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Children and young people are helping to shape Medway |
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Welcome to our March edition of the Child-Friendly Medway newsletter
Filled with news of our recent events and details of what we have coming soon
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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Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Pantomime
Audience watching the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Pantomime.
On Wednesday 14 February, Child-Friendly Medway were joined by over 300 children, young people and families for our free performance of the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Pantomime at MidKent College, performed by the very talented Gillingham Dramatics Society.
Upon arrival, guests were greeted by Bogwort and Stinkwort – quite the comedy duo!
The show was spectacular, and the audience joined in with singing and dancing – as well as ‘booing’ the baddies and cheering on the heroine!
Attendees commented that the Pantomime was ‘absolutely amazing’, and that their families 'really enjoyed the experience', thanking Child-Friendly Medway for ‘making this possible, for us to attend a theatre performance’.
To finish the evening, the characters took part in a meet and greet, interacting with the guests and taking photos.
One guest sent us this feedback: 'Just wanted to say thank you for organising yesterday's performance - it was absolutely brilliant. We had to have the Time Warp song in the car all the way home after my two (aged 3 and 5) learned the dance during the performance, and we've had lots of dancing/singing renditions of various aspects of the show in the living room this morning. The snack bags for children were an amazing and unexpected touch too; they were very much appreciated.'
This event was funded by Safer Streets, with the criteria to host a family event, building a sense of community and providing a safe and inclusive space for children, young people and families to enjoy themselves.
If you have any photos from the Pantomime that you would like to share with us, please tag @childfriendly on Instagram, Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
Half Term Round-Up!
 The Child-Friendly Medway team taking part in the Chinese New Year Parade.
Child-Friendly Medway had an incredibly busy half term, and we would like to extend a huge thank you to all our wonderful partners that supported our programming and all our fantastic attendees that joined us for our activities and events!
On Friday, 9 February, in preparation for the half-term week ahead, as part of our Book Trails, Child-Friendly Medway placed books near schools and in parks for young people to find and take home – and to read during the half-term break! We visited Luton Road, Chatham, and Darnley Road in Strood.
On Monday, 12 February, Child-Friendly Medway were in the Pentagon Shopping Centre and Chatham High Street with Medway’s Magical Creature Trail, where magical creatures were hidden in shops windows and community spaces!
We were joined by over 2000 children, young people and families, helping us to find all 10 of the creatures. Children got the chance to meet a ‘Picklepidge’ up close, and find out all about a ‘Burralo’, as well as the opportunity to take part in a creature-themed craft, making their very own fire-breathing dragon! Keep an eye out for more magical creature events planned for 2024.
On Tuesday, 13 and Wednesday, 14, we were at Medway Little Theatre for performances of Grimm Tales by the Pretending People Theatre Company, where children, young people and families were invited to take part. One parent commented ‘It was a great experience for the kids. They went on Monday and are still talking about it now’.
On Wednesday, 14 February, Child-Friendly Medway attended the Welcome to Medway Event, by the Medway Family Information Hub, where Child-Friendly Medway ran a special drop-in messy play at the Chatham Family Hub.
On Wednesday evening, it was time for the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Pantomime (which you would have read all about in the article above!).
On Friday, 16 February, we joined the Pretending People Theatre Company at Medway Little Theatre for drama workshops themed around the Grimm Tales performances. Children and young people took part in group games and drama challenges – and we saw some very interesting theatrical creations acted out, including pirate ships and washing machines!
On Saturday, 17 February, the Child-Friendly Medway team hosted mask-making and lantern-making in the Pentagon Shopping Centre, as part of the Chinese New Year celebration. Children and families joined us in the parade at 12pm with their masks and lanterns, walking alongside our Child-Friendly Medway banner. During our craft session, we had our book swap shelves out, where children and young people could bring in pre-loved books to swap for books they would like to read.
What a week! If you have any comments or photos from any of these events and activities that you would like to share with the Child-Friendly Medway Team, please tag us on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), or send us an email at childfriendly@medway.gov.uk.
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Medway Maritime Hospital Book Nooks
Child-Friendly Medway team and Medway Maritime Hospital staff with a Book Nook.
On Monday, 19 February, Child-Friendly Medway visited Medway Maritime Hospital to install two of our Book Nooks, with eighty donated books to the Magpie Pie Ward and the children’s day surgery ward on Sunderland Day Case Unit.
Child-Friendly Medway lead, Amy St Louis, became aware through a Kent Online article that Medway Maritime Hospital Children’s department was in need of donations of toys after discarding what they had as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Amy was determined to connect with Anne Mckinnon, Play Specialist at Medway Maritime Hospital, to see how Child-Friendly Medway could help. Upon visiting the children’s ward, Amy decided that our Child-Friendly Medway Book Nooks would be a perfect addition to the children’s ward.
These books will provide entertainment for children and young people visiting the hospital wards, with the opportunity for children and young people to read with their parent/carer.
Child-Friendly Medway’s Book Nooks are part of our ‘For the Love of Reading’ initiative, which aims to inspire a passion for books and reading from a young age. Child-Friendly Medway’s launched the Book Nooks in January 2024 at eight Children and Family Hubs and Medway Wellbeing Centres across Medway, providing a space and resources for children, young people and their parent/carer to read together.
Partner Spotlight: Welcome to Medway Event by the Medway Family Information Hub
 Attendees at the Welcome to Medway Event.
The Medway Family Information Hub coordinated the Welcome to Medway Event on Wednesday, 14 February at All Saints Church and the Chatham Children and Family Hub.
Welcome to Medway was a pilot event aimed at residents new to Medway and those looking to connect with other parents/families in the community. Post-pandemic, these types of events are more important than ever, to support families and make community connections.
This event focused on signposting local services and organisations, outlining Medway’s amazing offer for children and families. Some of these services and organisations included Kent Fire and Rescue, Tri for You, Medway Adult Education, Child-Friendly Medway, Medway Sustainable Travel, Singing Mamas, Home Start and Carers First, to name a few!
The event offered lots of child-friendly activities – including our very own Child-Friendly Medway Pop-Up Messy Play at the Chatham Children and Family Hub, as well as free refreshments, a performance from the ‘Singing Mamas’ and a free gift for every child!
Welcome to Medway will be coming to all Medway Children and Family Hubs in the near future – with the next one taking place at Gillingham Children and Family Hub on Thursday, 30 May from 10am to 1pm. Please follow Medway Family Information Hub on socials for updates.
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Upcoming events
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Women and Girls Creative Programming
Creative workshops for girls aged 12+ with an accompanying female adult as part of our Women and Girls Safer Streets programme.
Join us at the Nucleus Arts Centre, Chatham, ME4 4BP from 6-8pm for:
- Jewellery Making on Wednesday, 13 March
- Fimo Modelling on Wednesday, 20 March
- Spring Wreath Making on Wednesday, 27 March
For more details and to reserve your space, email childfriendly@medway.gov.uk.
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Girl’s Just Wanna’ Have Fun
Join us for our International Women’s Day celebration, including music, dancing, buffet, mocktails, sequin wall and flower wall.
Taking place on Friday, 8 March at the Rochester Corn Exchange. Doors open at 6pm, with event running from 6.30-9pm.
This event is for girls aged 9+ and an accompanying female adult.
This specific activity has been funded externally, by the Safer Streets Fund. The criteria to use this funding was to organise an activity specifically for women and girls, in support of their Violence Against Women and Girls campaign.
Email childfriendly@medway.gov.uk to book your space.
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Doodle 'N' Draw
Join artist Nick Ashton for free, fun and flexible drawing workshops, for ages 12-18 year olds.
Every Saturday, 2pm to 4pm at Chatham Library.
For more details and to reserve your space, email childfriendly@medway.gov.uk.
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Junior Doodle 'N' Draw
Join artist Nick Ashton for a free, fun and creative drawing session, for 7-11 year olds.
Every Saturday, 10am to 1pm at Chatham Library.
For more details and to reserve your space, email childfriendly@medway.gov.uk.
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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 Wednesdays, 20 March, 3 April
For more details and to reserve your space, email childfriendly@medway.gov.uk.
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Free Pilates
Join us and Andrea from Elastixs for FREE Pilates at The Pentagon Shopping Centre, Chatham.
- Parent and Baby (0-1 years), 1.30pm -2.10pm.
- Toddler and Parent (1-3 years), 2.20pm -3.00pm.
- Next session dates: Wednesdays, 20 March, 3 April.
For more details and to reserve your space, email childfriendly@medway.gov.uk.
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Medway’s Magical Creature Trail
Join us to see if you can spot Medway’s Magical Creatures in shop windows and community spaces! This family-friendly and fun event is free to attend, with creative, creature-themed workshops running on the day (spaces are based on a first-come, first-serve basis).
Taking place on Tuesday, 2 April in Rochester High Street, starting at 11am, with the last admission to the trail at 2.15pm.
Workshops take place at 11am, midday, 1pm and 2pm.
For more details email childfriendly@medway.gov.uk.
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Free Stage and Social Sundays
Join Dis-Ability Dance Co for free and inclusive drop-in dance, singing and drama sessions for children and young people, delivered by SEN and wheelchair specialist teachers.
Next session is Sunday, 24 March, 1.00pm-2.30pm at Woodlands Youth Centre.
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Drop-in Football
Join us at Strood Sports Centre, every Friday for Drop-In Football with professional coaches, delivered in partnership with Medway Sport.
Sessions available are:
- 5-6pm: Ages 7-10 years old (parents/carers must stay for this session)
- 6-7PM: Ages 11-12 years old
- 7-8pm: Ages 13-14 years old
These sessions are NOT running on 29 March, 5 April and 12 April. Sessions return on 19 April.
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