Parents making it happen - PITS

Story: Lisa Swift

Photos: Sherin T Rajan and Rohan Francis

Parents around Verdon Street took matters into their own hands this summer, to make sure their children were involved in positive activities in their community.

Local parent Joyce Divers felt so frustrated at the lack of activities for 8-13 years olds she got together with other parents to make things happen. With support from Streetworx and backing from the Council, the parents put on activities through the summer and launched the group PITS (Parents Intervention Takes a Stand). Parent Donna explained:

“We want activities that parents and children can do together,to help our children learn better,and we want to learn with them.”

Activities have included football, photography, music workshops, break dancing, drama, gardening and arts and crafts. It’s not just been about having fun either, the first task the group took on was cleaning up the playground at Denholme Close. Joyce said:

“This is about our children feeling good about this area. We want to make a difference and the kids need to know there is a community.”

Councillor Jackie Drayton helped out on the day and, at the launch on 1st August, she expressed her pride in what had already been achieved by the parents group:>“Around 40 local residents, children and young people, officers and volunteers turned up and worked solidly, pulling up weeds, cutting back brambles, picking up rubbish and painting fences.

At the end the park looked a real picture and a safe place for children to play.”

One local father said,

“It’s brilliant that this kind of thing can be got off the ground in such a short space of time.It’s going to be good for all our children.”

The PITS group is now looking to set up its own youth group and after-school club, while activities such as football and boxing will continue in the coming months.