SEND students support Museum of Homelessness Winter Appeal

A group of SEND students from Capital City College (CCC)‘s Tottenham centre have collected an array of warm clothing to support the Museum of Homelessness Winter Appeal.

The Museum of Homelessness was founded in 2015 and is run by people with direct experience of homelessness. The organisation conducts independent research and campaigns for the rights of homeless people in order to influence policymakers. The Museum of Homelessness also takes practical action alongside grassroots partners to support the community and creates artistic events and exhibitions that change perceptions of homelessness.

The five CCC students, all of whom are on the Preparation for Work course, visited the Museum of Homelessness in Finsbury Park in November 2024. During their visit, the students met team members and learned about how the organisation supports homeless people. They observed staff preparing to transform the museum into a community action hub for the winter season. During their visit, the Museum of Homelessness team asked students if they would collect much-needed clothing items such as joggers and thermal socks to support the organisation’s clients during the colder weather.

Back at the college, the students sprang into action and began by raising awareness, creating posters and leaflets which they displayed and distributed around the college. They organised regular collections of thermal socks and joggers throughout January in the foyer and canteen at the college’s Tottenham centre. 

The Preparation for Work course provides students with opportunities to be part of their wider community. Participating in the Museum of Homelessness Winter Appeal enabled the students to develop connections and build social awareness while also building employability skills such as working as a team. Their involvement in the initiative supported them in achieving many of their learning goals and EHCP (education, health and care plan) targets and provided opportunities to develop independent living skills such as using public transport, weather-appropriate dressing, communication and social skills.

The students from the Preparation for Work course have previously participated in a number of community projects and events such as creating and selling their own products at the Visionnaires Festive Fairs. They have also supported Macmillan Coffee Morning events which have taken place within the college.

The Winter Appeal collection was an incredible success, with staff and students from the college generously donating a wide variety of useful clothing items. The students collected 32 pairs of socks, 14 pairs of joggers and a number of other items such as jackets, jumpers, t-shirts and gloves. 

After collecting and organising the items, the students washed and dried them so that they would be ready for use. On 5 February, they revisited the Museum of Homelessness to hand the donations over and were invited to attend a community event in the spring.

At CCC, we offer a range of Foundation and Supported Learning courses to help prepare students for the workplace, boost their employability and support them in acquiring essential English, Maths and ICT skills.

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