Hackney’s Sebright School Takes Part in Global ‘Healthy for Life’ Volunteer Day

March 19 2014 /3BL Media/ - Sebright Primary School in Hackney has taken part in a worldwide initiative designed to inspire and educate children about healthy lifestyles and eating. 

The school linked up with Aramark, an international food service company, and volunteering charity, City Year, to host a day of activities on the theme ‘Inspiring kids to be healthy for life’.  The aim was to get the school’s children excited by the ideas of healthier lifestyles, better nutrition and taking more exercise, in a day of activities which included physical training, an obstacle course and ‘make your own healthy packed lunch’.  Children could also take home ingredients and a recipe for a healthy meal to cook with their families back at home.

Janice Thomas, Executive Headteacher of Sebright Primary School, said: “Thank you to Aramark for involving Sebright Primary School in its ‘healthy for life’ volunteer day. To be part of something which was happening worldwide made the event extra special. The lessons the children learnt about how they can make healthier choices will stay with them for a long time.”

Aramark held the event as part of its first Global Volunteer Day on 19 March, which saw more 150 of its employees volunteer to run a fun ‘healthy for life’ activity day at four schools across Great Britain.  Other events were held in Birmingham, Aberdeen and Hampshire meaning that, in total, around 1,000 children took part.

On the same day, across many of the countries in which Aramark operates, thousands of employees came together to deliver local community projects based on the same theme of ‘Inspiring kids to be healthy for life’.  The theme was chosen in recognition of the growing problem of obesity across the world and the need to provide improved awareness of healthier lifestyles.  On the same day as the events at Sebright Primary School, more than 100 similar community volunteering events took place around the world in locations as diverse as Philadelphia, Santiago, Beijing, Mumbai and Barcelona.

To help make the day in Hackney happen, Aramark joined up with youth and education charity, City Year UK, which has partnered with Sebright Primary School since 2010. City Year UK currently has seven young people volunteering full-time at the school from Monday to Thursday as role models, mentors and tutors.  Known as corps members and easy to spot in their distinctive red jackets, they provide extra support to pupils both in and out of the classroom.

Andrew Main, Aramark’s UK Chief Executive, who took part in the day at Sebright, said:  “What a fantastic team of children, staff and volunteers at Sebright Primary School!  It was a truly inspirational and unique day where children in Hackney and across the world found out how they can live more healthy lifestyles.  As one of the world’s largest food service companies, serving more than 2 billion meals to customers each year across the globe, we see the importance of educating people of all ages to make healthier choices and we understand our responsibility to help make that happen.”

City Year corps member, Ria Ifill, said: “Judging by the amount of fun they had, Aramark’s ‘healthy for life’ volunteer day was a day the children won’t forget for a while.  My role as a City Year volunteer is all about helping children to enjoy school and learning so it was great to see the students so enthused and engaged by all the different activities.”

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Notes to editors

The concept of Global Volunteer Day is an extension of Aramark’s existing year-round philanthropic and volunteering programme, Aramark Building Community.  Since it was introduced in 2008, more than 20,000 Aramark employees around the world have given their time to support community projects which are estimated to have helped up to four million families, whether through improving family health, preparing young people and adults for the world of work, or supporting individuals and families working their way out of poverty.

About Aramark:  Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) delivers experiences that enrich and nourish people’s lives through innovative services in food, facilities management, and uniforms.  United by a passion to serve, our more than 270,000 employees make a meaningful difference each day for millions of people in 22 countries around the world.  Aramark is recognised among the Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE and the World’s Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute. Learn more at www.aramark.com or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

In the UK:  Aramark is a market-leading, award-winning food service and facilities management partner to organisations across sectors including business and industry, education, offshore, defence and healthcare.  We have thousands of employees throughout the UK, who provide a vast range of services.  One of our strengths is tailor-made food and refreshment services, including business dining, employee restaurants, retail facilities and coffee outlets, delivered across the country.  We also focus on broader facilities management ranging from hotel services to reception duties, cleaning, maintenance and many more, provided either as stand-alone services or integrated with catering or other offers. www.aramark.co.uk

About City Year UK and its partnership with Aramark: City Year UK’s mission is to galvanise the talent, energy and idealism of young role models to help vulnerable children succeed in school.  It recruits 18-25 year olds, known as corps members, to volunteer for a year as mentors and tutors across London and Birmingham.  Last year, its volunteers gave over 155,000 hours in London, reaching 6,000 children.

Corps members serve in schools, full-time, Monday-Thursday.  They run breakfast clubs and extra-curricular activities, as well as deliver one-to-one or small group support for children that need most help.

As well as the valuable experience gained volunteering in a school, City Year UK corps members receive one day a week dedicated leadership development training to support their transition into employment after City Year.  The leadership development programme is delivered in partnership with City Year UK's corporate sponsors.    

Proudly serving as National Leadership Sponsor of City Year in the US, Aramark has also been involved with City Year in the UK since its launch here in 2010. It has sponsored a community engagement team in London, mentored corps members and hosted skills workshops covering, for example, professional behaviour and networking. 

City Year was first established in Boston, Massachusetts in 1988 and operates in 25 sites across America, as well as Johannesburg in South Africa.  www.cityyear.org.uk