Try your hand at crafts and embrace your inner geek
CAPTIONS
Family workshops at Turner Contemporary © C. Barker [for 3 other things] [choice of 4 pics - couldn’t decide which was best!]
A helping hand at chYps © Manu Palomeque [for children’s charities]
Computer games: eg Thinkstock 148182447 [for embrace your inner geek]
If you do one thing this month… embrace your inner geek
If your family revels in computer games and technology, get along to GEEK 2014 taking place in the Winter Gardens, Margate from 21 to 23 February. From talks to game demos, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. Families are encouraged to visit on the Sunday, when there will be special activities aimed at younger visitors. A family ticket costs £36, while under fives get in for free. Book online.
3 other great things to do this month…
• In need of some creative inspiration over half term? Join children’s craft workshops at Margate’s Turner Contemporary Museum between 19 and 24 February (afternoons). £3 per child, adults, under three’s and CT9 postcode residents get in free.
• More half-term fun awaits at Hall Place and Gardens in Bexley. Enjoy storytelling and make your own puppet any day between 17 and 21 February. Tickets cost £4 per child and must be booked in advance on 01322 621238.
• Find out why birds migrate and how we can help them survive the winter by coming along to Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve Visitor Centre on 19 February. Watch and identify birds in the hide, make a bird seed cake and enjoy arts and crafts activities. Suggested donation £3 per child. Booking recommended: call Kent Wildlife Trust on 01622 662012.
Little Kent Loves… CHILDREN’S CHARITIES
With New Year resolutions still ringing in our ears, maybe it’s time to put the one about ‘helping others’ into action. Here are five local causes that are all about the children.
• chYps Children’s Hospice. Kent Life’s 2014 charity of the year has a very clear focus: to enable children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions to receive full hospice care in their and their families’ place of choice, which is overwhelmingly their own home. It is one of only a very few acute services providing oncology and end-of-life care to children in the home. Watch our for regular news from chYps in Kent Life throughout the year and see also page xx www.chyps.org
• KCFN. This charity works with children in all kinds of different situations across Kent and Medway, providing youth services, access to play activities, training and early intervention schemes. They run regular events and have a number of opportunities to get involved in projects through volunteering www.kcfn.co.uk
• Strode Park Foundation. Calling itself Kent’s premier charity for children and adults with disabilities, this charity has a wide remit. For children and families, it offers services including day care, respite services and preparation for foster care. It is currently raising money for a new hydrotherapy facility at its premises, Strode Park House in Herne Bay www.strodepark.org.uk
• Holding On Letting Go. This organisation supports bereaved children aged six to 16 and their families in Kent and Medway. It runs a grief support programme that allows participants to meet others in similar situations, talk through their feelings and enjoy sharing precious memories of their loved ones www.holdingonlettinggo.org.uk
• Dandelion Time. Children who have experienced trauma, abuse or neglect will find support at this Maidstone-based charity. Young people and their supporters take part in therapeutic activities, including helping look after the on-site farm animals and crops and participating in craft and music workshops and therapy sessions as appropriate. Watch out for the annual quiz event in March www.dandeliontime.org.uk
