Record breaking number of young people attend Council's free summer programme
A record-breaking number of young residents had a busy, active summer break, thanks to the Council’s Young Hackney Summer Programme.
Every day of the holiday, hundreds of young people attended Council-run activities, for 6-19 year-olds (or 25 for those with SEND), at the four youth hubs across the borough, which were open from 10am-9pm.
The overall attendance of young people this summer exceeded all records with more than 7,000 places taken up across a huge range of sessions.
Highlights of the summer programme were trips to Camber Sands, where 90 young people from The Edge and Forest Road Youth Hubs enjoyed a day building sandcastles and splashing around in the sea.
Elsewhere, a group of 6-12year-olds from Concorde Youth Hub in Homerton were taken on a residential to Stubbers Adventure Centre in Upminster, where they stayed for two nights and took part in canoeing, rock climbing and other adventurous activities.
The residential was made possible thanks to a successful application submitted by the young people to the Hackney Youth Opportunity Fund.
The Hackney Youth Opportunity Fund is a scheme designed to give young people the opportunity to access grants for youth led, projects, activities and/or workshops. Applications are open until 27 September and more information can be found on the young hackney site.
During the summer programme young residents were also able to participate in a range of sporting activities including a skateboarding residential, paddleboarding, wheelchair basketball and sports sessions for young people with SEND and their families.
The Hackney Adventure Playgrounds also offered young people the opportunity to engage in outdoor activities every day throughout the holiday, including gardening and making dens from natural resources.
The exciting five week programme concluded with multiple end of summer celebrations across the hubs including showcases and parties, a trip to Chessington World of Adventures and a silent party; where young people listened to the music at the party through wireless headphones.
Dezjarn Marshall, eight, who attended The Edge Youth Hub in Woodberry Down said: “I want to say thank you to all the youth workers at Young Hackney for making my summer holiday so amazing, I had so much fun”
In Hackney, we’re proud of our young people, so it’s important that we offer them a wide range of activities that are relevant to them, and help to keep them active and entertained during the school holidays, as well as facilitate and develop their talents. Young Hackney, as well as all our commissioned providers, have hosted an enviable programme, and I’d like to thank all of our youth workers, as well as the young people who’ve enjoyed the programme this summer.
For more information about services for young people visit the young hackney site.
Over 7,000 places were taken up over the summer break. This figure does not necessarily refer to individuals and could include repeat visits.