CHARITY & COMMUNITY
From Service to Action: a shared relationship with the community
For Shamil Amirov (Year 13), a more accurate term for what we often refer to as community service is community action – action that is supportive, cooperative and progressive. He reflects on the rewards, for everyone involved, of taking part in community-action projects
I would like to think of community service more as community support, cooperation and a shared partnership because it is not a service – it is much more than that. Therefore, at the College, we are moving away from the term ‘Community Service’ and we are launching a new project called ‘Community Action’. At the College, we believe that community action is about making an impact on the society around you and contributing towards the lives of others. There is a multitude of fantastic opportunities to do so, ranging from supporting our educational partners at City Heights Academy to aiding the Athol House Residential Care Home. As a Senior Prefect of Community Action and Outreach, I have had the privilege of visiting each community action option that is available at Dulwich College. Every opportunity that I dedicated to the community around me was extremely rewarding and filled me with the desire to do more. Each week, I found myself on a new adventure, discovering new people and opportunities. These took me to Dulwich Woods Primary School, Dulwich Hamlet Junior School, City Heights Academy, Dulwich Almshouse, Athol House Residential Care Home – just to name a few. As well as the welcoming, encouraging vibe in each place, they offered phenomenal experiences for the Dulwich College students through the multiplicity of challenging tasks. As I observed some of the
My involvement with community action has highlighted my appreciation for the shared benefits
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