Children across County Durham will benefit from over 2,000 free holiday activity places this summer thanks to funding secured by North East charity Karbon Foundation.
The funding has been provided by regeneration specialists RE:GEN Group, The Bread and Butter Thing in partnership with Comic Relief and Sainsbury’s, and Durham County Council’s Fun and Food programme, enabling Karbon to deliver its popular Holiday Squad activities throughout the school summer holidays.
Holiday Squad offers a range of free activities designed to keep children active, engaged and connected during the school summer holidays, while supporting families facing rising living costs. Activities include sports with Newcastle United Foundation and Alpha Boxing Gym, creative workshops with Artee, ARTventurers, Big Science, Northern Sky Design and Stanley Young People’s Club, and cooking activities with Creative Kitchen.
The funding also supports provision for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), neurodiverse (ND) children and those with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs ensuring activities are inclusive and accessible to all. These sessions will be supported by SEND specialists Unite Club.
Each Holiday Squad attendee will also receive a free meal and access to The Bread and Butter Things’ affordable food bags for their families.
Paul Moralee, Head of Community Investment and Social Value at Karbon Foundation, said: “We’re thrilled to have received funding from RE:GEN Group, The Bread and Butter Thing and Durham County Council. Karbon Foundation is dedicated to supporting customers and communities in the North East, tackling areas such as food poverty and supporting health and wellbeing. Holiday Squad is a shining example of this in action. These sessions enable us to work with local activity groups to provide an opportunity for children to mix and socialise with others during the holidays and enjoy great, healthy meals and snacks.
“We’ve been running Holiday Squad for the past five years and they’ve always gone down so well in the community. This generous funding as well as the additional food support will help us to widen the impact and help even more people.”
Dave Brown, Managing Director of RE:GEN North East said: “We’re proud to support Holiday Squad and the incredible difference it makes to children and families across County Durham. Through our partnership with Karbon, we’re committed to doing more than improving homes – we’re also investing in people and communities, helping them to thrive.
“Strong communities are built through collaboration, and by working alongside Karbon Foundation, The Bread and Butter Thing and Durham County Council, we’re helping to ensure more young people have access to fun, inclusive activities, nutritious meals and vital support throughout the summer holidays, when we know this support can make a real difference to families.”
The Bread and Butter Things’ CEO, Vic Harper, said: “The Bread and Butter Thing are really pleased to be enhancing Holiday Activity Fund provision in local communities alongside our food clubs, making sure children and families can access good food, trusted support and welcoming spaces during the school holidays.”
Cllr Cathy Hunt, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for children and young people, said: “We’re pleased to support Karbon Foundation’s Holiday Squad through our Fun and Food programme. Each year, Fun and Food supports around 5,000 children, giving them access to free activities during school holidays where they can be active, express their creativity, connect with nature and interact with their peers. The scheme also offers healthy snacks and a nutritious meal, ensuring children head home feeling fulfilled in both body and mind, while also removing some of the living cost pressures for families.”
Holiday Squad takes place from 20 July – 28 August at venues across County Durham. Tickets are free but must be booked in advance. More information can be found at www.karbonfoundation.co.uk/squad.
Children across County Durham will benefit from over 2,000 free holiday activity places this summer thanks to funding secured by North East charity Karbon Foundation.
The funding has been provided by regeneration specialists RE:GEN Group, The Bread and Butter Thing in partnership with Comic Relief and Sainsbury’s, and Durham County Council’s Fun and Food programme, enabling Karbon to deliver its popular Holiday Squad activities throughout the school summer holidays.
Holiday Squad offers a range of free activities designed to keep children active, engaged and connected during the school summer holidays, while supporting families facing rising living costs. Activities include sports with Newcastle United Foundation and Alpha Boxing Gym, creative workshops with Artee, ARTventurers, Big Science, Northern Sky Design and Stanley Young People’s Club, and cooking activities with Creative Kitchen.
The funding also supports provision for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), neurodiverse (ND) children and those with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs ensuring activities are inclusive and accessible to all. These sessions will be supported by SEND specialists Unite Club.
Each Holiday Squad attendee will also receive a free meal and access to The Bread and Butter Things’ affordable food bags for their families.
Paul Moralee, Head of Community Investment and Social Value at Karbon Foundation, said: “We’re thrilled to have received funding from RE:GEN Group, The Bread and Butter Thing and Durham County Council. Karbon Foundation is dedicated to supporting customers and communities in the North East, tackling areas such as food poverty and supporting health and wellbeing. Holiday Squad is a shining example of this in action. These sessions enable us to work with local activity groups to provide an opportunity for children to mix and socialise with others during the holidays and enjoy great, healthy meals and snacks.
“We’ve been running Holiday Squad for the past five years and they’ve always gone down so well in the community. This generous funding as well as the additional food support will help us to widen the impact and help even more people.”
Dave Brown, Managing Director of RE:GEN North East said: “We’re proud to support Holiday Squad and the incredible difference it makes to children and families across County Durham. Through our partnership with Karbon, we’re committed to doing more than improving homes – we’re also investing in people and communities, helping them to thrive.
“Strong communities are built through collaboration, and by working alongside Karbon Foundation, The Bread and Butter Thing and Durham County Council, we’re helping to ensure more young people have access to fun, inclusive activities, nutritious meals and vital support throughout the summer holidays, when we know this support can make a real difference to families.”
The Bread and Butter Things’ CEO, Vic Harper, said: “The Bread and Butter Thing are really pleased to be enhancing Holiday Activity Fund provision in local communities alongside our food clubs, making sure children and families can access good food, trusted support and welcoming spaces during the school holidays.”
Cllr Cathy Hunt, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for children and young people, said: “We’re pleased to support Karbon Foundation’s Holiday Squad through our Fun and Food programme. Each year, Fun and Food supports around 5,000 children, giving them access to free activities during school holidays where they can be active, express their creativity, connect with nature and interact with their peers. The scheme also offers healthy snacks and a nutritious meal, ensuring children head home feeling fulfilled in both body and mind, while also removing some of the living cost pressures for families.”
Holiday Squad takes place from 20 July – 28 August at venues across County Durham. Tickets are free but must be booked in advance. More information can be found at www.karbonfoundation.co.uk/squad.
More news
Welcome to our new Board Trainee
Karbon Foundation launch celebrates the strength of North East community partnerships