Belonging in the World

🌍 Students from Marches Academy Trust Lead the Charge in Community Engagement and Cultural Identity at ONEVoice Event 🌍

What an inspiring day at Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury! 🎉 100 students from 10 schools across the Marches Academy Trust came together for the ONEVoice – Belonging in the World event, exploring how young people can shape their communities through cultural identity and active involvement.

The event kicked off with a day of creativity, workshops, and keynote speeches, all focusing on the power of young voices. Niki McGarvey, who leads Personal Development and Student Voice at Marches Academy Trust, shared her excitement, saying, “ONEVoice is about providing a platform for young people to develop projects that not only impact their schools but also the wider community.”

We were privileged to hear from incredible guest speakers, including Heather Noble from SALT Solutions and Ruth Martin, who inspired the students with their insights on cultural identity and community involvement. Local businesses, including Coforge, Agrii, IO, and theShropshire Chamber of Commerce, also attended to offer support and encouragement.

Pete Jones from Agrii praised the students’ passion for sustainability and their forward-thinking ideas. Simon Pearson from Coforge shared his admiration for the students’ proactive approach, saying, “These are the future leaders we want.”

The students will now continue to develop their ideas throughout the year, with a showcase in July 2025 to display their impactful projects. 💡

The ONEVoice initiative highlights the importance of community, collaboration, and the power of student voices to drive change. Together, we’re building the leaders of tomorrow!

For more information, please contact: Niki McGarvey, Marches Academy Trust – Tel: 01743 583451