Summer and a Season for Storytelling
Summer is officially here, and with restrictions finally set to be lifted on 19th July, life may start looking rather more “normal”. With Britain opening up again and people emerging, blinking in the “back to business” sunlight after more than a year of pandemic living, make sure you’re ready to embrace opportunities to shine a light on your organisation.
Children’s Art Week, 28 June to 18 July 2021
https://engage.org/happenings/childrens-art-week/
Each summer Engage, the National Association for Gallery Education, runs Children’s Art Week. Over the past eighteen months, the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted how essential creativity and the visual arts are for learning, connecting and well-being.
With many venues and cultural organisations opening up again, why not consider opening up your doors, resources or imaginations? In 2019 more than 17,000 children, young people and adults took part in events in venues across the UK. Organisers reported that 62% of participants were first-time visitors to their venue, while 32% of those engaging were audience who were completely new to the arts, so don’t miss this opportunity to get creative and make connections.
National Hygiene Week, 5 July to 11 July 2021
https://thehygienebank.com/national-hygiene-week/
There are over 14 million people living in poverty in the UK, 4.6 million of whom are children and 65% of which are working families. National Hygiene Week is organised by national charity The Hygiene Bank to provide a platform for raising awareness and creating new conversations about the hygiene poverty crisis in the UK.
“Even before the economic impact of the pandemic people were faced with stressful weekly decisions between purchasing food, paying rent or buying essential hygiene products. It’s proven hygiene poverty can prevent people from fully participating in society and can negatively affect good health and mental well-being, potentially impacting early childhood development, learning, employability and social interaction.” – The Hygiene Bank
Hygiene Week will involve online and in person activities throughout the week to bring individuals, communities, businesses and thought leaders together to tackle hygiene poverty. Last year’s events involved big names such as Boots UK, FareShare, icanyoucantoo, In Kind Direct, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Little Village, Mayor’s Fund for London, Trussell Trust, Star Academies and Women’s Aid, so why not add your name to the list this year?
Playday, 4 August 2021
https://www.playday.org.uk, #Playday2021 #SummerOfPlay
Playday is an annual campaign held to celebrate the importance of play in children’s lives, with this year’s theme being ‘Summer of Play’. The Playday 2021 theme recognises the challenges children and young people have faced over the past year and the need to enjoy time for play free of restrictions, with their friends, having fun.
Play is essential for children’s mental health and wellbeing.
Play helps children cope with stress and anxiety and fosters resilience, enabling children to better deal with challenges.
Play gives children the opportunity to have fun, laugh, take time out, relax, and build friendships.
Playing outside allows children to appreciate nature, the environment, and feel part of their community.
Play is fundamental to children’s happiness, and happy children lead to happier communities.
Why not take this chance to connect with the young people and families of your community, fostering links, awareness and community spirit, and contributing to the wellbeing of future generations?
Cycle to Work Day, 5 August 2021
https://www.cycletoworkday.org
With more and more people now returning to the workplace after months of remote working, why not encourage employees to take part in the UK’s biggest cycle commuting event for a fun chance to explore healthier commuting habits?
Cycle to Work Day is for absolutely everyone, whether they’re a regular cyclist or haven’t cycled for years. This is just about giving it a go. All the cycling action will be happening in the campaign’s free Love to Ride online community. Employees can sign up with Facebook, Strava or simply by entering their details, and then connect a smartphone app so they can log their rides. For that extra bit of motivation, the Cycle to Work Scheme will also be running seven weekly cycling challenges. Everyone taking part in each challenge and logging their ride on Love to Ride will be entered into a draw to win some incredible prizes on offer that week.
The campaign’s free toolkit is packed with digital assets and posters to help you promote Cycle to Work Day and Cyclescheme to those in your organisation’s community.