Be more outdoors

Local families were involved with storytelling and craft videos which were premiered every Friday morning through Facebook and uploaded to YouTube. 15 weekly sessions were targeted at harder to reach families and included a paper-based story and craft activity, to ensure the project was inclusive of those without internet access and IT equipment. The activity allowed families to interact with staff and allow trust and relationships to develop. Participants learnt to film, edit, and animate their original stories themed around lockdown with an associated craft activity. Nine local schools were approached and offered analogue story packs containing a printed version of the story and materials to make the craft item.

Shabang Inclusive Learning

40 online live sessions were run for children and young people with additional needs as well as five Zoom sessions for preschool children with additional needs, and two Zoom discos for young adults with additional needs.
Throughout the summer, creative packs have been sent out in the post with accessible challenges for children to take part in -many of whom shared the results on our closed social sites. Children and young people with additional needs between the ages of 5 months and 25 years have taken part.

Natures Footprints– Time for You

Time for You’ sessions to improve the emotional and physical wellbeing of vulnerable and hard-to-reach families in the Newsome and Crosland Moor communities.  The sessions explored aspects of mental health and well-being, alongside strategies to improve and support good mental health such as healthy eating, exercise, time outside in nature, connecting with others, relaxation, meditation etc.

Outcomes:

• Participants made lifestyle and self-management changes to improve their own and their families’ health
• Participants got involved in new activities and made new connections
• Participants benefited from peer support
• People received information about, and support to access, local support services

Grow to School

Grow to School works with schools and communities to put them in touch with where their food comes from through growing, cooking and eating it and supporting community engagement through outdoor activities.  The project worked with schools, school hubs and community centres in the area to deliver growing activity packs to families. The packs gave families a much-needed source of motivation, fun and learning during lockdown. The activity packs promoted the health and well-being benefits of being outdoors & being closer to nature; and the benefits of growing and having access to seasonal fresh local food.

Salendine Nook Hub Self Defence

Salendine Nook Community Hub works with a number of women and families in the Marsh, Lindley and Salendine Nook area who are experiencing the negative effects of domestic abuse on their families. These families typically face high levels of stress, leaving the whole family at increased risk of anxiety and mental health problems. They held a self-defence and well-being class for women, with the aim of boosting confidence, self-esteem and resilience – with input and ongoing support from Pennine Domestic Violence Group (PDVG).

Eden’s Forest

Eden’s Forest is a Community Interest Company based in an ancient deciduous woodland in Honley, having a social purpose to improve the mental and physical health of children, young people and adults, through the provision of healthy outdoor activities.

Their ‘Parents in The Woods’ project delivered twenty-four half-day sessions over twelve weeks of wellbeing sessions for 48 parents. Schools and Community Hubs identified and referred parents who needed support to improve their mental health, confidence, wellbeing and connect with others to reduce isolation. Activities include professional Forest Therapy, green woodworking, photography, yoga, arts/crafts and environmental action.

Sprout

Sessions were run at Crow Nest Park involving children with additional needs and their families. The sessions had a big focus on cooking (e.g., soup and bread making), along with campfire activities, and beneficial discussions around topics such as recycling and gender related issues. Children enjoyed activities such as a ‘bear hunt’ and a nature walk. There was also more individual support for some parents.

The Christmas Dinner Project

Contribution to Christmas Day lunch for young people who have left care and who would otherwise be on their own. A group of volunteers have been fund raising across Kirklees and this contribution from Thriving Kirklees contributes to the cost of activities and transport for the young people and ensures that the event will go ahead.

Mindfulness Moments CIC

An after-school club for children with additional needs. There was a variety of activities such as games and crafts followed by a mindfulness session. Parents could choose whether they want to stay with their child. Outcomes:

• Children with additional needs developed social skills and relaxation skills to improved self-esteem and reduce anxiety;
• Parents and children had the opportunity to engage in fun, creative activities together;
• Parents had the opportunity for some time to themselves if wanted.

Greenfields Family Centre Story Cafe

Greenfields Childcare is an Ofsted registered group of dedicated childcare practitioners operating from Greenfields Family Centre in Dalton. The Story Café provides a safe non-judgemental space where parent/carers can come together with their children to share a story in a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. The sessions give parents the chance to gain new skills, increase their self-esteem and communicate more effectively with their children. It also addresses the problem of underachievement in literacy in the community.

Starseed Learning

Fitness Fun sessions: a 45-minute fun and engaging fitness class, helping children and families stay active during lockdowns and Covid restrictions.

Cooking Sessions: a 60-minute practical activity showing children and families the benefits of healthy eating and encouraging family bonding and working together. The sessions were heavily focused on eating a balanced healthy plant-based diet, with lots of cooking and baking involved and dietary options catered for.

40 – 50 children and their families benefitted from these activities.

BBest Family Dance

Family Dance – 2 family dance sessions for different age groups appropriate sessions on a weekly basis. The first of which is for the youngest children, the second for “walkers up to school age” class.

Following each session, a lunch is served, prepared by a BBEST Cook Club volunteer. A 6-week menu devised by a community food worker ensures a varied choice of healthy, balanced meal each week, with fruit available to take home. The lunch provides opportunity for social interaction between both the children and adults, allowing new parenting support networks to form.