Children Team Up With Students To Enhance Neighbourhood
20 December 2010
Rachael Lilley (left) and Zea Wilkinson (right) show the children's designs for the outdoor community space.
It's been a joy to get to know these children and listen to their imaginative ideas.
”Rachael Lilley, (BA Hons) Creative Expressive Therapies student
Children at a Mackworth Junior school have re-designed an outdoor area of their estate with help from University of Derby students, and will present their grand design to Derby Homes in the New Year.
Students employed through the University of Derby's Student Employment Agency have been working on the Derby Homes Project at Brackensdale Junior School, Mackworth, since October.
During their weekly sessions Zea Wilkinson, 22, and Rachael Lilley, 21, both (BA Hons) Creative Expressive Therapies students, have worked with small groups of children, helping them to generate ideas for the area outside of the Mackworth library. The spot has suffered from problems with anti-social behaviour, such as graffiti.
Rachael said: "It's been a joy to get to know these children and listen to their imaginative ideas. Their creativity has been on quite a journey and at times has been extraordinary, including ideas like chocolate fountains and volcanoes! The children as a team have worked really well together to produce a final plan for the area."
The final design includes a small interactive fountain and also benches in the shapes of caterpillars.
"The children were also keen on lots of nature and greenery and have chosen a selection of plants they like," Rachael added.
The area uses circles, round edges and spheres to create a relaxing place for people to sit. The children also incorporated a hopscotch game, which they hope they will be able to play in the area.
Pete Mathews, Housing and Neighbourhood Manager for Derby Homes Limited, said: "The purpose of this 'Be Inspired' project is to encourage younger people in our society to think about the area in which they live, develop ideas on how they would like to see them develop, and influence what improvements are made.
"The staff at Brackensdale Junior School encouraged the University students to work with the children, bringing their ideas to life, which has been a real success."
Zea Wilkinson said: "Working with children on this project was a great experience; I enjoyed running each session, helping them come up with ideas and incorporating them into a final design."
It is hoped that work on the area will begin in spring 2011.
Both Rachel and Zea were given this opportunity through the University of Derby's Student Employment Agency, which fills part time vacancies across the Derby area with skilled and enthusiastic students. Contact the University's Student Employment Agency for more information, on 01332 591830.
