Students from the Aspire programme at South Devon College raised money for local healthcare projects during a charity bake sale at Torbay Hospital in Torquay, Devon, on 12 March 2026. The event was organised by young people currently on work placements to help them gain practical experience in a real professional environment. This initiative highlighted the positive contributions students with additional support needs make to their local community.
The students involved in the sale are aged between 18 and 24 and have various special educational needs and disabilities. Throughout the day, the interns applied their workplace skills by preparing food, speaking with members of the public, and managing the distribution of cakes. These tasks are part of their training to help them move into sustainable and long-term employment.
The group successfully raised £80 through the sale of baked goods and a raffle for a whole cake. All funds gathered from the event will go toward supporting various hospital projects managed by the Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust. This financial contribution is a result of the teamwork and enthusiasm shown by the students during their placement.
Hospital staff and college mentors worked together to ensure the event was a success for the participants. Torbay Hospital Head Chef Giles Hensser and Aspire Lead Isobel Priestley supported the students as they portioned and served the treats to visitors. The collaboration between the catering department and the college staff provided a structured environment for the students to work in.
The Aspire programme is specifically for young adults who hold an Education and Health Care Plan and require extra support to find work. This bake sale serves as a tangible example of how the partnership between the college and the local NHS trust helps bridge the gap between education and the workplace. The programme continues to focus on providing students with the skills needed for their future careers.
