A fun summer of crafting ahead for delighted schoolchildren in need across North Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes

Just before the end of term 50 summer craft packs were donated to Years 3 and 4 at three schools in north Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes. Teachers reported these pupils, all from families in receipt of free school meals, were delighted by the contents of the bright reusable bags that contained art supplies and craft kits to enjoy over the summer holidays.

“Thanks for the paint and paintbrush, I can’t wait to use them as I have only ever had them in school before!”

Two of the schools serve rural populations where vulnerable families are a minority, so can be more aware of what they lack in terms of material possessions and experiences, and find themselves isolated due to limited transport. Research suggests outcomes for children in this position can be less positive that those who are part of a larger cohort.  

Mrs Eales, Headteacher at Overstone Combined school said “Thank you so much for the donation of art and craft packs to our school. The packs themselves contain such a variety of items that there would be something for the whole family to enjoy. Being a village school, there is less opportunity for our more vulnerable families to be able to attend clubs and activities so this was a perfect gift for some of those families. The children have been able to engage  with a pastime they love.  Thank you for the opportunity to be able to provide these packs to children who have really benefited from them.“

“Donating them in shopping bags was also a great idea as the children loved carrying them out of school in their own bags.”  

Artswork has been working in partnership with Crafts Council over the last year to ensure arts and crafts packs are provided to children and young people most in need ready for the school Summer holidays. Crafts Council launched it’s Let’s Craft appeal in July 2020, in partnership with Arts Council England’s Bridge Organisations, to support vulnerable children and young people without access to art and craft materials whilst schools were closed during the Covid-19 pandemic, taking a significant toll on their learning, wellbeing and development. Over 11,700 packs have now been delivered across England!

Katie Epps, Assistant Headteacher at Winslow Church of England Primary School, said “Just wanted to say thank you again for delivering those summer craft packs for our disadvantaged families – they are amazing and will be so good for these families over the summer – we appreciate being included in this initiative.”

Caroline Meakins, Year 4 Leader at The Premier Academy said “I would like to say a very big thank you for the 20 craft bags that were donated to the Academy for some of the children. They were given out yesterday to very happy and excited children, who will thoroughly enjoy using the contents of the bags. The contents will give them a wider range of activities that they can complete at home and will last them a while rather than a one off session! It was also lovely to see supplied paper and card, with instructions for some of the crafts. This means that the children will be able to begin their crafting straight away.”  

Premier Academy children said:

“Thank you so much for the art bags! I used the chalk with my sister and then I painted the spinning top with different colours. When I made a picture, I then span the spinning top and whatever colour it landed on, would be the colour I had to use.” 

“I’ve already had a go at the wind turbine! It was great fun to make.” 

“Looking forward to drawing lots of different things!” 

“They were really fun, with lots of different things to do in them” 

“Mum will tell me off if I do not stop using the chalk everywhere!” 

“What a lovely surprise.” 

If you would like to donate any new or unused arts and craft materials to children in need please email info@artswork.org.uk. Find out how you can support our work to make the arts and creativity available to absolutely everyone here.

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South East Bridge