College Recognised as a 'GREAT Inspiration' for Coronavirus Response

: Created: 01 July 2020

As businesses across the UK reopen and adjust to operating under social distancing guidance, the 'GREAT Inspirations' campaign celebrates those who have gone above and beyond for their communities by innovatively adapting to a new way of working.

The College is one of the ‘local heroes’ chosen for the work it did to launch FE Foodbank Friday - a virtual giving programme to raise money for local foodbanks. Over 30 colleges nationwide signed up and over £40,000 has been raised collectively so far. This is being donated by the individual colleges to foodbank programmes around the country.

Dr Sam Parrett OBE, CEO and Principal of London South East Colleges, says: “As a community-focused organisation, we have a responsibility to support people in need. The Covid-19 pandemic has bought with it many challenges and we wanted to do our best to create some good out of the crisis.

“We were delighted that so many other colleges joined our FE Foodbank Friday initiative. We intend to continue our fundraising and will be collecting food items on our sites, once we have all returned to college in September.

“We are hugely proud of the way our staff and students have come together to support FE Foodbank Friday through such a difficult period and it is wonderful to have these efforts recognised by the GREAT Inspirations campaign.”

Over 80 companies from a wide range of industries across the UK have been selected for the campaign, representing just a small proportion of the businesses that have adapted and delivered for their customers over the past few months.

Dan Ramsay, Director of the GREAT Campaign, said: “The UK is an incredibly innovative nation and the businesses selected for the GREAT Inspirations epitomise this.

“In an incredibly difficult period they have adapted and found new markets, new customers and new ways of operating as well as helping their communities and keeping them safe.”

“GREAT Inspirations” has been delivered by the GREAT Britain campaign, the UK Government’s international marketing campaign, showcasing the best of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, encouraging the world to visit, study and do business with the UK.

The GREAT Inspirations can be viewed in full by clicking here.