The Children’s Centre is co-ordinating the first Children’s Week ever to be staged in the British Isles.
The week, which will run from 17th to 23rd July, is being held as a celebration of children and young people.
Although The Children’s Centre will be co-ordinating the week, it is hoped that groups from all sectors of the community will organise events or initiatives in their own neighbourhoods to celebrate.
Children’s Week is intended to remind everyone of the joy that children bring while at the same time recognising concerns for their well being and development by working with the guiding principles of the Government Strategy for Children and Young People.
Theseprinciples encourage children to be healthy, stay safe, enjoy life, achieve and prosper and make a positive contribution to the community.
All of the emergency services are endorsing Children’s Week as are Manx Sports and Recreation and the Island’s Careers Service.
The Venture Centre in Maughold has already offered to organise two taster sessions allowing children to try out new adventure activities as part of Children’s Week. Events don’t need to cost much to organise, or take up a lot of time.
In fact, anyone who has an event organised between 17th - 23rd July can 'rebrand' it as a Children’s Week event if it fits in with the principles already outlined.
Sports clubs can run taster sessions for children, charities can set up family fun days and individuals may want to organise dress down days at their workplace to raise money for children’s charities.
Children’s Week events can be used to promote the work of a charity and raise funds.
Other events can be educational such as emergency services teaching children about safety. Or events can simply be designed to entertain children and families.
The possibilities are endless, and whatever you decide to organise Children’s Week Co-ordinator Chrissy Cannell can give you advice on how to run the event and publicise it.
"I’m really excited about Children’s Week," says Chrissy.
"I hope that the Manx community gets behind the idea to help make this the best week possible for children and young people in the Isle of Man."
To kick start the Children’s Week initiative, at the beginning of May, school children will be invited to design a logo for Children’s Week by entering a competition.
The winning design will be used in all of the promotional material used to publicise Children’s Week.
For an information pack about Children’s Week, email childrensweek@thechildrenscentre.org.im
