projects that challenged their perspectives and inspired personal growth.

Working across KwaZulu-Natal, the group supported organisations focused on education, health, poverty reduction and conservation. With Project Rhino, they delivered school workshops on rhino poaching. They partnered with Move Africa to lead sessions on sustainable menstrual solutions, and with Woza Moya to help locals develop income-generating craft skills.

Supporting Children and Community Health
Students also refurbished nurseries through the Ndumu Charitable Foundation and supported health services at Khula Natural Health Clinic. Conservation efforts continued with the Kingsley Holgate Foundation and Bonamanzi Conservation Foundation, both working with communities near game reserves.

Joe Noble, a Level 3 Public Services student, said: “At the start of the two weeks, we participated in a community project at the crèche; we painted their school and conducted ball games with them, for fun and to help them improve motor skills.”

Staff member Jordan Wright, who accompanied the group, highlighted the impact: “The experience of working in the community and on the game reserve has been incredibly valuable. Students developed practical skills, built confidence and gained a real sense of the world beyond the classroom. Learning about the Zulu community was particularly eye-opening and will have a lasting impact on their personal and professional development.”

Returning with Purpose
The Quarry Hill students returned home with new skills, unforgettable memories and a renewed commitment to creating positive change – wherever life takes them next.