Throughout 2025, students at Loxley Hall completed over 1,000 hours of volunteer work across their local communities – an extraordinary achievement that reflects their compassion, dedication, and willingness to make a positive difference.
To put this into perspective, 1,000 hours is the same as watching all the Harry Potter films more than 70 times!
This remarkable progress has not gone unnoticed. Graham Dow, Lions Youth Officer, shared his reflections on the school’s journey and the impact of the programme:
“Since starting the Lions YLIS programme, the school has come on in leaps and bounds and has truly embodied the essence of the award in showing their commitment to helping others by offering a magnificent effort to provide a community service, which now exceeds over 7000 hours.
After a reasonable start in achieving many Bronze level awards, there then followed a concerted effort to increase the commitment by the students, fully supported by staff, to improve the impact within the school and community. What has been achieved has been exceptional, to the many students who have taken part, in increasing their confidence and self-esteem to all those involved. As Uttoxeter Lions Youth Officer this has been absolutely fantastic and I feel tremendously proud of all the students for their total commitment and dedication to help others. This is totally in keeping with the Lions commitment of “We Serve”. The current submission for the last year’s awards (25) is absolutely brilliant, ranging from the first level of Bronze onto Silver and Gold with 2 students achieving the very top level of Platinum (250hrs), however they totalled 595 between them.
A really superb effort by all concerned.”
Two students achieved a particularly significant milestone – over 250 volunteering hours each, earning the prestigious Platinum Award for the first time in Loxley Hall’s history. Combined, they contributed an astonishing 595 hours.
These achievements form part of a much wider culture of service at Loxley. Across their years of involvement in the programme, students have now dedicated over 7,000 hours to supporting others – that’s as long as it would take to climb Ben Nevis around 500 times!
Assistant Head, Tracy Ann Bullock, highlighted the breadth and impact of students’ volunteering work:
“Once again, Loxley students have demonstrated outstanding commitment and excellence through their participation in the Lions Young Leaders in Service (YLiS) programme. The Young Leaders in Service Awards recognise young people aged 11 to 18 for their sustained contribution to community service over a 12-month period.
The service undertaken by our students takes many forms, all focused on supporting and strengthening the community. This includes assisting older members of the community, improving the environment, and supporting disadvantaged individuals. Their dedication has resulted in exceptional achievements, with students attaining 2 Platinum Awards (250+ hours), 6 Gold Awards (100+ hours), 3 Silver Awards (50+ hours), and 14 Bronze Awards (25+ hours).
This selfless commitment supports the development of essential life skills, preparing students for adulthood and independence while enhancing confidence, self-esteem, and future employability. I am extremely proud of our students for their dedication to making a positive difference within their communities.
I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to Graham Dow, YLiS Youth Officer, for his continued support and guidance. His commitment enables our students to progress from strength to strength, year on year, thank you.”
From community projects and fundraising activities to supporting local groups and delivering meaningful acts of service, students have embraced every opportunity to grow in confidence, resilience, and independence.
Head of School, John Alcock, emphasised the deep impact the programme has had on students’ personal development:
“We are incredibly proud of Loxley’s relationship with the Lions YLiS programme. Through this partnership, our boys have been given meaningful opportunities to develop their skills through volunteering, and they have truly embraced the sense of achievement and recognition that comes with it. The positive impact on their self-worth, self-esteem and pride is invaluable. They feel that they are contributing to their communities while building aspirations and skills that align with the world of work. The presentation of the fantastic certificates and pin badges means the world to our boys, who feel an overwhelming sense of pride and success.”
The school and the wider Trust are immensely proud of all participating students. Their achievements reflect the ethos of Loxley Hall:
to belong, to learn, and to grow into the very best version of themselves.
To learn more about the Lions Young Leaders in Service initiative, you can visit the Uttoxeter Lions website here:
https://uttoxeterlions.co.uk/community/uttoxeterlions-club-20560/home
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