In conjunction with connect4communities and the Isle of Wight Council, Brading Community Partnership have developed an exciting range of activities and outings for young people aged 8-16 over a period of 4 weeks this August.
Based at the Brading Youth & Community Centre and branded The Brading Bunch, the activities include sports, crafts, interaction with farm animals, music workshops, Zumba, cookery, learning about nature and growing food, exciting days out on the Island, as well as learning skills such as skateboarding.
The take up has been tremendous and is supported by a wonderful group of volunteers who have pledged to provide help throughout the month.
These activities follow on from the ‘My Plot’ project the partnership undertook in the spring, encouraging the young people of Brading to grow small edibles in small containers. The Partnership benefited from an enormous selection of generously donated starter plants from the wider community, along with lots of similarly donated pots and troughs. There was a two day collection event, and participants received advice, peat free compost for planting and hot drinks and biscuits to help oil the wheels on the day.
Ginny Byrne of the Brading Community Partnership said:
“The take up for ‘My Plot’ was amazing. We had a total of 52 young people take part. We have been provided with lots of lovely photos by our participants, showing their progress and now we are delighted to say that the scheme has been recognised by the Isle of Wight Horticultural Association with a Diploma.
“For supporting our holiday activities we would also like to say thank you the Isle of Wight Council and connect4communities for funding us, to the generous and supportive efforts of Seaview Services in Sandown, the Hungry Bear Restaurant in Brading and all the fabulous venues across the Island who have been so wonderful and enabled us to create our programme of events which will make such a tremendous difference to the lives of our young people.”
George Godliman, Chairman of the Brading Community Partnership said:
“The Brading Community Partnership would like to say a huge thank you to all the people who have so kindly and generously donated plants, pots, troughs, crafting materials, guitars, synthesisers, games, made refreshments, helped us with advertising, or just given their time, and supported our efforts over the course of the year in respect of all the young people based projects we have run and are in the process of running.
Ginny, you are to be commended on what you have achieved for these youngsters. Well done!