SOUTHAMPTON charities have been awarded over £8k to ensure creativity plays a role in celebrations for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

The cash, totalling £8,705, has been allocated to City Catering Southampton and Artswork from the Arts Council’s Let’s Create Jubilee Fund.

The two charities have joined forces to offer Southampton schools a series of exciting and engaging events to mark the Jubilee.

Thanks to the funding, those living in Southampton can celebrate the special occasion by taking part in exciting events - from puppetry and story creation to making crowns, carnival and art trails.

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Darren Henley, Chief Executive at Arts Council England said: “The Let’s Create Jubilee Fund is a wonderful example of our ambition to give everyone the opportunity to participate in and experience the arts, culture and creativity."

City Catering will be celebrating with two special Jubilee-themed school lunches – a street party-themed picnic and a formal, sit-down hot meal.

Daily Echo: Children enjoying a City Catering School Lunch Children enjoying a City Catering School Lunch

Charitable Impact Manager at City Catering, Jessica Clasby-Monk said: "We are thrilled to partner with Artswork and find ways to engage children in both food, nutrition and the arts and creativity thanks to this fund.

"As a local school meals charity, we know how powerful food can be to engage young people in other themes and to mark special occasions.

"We are delighted to work with local partners to deliver this unique opportunity for Southampton’s young people.

"The Jubilee gives us all an opportunity to come together and celebrate – we are excited to play a small part in it."

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In conjunction, Artswork will be creating a puppetry workshop for young people to explore how different communities around the world use food and creativity to mark special occasions.

The workshop will be co-created with pupils from Mount Pleasant Junior School, and then hosted online for all schools to access.

 

Louise Govier at Artswork said: "At Artswork, we believe in the power of arts and creativity to shape happier and healthier children and young people.

"We’re delighted to be partnering with City Catering for this project, combining an exciting puppetry workshop, co-created with children and young people, with their nutritious meals."