|  | Welcome to Child Friendly Warwickshire's spring newsletter, an opportunity to share news about child-friendly activities across the county and give a voice to young people to share their views and experiences. In this edition we are sharing information about upcoming events in Warwickshire, offering useful information on Child Exploitation, and providing guidance on where to get support and advice. In our “Be skilled” section, we introduce you to Abigail, a young person who worked with county council’s Marketing and Communication team. Don't forget to check out the “Parent and carer corner” for the latest news and updates from around Warwickshire that you won't want to miss. Finally, we are happy to welcome our newly elected Youth Council. We congratulate the 30 young people who are looking forward to working hard to help ensure the views of their peers are heard. This year 66 young people entered the elections with representation from most secondary schools in Warwickshire. As always, don’t forget to tell us about any great child-friendly activities you’ve been doing or if you have something planned! Our aim is to bring the county together in a collective mission to create opportunities and lasting positive change for children and young people.
This is a future we can all believe in. This is Child Friendly Warwickshire. | |  | Child-Friendly Warwickshire: meet the organisations helping Warwickshire’s children thrive | Warwickshire County Council is calling on individuals and organisations across the community to join the Child-Friendly Warwickshire programme.
Over 170 individuals and organisations have become 'friends' of Child-Friendly Warwickshire, showing their commitment to helping children thrive.
However, the programme needs the support of everyone to ensure every child, no matter their background, has the chance to flourish in all aspects of their lives. No action is too small, and everyone can play a part in making Warwickshire child-friendly.
Every gesture, no matter how small, contributes to building a community that cares for its children. Let us extend our hands in generosity, empathy, and support, ensuring that every child in Warwickshire can experience a childhood filled with joy, safety, and opportunity.
Working together for Warwickshire's future can make a big difference in the lives of children and young people. |
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| | Save the Date! Our first virtual Network of Friends Celebration event is on its way: 2.00- 3.30 pm, Thursday 16 May 2024 . Make sure you check your emails and reserve your spot. More details to follow! |
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| If you have any ideas for partnership working or if you’re doing something to be more #ChildFriendly, please let us know by emailing childfriendly@warwickshire.gov.uk. |  | Youth groups from Proud Youth Warwickshire | Proud Youth Warwickshire offers LGBT+ youth groups all year round. As well as being free to attend, all activities, refreshments and trips are free for young people too.
For more details contact the team: info@warwickshirepride.co.uk |
|  | Free workshops by Stratford Town Trust Community Hub | Stratford Town Trust Community Hub has organised several free children & family workshops which will be held during Easter half term. For more information please download the poster or contact the hub: communityhub@stratfordtowntrust.co.uk |
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|  | Peep groups by Home Start | Home Start team is running free PEEP (Peers Early Education Partnership) courses for parents with children aged 1-2 years.
The courses are free to attend and aim to encourage parents to support their child’s early development. | |
|  | Nuneaton & Bedworth Passport to Leisure scheme | All under 18s registered as living in Nuneaton & Bedworth are entitled to a 2-year subscription that will allow them free access to swimming as well as other discounts on activity.
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| | Free events from Playbox theatre At Playbox, are offering regularly free events for children and families. Some of the highlights in the coming week are: |
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| |  |  | Warwickshire Library: upcoming free events
See below free events organised by libraries across the county. For more information follow WCC libraries on social media: Instagram (WarwickshireLibraries), X(@Warkslibraries) and Facebook (Warwickshire Libraries). |
|  | Easter Magic at Warwickshire’s Country Parks
This Easter, enjoy all the magic of spring at Warwickshire’s many stunning country parks and greenways.
Why not try out the newly refurbished Pirate Trail at Ryton Pools Country Park, or spot birds and other wildlife on the fifteen lakes at Kingsbury Water Park?
There are also a huge range of family events on over the holidays. |
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| | |  |  | Take the step to quit smoking or vaping for good
Warwickshire County Council (WCC) celebrated No Smoking Day on 13 March to encourage people not to give up on quitting smoking or vaping and make use of the stop smoking support available across the county. There is a variety of free dedicated stop smoking and vaping support available specifically for Warwickshire children and young people. Smoking has a huge impact on our health, even if you’re young, and stopping can reduce your risk of developing dementia, heart disease, cancer and stroke as you get older. Although vaping has fewer risks than smoking, it is not risk free, therefore the advice is if you don’t smoke, don’t vape. Vaping myths and the facts - Better Health - NHS (www.nhs.uk) We know it’s much easier to stop vaping or smoking when you get the right support. So, if you, or a young person you know, would benefit from the free support on offer in Warwickshire, visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/cypsmokeandvape. |
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| |  |  | Youth Council
Young people and their families from across Warwickshire came together at the Council Chambers in Shire Hall last week to celebrate the new youth councillors and extend heartfelt thanks to the outgoing members for their contributions.
Thirty new members were announced at the event, and they will be in office for 12 months.
During their time as youth councillors, young people will have the chance to be heard; represent their views and interests, both locally and nationally by meeting with councillors, MPs, and other important people to talk about things that matter to them.
This year, 66 young people put themselves forward for nominations, 37 secondary schools participated in the elections, and more than 1300 votes were counted.
Thanks to this great turnout of young people, we will be forming the Friends of the Youth Council for all those who were not elected to ensure that their views and opinions are heard.
Congratulations to our newly elected youth councillors! Your energy, vision, and commitment are truly inspiring, contributing to making our county a truly Child Friendly County. |
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| |  | “Voices of Tomorrow” Youth conference report
On 3rd November 2023, Child Friendly Warwickshire and WCC’s Voice, Influence & Change team teamed up to deliver the second annual Youth Conference: Voices of Tomorrow.
This was an opportunity for young people aged 11-18 across Warwickshire to join professionals in a safe space to talk about issues young people have identified as important.
The attached report outline the purpose of the conference, the ambitions that WCC has for young people to be heard and inform the future work, as well as recommendations from attendees for next steps. | |
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|  | One size does not fit all
Young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) have been showcasing their talents this week at an exclusive film premiere, which took place on Tuesday 5 March at Coventry University.
Titled 'Wrong Size Fits All,' the short film production chronicles the personal journeys, based on the experiences shared by members of IMPACT, Warwickshire's youth forum for individuals with SEND. It sheds light on the diverse experiences children and young people face within educational settings and aims to foster an understanding of their needs. | |
|  | Members of Warwickshire’s Youth Council discuss climate change fears
Members of Warwickshire’s Youth Council are encouraging other young people in the county to speak up about climate change and convince others to take action to reduce their carbon emissions.
In the discussion, Riyasa Uprety from Rugby High School and Adam Ratcliffe from King Edward VI Sixth Form College in Nuneaton talk about the importance of young people making their voices heard on the behaviours and actions that we can all do to influence climate change. | |
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You might have heard the words child exploitation at school, at home, or even on the news - but what does it really mean?
It's when someone you meet, a friend, or maybe your boyfriend or girlfriend, someone who is supposed to care for you, ends up hurting you, frightening you, or persuading or expecting you to do things you don't want to do.
But you might not have even met them, you could have talked to them online, maybe sent pictures to each other, before arranging to meet.
They take advantage of you by giving you the illusion that they love or care for you by giving you gifts such as clothes, food, alcohol and cigarettes, in exchange for something. Things may start off feeling good until they begin to want something in return for all they have given to you.
You may feel like you or your friend has gone along with it, but this doesn’t matter.
All children and young people have a right to be safe and should be protected from all forms of abuse.
This is child exploitation. |  | Remember, help is always available. | | |  | Abigail’s work experience at Warwickshire County Council
Abigail recently completed a week-long work experience with Warwickshire County Council's Marketing and Communications team. She had the chance to meet team members and expand her understanding of the council's work and its community impact.
Abigail said: “My week of work experience in the Marketing and Communications Team has taught me so much about what actually goes on inside the council and all the different projects and campaigns happening to improve lives in Warwickshire. This has given me new skills myself like understanding and using design websites, understanding the processes behind campaign projects, and perhaps most significantly how to interact with people in a professional environment.”
Abigail, had the chance to learn more about Child Friendly Warwickshire, which made her feel more confident that things are being done to make Warwickshire a safe and good place for everyone. Now, Abigail knows more about all the different parts that work together to make this happen.
Abigail mentioned: “The values I’ve seen inside the council over the last week really do align with what Child Friendly Warwickshire strives to do; I’ve picked up new skills, been able to ask questions to discover more about things, and had a great time.”
To apply for work experience, students are encouraged to email their interests, favourite subjects, and career aspirations to wccworkexperience@warwickshire.gov.uk . The council then matches them with a suitable placement if possible. Warwickshire County Council has already hosted more than 100 placements this academic year, demonstrating their commitment to supporting young individuals.
Abigail's journey is an inspiration, urging businesses across Warwickshire to create work experience opportunities. Let's unlock the potential of young talent and provide them with meaningful experiences that help shape their future. |
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|  |  | Parenting courses
Whatever the age of your children, parenting can be hard! Our parenting courses are designed to increase the confidence of parents-to-be, mums, dads, grandparents and carers.
There are lots of free parenting courses covering pregnancy through to teenage years to help you feel more confident including: Remember, parenting is a journey. It can be challenging as well as incredibly rewarding, but we’re here to support you along the way.
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|  | The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme
The Spring HAF programme is running from Monday 25th March – Friday 5th April 2024 and anyone with an eligible HAF code can book up to 4 sessions for free.
Each session includes enriching activities and a delicious meal too – no packed lunch needed!
You can browse the available activities online here or, you can check out the spring HAF activities brochure here. All bookings can be made directly with providers, so please contact them if you have any questions about the activities on offer. | |
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| Warwickshire Libraries enhance sensory offer with introduction of social stories
Residents with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can now benefit from an enhanced sensory offer at Warwickshire County Council libraries with the introduction of social stories and floor plans.
Social stories are used to describe situations, events or new experiences and can help everyone, including those with a physical or learning disability, to feel more at ease when visiting new or unfamiliar places. By providing specific information about what to expect and why, social stories can enable people to feel better prepared, help to manage their expectations and reduce anxiety.
To enhance its offer for all customers, Warwickshire Libraries has worked with the company Dimensions to produce suitable social stories for all 18 of the service’s library locations. | |
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| |  | Over to you…Do you have a story to share which demonstrates our child friendly goals?
Good stories are emotive and relatable and feature people and experiences at their core. They are an opportunity to celebrate success, inspire others, convey good practice, mark events and demonstrate what is happening around the county.
Your stories will help raise awareness and support the growth of Child Friendly Warwickshire to make the county the best place it can be for children to grow up and learn. We can help you write and present your stories as features, case studies, newsletter/media articles, social posts or photo captions across our channels.
We just need some key details to put this together - just fill in the form below. | |
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| | What can you do today to help a child’s tomorrow? |  | Everyone has a part to play and many are already playing it. We all have a role in making this county the most child friendly it can be, and together we can achieve so much more. For all our friends that have already signed up, there are so many ways you can support us and get involved with some amazing initiatives. | |
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| |  | Believe in a county where all children and young people are heard, skilled, safe, healthy and happy. | | Keep up-to-date with Child Friendly Warwickshire | | If you have been forwarded this newsletter, click here to subscribe. | | The above newsletter provides you with links to other websites which are not under the control of Warwickshire County Council. Therefore, we have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. Warwickshire County Council does not guarantee, approve, recommend, promote or endorse the information or views expressed on these sites and therefore any reliance you place on such information is entirely at your own risk. | | |
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