Lifestart Students flushed with success and Toilet Twinning campaign

Lifestart students at Forth Valley College’s Stirling Campus are making a remarkable global impact as part of their Sustainability studies – and are flushed with success after raising awareness by twinning four campus toilets.

Their work is shining a light on water poverty while raising vital funds to support communities in need - proving that compassion, dedication, and education can change lives across the world.

And buoyed by their success, the Lifestart students now have a bold new goal: twinning every toilet in Forth Valley College’s Stirling Campus!

As part of their studies, the Additional Support Needs learners explored the moral and ethical challenges faced by millions who lack access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation. Shocked to discover that one in three people worldwide still live without proper sanitation and that preventable illness and death remain widespread, the class felt compelled to take action.

Also inspired by the the SOS-UK SDG Teach In 2026 https://sos-uk.org/programme/sdg-teach-in/, which took place during the whole of March to encourage educators and learners to embed the 17 Goals of Sustainable Development into their teaching – and which a whole range of FVC classes regularly take part in each year – they focussed on Global Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation for All.

They particularly set their sights on two priority targets of Global Goal 6 - 6.1: Safe and Affordable Drinking Water, and 6.7: Expand Water and Sanitation Support to Developing Countries, which allowed the students – supported by Lecturer Angela MacLeod and Additional Support Worker Linda Campbell - to carry out projects to better understand the lived reality of families in developing nations.

Lecturer Angela MacLeod, said: “A key activity involved comparing daily life in Scotland with that of a typical village in South Sudan, selected through a light-hearted game of beer pong - minus the beer! Through their research, students learned that many South Sudanese communities lack access to clean water for drinking, washing, or cooking, and that accessing sanitation often means venturing into the bush with little privacy or safety. The students were deeply moved and motivated to help.

“Their attention turned to Toilet Twinning, a charity that helps families fund and build their own basic toilets, gain access to clean water, and learn essential hygiene practices. Inspired by Toilet Twinning’s life-transforming work, the class set out to raise funds to twin an accessible toilet at the Stirling Campus with one in South Sudan, highlighting the importance of accessibility and dignity for all.

“Through crafting items to sell, organising tombola competitions, and bringing the campus community together, the students surpassed every expectation. Their efforts raised enough to sponsor not just one, but FOUR toilets - a tremendous achievement that brought pride to the class and hope to the communities they are supporting.

“Their campaign is ongoing, and they warmly invite donations from anyone who wishes to support this powerful, student-led movement for global dignity, equity, and environmental justice.”

Get Involved – Support the Students’ Latest Fundraiser!

The class is currently running a “Guess the Number of Balls” competition. To enter: Email a number between 100 and 300 to: angela.macleod@forthvalley.ac.uk

Entry costs just £1 You’ll be allocated the nearest available number. The ‘Tube of Balls’ is on display in the Stirling Campus foyer for anyone wishing to improve their guess.

The winner will receive a voucher for The Gallery restaurant!

Angela added: “Every £1 brings the students closer to their mission of helping families access safe sanitation - something many of us take for granted.”

Reaction from some of the students on the Lifestart course has been very positive:

Mark, said: “I feel amazing that my class have helped to make life better for another village.”

Amanda, said: “This small class activity helped others in the long run.”

Grace, said: “I feel great because me and the class got to help people less fortunate than us.  Every country deserves to have its people treated the same:  being equal, having respect.  I’m just very thankful being able to do this kind thing.”

Katy, added: “The project made me very grateful that we have clean water to drink, wash, cook and keep the house clean.”