Perse student launches charity jewellery club

Carrying out research for an essay sparked Alexandra (L6) into setting up a jewellery-making club to raise funds for an oral health charity.

The club has been running every Friday lunchtime since half term with students creating thread bracelets and silver charms, which will be sold to raise money for Dentaid The Dental Charity.

However, it was Alexandra’s discoveries while working on her Rouse Award project exploring the link between dementia and oral health that inspired her to launch the campaign.

She said: “I chose to look at this because I’ve always been curious about medicine and human anatomy. There’s a lot of research on dementia and oral heath, but less exploration of the causal link between dementia as a result of poor oral health.

“I really learned a lot about the importance of oral health and looked nationally and globally how many people lack access to dental care, so that motivated me to try to make a difference.

“I came across Dentaid, which helps many people in the UK and across the world, and they have a track record of success, so that’s why I decided to raise money for them.”

Alexandra felt getting other students on board in a creative way would be the most effective method of raising as much money as possible for the charity.

She said: “It required a lot of organisation. I talked to all the Year 9 and 10 form groups to try to sign pupils up and Ms Howling (art teacher) and Mr Mazur (design and technology technician) kindly helped me with some of the logistical aspects of the club, for which I’m very grateful.

“The response has been very positive. The students are really enjoying making the jewellery and everyone is really excited about the project.”

Alexandra has launched an online store for the products, as well as an appeal page for anyone who would simply like to donate, with the aim of raising £800 for Dentaid.

She also plans to run a stall selling the bracelets at the Upper Sports Day on the final day of term.