Zoo time is a learning experience for families

Apr 11 2008 Chester Chronicle

A UNIQUE project is to bring families together in the name of conservation.

Chester Zoo has joined forces with One Parent Families/Gingerbread to deliver Learning Together – a project aimed at providing opportunities for lone parents in the Merseyside and Ellesmere Port areas to learn through spending time together.

The two-year scheme has been made possible through the Big Lottery Fund’s Family Learning programme, which is meeting the £150,000 cost of Learning Together.

New family groups will be set up during the course of the scheme, which will see families visiting Chester Zoo and taking part in conservation activities including animal experiences, arts activities and specialist workshops under the guidance of the zoo’s education division.

All the participants will work towards hosting a photographic exhibition at the end of the scheme, developing social, practical, IT and creative skills in the process.

It is hoped that more than 600 people or 250 families will benefit from the scheme .

Melanie Cowieson, Chester Zoo’s development manager, said: “This is the first time a UK zoo has ever attempted a project of this kind but we hope in doing so that we will engage families not just with each other but also with the world of conservation.

“We appreciate that being a lone parent can be difficult so we will be working in the heart of local communities to bring people together through the rich and exciting experiences the zoo has to offer.”

Two education project workers will be appointed to run the scheme. Chester’s education department, zoo keepers and volunteers will also be involved.

Steve Harding, area manager for the Learning and Development Team of One Parent Families/Gingerbread, said: “We believe this is a fantastic opportunity for lone parent families to experience a unique family learning experience with the support of One Parent Families/Gingerbread and Chester Zoo.’