For two weeks in the summer holidays, we ran a fun-filled playscheme – Wild Play at Martineau Gardens – for children aged 8 to 12. The children were all on income-based free school meals, with many also living in temporary accommodation. The playscheme was part of ‘Bring it on Brum!’ – funded by the DfE’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme – and was delivered by our Education Team alongside ROAM, plus other sports and arts practitioners.
The children took part in a wide range of activities, including:
- Planting and nurturing a sensory garden
- Orienteering and treasure hunts
- Forest school crafts
- Outdoor cooking
- Minibeast hunting and pond dipping
- Den building in the woods
- Football skills
- Visiting Priory Tennis Club and Edgbaston Stadium
- Bat crafts
- Wildflower journalling
- Card and board games
The children were also provided with a healthy daily lunch from our chef Andy, and parents were invited for a special celebratory lunch each Friday, provided by Chapter Restaurant.
Everyone had a fantastic time and the children were brilliant – they were even incredibly keen to help us water the plants every day during this very hot, dry weather!
“The positive impact of the playscheme is huge in so many ways, from visiting the Priory Tennis Club and touring the cricket ground to learning new skills and making new friends. It was summed up for me when the children in temporary accommodation were dropped back at home and a staff member there said ‘What have you been doing with them? They are coming home so happy!’.” Jenni Fryer, Martineau Gardens CEO
If you would like to help us to fund healthy food for next year’s playscheme, we are thrilled to have been chosen as a cause for Tesco’s instore Fruit and Veg Grants Programme! Voting is open now and will run until the end of November 2026.
https://www.tescoplc.com/sustainability/communities/fruit-and-veg-grants
Tesco Fruit & Veg Grants:
To vote, you will need to make a purchase within store of any value. You will then receive a token to place in the box for our cause. The project with the highest number of votes across your region will receive £1,500, the second placed project £1,000, and the third placed project £500. Here’s a list of stores taking part in the voting on our project:
- 5207 Birmingham Frankley Express B31 5NJ
- 5386 Birmingham Bournville Esso Express B30 1PA
- 6119 Selly Oak Bristol Road Esso Express B29 6BA
- 6227 Birmingham Springhill Superstore B18 7BH
- 6299 West Heath Birmingham Express B31 3LD
- 6602 Handsworth Oxhill Express B21 9RR
- 6636 Birmingham Bristol Road Express B29 6BE