Thousands of Flintshire children enjoy a summer to remember

Thousands of children and young people across Flintshire enjoyed a summer packed with fun, friendship, learning and new experiences thanks to a wide range of free activities put on by Flintshire County Council’s Education and Youth teams.

Throughout the school holidays, children took part in programmes designed to keep them active and engaged.

The Council’s Summer Playscheme programme, facilitated by Flintshire Play Development and funded through Town and Community Councils, once again proved hugely popular. With more than 4,200 children registered, more than 15,500 total attendances were recorded across 49 sites throughout the county.

Children enjoyed welcoming and accessible spaces where they could play, explore and make new friends in a safe and fun environment, supported by trained Playworkers. Snacks and water were provided to keep children fuelled and refreshed, with meals also offered at sites in areas with higher levels of deprivation, thanks to Welsh Government funding.

The Play Development team also delivered dedicated sessions for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller families, supported by Travelling Ahead and the Flintshire Inclusion Team, as well as sessions for children and families for whom English is an additional language.

Meanwhile, 12 Flintshire schools hosted ‘Food and Fun’ sessions delivered by the Community Focused Schools teams in partnership with the Welsh Local Government Association, Gwella, NEWydd Catering and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. The programme provided healthy breakfasts, snacks and hot lunches alongside a wide range of activities focused on nutrition, physical activity and wellbeing.

More than 5,500 hot lunches were served during the programme, while children took part in activities like science experiments, crafts, circus skills and sports games, as well as visits from North Wales Police and North Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

Flintshire’s Youth Service and Homelessness Prevention Team attended Fit, Fed and Read sessions hosted by Gwella to deliver creative activities, wellbeing support and informal learning opportunities. Welsh language activities were also incorporated throughout the programme, helping young people engage with the language and gain confidence in using their Welsh, whatever their level.

Other highlights included a two-day snowboarding and skiing camp, and the Y Maes nature project in Saltney, where young volunteers are creating a space for outdoor learning and growing their own food.

The service also supported community events and provided one-to-one support to those young people who needed it throughout the holidays.

The Flintshire Sorted team was also busy putting on a series of free activities for young people aged 10 and over, including inflatable sports challenges and games, attracting 250 participants.

Clwb Cwtsh supported 118 children and young people with complex needs from 76 families through a packed programme of activities including swimming, bowling, gymnastics, arts and crafts and excursions. The club provided valuable opportunities for children to maintain friendships and for families to connect with each other in a supportive environment.

Councillor Mared Eastwood, Cabinet Member for Education, Welsh Language, Culture and Leisure, said:

“It has been fantastic to see so many children taking part in activities in all parts of Flintshire over the summer. The summer holidays should be a time for children and young people to have fun and make memories, and that’s exactly what our programmes have helped to provide.

“I would like to thank our staff and partner organisations who have helped make these opportunities possible, ensuring that children were able to enjoy a fun and enriching summer.”