Supporting people with learning disabilities - Footsteps for FitzRoy
Bedales held a community day to promote neuro-diversity and the work of learning disabilities charity, FitzRoy.
Activities on 21 September 2022 included talks about neuro-diversity and autism, and mobilising the whole school to complete a sponsored walk covering 5,000+ kms in one day.
At time of writing, £12,300 has been was raised for FitzRoy with whom the school has developed a really productive partnership.
Aims
To show what can be achieved from a collective effort and endeavour when the school community comes together to support a cause;
To fundraise significant funds for a learning disabilities charity;
To create educational opportunities to learn more about neuro-diversity;
To create a challenging but achievable physical challenge for students, walking 5,000+ kms in a day;
To foster teamworking amongst students and staff.
Background
Each term Bedales students come off timetable for a community day named after figures in the school’s history. Previously, there has been support for local charities, work in the community, assisting local primary schools with landscaping projects, and also working to improve the Bedales School estate itself.
The main event for this community ‘Badley day’ (named after the school’s co-founder) included:
Talks on learning disabilities and the work of the FitzRoy charity – Staff from FitzRoy gave a talk to students about their valuable work in supporting people with learning disabilities and autism. In particular, they highlighted their Love4life initiative which gives their members opportunities to make friends, socialise together and even find love;
Assembly from a parent who movingly described bringing up a child with severe mental and physical disabilities;
‘Footsteps for FitzRoy’ fundraising walk - Bedales students walked a 13 km circuit in the area surrounding the school which is nestled in the South Downs National Park. Students walked in tutor groups. Each tutor group had its own fundraising page which created some healthy competition to be top fundraisers.
Almost all students were walking, with a small number dedicated to other activities on the day. Groups helped prepare the packed lunches for the walkers. Other students assisted with hosting a 50 year reunion for alumni.
Resources
The main resource was the extensive team of students, staff and other volunteers.
As the school’s Duke of Edinburgh Award Approved Activity Provider, Ridgeline Adventure supported the planning and supervision of the fundraising walk.
The Givepenny fundraising platform was used to manage donations for the walk.
Impact
In total, 400 students and 50 staff walked 5,000+ kms in one day.
At time of writing, the day had raised £12,300 for the FitzRoy learning disabilities and autism charity.
Marianne Radcliffe, Director of Transformation, FitzRoy commented:
“We very much enjoyed working with Bedales students and staff in this 60th anniversary year of FitzRoy. ‘Footsteps for FitzRoy’ was an incredible challenge and Bedales’ fantastic fundraising efforts will help us support people with learning disabilities enabling them to live the lives that they choose. Thank you so much to the school community for your support.”
Will Goldsmith, Head of Bedales, commented:
"We are very grateful to the FitzRoy staff and members who joined us for our Badley Day. Bedales students have previously volunteered with FitzRoy, so it was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about neuro-diversity and learning disabilities, as well as promoting the valuable work of this charity. Congratulations to all of our walkers who clocked up more than 5,000 kms on the day, and thank you to all the donors who supported our fundraising.”
A short film of the day is available here.
Pupil Involvement
Significant – 400 students completed the fundraising walk.
Frequency
The community days take place termly.
