Our Year 12 Business learners were challenged by Newham Council to design and pitch a campaign concept that effectively informs a target audience about heatwave risks and promotes practical actions for staying safe.
As climate change continues to drive more frequent and intense heatwaves, the need for community-led awareness is growing—especially in areas like Newham, a densely populated and diverse borough in East London where many residents face limited access to green spaces and cooling resources. Learners explored this challenge through discussions with local employers, developing ideas for immediate, community-driven solutions. These included engaging activities for primary school pupils—such as games to teach heat safety tips—as well as interactive initiatives for older residents through care home visits and local clubs, helping to raise awareness among groups most vulnerable to extreme heat.
Responding to a brief focused on education, outreach, and practical support, learners proposed a campaign centred on raising awareness through accessible materials like PowerPoint presentations, posters, and social media posts. They envisioned a youth-led support network, where teenagers would check in on at-risk residents, distribute cold water, and guide people to designated cooling centres. Additionally, the campaign included the creation of community cooling packs—containing bottled water, handheld fans, and NHS advice leaflets—assembled in collaboration with local organisations. To ensure timely information reaches the public, learners also planned to promote free weather alert services and set up digital platforms such as WhatsApp groups or Instagram pages to share real-time updates during high temperatures.
The potential long-term benefits of this campaign are significant. With greater awareness and simple, actionable tips, residents—particularly the elderly, young children, and those with existing health conditions—would be better protected, reducing the risk of dehydration, heatstroke, and hospital visits. At the same time, the initiative focused on strengthening community ties by encouraging young people to look out for their neighbours and build support networks that could serve during other emergencies.
This campaign not only allowed learners to apply their business and pitching skills—core to their curriculum—but also demonstrated how young people can make a tangible difference in their community through collaboration with local authorities and employers.
