Worcestershire County Council launches 'Green Fingers Project'

Worcestershire County Council has launched an exciting new project to inspire youngsters to bring out their 'green side'.

'Green Fingers' - a scheme targeted specifically at young people in care – will give Worcestershire's looked after children the chance to get involved in a host of fun activities to help nurture their environmental awareness and teach the importance of healthy eating. 

It is hoped that the five year scheme, which is funded by a Big Lottery Fund grant, will help improve children's emotional and physical wellbeing and foster long-term positive attitudes to a healthier lifestyle. 

Launched last week (July 11) with an action-packed celebration day during which looked after children were encouraged to sign up for the kinds of activities that interests them, Green Fingers kicks off officially from September.  

As a taster of the kinds of things that will be on offer, kids enjoyed a variety of educational workshops including therapeutic gardening, painting, willow craft, pottery and recycling. Staying fit and healthy was also promoted through Judo, football and trampolining activities.

Activities will take place countywide and will help the looked after children in Worcestershire to develop interests that could even inspire them to follow a green vocation in the future. 

Siobhan Williams, Worcestershire County Council's head of Safeguarding and Services to Children & Young People, said “It's absolutely fantastic to be awarded the Big Lottery Fund grant for our 'Green Fingers' project.

"This innovative scheme centres around a range of healthy care activities, focusing on 'green activities' linked to the environment, that will help Looked After Children and carers in Worcestershire understand healthy lifestyles better, leading to an improvement in their health and wellbeing and improved life chances.

"It should make a real difference to their lives and will be an exciting enhancement to the good work already being done by Worcestershire County Council".