SCHOOL students are working on social action projects to help the community.

Darwen Aldridge Community Academy were the first to participate in the Switch IT programme, focusing on the change they want to see in the town.

Switch IT is a joint partnership with DACA and Blackburn Youth Zone allowing young people of all backgrounds to work together and improve their community.

Students were tasked to explore how to establish community integration in BwD through social action or social enterprise.

The first team of students, Thomas Holmes, Freya Richardson, Jentai Scales, Tiana German and Alyssa Holme) worked on providing hygiene packs to the homeless.

While the second team, with students Declan Donlin, Jacob Brownlee, Levi Lang, Ella Rose Wiltshire, and William Towler worked to give vulnerable children a festive party at Ashworth Nursery School in Blackburn.

Michelle Billington, Switch IT Project Director said: “By taking part in Switch IT we want young people to begin to understand that even small acts can make positive changes and that they can do this themselves."

Principal, Lisa Dolan said: “Participating in Switch IT has enabled our students to develop their employability skills and cultural awareness, they have shown they are thoughtful, caring and active citizens both in school and in the local community.

"We are very proud of them.”