Kingston Academy Interact Club

Interact offers an introduction for young people aged 12-18 to discover the power of volunteering and social action.

Interact clubs are based in schools, colleges or in the community, but this is no ordinary club. We have an Interact Club set up in Kingston Academy school.

Interact is an exciting place where members decide how they would like to help communities at home and abroad. It is the place where ideas flourish and become meaningful social action.

Both RotaKids and Interact support the #iwill campaign to create genuine opportunities for young people to generate social change.

Circle of Life Award
Congratulations to our Interact Club at Kingston Academy

Hold onto your hats, folks! The Interact Club at Kingston Academy has just bagged the prestigious
Young Citizens Circle of Life Award, and boy, do they have some stories to tell. These young heroes have not only proven their mettle in the community service arena but also braved some truly wild British weather to get there.
Let's start with their pièce de résistance – volunteering at Barnfield Riding School once again. Picture this: a group of determined students, armed with paintbrushes and can-do attitudes, standing in what can only be described as a biblical deluge. Rain or shine, they were out there painting away, creating modern art masterpieces with every splash of rain. Who knew you could paint a barn while auditioning for a remake of "Singing in the Rain"? Their dedication was nothing short of legendary, and the local horses now enjoy the classiest stables in town – all thanks to the Interact Club’s artistic flair and waterproof spirit!

Their Herculean efforts didn't stop at the barn, though. They also took on a plethora of
fundraising projects, raising over £200 for the stables and supporting the Trussell Trust.
These students have managed to juggle school, volunteering, and fundraising with the ease of a
seasoned circus performer.
In recognition of their tireless work and exceptional community spirit, they've been awarded 50
tickets to see "The Lion King" on stage. As if their lives weren't dramatic enough
already! This well-deserved treat promises an evening of dazzling performances, though we suspect
it might be hard to top the show they put on in the rain at Barnfield. Their achievement has also
been recognised by The Walt Disney Company UK & Ireland.

In a delightful letter addressed to our superstar Teacher Advisor, Jo Bowey of Kingston Academy, Jamie Higham, Marketing Assistant at Disney Theatrical Group, praised the group's efforts:
"Thank you for taking the time to tell us about this social action project carried out by the
Junior Rotary Club. It has been wonderful to hear about the group's effort to spend so
much of their spare time volunteering with their local stables. It has been fantastic to hear about
the breadth of success gained by this group, from not only providing care for the
lovely horses in the stables but to raise over £200 for the stables. This success has the impact
to change these men's lives for the better and the group should feel incredibly proud of
themselves."
"We have agreed with Young Citizens that this project aligns with the Circle of Life values encapsulated in a framed certificate as recognition of the hard work and enthusiasm shown by your team."

As the letter suggests, these students are not just painting barns; they are painting a brighter future for the community. Their projects, ranging from local clean-up initiatives to charitable fundraising, have touched many lives and set a high standard foe youth-led community service.