In a world obsessed with self promotion and social media, it isn’t too hard to understand how many of us find ourselves caught up in our own self-absorbed bubbles.
But one nursery has taken the time to make sure children are taught the value of sharing and helping others by preparing meals for the homeless.
Children from Scallywags Nursery, Suttons Lane, Hornchurch, have been setting time aside on a Monday to whip up some delicious meals which are handed over to one of the night shelters belonging to homeless charity Hope4Havering.
Owner Emma Reynolds said: “The children and families at Scallywags Nursery have really got behind this cause, each Monday the children bring in some of the ingredients ready to cook a meal for the residents.
“It also gives the children an understanding on their community and being kind to others.”
Emma and her son Benjamin started collecting blankets and bedding three years ago and delivered them to those in need on the streets of London.
She then started asking children and their families at the nursery if they would like to donate any items and Emma says their generosity was “outstanding”.
After seeing an increase in people living on the streets in the borough, Emma got in touch with Hope4Havering to find out more about what the nursery could do for the homeless.
The five-year-old charity - which provides a bed for the night, hot meals, advice, and help to move people into more permanent accommodation - now receives meals almost every week from the nursery children.
From preparing shepherd’s pie and sausage casserole, to creating vegetable soup and samosas, the ingredients children bring to school are transformed into tasty meals for those in need in Havering.
Founder of Hope4Havering Kim Merry said: “I think its incredible that the children at Scallywags Nursery are helping the residents at the charity.
“It’s important that children develop an awareness of the needs of the world around them from an early age.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here