West Dunbartonshire Council has significantly impacted local families this summer with its holiday program, investing £100,000 to deliver a diverse array of free activities for children and teenagers. This initiative marks a substantial commitment to supporting the community during the holiday season.
The program provided 13,000 activity spots and distributed over 16,000 meals and snacks. It featured an array of events tailored to children with additional support needs and various community groups. Notable offerings included virtual reality and gaming sessions hosted by Bellsmyre Digital, which attracted 240 participants, and football training sessions at Vale of Leven Football Academy, benefiting 65 youths.
Local venues also played a crucial role. The Cutty Sark Centre engaged more than 600 participants in its activities, while Haldane Youth Services conducted 48 events such as breakfast clubs and BBQs, drawing over 1,000 attendees. The Rock Community Church’s Olympic-themed sessions at the Phoenix Centre welcomed 600 local families, and Strathclyde Autistic Society organized trips and activities for 600 children with autism and their families.
Further support came from West Dunbartonshire Community Foodshare, which provided brunch bags to 700 families affected by the cost-of-living crisis, covering meals for a week.
Feedback from parents and carers has been overwhelmingly positive. Laura Mason, the Council’s Chief Education Officer, praised the collaborative effort behind the program, highlighting the importance of the community’s involvement. She noted, “This year’s program has been our most successful yet, with an impressive number of places and meals provided. It is heartening to receive such positive feedback from families about the value of these activities.”
Mason concluded by extending gratitude to all partners who helped deliver a comprehensive and engaging holiday program, affirming its significant benefit to the community.
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