Families across central Scotland have been introduced to a fun and engaging way to learn during the Covid-19 pandemic thanks to Children’s University Scotland and ScottishPower, which has funded 1,000 new Wonderboxes.

Wonderbox is a fun activity pack designed by Children’s University Scotland to support wellbeing and learning at home – particularly for children and families who are digitally excluded and don’t have access to online learning.

Packed full of fun things to do, each Wonderbox – which fits through a standard letter box – comes with 32 activity cards, a colourful journal, pencils, stickers, and badges, ensuring there’s plenty to keep children happy and active. Children use their box in their own way, record progress in their Wonder Journal and create a Wonder Power as a celebration of their skills and achievements.

1,000 children from 11 schools have received the boxes provided by ScottishPower’s funding of almost £9,000:

• Blacklands Primary, Kilwinning
• Braehead Primary, Dumbarton
• Knoxland Primary, Dumbarton
• St Leonard’s Primary, East Kilbride
• Hareleeshill Primary, Larkhall
• Larkhall Academy, Larkhall
• Robert Smillie Memorial Primary, Larkhall 
• Craigbank Primary, Larkhall
• Newfield Primary, Stonehouse 
• Grange Primary, Bo’ness
• St David’s Primary, Edinburgh

Melanie Hill, Director, Social Projects and Sector Education for ScottishPower, said: “While it’s been great to see how technology has been able to keep so many of us working and learning at home, we know that’s not the same for everyone. Wonderbox is the perfect solution to this. We’re proud to be able to support so many children and families as part of this brilliant learning initiative, which keeps kids active and learning in a way that works for them and stretches their imagination.

“Our support for Children’s University Scotland and Wonderbox is just the latest example of what we’re doing to support our colleagues, customers and communities through Covid-19 and beyond. I have no doubt these fantastic resources will make a real difference for those receiving the box through their door, provide much-needed support for vulnerable children and families, and help address the inequalities that still exist in our society today.”

Neil Mathers, Chief Executive of Children’s University Scotland, said: “We’re delighted to work with ScottishPower to support vulnerable children during this pandemic. We know so many families are struggling with lockdown while they try to manage work and home life. We understand that, for many families, accessing online resources can be a huge challenge and this is why we developed Wonderbox.

“We hope this new resource will help promote children’s wellbeing through engagement in fun learning at home. This partnership with ScottishPower means we can support an additional 1,000 children across central Scotland that otherwise we’d not have been able to reach.”

For more information about Wonderbox or Children’s University Scotland, visit www.childrensuniversity.scot or email contactus@childrensuniversity.scot.