Trips to Reculver Beach and Southend-on-Sea
We partnered with The Javan Coker Foundation to organise trips to Reculver Beach and Southend-on-Sea for families of children with special educational needs and disabilities living in Thamesmead. More than 100 adults and children attended the trips.
Careers Carousel at the Moorings Sociable
We organised a ‘careers carousel’ at the Moorings Sociable Club for a group of year 10 students from St Pauls Academy and a few year 12 students from Harris Garrard Academy.
Eleven partner organisations volunteered their time on the day. As a result, multiple opportunities were created for both the young people and partners. These included six work experience placements, partnerships with St Pauls Academy, and the decision to hold a careers day for the entire school in October.
Students volunteer at Charlton Park Rugby Football Club
Our Young People Project Officer, Nadia Kassab Oghlo, arranged for year 10 students from St Pauls Academy to spend a few days working at Charlton Park Rugby Football Club. They helped with building a new bench and painting a bar. This was facilitated by DIY volunteering organisation Volunteer It Yourself after the selected students showed an interest in the opportunity at the Careers Carousel.
Inclusive Sports Festival
Our Thamesmead Local Area Planning team worked in partnership with charity Access Sport to host an Inclusive Sports Festival at Sporting Club Thamesmead. More than 30 children with special education needs and disabilities and their families took part. Participants had the chance to try a wide range of activities including archery, tennis, boxing, cricket and Judo. There were smiles all round as many of the children tried new sports for the first time.
One parent said: “I really loved it. It was great to meet people and find out about different clubs my son can do going forward. It was a lovely environment because I didn't have to worry about his safety. Also, everyone engaged so well with him. He doesn't often talk to new people but today he spoke to two or three different staff members – it was really beautiful. We've had a lovely day.”
Picnic-making session
In partnership with Healthy Food Events and the Thamesmead Festival we hosted a picnic-making session for families in Thamesmead. During the session, families learned how to create healthy sandwiches, wraps and fruit salads which they could take with them to the festival. The kids had a great time making their sandwiches while their parents assisted.
