Cool Things

A partnership project responding to the Covid-19 emergency, developing and delivering 400 creative packs to care-experienced children and young people across the North East

Cool Things

Funded by The National Lottery, Blue Cabin worked in partnership with four virtual schools – Darlington, County Durham, Gateshead and South Tyneside – to deliver more than 400 creative packs to care-experienced children and young people across the North East of England, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the run-up to February half term 2021, children and young people aged between four and 14 received a bespoke Cool Things creative activity pack filled with activities to be done at home.

Project Aims

  • Enhance family relationships by taking part in creative activities together
  • Improve children and young people’s well-being and sense of pride
  • Improve connections between virtual schools and families during the pandemic

Cool Things creative activity packs

Working in partnership with each Virtual School and alongside a fabulous team of creative practitioners including Nicola Golightly, Pady O’Connor (Meemee Theatre), Michelle Wood (Sea Tern Print), Vicky Holborough, Elena Miller (Star Bright Arts) and Alison McGowan (Puppet Ship CiC), 400 packs were designed, created, assembled and delivered to children and young people across Darlington, Gateshead, South Tyneside and County Durham. The Cool Things activity packs contained loads of fantastic, exciting ‘make and do’ creative activities for children and their foster families to try out together in the home.

Cool Things video

This video by Alison McGowan from Puppet Ship showed care-experienced children and young people in Gateshead how to make their own bearded clam puppet. Warning: includes bad shellfish jokes.

Find out more

We would love to talk with you about bringing Cool Things to your local authority, virtual school or setting.

Email jenny@wearebluecabin.com to arrange a cuppa and a conversation.

Project Partners