Staff at Penyrheol Primary School came-up with the idea when one of their teachers tied-the-knot at the Gower wedding venue Fairyhill last year.
Some couples like to keep the flowers but others leave them behind after their big day.
The school asked Fairyhill if they could instead collect those flowers, so that the pupils could repurpose them into posies to give to members of the community as they were learning about simple acts of kindness.
Bringing a smile to the vulnerable the project has rapidly grown. Couples are now invited to donate their floral displays at the end of their wedding day and so far more than 1,800 posies have been delivered along with cards from the pupils who made them to brighten-up someone’s day.
As well as helping pupils learn about simple acts of kindness, it also enriches many parts of the Curriculum for Wales including entrepreneurial skills, authentic and purposeful learning and sustainability.
The project has been boosted by support from UWTSD, and from Bantani Cymru CIC who have designed learning resources and training for teachers.
Penyrheol Headteacher Alison Williams talking about the project said:
“The pupils choose the flowers to include in their posies and are encouraged to think about who in the community might be in need of a simple act of kindness.
“The messages we’ve had back from people who receive the posies are lovely and show they are really appreciated by people who then know that someone is thinking of them.”
Christina Hole, Fairyhill Logistics Manager added:
“Working with the school to give back to the local community is an absolute pleasure.
“The beautiful floral displays we have at Fairyhill on wedding days deserve to be enjoyed for their full shelf life. It is a honour to be part of the scheme, especially at this time of year when the sentiment of community spirit and kindness is more important than ever.”
Other schools are starting to get involved in the project called Positive Posies along with local community groups ,charities and organisations.
There are more than 30 people that are now part of a WhatsApp Group that helps coordinate the collection and distribution of the flowers to volunteers who are young and old so that they can turn them into posies.
“It’s now expanding to other schools in our area and we have organisations such as the Swansea Veteran’s Association and local church groups who have had deliveries of flowers so that they can make posies and distribute them to people they are aware of who would benefit,” added Mrs Williams”
To keep it blooming and expand this social enterprise and continue to add value to local communities ensuring even more people can enjoy a little colour in their lives, organisers are looking for more volunteers and more schools and organisations to get involved.
To get involved and support the initiative contact Penyrheol Primary by emailing: penyrheolprimaryschool@penyrheol-pri.swansea.sch.uk
