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Current Ongoing Projects
The following projects, started in the main week of 2006, continue on to this day:
Eustace Crescent
The original project at Eustace was to clear the area of litter, rubbish and overgrowth, as well as to paint a mural on one of the walls at the Estate. The children were invited to draw designs to use on the mural, and to help set the overall theme. As painting progressed ahead of schedule, a decision was made to paint a second mural on the opposite side of the road, with a theme of Winnie the Pooh at the beach. The murals were a great success, and over-painted with special anti-graffiti paint to protect against vandalism. The week ended with a hog roast barbecue for all the residents.
The team used an empty flat on the estate as a team base. The council had already ear-marked this flat for conversion into a community flat. After the main week of August 2006 we maintained dialogue with the council about activities in Eustace, based around the community flat. As the flat was being renovated, the team did several one off special events, including carols, children's Christingle, an outdoor Christmas play as well as activities with the children the following Easter.
Eventually the community flat opened in December 2007, with a council community development worker dedicated to working from the location who was already running two after-school clubs for children. Since then a couple of Big Idea volunteers have regularly helped at these council run clubs.
With the flat open new regular activities have started, hosted by The Big Idea. These include a weekly coffee drop-in, and a parent & toddler group known as Sunbeams. These are ongoing, growing projects.
In addition to the regular activities, the team has also helped in several one-off events and in some other ways. These include providing two re-conditioned PCs and network equipment for the flat, hosting a pop quiz, and giving advice and help with a street party held in the summer of 2008.
By working with the council and other agencies from the community flat, the work is continuing well, with lots of potential for the future.
Wokingham Hospital Gardens
In the main week the gardens at the local hospital were cleared and given a good over-haul, putting in new plants and painting the garden furniture etc. Since then a team regularly keeps the gardens in trim, and has provided some new furniture and accessories. This has made the gardens a much better environment for patients, staff and visitors. In addition some volunteers also now go in on a regular basis to visit patients.
HOPE08 Projects - May 2008
Around the May Bank Holiday weekend three projects took place in local secondary schools:
- Painting classrooms and corridors at The Forest School
- Painting classrooms and corridors at The Emmbrook School
- Tidying gardens and painting fences at St. Crispins School
Other Projects Run During the 2006 Main Week
The following projects were completed during the main week of August 2006:
Whitelocke Infant & Nursery School: Classroom Re-making a classroom with an ocean theme.
- Painting cupboard doors, shelves and wooden units
- Glass painting on the class windows – all with inspiration from the deep blue sea.
- During the preceding term team leaders sat down with the class pupils and teacher to hear their own ideas, some of which will be incorporated into the decorating this August.
Mrs Norman, Headteacher of Whitelocke Infant and Nursery School said, "The Big Idea is a wonderful project and Whitelocke School is glad to support it and also be helped by it. It will be beneficial to a number of families and children in Wokingham town centre and will develop the community spirit."
"I am looking forward to seeing the results of the re-decoration in our Foundation Stage Unit and the faces of the children on the return from their summer holiday."
Westende Junior School: Changing Rooms Renovation
Painting and cleaning inside the school swimming changing rooms
- New plasterboard ceiling to transform the changing rooms
- Cleaning the toilet cubicles
- Also painting two of the walls surrounding the swimming pool
Mrs Heydon, Headteacher said, “Westende are delighted to have been chosen to receive help from The Big Idea. The project that the volunteers are planning will make a very big difference to our rather faded swimming pool changing rooms and brighten the whole environment around the pool. As the pool is used by families after school and at weekends, everyone will benefit. We are very grateful to all those who are giving their time and skills to make this happen.”
Palmer Junior School: Painting Pergola and Digging New Path
Painting a pergola, and laying a new path from the tarmac to the adventure playground
- Pergola existing paint has faded badly and needs re-doing
- PTA have been planning the path for a long time, but did not have the means to do it without additional volunteers.
Ann Davis, Acting Headteacher said, “Palmer School is delighted to host The Big Idea on the 22nd August. We are most grateful to the volunteers who are giving up their time to help improve our school grounds and look forward to this exciting event taking place.”
Palmer School
Addington's Thumbs Up Club: Holiday Club for Children with Disabilities
Regular holiday club for children with physical and mental disabilities – always grateful for extra volunteers. At least two volunteers from The Big Idea team will be going each day to help out at the club.
Norreys Area Clearup and Mural: General Improvements in Area
Continuing the District council's own volunteer day where they cleared alleys of litter and over-growth.
- Further areas will be cleared of litter, rubbish and overgrowth.
- A mural will be painted in the Eustace Crescent area, hopefully incorporating pictures drawn by local children taking part in a competition.
- Other activities with the local residents will also hopefully be arranged.
Cllr Pauline Helliar-Symons said: “This is a great opportunity for people in the Norreys area to get involved in a grass-roots community project and make a real difference to their surroundings”
Eustace Crescent
First Bowl: Giant Mural Painting
The wall outside Big Apple First Bowl (facing the footpath from the road to the railway) will be painted with a giant 45m long mural.
- District Council have already cleared masses of overgrowth ready for wall to be painted
- Mural incorporates designs from local youth
- Local youth will be invited to help paint and create the mural
Air Cadet Grounds: Garden Tidying
Working with the Air Cadets to help keep their grounds clear & tidy.
- Together with First Bowl mural project, makes whole footpath from road to railway look clear & tidy
- Working with volunteers from the Cadet force.
Oaks Family Centre: Gardening and Decorating
Helping the Oaks Family Centre – which works with families with various difficulties and health problems.
- Clear gardens of brambles & weeds, and plant some new plants
- Help assemble new chairs and computer desk
Sue Hughes, Team Manager, Wokingham Family Centre said: “The Big Idea are that it is a Fantastic idea - building stronger links between us and the local community and we are very grateful for the improvements that will be made as a result of everyone's hard work”
Ashridge Nursery: Spring Clean
Giving the building a thorough holiday time clean for the first time in the building's history.
- Clean toys (both inside toys and playground toys)
Helen Lipski said, "What a great idea The Big Idea is! It enables the overall community to benefit from efforts made within the Community itself. At Ashridge Nursery The Big Idea is going to ensure that our building is sparkling for the start of the new term. We are very grateful for this initiative."
General Clear-up Team
General litter pick and clearing overgrowth, weeds & brambles from different spots around the town!
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Karl Relton, 23/12/2008 |
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