2025 has been a successful year for Ursuline Links, we have achieved so much in a short amount of time. This is all down to our motivated young people within our Ursuline Schools and the passion they have for the programme. 52 young people signed up to join the Ursuline Links programme represented by all 6 schools. The programme began in September where Sr Kathleen, Ursuline Links Chair of Trustees, visited each school to launch Ursuline Links, after this there was over 100 young people who showed interest in joining. Sr Kathleen worked with each group, motivating them with different projects as they approached Advent and Christmas. As of January, I stepped into role of Director and worked alongside Sr Kathleen as we developed each group. February started with getting all young people together for the Discipleship Day, where 70 young people attended. It was a wonderful day where young people had the opportunity to reflect on what discipleship means and how they can develop their understanding of what it is to be a disciple. Initial discussions took place about what the priorities were in their local communities and how they would like to serve. It was the opportunity for the whole group to share a lunch together, which was pizza and then get to know each other. The next time everyone was together was at the Retreat Day in June, where the theme was ‘Pilgrimage’ and ‘Hope’, in line with the Catholic Churches Jubilee year. The afternoon turned into celebration as Ursuline Links celebrated it’s 15-year anniversary. The Ursuline Sisters gathered, as well as many friends, and those who had been involved previously with Ursuline Links. Mass was celebrated by Fr Dan Mason which was followed by a catered lunch.
Once the Retreat Day concluded, all thoughts turned to the summer projects. A Training Day, in July, was attended by every young person to support them as they went out into their projects; this focused on safeguarding, expectations, and key information on both summer camp and the social justice week.
St Ursula’s Projects:
St Ursula’s undertook their projects in June, due to the GCSE examinations. 2 students undertook the 2 days of projects, with the support of Alana the School Chaplain. Day 1 the young people volunteered at the Convent in Forest Gate. Sr Kathleen planned the day with various tasks including helping the sisters with their technology and phones, sorting in the library, and archiving documents. Day 2, saw them both take a trip over to the St Vincent’s Centre in Brixton, where they supported vulnerable adults with a sewing club. In the afternoon they help set up for the centre’s food and clothes bank, where the centre works with another organisation to help vulnerable women. The two days were a success for the St Ursula’s group, the students were an asset to St Ursula’s and Ursuline Links, this paved the way for the summer in which the larger cohort would take up their service projects.
The Summer Camp:
14 young people signed up for the summer camp, where they helped lead a group of 30 primary aged children aged between 7 and 11, over 5 days. The young people arrived every day on time, even though many of them had long journeys, sometimes over a couple of hours; however, they were always ready to take on the challenge. The days at the Summer Camp varied, with the young people leading sports, arts and crafts, talent shows, drama workshops and board games. One of the highlights of the week was the outing to Lambourne End Activity Centre in Essex, the children experienced life on a working farm, given an agricultural workshop, took part in an archery session, and finished with teambuilding exercises. Our feedback shows that the young people valued the experience of leading the children through the day and could see the impact this had on their lives. The young people worked hard at building relationships with the other young volunteers and the children looked up to them. They were all very responsible, mature, showed initiative, creative in their thinking, and took the lead at various points throughout the week. They volunteered with a can-do attitude and worked in a compassionate way. This was a fantastic way to begin the summer projects.
Social Justice Projects:
34 young people signed up to take part in the social justice week. Ursuline Links teamed up with 12 organisations across Essex, London – East, West and Central, and Kent. Young people volunteered at foodbanks, care homes, refugee centres, homelessness day projects, religious communities, and a children’s summer camp at Holy Island, Lindisfarne (a full list of all organisations can be found at the end of the report). Our young people served with passion; they showed empathy to each person they met and were compassionate to all. They led with integrity and stepped up in all situations. A number of stories have been shared at our reunion day about the various organisations and initiatives our young people volunteered at, with some of them returning to complete a second week.
Impact:
The impact that the programme has had on the young people is reflected in their feedback forms which we distributed at our Alumni Reunion Day. Below are some of the comments that were expressed:
“It changed the way I see things, like and understanding into the struggle of others”
“The programme made me feel as I’m part of a wider community”
“I have gained many skills and lasting relationships”
“The programme gave memories that I will cherish”
“The programme has been fun and meaningful, and I can see how my actions truly affect people”
“It made me view different people’s situations more openly and compassionately”.
“I feel more gratitude towards the things in my life that I used to feel as simple”.
Young people were asked to describe their experience in three words here are the most common:
Unforgettable, impactful, compassionate, eye-opening, spiritual, rewarding, community, uplifting, togetherness, serviam, commitment, enjoyable, worthwhile, joyful, fulfilling, exciting, inspiring, energetic, inviting, empowering, engaging, perfect, caring, thoughtful,
Chaperones and adult volunteers:
We were very lucky to have 13 adult chaperones support our social justice projects, without them all, the social justice week wouldn’t have been so smooth. We are very thankful to each of them for giving their time and supporting Ursuline Links in this way. Here are some of the comments we have received from our chaperones about what they enjoyed most about the summer projects:
“Watching the students gain in confidence and make a real difference”
“The activities, seeing the young leaders grow in confidence in their work with children”
“The enthusiasm of the young students”
“The varied programme of activities on offer and being encouraged to fully participate”
Organisations Ursuline Links worked with in 2025:
Chestnut Manor Care Home – Wanstead Don's Local Action Group - Wimbledon
Jesuit Refugee Service – JRS Wapping Minster Abbey - Minster, Kent
Redbridge Foodbank Ilford S.M.I.L.E Romford
St Austin and St Gregory Foodbank – Margate, Kent The Welcome Centre Ilford
St Vincent’s Brixton SVP Southend
Wimbledon Foodbank The Morland Road Initiative - Ilford