PR & Marketing
Kingfisher Project Gets Results
Work to improve the area being targeted in the Kingfisher Project has been continuing, and there are more opportunities to get involved coming up, so make sure you lend a hand!
The aim of the project is to return the area around Shobnall Brook and Horninglow Channel to its former glory. In the past it used to attract kingfishers, but more recently it’s got overgrown and become a dumping ground for rubbish. So, what’s been happening to make a difference?
One of the problems identified in the area was the amount of litter and the first of several planned litter picks has now taken place to try to sort the problem out.
Horninglow Residents’ Association organised the clear up event, with the aim of bringing the community together, and raising awareness of the importance of keeping the local environment clean and tidy.
The area covered was a mile of footpath from Eton Park School to Dadlow Lock, which separates the Trent and Mersey Canal from the Horninglow Brook. The two day event saw volunteers from local schools, plus Trent & Dove Housing, British Waterways and the Heart of Burton Neighbourhood Wardens, all working together. And refreshments were provided by the Territorial Army!
More than two tons of litter was picked up, with lots of cans and bottles going off to be recycled. Keith Lemare, Chair of Horninglow Residents’ Association, said: “The event went exceptionally well and I’m really pleased with the people who joined in. We’re now looking at repeating the event twice a year.”
'Buddies’ Enjoy A Day of Fun
A group of local school children who have helped other pupils sort out their problems have been rewarded with a day trip to London. The peer mentors from three Heart of Burton schools were taken on a special tour of the House of Commons by the Heart of Burton Partnership, where they met local MP, Janet Dean. They also enjoyed a spin on the London Eye and a meal at the Loco Mensa restaurant.
The youngsters from Eton Park, Victoria and Belvedere schools have spent the past few months helping fellow pupils through a new project of peer mentoring called the Burton Buddies. Run by Burton Advantage Schools and funded by the Heart of Burton Partnership, the project has seen youngsters become ‘buddies’ and spend time listening to the problems other pupils are facing. These could be related to bullying, racism, loneliness or any other issues that arise.
Terry Mullen, from Burton Advantage Schools, explained: "The schools selected half a dozen youngsters in Years 5 and 6 who they thought would make good mentors for other younger children or children of the same age. The idea is to help them with relatively minor problems. They may have problems with personal relationships within the school, such as 'my friend isn't talking to me any more'. They are mainly small problems but ones that make children unhappy for a certain period of time."
The buddies were well publicised within the schools so that all pupils know who to approach for help. Terry added: "The take-up has been huge in all the schools.
Since mid December, there have been at least 90 children who have talked to a buddie."
"This initiative is the best intervention work that we have been involved in as far as Burton Advantage Schools is concerned"
Terry Mullen
"I like the peer mentors. They sorted my problem out and they do their job properly" Year 1 pupil
What next for the Burton Buddies?
Burton Buddies has proved really successful so far but what’s planned for the future? It’s hoped that the scheme will eventually spread throughout Burton. Anglesey Foundation School in Clarence Street is already set to join the three schools currently taking part.
This time the selection process for the school’s peer mentors starting in the autumn term will be slightly different. Previously, schools asked for volunteers who were then screened by school staff before six or seven pupils were chosen.
Terry Mullen says: "This time the initial screening will be done by the peer mentors themselves. Anyone who volunteers will be interviewed by the out-going buddies."
Twelve new buddies will be picked and these will also be interviewed by teachers to select the final peer mentors. The youngsters will then receive full training.
This year’s training, run by NSPCC staff, took place at the Riverside Hotel in Branston and was also attended by two teachers or teaching assistants from each school. This meant they were able to support the children when they returned to school.
