Poem by student at Bentley Wood High School
03 March 2025 13:00
Powerful Words from a young person.
Hear from a student at Bentley Wood High School for Girls, in Stanmore who supported Ignite as part of the First Give programme.
Engage—
we reach out, spark a light,
Guide young hearts to paths so bright.
Through fun and learning, hand in hand,
We help them dream, we help them stand.
Empower—
we change what’s wrong,
Give them strength to stand up strong.
With tools and choices, they can see,
A better path, a way to be.
Transform—
they rise, they grow,
Leaving behind the pain they know.
With hope ahead and goals in sight,
Their future shines, their world is bright.
We started with paper, silhouettes so small,
Each one a story, a part of us all.
Students wrote words that showed who they are,
Hopes, fears, and battles that left a scar.
We hung them on a tree, side by side,
A powerful symbol of voices denied.
But as the silhouettes filled the tree,
One harsh truth was clear to see—
When too many stand without a name,
Identity fades, lost in the same.
Teachers in red, question marks bold,
A statement too loud to be ignored.
Students asked, "What does this mean?"
And we spoke of struggles left unseen.
A simple action, a silent stand,
Yet it made them stop, made them understand.
We brought students together, voices strong,
Years 7-10, ready to take this on.
Through video clips, they made it clear,
Anti-social behaviour starts with fear.
They spoke of change, of doing what's right,
Of Engage, Empower, and sharing the light.
We met with Ignite once and saw their plan,
A place to help, a place to stand.
With £1000, they could do more,
Give young people hope and more support.
They can create a better place for people to grow,
More trips and activities to help them know—
They’re not alone, there’s a way, To build a future, bright and safe.
It’s more than money—it’s a start,
A chance to heal, to mend a heart.
Together we can make it right,
With your help, we’ll spread the light.
But those who stray don’t walk alone,
Their hearts weren’t cold—they weren’t stone.
They don’t wish to hurt the world, you see,
It’s the world that hurt them first, you and me
But hope’s not lost—there is a way,
A spark can set the night to day.
With Ignite, we take a stand,
A future shaped by helping hands.
A place to heal, a place to grow,
Where trust and kindness start to flow.
Together we can break the chain,
Lift up voices, heal the pain.
Support Ignite, help dreams survive,
And light the path so youth can thrive