A CREATIVE LEARNING ADVENTURE
JOIN US FOR A MER-MAZING ART TRAIL ADVENTURE
There’s going to be a wave of excitement across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) in the spring of 2025, with over 100 unique mermaid tail sculptures featuring in The Great Tail Trail, helping to raise awareness and vital funds for your local children’s hospice charity, Julia’s House.
Alongside the 40 giant mermaid tails, will be over 60 smaller sculptures designed by local schools, nurseries, youth groups and communities, as part of The Great Tail Trail’s Learner Programme, The Tiny Tail Trail.
The Tiny Tail Trail will give your school or group the chance to design your very own sculpture and join the biggest event across BCP in 2025. It will enable young people to work together on a creative project for the community as well as facilitate discussions on important topics linked to the curriculum - from discovering the history of your local area, to inclusion and differences, and the benefits of physical activity and exploring nature.
After getting creative in the classroom your Tiny Tail sculpture will feature on The Great Tail Trail in libraries, leisure centres and other public buildings across BCP. Once the trail has finished, your Tiny Tail will be returned for your school to keep forever.
So, sign up and put your very own mermaid tail on the map!
Don’t take our word for it!
39 schools took part in our Big Dog Art Trail in Swindon in 2023. All said they felt proud to be involved and would take part in a similar project again.
“We were very proud and privileged to be part of the Big Dog Art Trail project. Our whole school community got behind us and we smashed our fundraising target. We were also incredibly pleased that it gave us a bigger platform upon which to share our school values, which were painted on our pup.”
Eastrop Infant School and Nursery, Swindon
Raised £760 for The Big Dog Art Trail, 2023
Dive in for some fin-tastic benefits when you pledge to raise £750
Beautiful 88 x 90 x 60cm blank fibreglass Tiny Tail sculpture
Online Learning Resource pack with creative ideas, guidance and fun ways to engage your young learners
Your decorated Tiny Tail becomes famous on The Great Tail Trail
Julia’s House video about the trail and our work with local families to share at school
Opportunity for students to visit the Julia’s House hospice in Corfe Mullen
Your school’s Tiny Tail will be included on the event’s trail map, website and mobile app
PR support and opportunities for your school
Develop skills in communication, teamwork, creative thinking and much more
Opportunities to discuss and have a positive impact on health and well-being
Collaborative working and partnerships with other schools and communities
Support and understanding of the work of your local children’s hospice, Julia’s House
Be a part of something really special!
“Julia’s House means having people around who know what we are going through. It’s having a shoulder to cry on, or someone to talk to. It’s a pity we’ve had to meet such special people because of these circumstances. We would be so lost without Julia’s House.”
Caz, mum to Kaitlynne
ABOUT JULIA’S HOUSE
Julia’s House is Dorset’s local children’s hospice charity, looking after the most seriously ill children in the county and providing support to their families.
Many of these children need 24-hour care for their complex and often rare medical conditions. Julia’s House receives just eight per cent funding from the Government, so we rely on public support and donations. Our costs are increasing along with the demand for our care, and The Great Tail Trail will help us raise critical funds and reach people and businesses who don’t know about the vital service we provide in the community.
We’ve chosen mermaid tails to represent the Mermaid Suite at our Dorset hospice where we look after children at the end of their lives and support their families.
ABOUT WILD IN ART
The Great Tail Trail is brought to BCP by Julia’s House and Wild in Art, the leading producer of spectacular public art events. Wild in Art trails can be found across the UK and worldwide, bringing communities together and leaving a lasting legacy.
Julia’s House and Wild in Art have collaborated on art trails previously, in 2011 with the Pride in Bournemouth lion trail and in Swindon last year with The Big Dog Art Trail, both of which raised awareness and funds for Julia’s House.
Cows About Cambridge 2021 – RMG Photography Whale Tales, Auckland 2022
The Big Dog Art Trail 2023 – Mad Mash Media
LEARNING PROGRAMME TIMELINE
11 October 2024
Deadline for learning programme applications
5 April – 1 June 2025
Trail is live – your Tiny Tail becomes famous!
24 October 2024
Online inspiration event. Collect your Tiny Tail
16 December 2024
Get creative and paint your sculpture by this deadline
14-15 June 2025
Farewell weekend event – all Giant and Tiny Tail sculptures come together under one roof
16 December 2024
Return your Tiny Tail by this date (location TBC)
From 16 June 2025
Your Tiny Tail can be collected and taken back to your school
READY TO MAKE A SPLASH?
If you’re ready to dive in and join the fun we ask you to pledge to raise a minimum of £750 for Julia’s House children’s hospice. And remember, once you’ve dazzled the crowds on the trail, your Tiny Tail sculpture will be yours to keep forever.
You’ll have until 31 March 2025 to raise the funds in any way you choose. We’ll give you lots of fundraising ideas to get everyone really excited and help you reach your target.
We only have a limited number of Tiny Tails available, so don’t miss out - apply today at juliashouse.org/tinytrail
“The arts fuel children’s curiosity and critical capacity. They are every child’s birthright. It is vital that children engage with the arts early in their lives.”
Arts Council England
Ready to dive in?
If you’d like a printed version of the application form or want to discuss the project in more detail, get in touch with us at teamtails@juliashouse.org
TINY TAIL PACKAGE – FUNDRAISE £750
Don’t get left trailing behind! Follow us on social for the latest trail news.
Registered Charity No. 1067125 @greattailtrail greattailtrail.co.uk
Photo credit: School Photography by Jon Bolton