What an incredible year we’ve had here at HEY Children’s University, our LEL’s have been very busy leading on our Learning Experiences ensuring everything goes to plan on the day. It’s time to hear from them what their favourite memory from the last year has been and what they are most looking forward to next year!
What was your favourite memory from this year?
Visiting York with a school and providing all the children with a Viking name for the day.
On this occasion it was a girls 10th birthday and the whole school including the teachers and two sponsors sang ‘Happy Birthday Dear Brynhild’ (her Viking name for the day). She then went onto explain to the Jorvik team that it was her birthday and she was to be addressed as Brynhild The She Wolf during the visit.
What is your favourite experience to lead?
I do not have a particular favourite experience because each one is different and unique due to the reaction and involvement of the children. All the the different trips provide the children with experiences and memories of what life is like outside of their own home town and provide interest in both history and future adventures as they progress through their early education journey. All the trips have one thing in common, to create a spark which hopefully leads to a future dream..
What is your hope for the future with HEY CU?
To keep providing the children with new adventures and not only their history but hopefully have a positive affect on their future journey wherever it may take them.
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What is your favourite memory from the last year?
My favourite memory this year with HEY Children's University has been delivering the Trawling Experience. The children absolutely love dressing up as trawlermen and Headscarf Revolutionaries, including some taking on the role of Lillian Bilocca, as they learn about Hull's rich fishing heritage and, in particular, the tragic Triple Trawler Tragedy of 1968.
The children fully immerse themselves in the experience, stepping into character and bringing history to life. It is a fantastic way for them to learn in a fun, interactive environment away from the traditional classroom setting. Their enthusiasm is infectious, and it is wonderful to see them gain such a deep understanding of Hull's maritime past while helping to keep these important local stories alive for a new generation.
The children always leave having learned so much, and seeing their excitement and engagement makes it one of the most rewarding parts of the year.
What is your favourite experience to lead?
My favourite experience to lead is Edinburgh. The excitement of the children as they travel to another country is palpable.
They love exploring the National Museum of Scotland, discovering the wonders of Dynamic Earth, taking part in Scottish dancing, and, of course, enjoying pizza for tea.
The trip offers so many opportunities for the children to develop their confidence, independence and teamwork while learning about Scotland's history, culture and heritage. Although sleeping on the church hall floor is not the most comfortable night's rest, it is a small sacrifice for such a fantastic experience.
Seeing the children's enthusiasm, sense of adventure and lasting memories makes it well worth it every year. It truly is a special trip!
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
I know I don't look old enough but one of my more unusual claims to fame is that in 1985 I appeared on the BBC's game show Blankety Blank. At the time, television viewing was very different from today and the programme regularly attracted audiences of over 16 million viewers.
Although I didn't become a household name, I still have my original Blankety Blank Cheque Book and Pen tucked away somewhere in the loft as proof that it really happened!
It's a wonderful reminder of a memorable experience and a great conversation starter whenever the subject of television shows comes up. Not many people can say they've stood on the Blankety Blank stage with Les Dawson in front of an audience of millions, making it a fun piece of personal history that has stayed with me for over 40 years.
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What is your favourite memory from the last year?
My favourite memory from this year has to be a London visit, after a jam-packed day of sight seeing we returned to Kings Cross and couldn’t believe that we saw the Hull City players and team bus arriving in London before the Play Off final at Wembley, the children (and I) were incredibly excited to see a bit of home in the capital and we managed a few pictures next to the bus. It was made even better by Hull City winning a few days later!
What is your favourite experience to lead?
My favourite experience is still Edinburgh. It’s such a unique trip and a little bit different each time, its a good chance to get to know the children and over the two days you can really have a lot of fun with them. It’s a lot more relaxed and a slower pace than a day visit to London and just so happens to include pizza – so I’m happy!
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
I can play a LOT of instruments: guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, melodica and banjo!
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What is your favourite memory from the last year?
Every trip I lead always has a favourite memory. The enthusiasm of the children and their happy smiling faces always leaves an impact.
If I had to pick one it would be a boy in the planetarium at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh who was just like "WOW" to a video of the 1969 moon landing projected onto the ceiling of the planetarium. He said to me "did that really happen??". He couldn't believe that a man had stepped on the moon and he wanted to do that.
What is your favourite experience to lead?
I do love the Edinburgh trips however, I have done some of the ‘HEY CU in the Future’ business days this year and they have been wonderful because the children learn so much about working environments and get to have real hand on experiences and engage with the staff from the business. It gives them confidence and helps them understand what it means to have a career. I feel that they really benefit children and help them to understand what having a job entails.
What is your hope for the future with HEY CU?
My hope is that we will continue to offer experiences to children for many more years to come and continue to grow so that more children across the region can benefit from these. I truly believe that what we do can make a child think differently about their life and what is available to them in the future.