In Practice: Success story - GreenStart in Hendon, Sunderland
Jo Stephenson
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
GreenStart is am environmental scheme for young children and their families.
What it is An environmental scheme for young children and their families
Goal To introduce children to the environment at a young age and get families working together
Contact 0191 527 3333
Children and parents are having fun with an environmental scheme in Hendon, Sunderland. The project is part of the regional GreenStart initiative co-ordinated by Groundwork North East.
In Hendon, the project is working with families who use early years provision and daycare at a cluster of three schools, including children's centre services at Valley Road Community Primary.
The scheme kicked off in August with weekly sessions, including birdwatching and bug hunts. More recently, families decided they'd like to develop a disused garden space and have been weeding and digging the land to grow vegetables.
"We got such a massive response from parents," says project officer Nichola Ramshaw.
About 15 parents attended the first session and up to 20 are keen to take part with their children.
The scheme encourages families to be more active and enjoy the outdoors together. "It's about children and parents socialising with each other and a chance for parents to meet one another too," says Ramshaw. It is hoped the two-year scheme can be expanded to an allotment project next year.
