Delivered by the Housing Executive in partnership with Business in the Community Northern Ireland and M3, the initiative uses the story of Hattie the House to show children the positive impact that caring for your home can have on your health.
A Primary Two class in Acorn Integrated Primary School and Nursery Unit were the first to hear the story of ‘Hattie the House’ which follows the journey of a boy’s talking house (Hattie) that becomes poorly in winter. With the help of an inspector, Hattie gets better again — teaching children that homes, like people, need care and attention. Practical advice includes checking roof tiles and guttering, keeping walls clear of clutter, opening windows, using pot lids while cooking, and avoiding drying clothes on radiators.
The story encourages children, as future homeowners, to think about caring for their homes. Alongside tips on identifying and treating damp and mould, the book highlights simple everyday actions to keep homes safe and healthy.
This pilot session included Michelle Larkin, Principal Officer for Estates Services and Damp and Mould Project Officer, who spoke to the children about her work and encouraged them to share the book’s tips with their families. As part of the programme, each storytelling session will feature a different Housing Executive staff member who explains their role and how their job helps keep homes healthy.
Children were very excited to receive their own copy of the storybook at the end of the reading delivered by Kellyanne Davoll, Housing Executive Learning & Organisational Development Business Partner, and couldn’t wait to share it with their families.
Kellyanne said, “We were delighted to deliver our first pilot storytelling session in Acorn Integrated Primary School today. The children listened so well to the message and really took on board the simple steps that can help to keep a home healthy.”
Michelle Larkin, Housing Executive Principal Officer, Estates Services said, “I really enjoyed telling the children about the job I do and encouraging them to tell their families about the very simple tips in the book on how to prevent damp and mould and treat it if it is there.”
Mrs J Fuller, Principal of Acorn Integrated Primary School said, “We were delighted to welcome the Housing Executive here to deliver such an important message to our children.
“Hopefully the children will read ‘Hattie the House’ to their parents and maybe even play teacher and educate them on how to keep their home happy and healthy.”
Emily Holt, Housing Executive Learning and Organisation Development Support Officer said, “It is great to see the pilot session completed with such success. The children really engaged with the practical tips in the book — from checking roof tiles and guttering to remembering to open windows when cooking — all simple ways to keep a home healthy. Going forward, each session will also give children the chance to meet a different Housing Executive staff member and learn how their job helps keep homes safe and well maintained. We plan to deliver the message to a school in each county of Northern Ireland over the next academic year, focusing on schools with the highest percentage of Housing Executive tenant families.
“A huge thank you to M3 publishers who kindly donated 350 copies of ‘Hattie the House’ for this project.”
Ciara Mulgrew, Programme Manager, Business in the Community Northern Ireland said: “Supporting children with their literacy skills is vital. In conjunction with our Time to Read campaign, this has been a great opportunity for Business in the Community to work in collaboration with the Housing Executive to bring the ‘Hattie the House’ book to life for children across Northern Ireland.” '
If anyone wishes the ‘Hattie the House’ project to visit their school please contact the Housing Executive Learning and Development Team via information@nihe.gov.uk
