Youngsters in Highbridge took part in a unique project on Friday (23rd August) to turn rubbish into artwork as part of an initiative to gain more respect in the community.
The children, aged between 8 and 12, spent the morning litter picking in a recreation area and car park in the town.
They then spent the afternoon working with local artist Fiona Campbell to turn the rubbish into artworks as part of a community project running during August.
During the workshop, the youngsters turned the rubbish they had collected into masks as well as a robot and sea creature sculpture.
Dreamscheme co-ordinator Trish Hart told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “The day went really well. The children were really engaged with the art project and I think it was a good experience for them in learning about working well together.”
And neighbourhood PCSO Susan Venn-Adams, who also attended, said: “The project was a good opportunity to build on our existing links with young people in the area and was a chance for the youngsters to gain new experiences as well as showing some of the positive work they do.”
“People can tend to have negative perceptions of young people and feel they often cause a nuisance, but schemes like this encourage people to re-think how they see young people.”
She added: “Most young people make a positive contribution to their communities but of course we will take action against anyone causing harassment, alarm or distress, whatever their age.”
Avon and Somerset Police and Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens has given her backing to Highbridge Dreamscheme and several other youth initiatives across the region to help children and young people make a positive contribution to their communities over the summer holidays.
