During the recent summer holidays, Essex ActivAte ran their Holiday Activity and Food Programme over in Thurrock, a beautiful historic town offering countless green spaces and memorable monuments. A total of 24 clubs were available which were run by 18 different local providers. Essex ActivAte is run by Active Essex and Essex County Council on behalf of the Department for Education. Essex County Council also extended the offer to low income working families who require additional support. Clubs this summer focused on primary, secondary, SEND and mental wellbeing provision offering activities such as performing arts, multi-sports, dance, planting and growing vegetables, theatre production, music creation, cooking classes, scavenger hunts, nutritional education and much more!
The Holiday Activity and Food Programme is a vital initiative to support families and young people across Thurrock, as it creates different opportunities for children and allows them to find their favourite way of being active. Each club gives children the chance to enjoy nutritious food, physical activity and enrichment activities. Young people are seen to make friendships and socialise in safe and supported environments as they feel comfortable and relaxed being around others. Parents also appreciate the support given as sending their children to a club allows them to focus on their own physical and mental wellbeing.
One provider in Thurrock, Red Balloon Foundation, saw an amazing 20 children attended a day, reaching a wide variety of young people from diverse backgrounds. Following feedback from the attendees, the club was moved outdoors in the park during the summer so children could have fun in a natural environment. The young people were also able to engage and feedback the activities they wanted to do during the sessions to help keep them interested and return for another day. Red Balloon Foundation has engaged with and given a positive experience to lots of families this summer and moving forward this can be developed further with new clubs and activities.
Nana, one of the club providers, told us about the young children who attended; “We had a range of different ages throughout the summer. Most children were heading to secondary school, but we saw lots of 12–16-year-olds come and play sports with the younger lot. The characteristics of the children were very sporty and full of energy; they were full of confidence and easy going with us. This made it very easy for us to engage with them and made the sessions run smoothly.”
Over at Grangewaters Outdoor Education Centre in Thurrock’s countryside, young people enjoyed all types of physical activities during the summer from canoeing, rock climbing and kayaking to name a few. Introducing children to new physical activity makes them feel more confident about learning different skills and improves their mental wellbeing.
Chris who runs the club, shared his experience with us about Artem, a Ukrainian refugee who attended Grangewaters regularly throughout the summer. He said: “When Artem joined us at the start of the summer, he wouldn’t mix with other young people due to a lack of confidence and a language barrier, but by the end of the summer programme, he was interacting and playing with others. Artem was extremely confident with all the activities and was very supportive of others who were involved. Artem would always be happy and keen to be back the following day.
Chris told us: “We believe that this programme has been so beneficial to Artem as he transitions to life in an English school this September. The programme has been inclusive for Artem and his compatriots, understanding the various activities without any complications, whilst tasting and enjoying different foods.
Thurrock continues to see more young children and families get involved with their clubs each year and Essex ActivAte are excited to launch the Winter programme with various festivities and events for everyone to enjoy!
