Signs of Youth Relaunch
 Sign designed by a child/young person on the theme of 'cleaner and greener', installed at a local park.
In celebration of Earth Day in April, we are relaunching our Signs of Youth Project!
We are inviting children and young people of all ages and creative abilities to submit a drawing that could be turned into an aluminium sign and displayed permanently somewhere in Medway!
The drawing must be based around our Child-Friendly Medway core value ‘cleaner and greener’, and based one of the six following themes, as chosen by children and young people:
- to plant more trees and flowers
- reduce, reuse, recycle
- take care of wildlife
- stop littering
- clean up after your dog
- prevent pollution
We launched this project in January 2024 and have installed over 100 signs across Medway to date, with at least one in each of the 24 councillor wards, in greenspaces and high streets.
Any child or young person can take part, we welcome schools, home-schooled children and young people, youth groups, and scout groups, to name a few.
All you need to do email childfriendly@medway.gov.uk to receive your ‘Signs of Youth’ worksheet, which you can print, and then get started on your design!
We recommend that you use felt tip pens to make the design as colourful and bright as possible!
Please submit your designs by 9am on Friday, 30 May, either by email to childfriendly@medway.gov.uk, or by post to:
Gun Wharf
Dock Road
Chatham
ME4 4TR
Shortlisted designs will be selected by the Child-Friendly Medway team and made into aluminium signs and installed in various locations across Medway.
For more information, please click here.
This project is funded by the United Kingdom Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), as part of their ‘levelling up’ objective. The objective of this project is to support the development of campaigns to encourage visits and exploration of the local area, as well as support the decarbonisation agenda and natural environment, making a difference in our local communities.
World Book Day
Creator 'Designed by Esther' talking about her 'Medway Activity Book'.
On Saturday, 1 March, Child-Friendly Medway partnered with Medway Libraries to deliver a flagship World Book Day event at Chatham Library and Community Hub.
Over 300 children, young people, and families joined us for lots of activities and book-themed fun, including:
- Author talks and book signing with Holly Webb
- ‘Medway Activity Book’ meet and greet and book signing with creator Designed by Esther
- Design your own bookmark activity
- Character meet and greets with Willy Wonka and Mrs Trunchball
- Puppet Theatre shows
- Face painting
- Book-themed worksheets and quizzes
We were joined on the day by Kent Police, who spoke to attendees about safety and provided information on services, as well as free safety giveaways. Children and young people also had fun dressing up in a police hat and jacket!
In the spirit of World Book Day, we even had some children and young people write and share their own stories with the Child-Friendly Medway team before leaving.
Every child and young person left with their own signed copy of the Medway Activity Book.
Child-Friendly Medway also supported 20 literacy-themed activities and author talks at primary schools across Medway in partnership with Medway Libraries.
International Women's Day Celebration
Two girls holding inspirational words at our International Women's Day Celebration 'Girls' Just Wanna' Have Fun'
On Friday, 7 March, Child-Friendly Medway celebrated International Women’s Day, with our second Girls’ Just Wanna’ Have Fun event at The Rochester Corn Exchange.
We were joined by 158 women and girls, who took part in activities such as bracelet-making and face painting, enjoyed music, dancing, mocktails, and buffet food, and took photos at our Magic Mirror, flower walls, and inspirational quote wall.
At the event, attendees could also speak to Kent Police officers who spoke with guests, shared information on services and handed out free safety equipment, including high-visibility bags and card protectors.
Women and girls were also invited to take part in a safety survey, where they could share their thoughts on where they live, and how our Child-Friendly Medway women and girls programme has impacted them.
Guests told us that “this event is an opportunity to spend one-on-one quality time with my daughter, with activities and entertainment that she enjoys”, and that it was “inspirational for young girls to see women supporting women and the power in women championing each other”.
This event was funded by Medway Safer Streets 5.
Have you been to one of our events?
Don’t forget to share with us on our social media channels: @ChildFriendlyMedway on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
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