Shade for inner city children

The Pitch

Problem statement

Camberwell Green is an inner city ward. 28% of children here are from low income households and access to outdoor recreation space is very limited. 67% of our local population are in the most deprived quintile nationally. 61% are from Black & Ethnic Minority backgrounds. Natural England's largest study to date concluded in 2022 that children learn better when they are outdoors. But rising temperatures are making outdoor learning for inner city kids impossible. Our school playground and surrounding streets are concrete with no shade. Temperatures are reaching 40'C in summer and are predicted to increase more meaning it is unsafe for children to be outdoors for several weeks of the year.

Solution

We will create a series of shade islands around the school's perimeter and in the playground by planting evergreen climbers up existing wire fencing. The screens will provide children with a safer outdoor learning and play environment, as well as part-shading pavements for residents of the adjacent housing estate. The children will help to create the screens by participating in community action days. To ensure maintenance requirements and costs are low we will use SUDs (Sustainable Urban Drainage System) planters that will collect and reuse rainwater from school downpipes. This will be an educational opportunity for the kids to practice teamwork.

Why are we best placed to deliver?

Our organisation has a core team of 20 parent and carer volunteers, and a wider group of 100 volunteers. We have a track record of hosting well-attended community events bringing together 500+ local residents to mark occasions such as International Day. We host bi-annual fun days for the children with bouncy castles, games and home cooked food to ensure that local children have access to free and low cost recreation. We will engage children and families during the project as well as drawing on volunteer support from the residents of the adjacent housing estates ensuring there is community ownership of the changes.

Focus Areas

Delivery plan

Budget breakdown

Beneficiaries

379 people

Who will benefit

Expected impact

1) The shade islands will give 379 children age 4-11 (the attendees of Brunswick Park Primary School) an opportunity to learn outdoors which they do not currently have. 50% of those beneficiaries receive free school meals. This will reduce inequality of access to outdoor space among the local population. 2) This project will mean within 1 year we can expect 10% of the playground to be in shade at midday during Summer, making it 2 degrees cooler. By year 3 the shaded areas will increase to 18% as the plants grow larger. This means over time the impact will grow and more children can enjoy tranquil shade at school and on their way to school. 3) The shade islands will provide a further 1000+ local residents of adjacent social housing estate with safer roads to walk down which are cooler during summer. 4) We anticipate 50 volunteers, including children, will participate in 2 action days/construction workshops. The impact will be improved knowledge, skills and new social relationships.

Track record

We have a strong track record in bringing the local diverse community together for fun days. Last year we had 15 parents cook and serve food from their cultures and native countries for International Day, to 50+ families in attendance. At our 2023 Summer fun day one highlight was attendance from the London Fire Brigade attended to teach the children about fire safety and the role of local public services. Approximately 100 children attended the event.