Colleges Week 2026: Cultivating community

At Activate Learning, we strive to make our colleges a welcoming place for all and to give back to the areas we serve.

On each campus across our college network, dedicated Student Enrichment teams work hard to draw students and staff together with a range of clubs and events, whilst nurturing a sense of togetherness and wellbeing through ongoing support.

Meanwhile our Learning Companies provide a space at each college where High Needs learners experience the world of employment by running their own postal services, pizza spots and shops. This enables them to grow their independence and confidence whilst being embedded in the college community.

For the wider communities surrounding our colleges, we act as an anchor partner by engaging in local partnerships, hosting civic events and creating sustainability initiatives, while our provision of academic and vocational skills across a vast range of sectors helps enhance the opportunities available to the communities our colleges serve.

Student Enrichment: activating student engagement

Across our college network, Student Enrichment teams provide a host of clubs and activities for students, ranging from creative writing, to sports groups, book clubs and the Christian Union.

The role of our Student Enrichment Officers focuses on creating opportunities that enhance the student experience – whether that’s through events, activities, or initiatives that help students develop personally and professionally.

Throughout the year, the team put on careers fairs and mental health and wellbeing fairs, so that students understand the resources on offer to them. Meanwhile, the annual Student Conference gives learners an opportunity to shape their college experience.

MindGreen: wellbeing on campus

MindGreen is Activate Learning’s charitable initiative dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of students and staff, across our college group. Its mission is to foster a culture of mental wellness by providing essential support, resources, and a safe space for students and staff to navigate the challenges that may impact their mental health throughout their educational journey.

In December 2025, MindGreen hosted its Community Service Week, which cast a spotlight on the importance of community with students engaging in acts of service across our Oxfordshire colleges.

As part of this event, we hosted our Serve the Services Afternoon Tea at City of Oxford College and University Centre.

This event welcomed veterans and current service men and women to the college to be served an afternoon tea by our Public Service students as a way to express gratitude for their work. Participating students also received advice and mentorship from service personnel during the event which worked to further strengthen their connection to the community.

Attendees included representatives from Thames Valley Police, NHS, Royal Navy, Oxford City Council, the Royal Air Force and the Lord Mayor of Oxford, 2025 – 2026, Councillor Louise Upton.

Beyond the college gates: nurturing local links

Across our colleges, we partner with a range of external organisations in order to increase opportunities for our learners, and give back to the communities surrounding our colleges.

Oxfordshire

We collaborate with a range of local organisations in Oxfordshire, including Oxford Food Hub, Banbury Larder and CDI Clockhouse.

Oxford Food Hub is a food waste charity that distribute surplus food for free and their work is important for removing the stigma surrounding free food, and by preventing free food from going to landfill, they make an important contribution to the environment. We receive free weekly deliveries from the hub enabling students and staff to access fresh produce.

Spencer Lawes, Outreach and Administration Coordinator at Oxford Food Hub, said: “We love working with City of Oxford College. As a food waste charity, it’s fantastic to hear that the surplus we distribute to them for free is all gone by the end of the day. It’s also so important to work together to remove the stigma surrounding free food. By preventing great quality food from going to landfill, we are making an important contribution to the environment. The more people it helps, the better. It really is a win-win for everyone involved.”

In 2025, we also welcomed the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire 20525 – 2026, John May CVO OBE DL, to our colleges. We worked with the High Sheriff to host his Big Breakfast Conversation Series – a collection of breakfasts informed by the theme of ‘Hearing the young unheard,’ which aimed to cast a spotlight on the needs of young people and empower those positioned to make a difference. Attendees included Thames Valley Police, Oxfordshire County Council, The Warriner School and In-Spire Sounds.

Berkshire

In Berkshire, we work with the John Lewis Partnership, where many of our T Level students undertake work experience, with some even taking on employment with the organisation. We also partner with Ways into Work, who deliver supported internships for High Needs students on our Supported Foundation programmes.

Last year, Reading College and University Centre celebrated Chinese New Year by hosting members of the local Chinese community and welcoming Yuan Yang MP, the Labour MP for Earley and Woodley, for a special banquet. The college’s Professional Culinary Arts students prepared and cooked a range of traditional dishes and attendees enjoyed making new connections.

Surrey

In Surrey, we collaborate with a range of community partners to enhance opportunities for everyone. At Merrist Wood College, this includes Surrey Wildlife Trust, Buglife and Chessington World of Adventure. Meanwhile, at Farnham College, we maintain links with HE providers for progression including Chichester University and University for the Creative Arts (UCA). At our college in Guildford, we work with partners including Holiday Inn, who have hosted work experience students, and local charities, Charlie’s Promise and Guildford Action.

In 2025, Merrist Wood College staff and students joined with students from Eggars School to support Charlie’s Promise by taking part in a 15k charity fun run. The event raised over £1000 for the knife crime awareness charity, and we were honoured to welcome the Charlie’s Promise team to campus, who ensured every runner got a Charlie’s Promise wrist band and refreshments.

Sustainability: giving back to the community

Across our college network, we take part in a range of sustainable projects designed to maintain the natural environment and serve the wider community.

Our Thrive: Roots to Results project was set up in partnership with Chiltern Railways, and sees learners on our PIP programme, which develops the personal independence and life skills of adults with learning difficulties and disabilities, embarking on a project designed to transform Oxford Parkway railway station’s green space into a welcoming garden, with expert guidance and trees from Blenheim Palace.

Through hands-on work with plants, landscaping and environmental design, learners will develop valuable independence, travel skills and practical gardening knowledge while creating a cleaner, more inviting space that benefits passengers and the wider community.