Jubilee Volunteering Day – Faith into Action
This July, students and staff at St Dominic’s Sixth Form College came together for one of the highlights of our calendar, the Jubilee Volunteering Day. Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, the day is dedicated to serving the local community, especially those most in need. Inspired by the call to love our neighbour and uphold the dignity of every person, students stepped forward to give their time and energy to a variety of charities and community-based organisations.
Across Harrow and beyond, students took part in a wide range of service projects, each one an opportunity to live out the Gospel in a tangible way. Some helped at the local baby bank, sorting donations and preparing essential items for families facing hardship. Others spent the day offering companionship at community groups like the Crossroads Stroke Club in North Harrow. A particularly special project saw students helping to build a garden at Birchwood Care Home, creating a peaceful and welcoming space for elderly residents to enjoy.
These acts of service reflect key principles of Catholic Social Teaching, including respect for human dignity and solidarity with the vulnerable. Volunteering Day allows students to encounter and respond to the needs of the community with compassion and humility.
Students returned with stories of meaningful encounters, a sense of pride, and a deeper awareness of the impact they can have. The day leaves a lasting impression, one that nurtures both faith and character.
St Dominic’s offers our sincere thanks to the many charities and community groups who welcomed our students so warmly and made this Volunteering Day possible.
We are always open to new volunteering partnerships. If your organisation would like student volunteers next academic year, please do get in touch with Clare our Lay Chaplain cac@stdoms.ac.uk
With gratitude to the following organisations for hosting our volunteers:
- Ealing Half Marathon
- Sustain IT Harrow
- Gardening Projects at Stanmore Country Park and Canons Park
- St Joseph’s Pastoral Centre
- St Luke’s Hospice Shops
- Blossom Baby Bank
- Crossroads Stroke Club
- St Elizabeth’s School, Much Hadham
- Horsenden Community Farm
- Birchwood Grange Care Home
“Sorting baby clothes sounds simple, but it made me realise how real the needs in our community are.”
“I think it really helped us step out of our own bubbles and understand the needs in our community.”
“It was lovely spending time with people who don’t always get much company. They were so welcoming.”
“I really enjoyed the day and this has made me think about what I can do for others”
“It was good to meet you all yesterday and I am very pleased to hear the students enjoyed their visit. I was impressed by their polite and positive approach to the day. They are a credit to the College. With best wishes for the summer.” St Joseph’s Pastoral Centre
“I just wanted to send you, your colleagues and students a note of thanks for their magnificent efforts in Canons Park on Wednesday. The Shaw Trust supervisors were so impressed by the students’ enthusiasm and hard work, which brought such noticeable results! We hope they enjoyed their time with us and we would welcome a group next year if they are interested in helping out”. The Friends of Canon’s Park
Clare Castell | College Chaplain
