Free school holiday support for Warrington families

FREE school holiday support is being offered to Warrington families thanks to a ‘Fit, Fed & Read’ summer support scheme run by LiveWire.

Socially-distanced sports and team building activities are being enjoyed by youngsters attending LiveWire’s free three-week school holiday support scheme Fit, Fed & Read fr youngsters aged 7-14.
The scheme is being run for three weeks in August at Fairfield Old School and provides structured activities and meals for young people during the school holiday. It aims to reduce isolation, educate, empower and improve the health of those taking part in the sessions, which run from 10.00am to 3.00pm Monday to Friday.
Children attending receive a healthy breakfast and lunch and take part in activities designed to encourage them to work together and develop their communication skills and self-confidence.
This summer’s scheme is working within the Covid-19 safety guidelines, for the safety of youngsters and staff.
Activities from ‘PE with Joe’ to tennis, from the Summer Reading Challenge to group discussions, youngsters aged 7 to 14 have been enjoying a diverse range of activities aimed at promoting health and wellbeing. A particular favourite activity so far was the ‘crime scene forensics’ problem-solving exercise run with Warrington Police.
LiveWire’s Sports Development Team is at the front of a national pilot around this programme, created by the Street Games charity. Families are referred to the scheme, which is funded via a range of external sources and grants including a £1,000 grant from The Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire’s Safer Communities Express Grant Fund, as well as Street Games and Fairfield Old School. Other partner organisations supporting the scheme include Warrington Police and the Warrington Wolves Foundation.

Paul Flannery, Community Sports Development Officer for LiveWire said: “LiveWire leads the way in Warrington with the delivery of regular holiday Fit, Fed and Read schemes. Our team works with some of the hardest to reach young people in the town and aim to instil key life skills, while giving them structure and support at a key stage in their lives.
“The August Fit Fed and Read project is going fantastically well. The children involved fully engaged in all of the activities provided and feedback so far has been excellent.
“These sessions will help to support young people to engage in positive, structured activities following lockdown and will encourage positive mental wellbeing and behaviours at home.
“We know that so many of the families and young people have not had any intervention for such a long time and we want to help with their preparations ahead of the new academic year.”
“Fit, Fed and Read is a brilliant example of what can be achieved by partnership working with local agencies – who we thank for their support.”
James Goodison, from Fairfield Old School, said: “The Old School based in Fairfield and Howley is a unique creative community centre that empowers people to make meaningful changes. Our ability to provide safe, clean spaces for young people and families has enabled us to facilitate this summer’s Fit and Fed programme in partnership with Livewire Warrington and Warrington Wolves Foundation.
“For the past three years Fit and Fed has supported our local families who are greatly in need of vital intervention during the school holidays. The positive impact on the lives of those families involved is invaluable.”

Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, David Keane, added: “It is extremely important that we continue to ensure young people are looking after their physical and mental wellbeing at this very difficult time.”
“At a time where many families may be struggling, the project will bring some relief in the form of both food and stimulating activities. Sessions will targeted at those who need it most.”
“Whilst so many projects have focused on emergency support to elderly and vulnerable people in our communities, it’s great to be able to extend my support to young people and encourage them to engage and develop once again.”
Express grants come for the Commissioner’s Safer Communities fund which takes money from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act and reinvests it back into the community to benefit local people.

James Howes, Sport & Lifestyles Manger for the Wolves Foundation, said: “The last few months have been extremely challenging for everyone and this has been exacerbated for young people in our communities.
“By combining physical activity with various interactive & educational sessions, youngsters will build confidence and resilience skills which will leave them better prepared to return to school after the summer holidays.”