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Children and young people are helping to shape Medway |
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Welcome to our July 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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Puppet Theatre and Pop-Up Community Storytime at the Children and Family Hubs
 Children and families enjoying a Child-Friendly Medway Puppet Theatre Show at the Gun Lane Wellbeing Centre.
Child-Friendly Medway hosted four puppet theatre shows and pop-up community story time and crafts at the Gillingham, Chatham and Wayfield Children and Family Hub, and Gun Lane Wellbeing Centre. These events were funded by Start for Life to support children and families.
Children and families could enjoy a puppetry show, performed by Pretending People Theatre – the activities of Burny Toastie the Dragon and Ann Phibian the Frog were family favourites.
The Child-Friendly Medway team read animal themed books, including The Gruffalo, which the children loved, with parents and carers saying that this was a favourite at home. The children really engaged with the story time, and even helped us pick which books to read! The lovely weather also meant that we could have an outdoor story time while at the Chatham Children and Family Hub.
We also sang songs, which the children loved! They also took part in puzzles and created animal masks – we saw tigers, elephants, rabbits, and more.
Activities such as reading and puppetry develop language, listening and emotional skills, while encouraging parents and carers to read to their children. Craft activities meanwhile develop motor skills and imagination.
Did you know that Medway has four Children and Family Hubs? Visit your local centre at Chatham, Wayfield, Strood or Gillingham for groups and sessions to play, learn and meet new people.
Medway Gaming Festival
Children taking part in the Magical Creature Trail at the Medway Gaming Festival.
On Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 June, Child-Friendly Medway were at The Historic Dockyard Chatham for the Medway Gaming Festival.
With thousands of children, young people, and families attending, we had many visitors to our Magical Creature Trail.
Attendees could take part by collecting a Magical Creature card from the Child-Friendly Medway team before going on a trail to locate each creature. Children and young people read the creature bio card to answer a question about each one, such as where they lived or their favourite activity to do, winning a small prize for completing the trail.
We had many visitors return to us throughout the day to see the creatures again – we truly do have magical creature experts here in Medway!
Children, young people, and families could also enjoy activities such as computer gaming, e-sports tournaments, photos with their favourite characters, drawing, board games, science experiment displays, cosplay contests, and virtual reality experiences.
We were also visited by many characters, including The Ghostbusters, Stormtroopers, Mario and Luigi, and many more, as well as a special visit from our very own Child-Friendly Medway mascot, Mojo!
Child-Friendly Medway attends Medway Adult Education’s Open Day
 Child-Friendly Medway Mascot, Mojo, meeting children at the Medway Adult Education Open Day.
Child-Friendly Medway attended the Medway Adult Education Open Day at Rochester Adult Education Centre and Eastgate Gardens on Saturday, 22 June.
The open day gave Medway residents the opportunity to explore the programme that Medway Adult Education offer, as well as find out more about services and organisations. Guests could also enjoy performances, face painting and a barbeque.
Child-Friendly Medway hosted a colouring table, and provided Signs of Youth design sheets, so that children and young people could relax in the shade, whilst being creative. Children and families also enjoyed a visit from our Child-Friendly Medway mascot, Mojo!
Medway Adult Education provided taster sessions of some of their classes, including Jewellery Making, British Sign Language, Carpentry, Childcare and much more, where attendees could complete an activity to collect stamps and giveaways.
Medway Adult Education also provides family learning opportunities, both in person and digitally, focusing on areas such as sensory development and homework help.
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Upcoming events this summer
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Magical Creature Trail and Games at Medway Park
Come along to Medway Park, Gillingham to take part in our next Magical Creature Trail, with activities, sports, games, face painting and much more!
Taking place on Wednesday, 31 July: 11am-2pm.
This is a drop-in event, no booking needed.
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Magical Creature Trail Libraries Tour
This summer, Child-Friendly Medway are taking the Magical Creatures on a tour of all Medway Libraries!
Come along for the chance to see some of the magical creatures up close and have a go at drawing your own, as part of the 'Marvellous Makers' Summer Reading Challenge.
Upcoming visits are:
Friday, 2 August at Grain Library, 10am-12pm and Hoo Library,1.30-3.30pm.
Monday, 5 August at Hempstead Library, 10am-12pm and Chatham Library, 1.30-3.30pm.
Tuesday, 6 August at Wigmore Library, 10am-12pm and Gillingham Library, 1.30-3.30pm.
These activities are drop-in, no booking needed.
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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, 2-4pm 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-12pm at Chatham Library.
For more details and to reserve your space, email childfriendly@medway.gov.uk.
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Women and Girls Creative Workshops
Join us at Nucleus Arts Centre, Chatham, for creative activities for girls aged 12+ to attend with a female adult.
Next session is Wednesday, 10 July from 6-8pm.
For more details and to reserve your space, email childfriendly@medway.gov.uk.
This activity is part of our women and girls programming.
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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 (in the old Wilko unit).
Sessions run between 10-10.55am and 11-11.55am on Wednesday, 3 July and Wednesday, 17 July.
For more details and to reserve your space, email childfriendly@medway.gov.uk.
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Parent and Baby Pilates
Join us and Andrea from Elastixs for FREE Pilates at The Pentagon Shopping Centre, Chatham, in the old Wilko unit.
Pilates session for Parents/Carers to attend with their baby (0-1 year old).
Upcoming dates are Wednesday, 3 July and Wednesday, 17 July, 1.30-2.10pm.
This is a drop-in session, no booking needed.
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Women and Children Dance
Come along and have a dance at our FREE Family Dance, with Andrea from Elastixs at The Pentagon Shopping Centre, Chatham, in the old Wilko unit.
Wednesday, 17 July, 2.30-3.30pm.
All ages welcome.
This is a drop-in session, no booking needed.
These activities are for women and all children, as part of our women and girls programming.
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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, 28 July from 1pm-2.30pm at Woodlands Arts Centre.
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Women and Girls Fitness Classes
Take part in a range of physical activities, led by instructor Andrea from Elastixs.
Mondays, 6-7pm at the Rochester Adult Education Centre.
For more details and to reserve your space, email childfriendly@medway.gov.uk.
These activities are for girls aged 9+ to attend with a female adult, as part of our women and girls programming.
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Drop-In Football
Join us, every Friday at Strood Sports Centre for Drop-In Football, led by Medway Sports.
5-6pm for children in school years 2, 3, 4 and 5. Please note, parents/carers must stay for this session).
6-7pm for children in school years 6, 7 and 8.
7-8pm for children in school years 9, 10 and 11.
Please note, we will need parent/carer contact details for unaccompanied young people.
This is a drop-in session, no booking needed.
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