We are delighted to present the ‘Green Time Multiply Award’ to a truly outstanding winner, Cece Shaw. The Isle of Wight Council Adult and Community Learning Team recently celebrated the Skills For Life Multiply three year ‘Maths’ funded programme by holding a special Multiply Awards Evening to celebrate the final phase and closure of the programme.

Equals IW and MCEnhancement joined a number of other partner delivery organisations with their nominees and guest, along with distinguished guest, tutors and trainers for a buffet held at the Westridge Adult Learning and Community Centre, viewing of organisational displays including Green Time and networking.

Each partner organisation gave a presentation of their programme during the special awards ceremony. Mark of MCEnhancement presented the following:

“Cece was one of 10 learners who joined the first Green Time – Multiply creative crafts with a splash of fun maths workshops in December 2022. The workshop enabled Cece to learn about percentages and create her own wooden Christmas/seasonal festive plate decorated with her own personal design.

Cece has completed

• Four Green Time – Multiply Walks
• Seven Green Tine Multiply Activity Workshops

Cece has developed her maths skills in

• Percentages
• Measuring Scales and using a Tape Measure
• Recognise and add simple fractions using amounts and quantities
• Reading, writing and comparing halves and quarters of quantities
• Understanding how to read and write common fractions
• Working out the cost of ingredients by reading and extracting information from a table
• Followed the recipe instructions to use the kitchen scales in order to weigh out the ingredients and used a measuring jug to measure out the correct amount of liquid needed
• Perimeters Areas and Volume
• Probability
• Metric Units of Weight and Capacity

Cece really enjoys the learning aspect of Green Time, being outdoors with friends, exploring new and different places around the island and finds Green Time Multiply is not only good for her physical fitness but also emotional wellbeing, a sense of connection with others and opportunities in a fun way to use individual skills, knowledge and keep the brain active and has helped her manage her challenges with self-confidence.

Cece also finds each workshop is very suitable to her ADHD traits as they have taken part in different places for the walking, have different craft activities and have different everyday maths skills activities that Cece aims to complete without the use of a calculator.

Cece added “I love maths, the Green Time - Multiply Workshops are fabulous for refreshing your maths skills. I use many of the maths topics we have covered every day, especially in my cooking. The worksheets have also helped me with teaching my foster children maths. I have enjoyed Green Time – Multiply and see it as First Aid for Maths.”

Cece, over the last three years of the Green Time - Multiply Programme, has only missed one workshop. Cece’s enthusiasm and energy to encourage others to get involved and attend is truly inspirational. In addition, over the last three years, Cece has made a range of different homemade breads which she has brought to share with all the other learners at each of the workshops. It certainly would not have been the same without her during the period 1st September 2022 to 31st May 2024.

We are delighted to present the ‘Green Time Multiply Award’ to a truly outstanding winner, Cece Shaw.

You can read the full presentation report (pdf 40kB)

Green Time - Multiply enables those taking place to relax with others and increase their confidence with numbers developing maths skills in a fun informal way through the use of walks, create crafts and arts activities with a splash of fun maths, focused on enhancing positive emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and mental health.

Good maths skills can help you find more job opportunities and lead to higher wages, or they can help you prepare for further study. They also help in everyday life, such as helping children with homework and budgeting money. From these workshops learners can progress to other Multiply Maths Workshops and brush up their maths skills to support children with their homework or progress to maths skills units, building towards a City and Guilds Functional Maths Level 1 and 2 Qualification.

The Equals IW Friends and Family Group came together in the beautiful grand house and gardens of Torwood in tranquil Bonchurch.

The workshop was the successful end to a three year programme of “Activities with a Splash of Fun Maths” held in partnership with Mark from MCEnhancement.

The group joined Cece to pick fresh wild garlic from the garden and prepare the garlic for use.

They used kitchen scales to weigh out ingredients and followed instructions provided by Cece to make "Wild Garlic Butter and Bread".

The group enjoyed taking part in some fun maths learning how to

• Convert litres to millilitres and kilograms to grams
• Calculate the perimeter, area and volume of swimming pool at Torwood
• Calculate the amount of water needed to fill the swimming pool and the time it would take
• Calculate the cost of heating the pool at Torwood
• Use temperature and time to cook the ‘Wild Garlic Bread’.

The group ended the final Multiply Green Time Workshop in friendship with a celebratory meal while relaxing in the peaceful surroundings.

We took photos (lots)

Green Time - Multiply is a way of developing maths skills in a fun, informal way by using the great outdoors to enhance positive emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and mental health.

The Equals IW Friends and Family Group visited Merstone Railway Station Community Orchard which is a Gift to Nature site.

The event was the successful culmination to a three year programme of "Walks with a Splash of Fun Maths" held in partnership with Mark from MCEnhancement.

Group members joined Mark to explore and learn all about the Community Orchard and heritage of the old railway station. The Community Orchard is home to a range of wildflowers and fruit trees with their blossom providing a great source of early nectar.

The group enjoyed taking part in some fun maths learning about "Areas" before joining Mark on a short walk along the old railway line, now known as the Red Squirrel Trail. They returned back to enjoy a picnic in the late afternoon warm sunshine at the Community Orchard.

We took photos

The Green Time Walks will continue throughout 2024.

Green Time - Multiply is a way of developing maths skills in a fun, informal way by using the great outdoors to enhance positive emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and mental health.

Equals IW Friends and Family Group recently came together to enjoy a round trip walk in Ryde.

They had the opportunity on this walk to get up close to nature by feeding the wild bird life at Ryde Canoe Lake.

Group members then took a gentle walk through Appley Park, viewing the magnificent Scots Pine trees, and explored the ancient woodland trail to find the Appley Park Picture Frame.

Friends then walked along the seawall to appreciate the spectacular views of the Solent, Spinnaker Tower, Spitbank, Horse Sand and No Man’s Forts, and Paulsgrove Hill Cliffs.

After walking on into Puckpool Park Mark shared the history of this fort and barracks and the role it played during wartime.

Refreshments were welcomed by all at the café in Puckpool Park before the group walked back along the golden sands and shoreline of Appley Beach.

They covered four miles with 9,250 steps and that enabled 390 Kcal to be burnt.

Green Time, enhancing friendship, positive emotional well-being and mental health, self-confidence and self-esteem.

We took photos

Equals IW Friends and Family and Ladies Groups recently came together to give something back to the local community. The Green Time – Multiply project evening involved a Fun Splash of Maths session where participants learnt about probability. They enjoyed playing the Bunny Drive game with lots of laughter and during the evening a cake raffle was held.

A Bunny Drive is a fun, social event used to raise funds for charity by having participants draw parts of a bunny based on dice rolls, aiming to complete their drawing first. It’s a light-hearted game that fosters community spirit and provides a platform for additional fundraising activities. (Quote from ChatGPT)

The evening was also themed on "Cakes from around the World" which resulted in a delicious selection of homemade cakes and bread donated by the Equals IW Ladies Group. The cakes included

• Indonesian marble cake
• Caramel cake
• Pandan cake
• English Victoria sponge cake
• Bara brith which is traditional Welsh tea bread
• Belgian buns
• Cinnamon buns made with sourdough
• Philippine pandesal bread with salt

Homemade baking entails everyday maths skills of reading and following a recipe, reading scales, weighing ingredients, metric or imperial measurements, amounts and quantities and the time associated with baking.

The charity Bunny Drive with a Splash of Fun Maths was co-ordinated by Mark Cox who said “We are all delighted at Equals IW to be able to give back to the community and raise £150 to support Mad-Aid in making a difference in getting medical aid delivered to those in need”.

We took photos

We ate cake

Multiply

Multiply is a Government funded programme delivered through Isle of Wight Council Community Adult and Community Learning. It enables you to increase your confidence with numbers and to develop maths skills in a fun, informal way. Good maths skills can help in everyday life such as cooking, travelling on public transport and budgeting money.

Mad-Aid

Mad-aid is supporting a team of 38 on the ground in Moldova who deliver hospital beds, wheelchairs and other much-needed aid brought in from the UK.

Mad-Aid provides

• Phoenix Homes that set a new standard for care of the elderly in Moldova.
• Social services in the Phoenix Complex with care and support for hundreds of disabled children each year.
• Everyday equipment including household appliances, new and used clothes, new shoes, school stationery and bags, cleaning materials and hygiene products.
• Support for Ukrainian displaced people by offering shelter from war in Moldova and Ukraine while helping support those arriving in UK.

For more information please visit their website.

Mad-Aid - Medical Aid Delivered Making A - Difference Medical Aid Delivered

Join Mark and Equals IW to explore and learn all about the Community Orchard and heritage of the old railway station. You will take part in some fun maths learning about ‘Areas’ before joining Mark on a walk through beautiful countryside.

• Sunday 28th April 2024
• 2pm to 6pm
• Meeting Point: Merstone Old Railway Station PO30 3DQ
• Free Car Parking – Route 2 Bus Stops at Station
• Merstone Station and Redway Loop 3.2 miles – 5km, 289 Kcal, 6,900 Steps

Circular Walk

The circular walk initially takes the country lane and woodland pathway to Redway. Then across the country fields to Horringford to return on the cycle track along the old railway line to Merstone Old Railway Station and the Community Orchard. The Community Orchard is home to a range of wildflowers and fruit trees with blossom which provide a great source of early nectar. 

Alternative Walk

We will have an alternative walk that is pushchair, child buggy, mobility scooter and wheelchair friendly along the hard-packed cycle track and the old railway line to Horringford. There you will meet the other group members who are on the circular walk and all return together.

Picnic

After the walk there will be a group picnic at the Community Orchard. Please bring and share food. Hot and cold water with cups and paper plates will be available. The orchard does have barbecues that can be used safely. Remember to bring a drink, if sunny a sunhat and sun cream, and please wear trainers, walking shoes or boots and clothing suitable for the weather.

This walk is open to children accompanied by parents, young people and adults, with no upper age limit. Dogs are also very welcome but must be kept on a lead at all times.

Green Time - Multiply is a way of developing maths skills in a fun, informal way by using the great outdoors to enhance positive emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and mental health.

We are delighted that Eden has taken up the role for a second year as the Equals IW Ladies Group Co-ordinator.

Eden has put her enthusiasm straight into action by organising a trip over the Solent to visit the shops in Southampton City Centre.

The Ladies Group invited sixteen friends, partners, husbands and family to the Cosmo All You Can Eat World Buffet in Southampton to celebrate the Chinese New Year.  The group also took the opportunity to celebrate the birthday of Aireen, one of the group members.

We took photos

Background

Lunar New Year in 2024 occured on 10th February and was celebrated by millions of people around the world. It is also known by other names, including the Chinese New Year, Spring Festival, Seollal and Tet Nguyen Dan. 

Regardless of the name the Lunar New Year is one of the most important festivals for many people of Asian heritage. Red is the primary colour during the celebration and it is common to see many red decorations during this period. Red envelopes get passed around in a tradition used to send good luck and money to the receiver.

2024 is the year of the Wood Dragon Jiǎ Chén (甲 辰). It blends the heavenly stem of Jiǎ or Yang Wood and the earthly branch of Chén the Dragon. Wood is considered yang because it represents activity, growth, expansion, and outward movement. The Dragon is Yang Earth as its core with some Yin Wood and Yin Water. Earth is considered yang because it represents stability, nourishment, and solidity. The resulting combination means the Wood Dragon is powerful, endlessly energetic and full of vitality. A goal-oriented yet idealistic and romantic visionary leader. It knows exactly who they are and possesses the keenest sense of self among the 12 zodiac signs of Chinese astrology.

A group of friends from Asian Global UK recently spent a weekend on the Isle of Wight. During their stay with Aireen who is an Equals IW Trustee they took a trip to the Isle of Wight Pearl.

The group viewed the Equals IW Christmas Tree created by the Ladies Group for our entry into this years Brighstone Christmas Tree Festival.

The group loved the theme created by the Ladies Group and voted for our entry in this years competition.

They enjoyed taking time out of their busy weekend to show support for Equals IW community engagement projects on the Isle of Wight.

Asian Global UK looks forward to having opportunities to work in partnership with Equals IW in 2024.

We took photos

Isle of Wight Pearl is a family-run business that offers classic and unique pearl jewellery with a pick-a-pearl design studio and a view of the sea.

The final session of this year’s Green Time Multiply activities recently took place at Torwood in Bonchurch. The group of ten learnt what a fraction is by completing four interactive worksheets.

Mark led the session teaching the group members how to recognise and add simple fractions. They learnt how to read, write and compare quantities including halves and quarters. They covered how to read and write common fractions. Group members were each given a packet of M&Ms and followed a worksheet to count how many they had in total. After recounting for individual colours they created fractions for each and added the fractions together.

The counting brought about a lot of laughter, fun and chaos. This result was many group members having to recount their M&Ms more than once. Group members even found themselves rescuing M&Ms from the floor before Aireen’s dog Peanuts found them. Luckily all were found and returned to the table for recounting.

The group enjoyed homemade soup, bread and cake while having fun being creative by colouring or painting their own

• Christmas Card
• Christmas Stick Character
• Christmas Bag
• Christmas Stocking.

Alternatively the group had the opportunity to make a cross stitch card and select their own design of a robin, a Christmas tree or a Santa.

The Festive Crafts Workshop with a splash of fun maths let everyone taking part develop everyday useful maths skills. The time spent together was the perfect way to relax in friendship with other people. They all made a personalised festive item for use over the festive season.

We took photos

You are welcome to visit our online album of these images.

Coming Soon

Green Time, Green Skills Multiply developing maths skills in a fun informal way through the use of crafts and arts to enhance positive emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and mental health returns with a spring crafts workshop in 2024.

There will also be a special workshop whereby maths skills will be developed by making a different cake or pudding of choice from around the world. It will be combined with an Easter Bunny Drive charity fund-raising evening. Fun for all with a slice of cake and tea.

More details on both workshops can be announced In January 2024.

A Christ the King College student recently approached Equals IW seeking to produce an article on the work of the charity. The County Press is signed up to the Young Reporter Scheme giving young people including Lianne the chance to write for their local newspaper.

Lianne met with Mark, Niviera, Cece and Lauren to ask a range of questions. She gathered information supporting her research from reading about Equals IW on this website.

Equals IW is delighted to have supported an Island student with her studies and the Young Reporter Scheme with the County Press.

You can read the article produced by Lianne on the County Press website.