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Children and young people are helping to shape Medway |
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Welcome to our October edition of the Child-Friendly Medway newsletter
Filled with news of our recent events and details of what we have coming soon
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Child-Friendly Medway Annual Report Launch and Community Partner Networking Event
Child-Friendly Team and Community Partners Group Photo at Annual Report Launch event.
On Friday, 29 September, the Child-Friendly Medway launched their first ever annual report at MidKent College, where over 60 community partners celebrated and reviewed key findings from the report.
Medway Council’s new Chief Executive Richard Hicks gave the keynote address alongside Lee-Anne Farach Director of People and Deputy Chief Executive, Cllr Price Portfolio Holder for Children's Services, and Cllr Maple the Leader of Medway Council.
Some key highlights from our annual report included:
- 4,239 activities and events sponsored and/or supported
- 91,752+ engaged in our programming
- 2,600+ free books were given to children and young people in Medway
- 383 sporting sessions delivered with an audience of 3,849
- 5 Child-Friendly Medway City Halls hosted, with over 1000 attendees
Among guests were Madam Mayor, the Child-Friendly Medway Partner Board, Medway Councillors and even a special appearance from Mojo, our mascot.
Organisations from across Medway came to celebrate including representatives from Medway Maritime Hospital, Pretending People, Young Lives Foundation, Medway Voluntary Action, Medway Parent Carer Forum, Arriva, Medway African and Caribbean Association, Nucleus Arts, The Pentagon Shopping Centre, MidKent College, Ideas Test, Moat Foundation, Medway Culture Club, The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Kent Police, and numerous schools.
As well as Medway Council Colleagues from Public Health, Planning, Housing, Medway Youth Service, Children’s Services, Children and Family Hubs, Medway Sport, Medway Arts, Heritage and Culture and Medway Libraries.
Attendees commented that working with Child-Friendly Medway has provided them with the opportunity to test out ideas and gain feedback from the community.
To read our Annual Report click here.
Visit the Child-Friendly Medway webpage to keep up to date with our upcoming programming.
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For the Love of Reading One Year Anniversary
Book left by the Child-Friendly Medway team for a child or young person to find and take home.
Child-Friendly Medway launched the For the Love of Reading programme one year ago, to inspire children and young people to read and to get more books in homes.
Did you know that 1 in 6 children do not own their own book?
We are working towards changing this through doing book drops during school holidays. As well as running reading programmes for our youngest residents – including community Pop-Up Storytime, Soft Play and Story Corner and a Book Swap shop at The Pentagon Shopping Centre in Chatham.
To date we have given away more than 2600 books to children and young people in Medway, with over 700 book this summer alone!
‘What is a book trail?’ I hear you ask… read on to find out.
A book trail is when our Child-Friendly Medway team go to areas where children and young people are (like parks and highstreets) and leave books for children and young people to take home and read. Each book is protected in a reusable book bag to prevent them getting muddy, or wet – also in the bag is an up-to-date leaflet of upcoming activities and events, and how to contact the team.
Mojo, our Child-Friendly Mascot also made an appearance at some of these places, handing out free books, meeting children and young people and getting their photo taken!
Whilst hiding books, we have had the opportunity to engage with families in highstreets, parks and community spaces. We have received positive feedback from parents/carers of children, saying ‘Thank you, she (their child) loves reading!’ and ‘Thank you for doing this, keep up the good work!’.
Have you found any books from Child-Friendly Medway near you? If so, please feel free to post a photo to our socials @childfriendlymedway
Keep an eye out for where we will be next!
To see updates on this project, as well as our other programming, visit the Child-Friendly Medway webpage or head to our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter page.
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Drop-In Football at Strood Sports Centre
 Children and young people playing football at our Drop-In Football sessions at Strood Sports Centre.
Child-Friendly Medway have been working with coaches from Medway Sport from April to September 2023 to deliver free, weekly drop-in football sessions at Strood Sports Centre, Watling Street, Strood, ME2 3JQ.
The programme has been a huge success with over 1,440 children and young people who attended these sessions. Due to popularity of these sessions, we had to increase coaching and number of sessions to meet the demand. The programme was divided into two sessions, with 7 to 10 year olds attending on Thursday, from 4.30pm to 5.20pm and 11 to 14 year olds attending on Friday, from 5.30pm to 6.30pm.
Our aim is to provide free positive opportunities for children and young people. Opportunities that will develop their skills, confidence and sportsmanship on and off the pitch, providing positive mental and physical health benefits.
This program also encourages physical activity and engagement through sports, supporting the mental health of our young people. Attending the sessions also helps young people to develop good sportsmanship and learn how to play with respect.
Visit the Child-Friendly Medway webpage to keep up to date with our upcoming programming or visit our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter page.
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Doodle 'N' Draw
Join artist Nick Ashton for fun and flexible drawing workshops, for ages 12-18 year olds.
Every Saturday, 2pm to 4pm at Chatham Library, ME4 4TX.
To register your FREE place, email childfriendly@medway.gov.uk
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Junior Doodle 'N' Draw
Join artist Nick Ashton for a fun and creative drawing session, for 7-10 year olds.
Every Saturday, 10am to 1pm in the Creative Cabin at the Nucleus Arts Centre, ME4 4BP.
To register your FREE place, email childfriendly@medway.gov.uk
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For the Love of Reading Soft play and Story Corner
Join us for our free soft play and story corner sessions for under 5’s in The Pentagon Shopping Centre (next to Wilko).
Sessions run between 10:00am-11:00am and 11:00am-12:00pm; upcoming dates are Wednesday, 18 November and Wednesday, 1 November.
To book, visit The Pentagon Shopping Centre social media.
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'Coco' Film Screening
FREE film screening of ‘Coco’ at MidKent College, ME7 1FN, on Wednesday, 25 October, 10am to 2pm.
Visit Child-Friendly Medway’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter page for details on how to book coming soon.
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Free Stage and Social Sundays
Join Diz Ability Dance Co for free and inclusive dance, singing and drama sessions with SEN and wheelchair specialist teachers.
Next session is Sunday, 29 October, 1pm-2.30pm at Woodlands Arts Centre, ME7 2DU.
No need to book, just turn up to take part!
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