Aberdeen City Council’s Education Operational Delivery today (Tuesday 14 June) approved proposals to make the hugely popular Easter and Summer of Play programmes permanent features in the city calendar.
The committee noted become the positive impact the two programmes of events have had in supporting the wellbeing of children and young people across the city following the lifting of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.
Councillors instructed the city’s Chief Education Officer to deliver a summer 2022 programme, Summer In the City, to support learning through play and outdoor activities in line with national guidance. £279, 262 has been secured from the Scottish Government to deliver the activities.
The Council’s Partnership Policy priority is to extend holiday programmes and the committee agreed that a new policy statement will be the subject of a report to the Council in August.
Committee Convener, Councillor Martin Greig, said: “Our local programme of Easter and summer activities has been a huge success. Many young people have benefited from the wide range of diverse opportunities arranged during holiday periods.
“It would be good to consider expanding some of these innovative activities into longer term or even permanent offerings. The commitment to partnership working has been brilliant. I am grateful for all the collaboration that has been able to create so many excellent new leisure and educational options.”
Vice convener, Councillor Jessica Mennie said: "This hugely successful initiative started with a need for us to focus on the emotional and mental wellbeing of our children and young people coming out of the pandemic. However, that care shouldn’t have an expiry date and I am delighted to be delivering on this partnership agreement in our first committee to make the summer of play a permanent programme.
"We have secured over a quarter of a million pounds from the Scottish Government to deliver a programme of events for children, young people and families across Aberdeen. Seeing how the team and all partners involved have used that funding to deliver such high-quality provision really is inspirational.
"We will continue to prioritise families most in need which is the right thing to do, but this is such a large-scale initiative that I have no doubt there is room for every child and young person who wants to participate. I look forward to seeing our children and young people have another summer of fun they won't forget."
The Summer of Play 2021 programme attracted more than 15,000 bookings. The recent Easter of Play, made 5,051 bookable opportunities available and like its predecessor, received positive reviews from users with the average enjoyment rating being 9.4 out of a maximum ten. Data also showed that:
- Over 70% of bookable activities were enjoyed by those in our priority groups
- Over 20% of bookable activities benefited those in receipt of free school meals
- Over 20% of bookable activities benefited those living in our priority areas
- Over 124 care experienced young people benefited from the programme
- Over 66 Young Carers benefited from the programme
- 32% of bookable activities benefited children and young people with additional support needs and their siblings
The programmes, delivered in partnership with organisations such as Sport Aberdeen and Aberdeen FC and with the use of existing Council expertise and facilities, delivered a huge range of activities, completely free to users across the city from sports to science, arts and crafts to interaction with the city’s wildlife and green spaces.
The activities are based on a consultation undertaken by the Council with children, young people and their parents giving feedback on the fun activities they most wanted to enjoy.
Positive comments included: “Thank you so much for putting on the sessions on, it has made our holidays” / “This is the most fun we have had together in a long time”/ “The staff are lovely and very understanding of the children’s needs.” / “Love the fact it's so inclusive.”