Designed to inspire the next generation of eco-champions, Utilita’s Summer Sustainability Club blends creativity, education and play to help children understand sustainability in an engaging and accessible way.
The initiative builds on Utilita’s award-winning High 5 campaign, which encourages households to adopt simple, everyday behaviours to save energy, reduce waste and lower bills.
Throughout the summer, children visiting Hartlepool’s Utilita Energy Hub, in York Road, will be able to take part in a variety of themed workshops, including:
Wednesday, 22 July
- Wise up to food waste: Budding gardeners can plant their own carrots and beetroot to take home, along with a food waste tracker and practical Shop Smart, Cook Savvy tips to help families reduce waste and save energy.
Thursday, 23 July
- (1pm to 2pm) Children will be able to take part in a Build-a-Robot from Waste workshop. They will learn how to transform everyday rubbish into imaginative robot creations, learning how waste materials can be repurposed. Each participant will name their robot and explain how it can help their family and the planet.
Wednesday, 29 July
- Reduce, reuse, recycle: Participants take part in a fun, interactive game using different waste bins (recycling, general, garden, and food). They sort a variety of household items and guess which bin each item belongs in. Following this, children can get creative by reusing everyday materials to make something new, such as a piggy bank or a picture frame.
Thursday, 6 August
- Fast fashion: This activity highlights the environmental impact of discarded clothing, as children turn an old t-shirt into a practical, no-sew tote bag or cushion. They’ll also learn how to patch holes in clothes and make scrunchies.
Wednesday, 12 August
- Nature, wildlife and biodiversity: Families can explore the natural world as they make mini creatures that can be found in our garden and learn how to create a bug hotel to support local wildlife.
Thursday, 20 August
- Saving power at home: Children will become “Energy Detectives,” identifying ways electricity is wasted at home. They’ll take away a DIY solar car and energy-saving “switch off” reminder signs.
Thursday, 27 August
- How bad are bananas? This engaging carbon conversation tool (and fun game!) will spark lively discussions about the environment before the youngsters design their own Sustainability Superhero posters to take home.
Kristine Gorman, Utilita Energy Hub Supervisor, said: “We love to support our communities and regularly run child-friendly activities across the holiday times. We strongly believe that children should have access to experiences that spark their imagination and creativity.”
She added: “Through our Summer Sustainability Club, we’re sharing what we’ve learned from our eco programme in a fun, interactive way to ignite children’s interest in sustainability and maybe even inspire them to consider green jobs of the future.”
