Local families enjoyed a range of school summer holiday activities organised by Jigsaw’s Neighbourhood Engagement Team.
In Gedling, residents attended the Netherfield Crop Club and worked with volunteers to sow herbs and edible flowers while also exploring the garden as part of a sensory nature hunt.
Organised by Officer Martin Curtis, residents even decorated their own plant pots and children took home their own seedlings to watch them grow.
Summer holiday sessions continued at St Paul’s Church in Daybrook, Arnold where children could play games, enjoy craft activities and tuck into a tasty lunch funded by Jigsaw.
At Longfield Avenue in Coppull, Chorley, residents and volunteers worked hard to transform old planters by decorating them and replacing old plants with new, colourful flowers.
The sessions, which were organised by Officer Tracy Townson, took place every Wednesday across four weeks and 26 children and 11 adults got involved.
Lunch was also provided, and each family received a gardening voucher worth £20 per household, as well as being gifted their own plant pots and gardening hand tools to practice their new green fingered skills.
Officer John McGlynn hosted two summer fun days at the Dukinfield Hub which included arts and crafts activities, face painting, storytelling, outdoor games and lunch for families.
Freelance artist Samantha Edwards helped to run the sessions which were attended by 30 children and adults. Fresh produce from the community garden was given away to residents for free so they could take home vegetables and plants to use in cooking.
In Stalybridge, Officer Vikki Fitzpatrick organised several family fun events including a teddy bears picnic in Ridgehill and an animal event at Stalybridge Library.
Local residents were invited to come along and meet creepy crawlies, learn about them and even hold some of the creatures, including snakes, giant snails and cockroaches. Every who attended also received their own packed lunch.
Vikki said, “These events are so important for families during the holidays and allow children to enjoy things they may not otherwise get to experience. They can create memories as a family and have a well-balanced meal, while having fun and taking pressure off parents.”
