Published on: Tuesday, November 23, 2021
King’s College is one of the founder members of the Somerset Chapter of Citizens UK, which is made up of hundreds of organisations committed to actioning for social justice in their local communities and the common good. Citizens UK’s philosophy is based on listening to local people and understanding what issues matter to them. There is nothing so powerful as hearing individuals’ stories for inspiring people to address injustices
Teacher Sandra Lawson and a group of passionate pupils set up a group with the acronym K-CAP (King’s Community Action Programme) to work on three areas of concern nominated by King’s pupils. The three issues include housing and homelessness, food poverty, and street safety in the local area and public parks.
Pupils are raising funds to help those affected by homelessness and working with the YMCA packing food parcels for distribution. K-CAP is also working with Citizens UK to highlight the benefits of paying the Real Living Wage to local employers and encourage them to gain accreditation. King’s College pays the Living Wage and recognises how guaranteeing workers a fair wage improves the quality of employees’ lives, families and communities in Somerset.
Sandra Lawson who is the teacher leading the King’s Community Action Programme said: “It is wonderful to see so many pupils want to try to make a positive impact to issues facing their local community. They are the citizens of tomorrow and hopefully K-CAP will help raise awareness and share these issues within the local community to bring about a systematic approach to change.”