Children at Waterville Primary School have transformed unwanted materials into a unique piece of furniture for their eco-shop, with help from North Tyneside Council.
Staff from the council’s housing department built a cabinet using old kitchen units removed from a council property, which the children then turned into a vibrant work of art.
The children painted the cabinet under the guidance of local artists Beth Huttly and Amy Welch, using their sketches inspired by the local fish quay and seaside.
Known for their giant seal and fish sculptures made from rubbish collected at the coast, Beth and Amy have been instrumental in raising awareness of plastic pollution through their artwork.
Mark Nugent, Head of Waterville Primary School, said: ““Our eco-shop project has been a fantastic opportunity to reach out to the Meadow Well community and provide as much support as we can for those who may need it.
"With the help of the North Tyneside Council’s social inclusion and waste strategy teams, our children now run a weekly ‘Waterville Weekend Market’. The shop, designed and built out of reclaimed materials by the waste strategy team, contains a range of everyday products. For just £3, parents and families can purchase any 10 items from the market.
“I’d like to thank all those at North Tyneside Council for their help with this fantastic project. Feedback from visitors to our market has been extremely positive and we look forward to supporting as many families as possible.”
Councillor Sandra Graham, Cabinet Member for the Climate Emergency, visited the school to meet the children and artists involved in the project.
She said: “This initiative really shows how we can get creative with materials to make a positive impact on our community and teach our young ones about sustainability. It’s really inspiring to see everyone's dedication and passion shining through in this project.”
For the next project, council staff are making planters from reclaimed wood for the students to grow food and plants. The planters will be sold to generate funds for reinvestment in the shop, promoting sustainability and entrepreneurship among the students. And they are making another cabinet for the pantry at Riverside Community Centre, which is set to launch in August.
The project coincides with Net Zero Week, the UK’s official national awareness week and the biggest net zero conference.