Child-Friendly Medway March News and Events

Medway Council sent this bulletin at 02-03-2023 10:53 AM GMT

Children and young people are helping to shape Medway

Welcome to this month's Child-Friendly Medway newsletter

Filled with news of our recent events and details of what we have coming soon

Marble Run Fun At Medway Light Nights

Medway residents and visitors of all ages enjoyed marvelling at a giant illuminated marble run at Child-Friendly Medway's stand for the Medway Light Nights in Chatham.

The free event saw the centre of Chatham illuminated by 19 creative displays - some of which had been designed by local children, who took inspiration from what they love about the area. This included art installations featuring boats and birds, linked with the area’s connection to the River Medway and local wildlife. More than 600 children from 20 local schools and groups took part in a spectacular 'We Love Chatham' lantern parade, alongside musicians and entertainers.

At Child-Friendly Medway's stand, young visitors were asked for their views on what could make Chatham even more child-friendly. The ideas contributed included putting on more community events, theatre shows and festivals, holding competitions to showcase talent and less littering.

Kent Police also interacted with and gave out safety advice to children and young people at our joint stand, which was co-funded by the Kent Police & Crime Commissioner as part of the successful bid to the Home Office for Safer Streets 4 funding. The funding is being used to deliver community events for families in Chatham, Luton and Rochester.

The two-day Medway Light Nights event was organised by Medway Council in partnership with Emergency Exit Arts.

Half Term Theatre Workshops

Children and young people took part in free fairy tale-themed drama workshops over the February half term. They learnt about the techniques used and planning behind putting on a performance of a Brothers Grimm fairy tale.

Groups worked together to act out Red Riding Hood through a series of still frames, taking on different roles and focusing on using facial expression, body positioning and team work to illustrate each scene.

The workshops were held at Medway Little Theatre and led by actors from Pretending People Theatre, as part of a partnership which also involved interactive performances of Grimm Tales for families earlier in the month.

The performances and workshops were co-funded by the Kent Police & Crime Commissioner as part of the successful bid to the Home Office for Safer Streets 4 funding to deliver community events for families in Chatham, Luton and Rochester.

Award for Child-Friendly Medway Apprentice

Public Health and Child-Friendly Medway Apprentice Paige Maryott has won the Apprentice of the Year award at Medway Council's Make a Difference Awards.

She was recognised for her "positive can-do attitude, tenacity and drive" at the awards for Medway Council employees who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in the last year. Paige's work for Child-Friendly Medway includes organising and running events for children and young people, public speaking, developing ideas for activities and administrative tasks.

Paige said: "Winning the award has meant a lot to me as it's nice to be recognised for the work I have done so far and it's really boosted my confidence. "The apprenticeship has helped me to develop my communication skills, including networking with partners at events, speaking to schools and organisations on the phone and through email and public speaking in front of more than 200 people at an event.

"I would recommend an apprenticeship to any young person looking to develop a wide range of skills and gain experience in a variety of areas." Once Paige completes her apprenticeship, she plans to stay within Medway Council to develop her career further.