Worksop academies' social action programme is win-win for both students and communities

The report highlights how student ‘changemakers’ dedicate thousands of hours ‘giving back’ to local communities.

Launched in April last year, the ‘out there’ initiative was created to show that young people are a powerful force for good.

Students spent their summer holidays delivering community projects that included revitalising green spaces, volunteering at food banks, and hosting intergenerational events in care homes.

The new report confirms that the initiative has not only improved local neighbourhoods, but has enhanced student wellbeing, resilience, and leadership skills.

More than 100 community action projects were delivered in the programme's inaugural year, spanning six vital areas: building relationships, sustainability superstars, boosting community wellbeing, building an inclusive community, making your community safer, and innovation.

When asked why they took part in the programme, more than 60 per cent of students cited helping others as their motivation.

One team said: “We were motivated by the fact that most people see young people as troublemakers – we want to change people’s views on that.”

Another added: “We wanted to do this because we think older people can sometimes feel lonely, and we wanted to help cheer them up and bring people of all ages together.”

After successfully delivering their projects, over 90 per cent of teams reported that their community felt like a better place to live, more than half reported feeling more connected with others in their community, and around 40 per cent of students said they had spent less time in front of a screen and more time outdoors.

The launch of the impact report follows an awards ceremony at Headingley Stadium earlier this year, hosted by broadcaster Tanya Arnold and attended by leaders from the King’s Trust, West Yorkshire Police, and the Confederation of School Trusts.

The programme was also validated with the Community Impact Award at the 2025 Connect Yorkshire Business Awards.

The report spotlights ‘team helping hands’ from Outwood Grange Academy in Wakefield, who were crowned national winners for their multifaceted work supporting the Wakefield Street Kitchen and improving local safety.

Julie Slater, chief executive principal at OGAT, said: “This report highlights the incredible, first hand impact our young people are making in their communities.

“By participating in ‘out there’, they haven’t just built strong individual and team skills; they’ve also developed vital tools for their future careers.

“Just as importantly, it has got them away from screens and out into the world, making a real difference in the lives of others.

“We started ‘out there’ because our students told us they wanted to step up, give back, and be seen as a force for good. They have done exactly that, and I couldn't be prouder of everything they’ve achieved.”

Building on the momentum, YPO, one of the UK’s largest public sector buying organisations, has pledged its support this year as headline sponsor.

With YPO’s support, the trust aims to engage 20,000 students and deliver more than 5,000 community projects this year.

The 2026 'out there' programme is now open for registrations, inviting a new wave of students to prove that young people are a powerful force for good in society.

To read the report or get involved, visit: outthere.outwood.com