New ambassadors and recent visits!
Jane and Auli are part of the team working on child friendly Leeds, and they’re talking to organisations across the city about how we can work together to make Leeds’ child friendly city ambitions a reality – here’s a snapshot of four of their recent visits. Get in touch on childfriendlyleeds@leeds.gov.uk if you or your organisation are interested in getting involved.
Marks and Spencer (M&S)
Jane and Auli recently visited the M&S Company Archive to hear about their FREE schools programme which offers cross-curricula workshops to primary and high schools. These workshops offer schools the opportunity to explore history, art & design, business studies and much more through their fascinating collection of over 70,000 objects which include documents, clothing, packaging, merchandise, photographs and film. Visit the archive website for more information. http://marksintime.marksandspencer.com/schools/.
The My Learning website features free learning resources from this archive and many other arts, cultural and heritage organisations, and is well worth a visit http://www.mylearning.org/.
Barclays
Child friendly Leeds is delighted to welcome Barclays’ Chris Hird, Branch Manager for Moortown, as a child friendly Leeds ambassador.
Barclays is working in partnership with respected and experienced charities to develop projects that build financial inclusion, financial capability and support enterprise – the areas where they know they can make the biggest social impact for the communities they serve. Barclays are currently working in partnership with experienced and respected charities to reach 16-25 year olds and other vulnerable groups across the UK.
Through their flagship UK community programme ‘Barclays Money Skills’ , they are driving an industry led initiative to help 1m people build the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to manage their money more effectively, whilst making a long term positive difference for society.
They have developed a suite of innovative resources to equip teachers, youth workers and charity practitioners with the support they need to deliver engaging, practical and fun money management sessions, as well as videos, games, a website and interactive digital content. Barclays will be working with Leeds Education Business Partnership to introduce their projects into schools.
More information about the programme and Barclays’ work with young people can be found in the downloadable brochure: Supporting one million people with Barclays Money Skills and on their website: www.barclaysmoneyskills.com
The Works Skatepark
Jane recently visited Elliott Turnball and Mike of The Works skatepark, which boasts professional and bespoke ramps covering 25,000 square feet. The skatepark is used for BMXing, skateboarding, rollerblading and scooter riding by complete beginners through to pro riders.
The skatepark works closely with schools, youth groups and extended services and aims to help get children back into exercise, whilst having fun through learning or improving with different non-traditional sports. The Works often plays host to events, demos and film premiers starring the biggest names in BMX, skateboarding, inline skating and scooter riding.
The Works is a charity and operates as a social enterprise, where any profits are put back into developing the skatepark and projects that benefit children and young people. Partner organisations include: Leeds Community Foundation, Jimbo’s Fund (part of HESCO Bastion) and Social Enterprise Investment Fund (SEIF).
The vision of the charity is to make the facilities accessible and affordable to all. They aim to provide a safe environment where children, young people, and adults can engage in non-traditional sport on a regular basis. With an emphasis on reducing obesity levels in young people, building community cohesion and targeting disaffected young people through sport.
For more information about The Works, please visit their website http://www.theworksskatepark.co.uk and follow them on Twitter: @TheWorksLeeds
Leeds Markets
We enjoyed our recent visit to Kirkgate Market and meeting David Harling to find out about the latest developments in and around the market. We were surprised to learn that Leeds market is the largest covered market in Europe, with a huge range of produce and products for sale. Jane’s personal favourite was Café Moor.
David has created an exciting calendar of events that he hopes will attract more people to the market and many of these are aimed at children, young people and their families. The market has a children’s area where activities take place and there are plans afoot to improve the performance space. Easter holiday activities proved highly successful with families queuing to get in and the children’s chocolate making workshops with the Lord Mayor sold out in advance.
David is looking forward to working together to support the ambition to make Leeds a child friendly city to make the market a more attractive and welcoming place for younger people. To find out more about Leeds Market and forthcoming events, please visit their website: www.leedsmarkets.co.uk and follow them on Twitter: @LeedsMarkets
Jane and Auli
