Primary school children in the Pembroke Dock area have been learning important communication skills and have grown in confidence thanks to a partnership between the Port of Milford Haven and 2B Enterprising.
The Port has funded an educational initiative named ‘The Bumbles of Honeywood’ which is aimed at inspiring the next generation of ambitious, enterprising and informed citizens. The first phase of the programme was rolled out in Monkton Priory Community School, Pembroke Dock Community School and Pennar Community School throughout the Autumn term. Children were told a story about a community of bumblebees who learn how to communicate effectively, work as a team and appreciate the differences in everyone they meet. They then took part in practical activities such as how to stand confidently, give a strong handshake and maintain eye contact which they practiced on their classmates, teachers and staff from the Port of Milford Haven.
The children were asked how they felt before and after the task. Before the session they said they were ‘nervous’ and ‘scared’, however afterwards they said they felt ‘happy’ and ‘proud’. The session concluded with some positive affirmations which everyone enjoyed.
Further sessions focusing on what it means to be a good friend and how to recognise each other’s strengths and skills will take place in each of the three schools next year.
Hollie Phillips, Community Engagement Assistant at the Port of Milford Haven, said “It was really great to see the next generation developing essential skills for work and life. We can’t wait to follow the progress of everyone involved and see what a difference this project is making to young people.”
2B Enterprising was founded by Sue Poole in 2001. Since then, the team have created additional resources for older age groups in primary education and delivered activity sessions to over 10,000 pupils.
Jayne Brewer, CEO of 2B Enterprising, commented “The Bumbles of Honeywood programme is all about developing practical, useful skills which will be valued by employers in years to come. Partnering schools with businesses such as the Port of Milford Haven enables us to bring these skills to life in the classroom and expose young people to a host of new future opportunities that they may not realise exist.”
For information on the programme visit www.2benterprising.co.uk
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Photo: Gareth James and Sara Richards from the Port of Milford Haven joined pupils from Monkton Priory Community School for a session about developing communication skills.
Notes to Editors:
Port of Milford Haven
The Port of Milford Haven is the UK’s top energy port and Wales’ busiest port handling around 20% of Britain’s seaborne trade in oil and gas. It is widely recognised in the industry as the energy capital of the UK.
The Port, along with the cluster of energy-related businesses along the Waterway, is a key driver of economic activity in Pembrokeshire, attracting inward investment and supporting over 4,000 jobs.
The Port of Milford Haven also owns and operates Pembroke Port and Milford Dock. Activities such as cargo handling, ferry operations, fish landing and cruise calls as well as a first class marina are spread across these two sites.
One of the most prominent on the West Coast, the Port is in the heart of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the only Coastal National Park in Great Britain. It is marked as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and has many areas designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
The Port of Milford Haven is a trust port – an independent, commercially run organisation that has statutory responsibilities governed by its Acts, to maintain and improve navigation and the provision of Port and Harbour services and facilities. Additionally, the Port provides significant financial and in-kind support to a wide variety of local causes. All profits are retained within the business to fund these objectives.
For further information, visit www.mhpa.co.uk or contact:
Anna Malloy
Port of Milford Haven
01646 696100
anna.malloy@mhpa.co.uk