Environment and Education; A new branch on the SEND activity tree

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We at SEND consistently develop and facilitate a variety of engaging projects to best meet the diverse needs of the adults and young people that we work with. Both the existing and developing services, inspired and led by our talented team of staff and volunteers, are constantly shifting and expanding to match the needs of our service users as relevantly as possible. This has been demonstrated by the inclusion of a new element within SEND’s program of available activities; an after schools club that focuses on Environmentalism within the arts.

At the start of January we began on an exciting new adventure at a local primary school, delivering an environmentally themed arts programme designed to support the achievement of the Green Flag Certification, a nationwide accreditation that recognises and rewards sustainable behaviour within schools. Inspired and delivered by new members of staff Beth Hemus, trained in the arts and environmental sciences, and Lance Hume, classically trained session musician Unique World Live, along with the help our fantastic volunteers Paul and Morag, the environmental arts and music program started the year with a stimulating breath of fresh ideas and direction.

The activities available ranged from craft activities themed on wildlife and the environment, to making and playing percussion instruments, with a key focus on recycling and what we can make from recycled objects. The group made an array of useful and beautiful items out of everyday household waste, such as drums, rain-sticks, masks and bird-feeders. We successfully completed stage 1 of the spring term course, which culminated in a sensational school assembly, including a musical performance using the instruments and animal masks that were made. This gave the young people involved the opportunity to show their peers what they had been doing, to promote environmentally sound behaviour and to share the wisdom that “music is everywhere”. We are very excited to start the Summer term with a new set of young people and activities!

The SEND staff would like to give a special thanks to Beth, Lance, Paul and Morag for all their continued support and hard work; we are very grateful for your skill and enthusiasm!

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