Family Fun and Activities at The Hive to Mark Earth Day

From 'flying' like a bird thanks to the magic of virtual reality to learning about the plastic polluting our oceans, families can enjoy a host of free interactive activities at The Hive next week in celebration of Earth Day.

Budding environmentalists can explore a wide range of stalls combining fun with learning about today's key environmental challenges, and with more than 1,000 people attending last year, organisers are expecting another busy day.

The event, which involves University of Worcester students and staff alongside many other organisations, taking place on March 31 (11am-3pm) is also a chance to find out more about the ways in which we all can do our bit to help.

The University of Worcester's Director of Sustainability, Katy Boom, said: "We've designed the day to be hands-on, fun, and full of surprises. Whether you arrive with a plan, or simply walk through the door, we want people to dive in, explore every stall, and discover something new. It's a brilliant opportunity for families in particular to get involved."

Ms Boom added: "This is about using engaging activities to help educate people about sustainability and what small changes they can make for living, studying, working in Worcestershire in a more sustainable way. Earth Day is letting people know that we have already got the solutions and we can change the climate breakdown, we just need to get on with it."

A huge blow-up 'Earth balloon' will be on display in the atrium. University of Worcester students will be running stalls looking at a variety of environmental and sustainability-related topics.

Hive Team Leader, Katie Mace, who is helping to organise the event, said in previous years it has attracted around 1,000 people.

She said: "In celebration of The Hive's sustainability ethos, we work with the University to celebrate what we can do to care for the planet we live on. As it runs during the school holidays, we can engage with the environmentalists of tomorrow and spark their imagination in ways in which we can protect the world around us."

Dr Kate Ashbrook, Senior Lecturer in Biological Sciences at the University and Chair of the Worcester Swift Recovery Group, will be leading an interactive stall focused on swifts, an urban nesting bird. Children will be able to try a Virtual Reality experience that lets them 'be a swift', swooping and soaring across the University's Lakeside Campus.

A big part of the event centres on celebrating and protecting local wildlife. Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, the Worcester and Malvern RSPB group, and Worcestershire County Council will all be on hand, with the Council showcasing its new Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

Beyond wildlife, there will be plenty more to discover, from Fairtrade to Worcestershire Vegans and Veggies and teams exploring air quality with Worcestershire Regulatory Services.

Outside The Hive, West Mercia Police will provide free bike security marking.