West Euston Time Bank Easter Holidays 2013 Family Activities Programme
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West Euston Time Bank
Easter Holidays 2013
Family Activities Programme
Tuesday 2nd April – Friday 12th April 2013
West Euston Time Bank, H Pod, Cumberland Market, London NW1 3RH
Phone: 020 7383 4382 www.westeustontimebank.org.uk
info@westeustontimebank.org.uk
West Euston Time Bank registered charity no. 1112545
West Euston Time Bank – Family Activities Programme- Easter Holidays 2013
Introduction
The programme provided lots of different activities for families with children under 12 years and included
workshops linked to the ongoing film making project (with the aim of submitting a short documentary to
the MY Street film competition in early May 2013) and a new Time to Grow gardening project sponsored by
the Wellcome Collection (culminating in an annual Midsummer Picnic on Saturday 22nd June 2013.
The holiday period was notable for the severe extreme cold weather conditions that prevailed limiting any
external gardening. However, the trips to the Pirates Castle and Hampstead Heath still took place but with
fewer numbers taking part.
A clear highlight was the visit by Ark Farm on Thursday 11th April that attracted many families with the
football pitch being turned in to a farmyard for the day!
Tuesday 2nd April
Staff Lorna, Urmi, Mariam, Shanara Volunteers Ifiyani, Tara
Perfume making – 11am – 4pm
This was a great, new and fun workshop run by Diane Sullock from the Wellcome Collection. The children
learnt how to make perfume using only natural ingredients and oils. They learnt the different methods used
in dye making and about the characteristics and properties of various oils. They used grape seed oil as a
base and then were able to put 5 squirts of a range of scents. The children learnt to mix the scents and to
produce their own bottles of perfume. This went down very well apart from a handful of children who felt it
was fun to use the bottles to write their names on the flat surface of the outdoor gym. However, this was
an isolated incident out of the 30+ kids involved. The children and their parents were spoken to so they
were aware that this was unacceptable behaviour.
Perfume/Dye Making No. Garageband on ipads No.
children 16 children 15
parents 7 parents 2
volunteers 3 volunteers 2
Total 26 Total 19
Tie dye – 11am-4pm
West Euston Time Bank registered charity no. 1112545
Another new and interesting session, producing dye from plants. The kids and their parents really enjoyed
this workshop and all found the process fascinating.
Music making on the Garage band/ ipads – 2-4pm Staff Urmi & Tara
This workshop formed part of the film making project and had the aim of using the ipads to create a range
of sounds and tracks that could be used in the final film documentary.
Thursday 4th April
Children’s shows with Dainty Sue – 11am – 1pm Staff Mariam, Urmi and Shanara
Volunteers Ifiyani, Emily
A welcome return visit by Dainty Sue that once again proved highly popular. Two separate one hour shows
were organised. At 11am for 0-5 year olds and at 12 noon for 5-7 year olds. With over 30 children from 1-11
years, Dainty Sue entertained with impressive balloons, a snow machine whilst it was snowing outside, a
disco machine which got everyone jumping and a very entertaining magic show to end with, There was a
moment when the under 5’s were pushed aside by the older kids but with a whisper in Dainty Sue’s ear she
quickly made sure that the under 5’s felt completely comfortable and involved.
West Euston Time Bank registered charity no. 1112545
Time to Grow Workshops - 2pm – 4pm Staff: Wendy Volunteers
Due to the very bad weather the Sock and Seed trip to Regents Park had to be cancelled but the children
had a range of alternative fun things to do, from indoor planting, creating a patchwork art and designing
windmills
Dainty Sue Magic Shows No. Time To Grow workshops No.
children 36 children 19
parents 17 parents 4
volunteers 4 volunteers 4
Total 57 Total 27
Friday 5th April
Trip to the Pirates Castle – 9 30am – 4 30pm WETB Staff Mariam LB C staff: Koyar, Lucas, Ahmed and
Shaun Volunteers: Emily, Ifiyani + Parents
A great day, one which ran smoothly despite the many factors including the severe cold weather that could
have made the day otherwise. Staff from the Council’s Sports development team were a huge help as the
Time Bank had only 1 staff for the trip, with two sessions in the day, it was a complex one to plan but
worked out very well with excellent feedback being received.
The
morning session saw the
younger ones and their
parents on a 45 minute
canal boat trip and on the
bell boats, the children
were all of similar age and
got on really well as did
their parents, they were all
excited to be doing
something different and
together. The afternoon
session saw dads and all of
West Euston Time Bank registered charity no. 1112545
the staff get stuck in and involved, from kayaking along the canal to travelling on the larger canal boats.
There was a lot of bonding and new relationships formed amongst the children, parents, staff and
volunteers. Fears of the water were even challenged and overcome.
This is an example of how important trips off the estate are and how much a trip can have a positive impact
on a child and its parent. Everyone worked so well together, supported each other and communicated with
each other well. There was a lot of concerns prior to the trip due to the bad weather conditions (due to this
some families had cancelled) but on the day everybody was dressed sensibly and looked after each other.
Time to Grow Workshops – 11am – 4pm Staff: Shanara, Wendy Volunteers:
Pirates Castle Trip No. Time to Grow Workshops No.
children 29 children 17
parents 9 parents 7
volunteers 6 volunteers 2
Total 44 Total 26
Tuesday 9th April
Film making Project – 11am – 4pm Staff Urmi, Jane Gull Volunteers
This was a highly productive session, involving the children in finishing the last bits of the My Street film
project. The children learnt to edit, add voice overs and produce credits as well as learning new technical
terms, the children all worked seriously and very well together.
Time to Grow – 11am – 4pm Staff Mariam, Shanara, Wendy Volunteers Inge, Lieza, Trina + other
parents
A messy yet fun afternoon of painting stones and plant pots as well as planting. Tthe children who took part
were of all ages and worked really well with their parents who all took part in the messy activity, with
music in the background and lots of laughs, it was a very fun and successful session.
West Euston Time Bank registered charity no. 1112545
Film Making Workshops No. Time to Grow Workshops No.
children 9 children 20
parents 8 parents 9
volunteers 0 volunteers 3
Total 17 Total 32
Thursday 11th April Staff Mariam Volunteers Ark Farm – 3 staff members
Kadija and Inge – face painting – 1pm – 4pm
Leah – Pony list – 1pm – 4pm
Preparations for the farm - 10am- 1pm
Preparations for Ark Farm No. Cumberland Farmyard No.
children 13 children 84
parents 5 parents 35
volunteers 2 volunteers 5
Total 20 Total 124
58 children had their face painted (volunteer face painters were Khadija and Inge)
64 children were able to have a pony ride
The farm comes to Cumberland market - 1pm – 4pm
Making rice crispie treats, cookies and cakes, the under 5’s got involved as well as the 7-11’s, once again
there were just a handful of children who chose to disrupt the session by throwing flour at each other, the
children were spoken to, given a warning and asked to leave.
The lunch time session went really well with a range of rolls made and liked by all
1am – 5pm – setting up and farm animal Penn
Mitchell age 10, 1pm – 4pm – helped in the farm animal Penn
Leane – 11am – 1pm – setting up
Ifiyani, Emily – all day – setting up – cooking – registering and more general
Tara and Wendy – 11am – 4pm – morning session and activities tent
Louise – 1pm – 4pm - kitchen, bubbles, registers, face paints and more general
West Euston Time Bank registered charity no. 1112545
Rathna – Kitchen – 12pm – 2pm
Camden sports development – Koyar, Ahmed, Daniel and Shaun – 12pm – 5pm
Lots of other parents helping with more general errands throughput the day
Prep for the farm - 10am- 1pm
The farm comes to Cumberland market - 1pm – 4pm
Making rice crispie treats, cookie and cakes, the under 5’s got involved as well as the 7-11’s, once again
there were just a handful of children who chose to disrupt the session by throwing flour at each other, the
children were spoke to, given a warning and asked to leave.
The lunch time session went really well
With over 15 people helping to put the bunting up as well as the gazebos
It was an ambitious day with a range of activities such as 3 tents on the grass area with bubbles, a
registration area, face painting and activities, the h pod saw a cake sale and the pitch saw an impressive
pen with farm animals and a pony ride area, the pony rides was very popular with some disappointed
children who were unable to have a ride, some waited a while for their ride, older children got to groom
the pony.
Music was being
played and
everyone was
happy regardless
of the pony ride
wait This was
something new to
the time bank and
the area to have
farm animals on
their estate, on
their pitch – it was
incredible sight and incredible sight of how the residents
were so excited to see this – it would definitely be worth
repeating the event with more than 1 pony and one more
suitable for the 7- 11 years
Parents and members got involved and made the event happen, unfortunately there were 2 time bank staff
off sick, this meant that there was only 1 staff working, this definitely had an effect on the running of the
event but on the positive side it brought allot of parents and member s helping out
Leah …. Had a very tough job to book the names for the pony rides and control the often irate parents,
Leah took her role professionally and seriously and worked very well with the organisers of Ark farm who
complimented Leah on her work.
Emily and Ifiyani have been exceptional throughout the Easter holidays, so easy to work with, adapt in any
situation, Emily was given abuse by a father which made her very upset but after a 5 minute break she kept
West Euston Time Bank registered charity no. 1112545
her head up and continued, without the help and support from these two girl, many of the sessions would
not have been as successful and ran as smoothly as it did.
Overall the farm day was one that the residents will not forget in a hurry, seeing over 200 families
throughout the day.
Friday 12th April
Time to grow and habitats – 11am – 4pm Staff Lorna, Wendy, Shanara Volunteers
Learning about the various habitats and growing plants through making a range of plants and insects with
tissue paper as well as having a range of quizzes and word search to help understand the subject more in a
fun and creative way.
Trip to Hampstead Heath – 9 30am – 4pm
Staff Mariam Volunteers Ifiyani, Koyar and Ahmed- Camden sports development
Thanks to Time Bank member and committee member Louise Balgon, who told us about the place where
she works, the Hampstead Education Centre
Louise managed to arrange a trip to this place as well as two special workshop sessions based at the h pod
With a group of enthusiastic parents and staff heading to this centre close to the parliament hill lido,
knowing that we would be doing eco art and getting messy but the actual fact was we didn’t really know
what exactly we were going to do and what eco art actually entailed ….
What a pleasant surprise…
The moment we entered the centre we were taken back, astounded and excited, the room was magical,
with beautiful images and pictures and life-size art of various natural inhabitants, the floor had images of
various insects, the walls too, tress made out of sticks and paper, lots of impressive art work hanging from
everywhere possible, everything shouting out nature, everything made in a natural way with what you
would find in Hampstead heath, this was eco art
West Euston Time Bank registered charity no. 1112545
The children came in and was taken to the front of the room, sat quietly in front of Louise and Marian who
led the session, they were told how the day was going to run along with various rules that needed to be
implemented, the parents sat around as enthusiastic as the children. The energy from the leaders were
incredible and brought the room and children’s energy to life, with lots of fun warming up games to get
them going,
We then went on a scavenger hunt, learnt allot of new and fun things about the various plants and insects
which live in the surrounding area, they also learnt on how to create art from some of the items found on
the heath, the whole group climbed to the top of the hill to see incredible sights, with a gasp sound by all,
we all took part in an activity to learn more about the different trees, we then went on a hunt, with
microscopes and serious faces, looking around the woods for interesting creatures, a few fell in puddles
and mud, discovering some wood louse and a mysterious frog, it was lots of fun, heading back down to the
centre, all excited, a 10 minute stop at the very impressive play area in Hampstead heath, a well needed
respite and lunch, followed by more games, pond dipping and bug hunt, and then a relaxing hour of eco art,
creating creatures and art with clay, flowers, sticks, ferns and leaves and so much more natural items, the
atmosphere was so relaxed and calm
The children behaved ever so well, the children who previously used the perfume bottles to write their
names on the ground, who threw flour at each other, the children were calm and got involved all day.
All have asked to return again, it would be a shame if we didn’t, with utmost gratitude to Louise and Grace
who weaved a fee for the session and who gave use such a special experience, thank you.
West Euston Time Bank registered charity no. 1112545
Time to Grow workshops No. Hampstead Heath Trip No.
children 5 children 29
parents 1 parents 13
volunteers 1 volunteers 3
Total 7 Total 45
Swimming at Kentish Town Baths on Fridays 4 – 7 pm
Friday 12th April No.
Friday 5th April No.
children 7
children 7
parents 0
parents 0
Parent volunteers 3
Parent volunteers 3
Total 10
Total 10
Community Café
250 meals were provided mainly to children taking part in the activities programme at no charge.
Food / Ingredients Volunteer Day/Times
Leader
Pasta/ Cheese and Tomatoe Rathna Tuesday
2nd April -11am-2pm
Total meals served
Rolls/ Crusty Brown Rolls/White rolls Cheese/ Foyeza Thursday
th
Halal Chicken Slices/ Toamatoes and lettuce 4 April-11am-2pm
and cucumber, Butter Total meals served
Rolls/ Crusty Brown Rolls/White rolls Cheese/ Thahmina Friday
Halal Chicken Slices/ Toamatoes and lettuce 5th April -11am-2pm
and cucumber, Butter Total meals served
Pasta/ Cheese/tomato Sauce Rathna Tuesday
9th April -11am-2pm
Total meals served
Pasta/ Cheese/ tomato Sauce Foyeza Thursday
11th April -11am-2pm
Total meals served
Rolls/ Crusty Brown Rolls/White rolls Cheese/ Thahmina Friday
Halal Chicken Slices/ Toamatoes and lettuce 12th April -11am-2pm
and cucumber, Butter Total meals served
Overall summary of the Easter programme
With such bad and unpredictable weather to make all involved a little anxious, the overall Easter
programme went very well, with a great amount involved from the first session, there was more parents
presence as well as participation, it was great to see parents working with their children and enjoying their
time at the centre.
We had a nice mix of activities and trips to involve the mixed age group and interests of the children.
West Euston Time Bank registered charity no. 1112545Parents impact and volunteering:
It definitely felt with a lot of continuous hard work and education and support that the parents and
members have understood what is involved and needed to run a time bank holiday programme.
There was a lot more parents taking responsibility of their children and their behaviour and helping when
needed. Being very quick to offer to help and just get stuck in when they needed to. We had always had a
similar process in the past but this time parents took a little be more initiative
Parents are appreciating what we do and understanding what it involves, the bad weather could have been
in our favour as many parents said that if it wasn’t for us and our activities they would be stuck at home
and not have the wiliness to do something different, this could have been the factor of their genuine
enthusiasm to help
Children’s behaviour:
As mentioned above, there were a handful of children who were disruptive during some of the sessions,
they are at the last year of primary school, a time where they could be experiencing a range of anxiety and
pressure from home, school and peers, these children have been attending the time bank programme for
over 3 years with most of their parents playing a huge part in the running of the sessions.
It is important to tackle the various issues and behaviour straight away and continue to do so.
With the above issues the children were spoken to seriously as well as their parents being notified but it is
worth keeping it to mind, the children are keen to be with older children, to hang around gates and
corners, it is important to stay alert on these particular children’s behaviour and give them something
positive to be interested in, the Hampstead heath trip was a great example as it captured everyone’s
interest and attention.
Eater Hols Programme No.
Registered children 196
Individual families 131
Volunteers 37
Totals 364
Feedback Received
Farm Animals “It was absolutely fantastic.” Lisa Goddard
Farm Animals “It was really good but there was a huge queue for the ponys but we shouldn’t complain as
everything is for free and its great, there was lots to do.” Kate
Cake sale “I was volunteering all day and wasn’t offered a cake or food, when I went inside the h pod,
children were just talking the cakes, it was not nice” Anonymous
General “The kids have so much fun when they come here” Lieza
General “Its really good as I can bring all of my kids and spend time with them” Andrew
Farm animals I’m not from round here, I am visiting my sister who comes here regularly, I think its brilliant
what you do and it must be allot of hard work, I wish there was something like this back
where I live, thank you for such a nice day.” A mother
West Euston Time Bank registered charity no. 1112545Farm animals “I was really scared of the dog but ended stroking the pony and other animals”n
Nuha
Farm animals “The rabbit was so cute” Chloe Henrique
Hampstead Heath “Can we come back when its summer?” Hope
Time to grow - “The kids loved it.” Trina
Thursday 11th April 2013
“I came to the morning session where all children did cooking. My two year old daughter really enjoyed
making chocolate rice crispies, cakes and interacting with other children.”
Sazede Akhter
“I would like to say that the farm day was wel attended. We enjoyed it. Attention was given to the younger
children which helped as they would have got over tired as time went on. My child loved the pony ride and
to be able to hold the guinea pig. I think the waiting list for the activities also helped to reduce any
arguments and stress. I think the donation box should be better advertised.”
Louise Balogun
“The farm was wonderful my grandson enjoyed it very much he adores the animals, it was very well
organised, and we were very well looked after with rolls and drinks. I was upset to find the older children
again here this year at the 11am show whilst once again the 0-5 did not get to anything with the
entertainer as they take over the place and push the little ones out of the way. Your leaflet clearly states 0-5
years only 11-12 and older children 12 – 1 pm. Would like your opinion on this. You should also have a
donation box on the counter as the place is wonderful and the chance for children to learn and play together
the staff are wonderful. Thank You. Anon
Over the Easter holidays the h pod done wonderful things for all of the children ages 0-5 and 5-12 it was a
amazing day with all of the animals and face painting, its amazing to be part of the h pod and all the
creative things that they do. Many people take time out of their own lives to help and it brings all of the
community together! Everybody that works and helps at the h pod are excellent people who are happy,
patient and nice, my niece attends h pod and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Well done h pod you’re
amazing!!!”
xEmilyx
“The farm was really good. The children got the chance to learn about different animals. Children also
enjoyed the face painting. The pony ride was the main attraction of the farm. The instructor of the animals
was really of good and calm nature. There was good care taken in regards of cleaning hands.I would like to
say that it was good and knowledgeable. I thank all the h pod staff for organising this kind of activity and all
of them are of really good nature.”
“! enjoyed the journey across the canal and how they got the adults involved. The trip was fantastic thank
you very much.” Shipique
West Euston Time Bank registered charity no. 1112545“I liked when we went the Pirate Castle and Hamstead. I liked planting flowers.” Fatara
“Easter was Joy Fab Amazing Fun”
“The best was canoeing at the Pirates Castle.”
“My name is Mahlet. I am Emmata and Kidus mum. Children had a fun watching different animals show.
They were excited and tried to stroke the animals. They also had a horse ride. They would love to spend
more time as they love animals. I hope there will be another chance to have animals show in the park.”
“I had a trip with my children to Hampstead park. My children had good time by creating shapes by using
natural material. Picking various things on the way to park, example –something light, heavy, living and
non-living which they used to do some art. Although the weather was bad they really enjoyed the trip, they
also learn about living and non living things and they learnt to use natural stuff in order to create shapes
and craft.”
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