Don Heritage for Young People
The Don Heritage for Young People project has now come to an end, so we would like to say a big thank you to everyone involved, particularly the Heritage Lottery Fund, Young Roots programme which provided £24,000 of funding for the project, as well as the Winn TARA, Jeevan Youth Group, Heritage Park Community School and Hinde House School young people who have all been involved.
As a celebration the Junior Winn Garden TARA attended an outdoor pursuits day at Underbank Reservoir Outdoor Pursuits Centre. A great day was had by all involved. The young people swang through the trees on zip wires and jumped off the Leap of Faith in the morning. "It was scary on the leap of faith!" - Jarred Hassall.
They followed this with an afternoon of braving the icy waters in a caneoing session. The group came back to the shore safe, sound, and dry... So then came the fun of challenges to see who stayed driest in the shallows! Standing on the sides of the canoes and bouncing caused a few capsised canoes, as did 'getting as many people as possible into the canoe'. We finished the day off with hot chocolate and an evaluation of the project. The group said they really enjoyed the project and felt they made a difference, had taken action to improve the river, met new people and learnt knew skills. And especially enjoyed their celebration event.
We also ran a celebration event at Kelham Island Museum open to the general public and all people involved in the project. A mini video about the River Don 'Flowing Throuigh History' made by students from Hinde House School was played, and photos taken by Heritage Park school were displayed along with a buffet and further displays showing the different stages of the project. As well as a chance to see the project, people also enjoyed a stroll around the museum looking at the exhibitions and Hawley Project (Also funded by Heritage Lottery Fund ) Thank you to everyone who attended the event.
Check out our facebook page to see the 'Flowing Through History' video. And we will have a link on this webpage soon as well.
The Don Heritage for Young People project was inspired by young people within the Winn Gardens TARA, and was run in conjunction with en:volve, local schools, and the Junior Winn Tenants and Residents Association (TARA). We also had the great opportunity to work with many other local organisations, including the Five Weirs Walk Trust, Upper Don Walk Trust, River Stewardship Company, S.P.R.I.T.E and others.
Events throughout the year have included activities around the Winn Gardens riverside, including river bank tidy ups, invasive plant control, bird box building and installing and woodland crafts. We have also been creating willow art work and looking for mammal footprints along the river edge, as well as thinking about the history and industrial heritage of River Don. Other sessions have included guided walks along the Five Weirs Walk and Furnace Trail, bat walks and bike rides, history art sessions and trips to MAGNA looking at the industrial history of Sheffield. Different groups of young people have also joined us in learning the art of sustainable fishing, natural heritage field days and trips to Salmon Pastures, Centenary Riverside, and Blackburn Meadows Nature Reserves.
Quote from Junior Winn TARA: "This is the best part of the river due to its location to Winn Gardens, our group created bird boxes to improve the area for wildlife".
Fiona Spiers – Head of Heritage Lottery Fund, Yorkshire and the Humber said:
“This is a great project that will allow young people to learn about the industrial
and natural heritage of the River Don in an exciting and hands on way. The
project will allow people to discover the impact the river has had on the industrial
grow of the surrounding communities.”
For more information please contact Hannah at h.wittram@wildsheffield.com
