How small acts of kindness brought us together to support mental health, children’s care, and honour a tragic chapter in history.

At Collingwood Learning, our mission has always gone beyond education. While we’re passionate about creating powerful learning experiences that shape young minds, we also believe deeply in contributing to the wider community and supporting causes that matter and standing in solidarity with those who need it most.

Over the past few months, our team has come together in some truly meaningful ways to support charities, raise awareness, and honour important moments in history. As we move through a busy and impactful year, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on the good news from our community and share a few highlights from the inspiring events we’ve been proud to be part of.

May: Wearing Green for Mental Health Awareness

Mental health is a topic close to many of our hearts. In May, to mark Mental Health Awareness Week, we joined thousands across the UK in the Wear It Green Day campaign, an initiative led by the Mental Health Foundation.

On the surface, it was simple: come to work wearing something green. But underneath it was something much deeper – a visible, united statement that mental health matters, and that no one should struggle in silence.

We also held a bake sale, with team members bringing in their favourite homemade treats to raise funds and share a little joy. Cakes, cookies, and kindness were in no short supply, and every bite helped support the vital work of the Mental Health Foundation.

To top it off, we stepped away from our desks and took time for a team wellbeing walk—a chance to get some fresh air, connect with each other, and reflect on the importance of taking care of our minds as well as our bodies. That simple act of walking and talking reminded us how valuable it is to pause, to breathe, and to support one another beyond the workday.

June: Running in Colour for a Brighter Tomorrow

In June, the Collingwood team laced up their running shoes and hit the track in a blur of colour and laughter for the Colour Run 2025, all in support of the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice.

Forget Me Not is a remarkable organisation that supports children with life-shortening conditions and their families, offering care, comfort, and dignity during some of life’s most challenging moments. Their compassion, dedication, and ability to bring light to the darkest times truly moved us, and we knew we wanted to do something to help.

As we made our way around the course, we were doused in joyful bursts of colour, laughing and cheering alongside hundreds of others. There was something incredibly uplifting about it: each cloud of colour felt like a symbol of hope, each step a small act of solidarity.

Best of all, thanks to generous donations and the enthusiasm of our team, we raised valuable funds to help Forget Me Not continue its vital work.

July: Remembering Srebrenica, 30 Years On

While May and June were filled with colour and energy, July brought a more reflective tone. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, and we were honoured to host a Srebrenica Memorial Tea at our office.

On 11th July 1995, over 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys were systematically murdered in what remains the worst atrocity on European soil since World War II. The anniversary is a moment for remembrance but also for reflection, education, and a renewed commitment to standing up against hatred in all its forms.

Our memorial tea was a simple but heartfelt event. We shared stories, watched survivor testimonies, and took time to read and reflect on the lessons of Srebrenica.

As part of the event, we watched a powerful short documentary about Inseparable – our creative initiative that brings together stories of survivors and young people to explore the devastating impact of division and hate, and the enduring strength of unity, resilience, and hope. The documentary sparked meaningful conversations among our team and guests.

It was an emotional afternoon, quiet but powerful. We were reminded that genocide doesn’t begin with violence; it begins with words, with division, with the slow erosion of empathy. And so, in remembering Srebrenica, we recommit to fostering understanding, challenging prejudice, and building a more compassionate world.

Why This Matters to Us

At Collingwood Learning, we believe education is more than information – it’s transformation. Whether we’re tackling social issues, promoting empathy through storytelling, or supporting the causes closest to our hearts, we strive to create change that lasts.

These events – from wearing green to running in colour to pausing for remembrance – are part of that bigger picture. They remind us that our work doesn’t stop at the classroom door. It lives in the choices we make, the communities we uplift, and the values we stand for. And as a team, we’re incredibly proud to stand alongside some amazing organisations making a real difference.

Looking Ahead

This season of giving has been energising and grounding in equal measure. And we’re not stopping here. As the year continues, we’re planning more ways to support our community and contribute to causes that reflect our values: equity, kindness, resilience, and hope.

To everyone who donated, ran, wore green, lit a candle, or simply showed up with empathy and care – THANK YOU. You’re what makes Collingwood Learning more than just a workplace. You’re what makes it a community.

Here’s to continuing the journey together – with purpose, with heart, and with each other.

If you’d like to learn more about the incredible organisations we supported, please visit:

Mental Health Foundation: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/

Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice: https://www.forgetmenotchild.co.uk/

Beyond Srebrenica: https://srebrenica.scot/