Child Friendly Neighbourhoodis our community initiative helping to make Sparkhill a brilliant place to grow up funded by The National Lottery Community Fund – Reaching Communities. By offering a rich diet of experiences, we support children of all ages and their families by creating more opportunities to play, connect and thrive close to home.
At the heart of CFN are three simple strands that guide everything we do:
- Engagement – we actively listen to children, young people and families and create welcoming opportunities for them to take part. This includes holiday playschemes, after-school clubs, family events and youth activities that are shaped by what children tell us they enjoy and need. We work in schools, community spaces and local parks to reduce barriers and help families feel confident getting involved.
- Enrichment – we offer activities that help children build confidence, skills and aspirations beyond their everyday experiences. This includes creative arts, sports and physical activity, trips, youth voice projects and volunteering opportunities. Our programmes support children to try new things, express themselves and feel proud of who they are and where they live.
- Environment – we work to improve the places where children grow up making them safer, greener and more welcoming for families. This includes community events in public spaces, projects that encourage outdoor play and connection to nature, and activities that help children care for and take pride in their neighbourhood.
Together, these strands help create a neighbourhood where children feel safe, included, listened to and inspired and where families feel supported to be part of their community.
