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 the rest of the team what their favourite memory from the last year has been and what they are most looking forward to next year!
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What was your favourite memory from this year?
A teacher shared that a child on our London trip rarely engaged with anyone at school and would often refuse to enter the classroom. During our lunchbreak outside the National History Museum, I saw him sitting with a teacher and some of his classmates, chatting away. It just showed that a change of scenery can provide opportunities for some children to feel more relaxed, connected and willing to engage with others.
What is your favourite experience to lead?
Definitely 'Kip on a Ship' because it gives us more time to show the children around London than on a day trip, we take them to see a West End show like the Lion King or Matilda and we then get to sleep in such a unique location - the HMS Belfast overlooking Tower Bridge, it really is such a special experience.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
I am celebrating 30 years working and volunteering with HEY Children's University.
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What is your favourite memory from the last year?
It's a difficult question to answer because there have been so many memorable moments. Often, it is the little things that stay with me the most. Hearing children say "Wow!" when they see something new, like seeing the smallest window in Hull or catching a glimpse of the London Eye for the first time, reminds me how powerful these experiences can be.
One of the moments that has stayed with me from last year was during our 'Doorstep Elves' campaign at Christmas. We visited a family living in a flat with very little - there was no carpet, a hole in one of the bedroom doors, and a mum doing her very best to provide. These visits are really humbling and make you realise that Christmas isn't a magical time for all, but their overwhelming gratitude they showed made me feel incredibly proud to be part of a charity making such a difference across our city.
What is your favourite experience to lead?
Definitely 'Kip on a Ship'. The children absolutely love it because so many of the experiences are firsts for them. For many, it's their first sleepover away from home, their first train journey, and the first time they've had to walk so much! They all embrace it and understand that sometimes you have to step outside your comfort zone to enjoy new experiences.
What is your hope for the future with HEY CU?
Long may it continue!
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What is your favourite memory from the last year?
Seeing all of the classes who have visited the Ecohub at Thwaite Gardens has been incredibly rewarding. Watching the children explore the woodland and immerse themselves in nature has been wonderful. It offers hands-on experiences and encourages children to think differently about their futures. The Ecohub helps open their eyes to to practical and green career opportunities that they may never have considered before.
What is your favourite experience to lead?
I'd say 'Blitz' because the children are always very enthusiastic about it, they usually arrive with some prior knoweldge of the Second World War from their history lessons and it gives them a great foundation to build on. They particularly enjoy the redesigning of the National Picture Theatre on Beverley Road. It's always amazing to see how much they have absorbed and learnt on the trip and put into their designs.
What is your hope for the future with HEY CU?
My hope for the future is that we continue to work with more schools and reach out to more children across the region who need these experiences. I'd love to see more development with Key Stage 1 so we could see individual children's journeys from Key Stage 1 into Key Stage 2.
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What is your favourite memory from the last year?
I really couldn't pick just one as they are all so memorable in their unique ways.
What is your favourite experience to lead?
My favourite experience was 'Paintbox' where the children visited Warter, a small East Yorkshire village that inspired David Hockney's largest piece 'Bigger Trees Near Warter' and the children took inspiration from this and the environment around them to create their own masterpieces.
What is your hope for the future with HEY CU?
My hope that it continues long into the future. I am still enjoying leading on experiences at my age and I would highly recommend anyone to come along and volunteer to get a real insight into what the charity is achieving.