Clady Summer Scheme in Portglenone a winner
Bann Valley Summer Youth Inclusion Scheme has been a resounding success this year, thanks to Community Cohesion funding from the Housing Executive.
Youth leader Ciara and several other youth club members and peer leaders managed a packed programme of activities for children over three weeks last month.
Catering for more than 100 children of all ages and backgrounds, Bann Valley Community Group approached their local Housing Executive office in Magherafelt for assistance, who were happy to help.
Ciara was delighted with the feedback from the children.
She said: “It can be challenging trying to entertain 50-60 kids all at once, but with various activities on in different areas around the hall, it has been a great success. The dancing has been the most popular, closely followed by the large inflatables and cage football.
“I used to attend this summer scheme myself when I was younger and I love that I’m now able to help the children living in our rural community.
“It’s also great that children re-settling from different countries came along, we learned so much from them.”
Joe Cassidy, Project Officer with Bann Valley Community Group, approached the Housing Executive for assistance.
He said: “We are very grateful to the Housing Executive for the funding that allowed us to run this year’s summer scheme.
“Interacting through play is one of the easiest ways to make friends and build a friendship, which helps families settle into neighbourhoods.”
Housing Executive Patch Manager Catherine Devlin and Race Relations Officer Sylwia McAvoy went along to the summer scheme to see how the children were getting on.
Sylwia said: “For such a rural location there’s been an excellent turnout, with over 50 kids there most days.
“It is really encouraging to see children from different countries easily mixing with local children and enjoying activities. The joy on their faces says it all.”