Mini-huddle set to be Fin-tastic!

October 17, 2024

Havens Hospices is inviting local schools, youth groups and community projects to join in the brrrilliant fun and decorate a baby penguin as part of its Waddle-on-Sea art trail.

As well as the large penguins winging their way into the city streets of Southend-on-Sea and Leigh-on-Sea in Summer 2025, there will also be mini-huddles of baby penguins.

The baby penguins are part of the Waddle-on-Sea Community & Learning Programme, sponsored by Rickard Luckin, and are integral to the success of the art trial. Each one will be designed by a local school, youth group or community project, making them completely unique, with their own personalities and names.

They will be displayed together in mini-huddles with the large penguins placed across the city for up to eight weeks between July and September 2025 before they waddle back to their forever homes with their creators.

Jan Mansfield, Head of Education and Charity & Not for Profit Team at Rickard Luckin, says, “The team at Rickard Luckin are delighted to sponsor the Waddle-on-Sea Community & Learning Programme and jumped at the opportunity of becoming the partner once again.

“We are proud and excited to be involved in an initiative that complements our ethos and values at Rickard Luckin. There is no doubt that the project will have a very positive impact on inspiring and motivating our young people, all while supporting the vital work of local charity Havens Hospices.”

In addition to providing children, young people, and groups an opportunity to experiment with different art forms, the programme also empowers them to take ownership and showcase their artwork to thousands of people, making it accessible to all.

Richmond Avenue Primary and Nursery School in Shoeburyness was one of the first schools to sign up for the Waddle-on-Sea Community & Learning Programme after taking part in the charity’s previous art trails, Hares About Town and Herd In The City.

Miss Moneypenny, Head Teacher of Richmond Avenue Primary and Nursery School, says, “Taking part in both the previous trails, we saw how it really brought a sense of community and caring to the school. It allowed the children and families of the school to develop a greater understanding of our community's needs and the meaning behind fundraising and caring for others.

“We are looking forward to having another school-wide, collective project to work on together. Having the baby penguin on site will allow such a wide range of teaching and learning opportunities for all our children, from our 2-year-olds in nursery who love animals to our 11-year-olds in Year Six who are thinking about future careers! The staff and children alike adore having visitors to the school, and the hare and elephant, who now reside in our hall and watch over us each day, hold special memories for all of us.”

The school will be holding a design competition to decide on what the final design of the baby penguin will be. It will be introduced through assemblies and class discussions, and the aims, purpose, and reason for the project will be shared before the children are invited to get creative.

Maisie, Thomas, Evie, and Austin – Pupil Council Leaders at the school - are all looking forward to the art trail and already have some thoughts on the design. Asked what they are looking forward to most, Evie said, “I’m looking forward to the trail and seeing all the different art styles on the penguins.”

The baby penguin sculpture costs £990+VAT, including installation and a Community & Learning Resource Pack with plans, templates and activities based on the national curriculum. Schools and groups can either cover the cost or encourage the pupils or young people to fundraise.

Faye Vince, Community & Learning Programme Lead at Havens Hospices, says, “This is a unique chance for local schools and community groups to get involved in what promises to be a fantastic art trail.

“As well as being an ice-quisite event for all involved, it will raise thousands of pounds for Havens Hospices, allowing us to provide free, specialist hospice care for local adults, children, and their families.”

Havens Hospices includes Fair Havens in Southend and Little Havens, the children’s hospice for Essex based in Benfleet. The care provided by the charity is completely free of charge, thanks to the generosity of individuals and groups, raising money and making donations.

The deadline for signing up for the Community & Learning Programme is 5pm on Monday 25th November 2024.

For further information about how to get involved, visit www.waddleonsea.co.uk or email miniwaddle@havenshospices.org.uk.