Junior Neighbourhood Wardens add some colour to dull lockdown

During November, children were invited to draw pictures, write stories or poems to express their feelings about COVID-19, in order to win a £50 Amazon voucher in time for Christmas.

The competition was part of alternative Junior Warden ‘stay at home’ pastimes we introduced in place of the usual fun Halloween and Christmas activities, which all had to be cancelled this year due to COVID-19 restrictions. Pictured with their entries are Junior Neighbourhood Wardens Taylor, Spencer and Frankie. Other contributions came from Rio who wrote about dealing with feelings of stress and Mason and Taylor who both penned poems about how their lives have been affected by COVID-19.

Junior Neighbourhood Wardens have also been involved with the Townhill Community Art Gallery on display in Meggeson Avenue. They took part in a competition to decorate hoardings surrounding the site where a new green space, including children’s play area and outdoor exercise equipment, is due to be built in Townhill Park. The new green space is just part of the major regeneration of the local neighbourhood that will include new council housing as well as improved community facilities.

Local residents, school children and community groups also submitted designs to help create the unique outdoor art gallery. Awards were presented to winners in categories including most colourful, most thought provoking, best nature themed painting and most original artwork. The community art project was run in partnership with SO18 Big Local and supported by contractors CLC who supplied the boards, paint, brushes and rollers, and Balfour Beatty who donated prizes.

If the Junior Neighbourhood Wardens have inspired you to get painting, it’s not too late to contribute to the Townhill Community Art Gallery. Just contact SO18 Big Local to find out more about how you can get involved. If you know a child aged 7-12 who would like to become a Junior Neighbourhood Warden and join in community activities, projects and fun events across Southampton please get in touch on junior.wardens@southampton.gov.uk.

To have your say on the new green space in Townhill Park and express your interest in the upcoming focus groups, simply complete the online survey by 13 December 2020.