Students raise £4,000 for mental health by switching off social media
Psychology A Level students at City of Oxford College and University Centre raised £4,000 by giving up social media for one week in aid of mental health charitable fund, MindGreen.
The switch-off took place between Monday 2 and Sunday 8 December and was led by Psychology Teacher and Chair of MindGreen Sarah Price.
Through a survey, Miss Price found a group of students studying at the city-centre campus, who spent an average of 49 hours per week on social media.
MindGreen is Activate Learning’s dedicated charitable fund that raises money to support our staff and students’ mental health and wellbeing.
The switch-off marked the first time the students had been off social media since being in Year 6, making it even more significant.
During the week, the students swapped being online for a range of mindful activities to boost their mental health, including creative activities such as arts and crafts, baking, exercising together, and meeting with friends.
The switch-off campaign also encouraged students to get involved with fundraising by promoting the event and having conversations about mental health.
Each of the 65 participating students have now become MindGreen Youth Ambassadors, meaning they will continue to promote this vital fund while in college.
Mae Lovell, A Level student at City of Oxford College and University Centre, said: “This week I’ve been hanging out with my friends, doing a lot of cooking, art, climbing and I’ve started running again.
“Everyone has problems, but we really dilute them through social media use. I think it’s good not using it because you can get in touch with your feelings, you notice things you wouldn’t normally, and I think that’s important.”
Sarah Price, Psychology Teacher and Chair of MindGreen at Activate Learning, said: “Fundraising for mental health funds at college is a great way for students to boost their self-esteem and help others in their college community. I organised the switch-off as a way for us to work towards a singular goal together as a team and raise funds for a great cause.
“Initially, it was hard for many of them, however, by days two and three, they filled the time with meaningful activities such as exercise, reading, cooking, and seeing friends in person.
“I have noticed a positive impact on the students involved as they learned new, healthier ways to communicate.”
If you would like to support our students’ fundraising efforts, donations can still be made via their Just Giving page.
City of Oxford College and University Centre offers a wide range of A Level subjects. Find out about our A Level programmes available to study at City of Oxford College and University Centre or contact Activate Learning via 0800 612 6008.
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Baked goods brought in by students as part of Switch-off Week
Psychology Teacher Sarah Price and a group of the MindGreen Youth Ambassadors
Psychology Teacher Sarah Price and some of the MindGreen Youth Ambassadors
Students connect over cake during Switch-off Week
Students connect over games during Switch-off Week
Students connecting face-to-face during Switch-off Week
Students drawing portraits of each other during Switch-off Week
Students drawing together during Switch-off Week
Students enjoying cake and connection during Switch-off Week
Students playing games as part of Switch-off Week
About Activate Learning:
Activate Learning is a forward-thinking education group working across further and higher education, schools, apprenticeships and training. We transform lives through learning.
GROUP MEMBERS:
Activate Apprenticeships | Activate Business School | Activate Cycle Academies | Activate Rugby Academy | Banbury and Bicester College | Bracknell and Wokingham College | City of Oxford College and University Centre | Farnham College | Guildford College | Merrist Wood College and University Centre | Reading College and University Centre | South Central Institute of Technology (SCIoT) at City of Oxford College and University Centre: Technology Campus – Blackbird Leys and Reading College and University Centre
For more information, please contact Caitlin Kelly, Communications Officer at Activate Learning, on 01865 550054 or email Caitlin.Kelly@ActivateLearning.ac.uk
