The Fed proudly celebrated the graduation of 24 young people from its Alpha Feds programme at a special ceremony held at Heathlands Village on Sunday, attended by family members and supporters.
Part of The Fed’s Next Gen Project, Alpha Feds is designed for young people in Years 9 and 10 and builds on the organisation’s long-established Bar and Bat Mitzvah programme. The initiative provides participants with a deeper understanding of The Fed’s work, the diverse services it delivers, and the challenges involved in supporting so many individuals and families across the community.
Over the course of eight monthly sessions throughout the school year, participants explore a range of important topics including identity, dementia, fundraising and community engagement. The programme also offers valuable hands-on experiences through intergenerational activities, such as taking part in a Dance Night and attending a Community Coffee Stop at Heathlands Village.
As well as gaining insight into community care and volunteering, participants can count their Alpha Feds hours towards their Duke of Edinburgh Awards.
The programme continues to make a lasting impact on the young people who take part, helping them build confidence, develop new skills and form meaningful connections across generations.
One graduate said:
“I really enjoyed the programme. I found it very interesting to learn about all that The Fed do and how I can get involved as a volunteer. It was both a nice thing to do with my friends and a really worthwhile experience. The sessions also gave me the confidence to do things like speaking with the Heathlands residents. Overall, I thought the programme was amazing and I would recommend it to everyone.”
Parents were equally enthusiastic about the experience:
“It’s just been a brilliant experience for my daughter. She’s thoroughly enjoyed it.”
Another family member commented:
“It’s been such a great experience and the graduation party was such a nice event and so well put together.”
Reflecting on the programme, another graduate said:
“I enjoyed all the different sessions. I love how each session taught us something different and new, and I liked that no two sessions were the same.”
The Fed would like to congratulate all 24 graduates on their achievements and thank everyone who contributed to making this year’s programme such a success.
Young people interested in joining the 2026/27 Alpha Feds cohort can register their interest by emailing volunteering@thefed.org.uk.
Find Out More
To learn more about Alpha Feds and other opportunities for young people through The Fed’s Next Gen Project, please contact volunteering@thefed.org.uk.
Congratulations once again to all our Alpha Feds graduates. We look forward to seeing the difference they continue to make in our community.