Finding affordable ways to keep your kids entertained over the summer holidays can be tricky. That’s why we put on Holiday Squad which offers a great range of free activities with a free meal throughout the summer for children of primary school age.
One of our newest activities comes from The GloHouse, a magical, neon-soaked venue in Consett. Tracey Keers, one of the CEO/Directors of Imaginable ME CIC who run the GloHouse, told us how they make it a place where young people can be themselves, explore their passions and feel celebrated for who they are.
Hi Tracey! Can you tell us more about what you do in the GloHouse?
There’s a mix of choices – we have arts and crafts, interactive games and karaoke. We want to make a space where young people feel like they belong. The kids are loving it. They all want to come back so it’s been a good response.
Why do you think free activities like Holiday Squad are important for children in our communities?
You’ve also been putting on activities for children with special educational needs and disabilities (known as SEND) – what do they involve?
These sessions are tailored around the individual’s needs. We turn the music down and make more sensory activities. We share a visual timetable with the children, so they know what to expect. Everything is done in short, manageable blocks and there are quieter spaces available if people don’t feel like taking part.
How has Holiday Squad supported you?
Getting funding from Fun and Food County Durham and Karbon has helped make our work sustainable. It lets us put on these fab activities for people in the community as well as being able to give work to people in the community who normally wouldn’t have these opportunities.
The feedback from the children for these and our other Holiday Squad activities has been fantastic:
“Mylo had a fab day. He said it was the best club ever and he loved everything about it. I was a little worried that it was going to be a bit loud and overwhelming for him, but this wasn’t the case. He was able to find his own little safe space. He enjoyed the food too.”
“Our son is severely autistic. The SEND sessions have made activities accessible to him.”
“I wasn’t sure if my children would settle as they have different needs, but they were both able to take part in a way that worked for them. The flexibility and understanding shown meant they were both able to get something valuable from the session.”
Our summer Holiday Squad will take place across July and August. We’ll be announcing when tickets are available very soon. You can find out more using the link below.
Find out more about Holiday Squad
Finding affordable ways to keep your kids entertained over the summer holidays can be tricky. That’s why we put on Holiday Squad which offers a great range of free activities with a free meal throughout the summer for children of primary school age.
One of our newest activities comes from The GloHouse, a magical, neon-soaked venue in Consett. Tracey Keers, one of the CEO/Directors of Imaginable ME CIC who run the GloHouse, told us how they make it a place where young people can be themselves, explore their passions and feel celebrated for who they are.
Hi Tracey! Can you tell us more about what you do in the GloHouse?
There’s a mix of choices – we have arts and crafts, interactive games and karaoke. We want to make a space where young people feel like they belong. The kids are loving it. They all want to come back so it’s been a good response.
Why do you think free activities like Holiday Squad are important for children in our communities?
As the cost of living continues to increase, it can be difficult to find ways to keep children entertained and active, particularly during the school holidays. Holiday Squad guarantees these kids a meal and activities to keep them motivated. Six weeks is a long time for a child to not do much. It’s great that they can come and do this and they have the social aspect where they are making friends and building connections.
You’ve also been putting on activities for children with special educational needs and disabilities (known as SEND) – what do they involve?
These sessions are tailored around the individual’s needs. We turn the music down and make more sensory activities. We share a visual timetable with the children, so they know what to expect. Everything is done in short, manageable blocks and there are quieter spaces available if people don’t feel like taking part.
How has Holiday Squad supported you?
Getting funding from Fun and Food County Durham and Karbon has helped make our work sustainable. It lets us put on these fab activities for people in the community as well as being able to give work to people in the community who normally wouldn’t have these opportunities.
The feedback from the children for these and our other Holiday Squad activities has been fantastic:
“Mylo had a fab day. He said it was the best club ever and he loved everything about it. I was a little worried that it was going to be a bit loud and overwhelming for him, but this wasn’t the case. He was able to find his own little safe space. He enjoyed the food too.”
“Our son is severely autistic. The SEND sessions have made activities accessible to him.”
“I wasn’t sure if my children would settle as they have different needs, but they were both able to take part in a way that worked for them. The flexibility and understanding shown meant they were both able to get something valuable from the session.”
Our summer Holiday Squad will take place across July and August. We’ll be announcing when tickets are available very soon. You can find out more using the link below.
Find out more about Holiday Squad
More news
Celebrating 10 years of Silver Talk volunteers during Volunteers’ Week
This Volunteers’ Week, we’re proud to celebrate a special milestone. 8 Silver Talk volunteers are marking 10 years of dedicated support, helping to reduce loneliness across our communities.
Our Stanley Skills Hub is reopening
We’re pleased to let you know that our Stanley Skills Hub will reopen on Monday 1 June.