Banks Lyon Memorial Trust Funding Supports LMC Students with Outdoor Activities

Sports students from Lancaster and Morecambe College (LMC) are some of the latest beneficiaries of the Banks Lyon Memorial Trust (BLMT) who awarded the College with a £5,000 grant to support their learners to access a range of outdoor educational opportunities.

The students took part in a number of activities aimed to push them out of their comfort zone and to develop a range of new skills. The programme also focused on the importance of leadership and community engagement, with students leading coaching sessions, taking part in outdoor education sessions and organising tournaments within the local community.

Students were able to put their new skills into practice, providing valuable hands-on experience through a range of different activities, including leading a group of students from Morecambe Road School on a hike in the Lake District.

Sports & Public Services tutor, Liam Williams, applied for the Banks Lyon’s funding to help buy specialist outdoor education equipment for the group, to allow them to train and develop the skills required to lead the activities.

This whole experience has created an environment that fosters inclusive learning by offering real-world coaching experiences for our students, while simultaneously providing sporting opportunities for learners who previously lacked access to mainstream settings.

One of the highlights of setting up this programme has been witnessing the positive interactions between our students and the Morecambe Road School learners. This engagement has truly highlighted the maturity and nurturing qualities of our students.

The success of the leadership programme is a testament to the positive attitudes of our students and the critical support provided by Banks Lyon’s Trust. This funding has made it possible for us to offer enriching experiences beyond the conventional school and college environments.

Ellie Clarke who studied L2 Sport and Public Services was a student leader during the course and is proud of her achievements, believing that they have helped her decide what she wants to do when she leaves College.

I realised that I like helping people and really want to progress into a job where I can support others. Developing key leadership and coaching skills will help me in my goal.

The Banks Lyon Memorial Trust provides grants to young people who are based within Lancaster City Council District who are facing barriers to accessing education or training for employment. Students can access information and support to apply for funding through LMC’s Student Engagement team, or via the Banks Lyon Memorial Trust website.