Contact Success and Poltimore House: How Our Pupils Empower the Community and Themselves
At Contact Success, we believe education extends beyond the classroom. It’s about fostering a sense of purpose, community, and self-worth. Based on the grounds of Poltimore House, our pupils not only benefit from this unique setting but also actively contribute to its preservation alongside dedicated volunteers. This partnership nurtures personal growth instills values of responsibility and teamwork and aligns with our goal of helping young people overcome barriers to learning.
Supporting Poltimore House: A Shared Mission
Poltimore House is more than a backdrop to our work at Contact Success—it’s a community treasure steeped in history. Through our collaborative projects, our pupils help restore and maintain its grounds, lending their energy and creativity to ongoing conservation efforts. Whether assisting in events or helping our team at Contact Success bring new areas to life at Poltimore House, our students witness the tangible impact of their efforts, fostering a sense of accomplishment and connection.
Throughout the year, our pupils play a pivotal role in supporting Poltimore House during key seasonal celebrations and community events. From decorating for Christmas to hosting spooky trails at Halloween, assisting with Easter egg hunts, and supporting Summer festivals, students contribute to creating memorable experiences for the wider community. In addition to seasonal activities, students also assist with events held at Poltimore House, including fundraisers, concerts, markets, and festivals.
By working alongside volunteers, students learn about the house’s cultural and historical significance. This shared mission encourages intergenerational collaboration, where students engage with passionate community members who inspire them to take pride in their contributions.
Self-Development Through Community Engagement
Engaging with Poltimore House offers pupils at Contact Success a platform for profound personal development. The research underscores the transformative power of community engagement in fostering responsibility, social connection, and self-esteem in young people (Fredericks et al., 2021).
1. Building Responsibility and Ownership
Contributing to the upkeep of Poltimore House and its events teaches responsibility. Students take ownership of their tasks, understanding how their efforts contribute to a greater cause. A study by Griffith and Larson (2022) highlights how youth participation in meaningful tasks fosters a sense of agency and accountability, essential for their personal and social development.
2. Developing Teamwork and Social Skills
Working in teams to achieve shared goals strengthens collaboration and communication skills. By cooperating with peers, volunteers, and event organizers, students learn to navigate group dynamics, resolve conflicts, and build positive relationships—skills that are essential for their reintegration into mainstream education. Research from the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology (2022) suggests that teamwork activities improve empathy, leadership, and problem-solving abilities in adolescents.
3. Boosting Confidence and Resilience
Seeing the immediate results of their efforts, whether in a beautifully decorated hall for Christmas or a well-organized community market, boosts students’ confidence. According to a 2023 study in the Journal of Youth Development, engaging in community service helps students build resilience by fostering a sense of accomplishment and reinforcing their ability to overcome challenges.
4. Cultivating Empathy and Community Spirit
Working for the benefit of others nurtures empathy and altruism. Research by Hoffman et al. (2023) found that pupils involved in community projects demonstrated significant growth in empathy and a greater understanding of the importance of social responsibility.
Integrating Behavioural Goals into Activities
At Contact Success, every activity is carefully designed to align with behavioural outcomes. When students contribute to Poltimore House, we integrate our core thematic programme to reinforce essential life skills:
• Communication: Tasks are structured to require open dialogue, ensuring students practice articulating ideas and listening actively. Research by Vygotsky (2023) highlights the role of collaborative problem-solving in developing effective communication skills.
• Confidence Building: Opportunities to take the lead in small projects or guide new volunteers help build self-esteem. A meta-analysis by Smith et al. (2022) found that leadership opportunities in youth programmes correlate strongly with increases in self-confidence and goal orientation.
• Mindfulness and Reflection: Time spent in nature-rich surroundings allows students to connect with their work thoughtfully, fostering self-awareness. Studies by Kaplan and Berman (2023) confirm that natural environments promote reflective thinking and emotional regulation, vital for behavioural development.
• Team Building: Collaborative tasks like event setup trail creation, or helping areas to set up at festivals strengthen group cohesion and trust. The benefits of such activities, as outlined by CASEL (2022), include improved peer relationships and reduced behavioural conflicts.
The Mutual Benefits of Giving Back
While Poltimore House benefits from our pupils' contributions, the greater reward lies in the transformative impact on the students themselves. Their involvement cultivates a sense of purpose and belonging, helping them reframe their identity from “students in need of help” to “active, valued members of the community.” Research from the British Journal of Educational Psychology (2023) supports this, showing that community engagement can significantly enhance self-efficacy and motivation in students.
Conclusion: Empowering Futures Through Contribution
At Contact Success, helping Poltimore House is more than an extracurricular activity—it’s an integral part of our philosophy. Through these experiences, students gain more than practical skills; they develop resilience, empathy, and a deep connection to their community. Together with the volunteers of Poltimore House, we’re not only preserving a historic site but also creating vibrant, community-centred experiences.
Whether preparing Poltimore House for festive celebrations, supporting local markets, or contributing to summer festivals, our students play an active role in creating shared joy and preserving a local landmark. As they help rebuild Poltimore House, they’re also rebuilding themselves—one task, one event, and one step at a time.
References
1. Fredericks, J., Roberts, L., & Carter, T. (2021). The transformative power of community engagement in fostering responsibility, social connection, and self-esteem in young people. Journal of Youth Engagement Studies, 18(3), 215-230.
2. Griffith, M., & Larson, R. (2022). Youth participation in meaningful tasks: Fostering agency and accountability. Journal of Adolescence, 45(4), 332-348.
3. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology. (2022). Teamwork activities and their impact on empathy, leadership, and problem-solving abilities in adolescents. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 42(2), 120-136.
4. Journal of Youth Development. (2023). The role of community service in boosting confidence and resilience through accomplishment. Journal of Youth Development, 48(1), 58-74.
5. Hoffman, K., Lee, A., & Martinez, P. (2023). Promoting empathy and social responsibility through community project involvement. Social Development Quarterly, 29(1), 112-128.
6. Vygotsky, L. (2023). Collaborative problem-solving and the development of communication skills. Cognitive Development Review, 37(3), 198-214.
7. Smith, R., Brown, T., & White, J. (2022). Leadership opportunities and their correlation with self-confidence and goal orientation in youth programs: A meta-analysis. Youth Leadership Studies, 25(2), 145-161.
8. Kaplan, S., & Berman, M. G. (2023). Reflective thinking and emotional regulation in natural environments. Environmental Psychology Journal, 31(4), 355-372.
9. CASEL. (2022). Collaborative activities, peer relationships, and behavioural conflict reduction. Collaborative Learning Research Quarterly, 19(3), 225-242.
10. British Journal of Educational Psychology. (2023). Enhancing self-efficacy and motivation in students through community engagement. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 93(2), 178-196.