Stats reveal thousands of Renfrewshire kids had a summer of fun

Thousands of Renfrewshire’s children and young people had a bumper summer of fun, a report has found.

In an initial evaluation presented to the Fairer Renfrewshire sub-committee, it was revealed that Renfrewshire’s new summer holiday activity programme—developed by Renfrewshire Council’s Fairer Renfrewshire team and local partners—had broadened free and low-cost activities across the area.

OneRen provided an extensive programme of free activities in libraries, ensuring families living in villages could take part in free, fun activities.

17 projects were delivered by community groups using funding from the council, including activities ran by Friends of Knockhill Park, Paisley North Church, Paisley YMCA, Renfrewshire Rainbow Buddies, Sewing2Gether, Thorn Athletic Sports Academy and Twist and Hit Cheerleaders.

4,500 council-run holiday camp places were filled over the summer holidays.

More than 1,800 places were also filled at Street Stuff’s evening activities.

Free meals and healthy snacks were provided at all council-run activities.

Outspoken Arts, RIG Arts and Brick Lane Music Academy also delivered free cultural sessions as part of £20,000 funding through Future Paisley.

The council’s adult and family learning team carried out additional family learning sessions for 47 families.

190 children and young people with additional support needs were supported to enjoy the summer through the ASN Summer Playscheme at Riverbrae School. The council also supported activity sessions with pupils from Mary Russell School at Glenburn GoZone.

Funding for the whole programme totalled £240,000, with half from Scottish Government, £100,000 from the Council’s Fairer Renfrewshire programme, and £20,000 from the Future Paisley programme.

Members of the Fairer Renfrewshire Panel provided feedback to the Council on how to make free summer activities more available to low-income families, which informed how this year’s programme was delivered.

A fuller evaluation is being carried out by Council officers to establish the positive impacts of the summer holiday programme, with a report coming to a future meeting of the Fairer Renfrewshire sub-committee.

Councillor Jacqueline Cameron, chair of the sub-committee, said: “Community groups, our partners OneRen and Council teams have worked hard over the summer holidays to provide a fun experience for our children, young people and families across the area.

“This year’s programme built on the amazing work that community groups and organisations did around Winter Connections and previous Council-run summer holiday programmes, bringing together a wider range of free activities for families to benefit from. This initial evaluation is positive, and the forthcoming fuller report will showcase the full impact the summer programme has had.

“I would like to thank the Fairer Renfrewshire Panel for all their input and commitment to this programme that supported low-income families during the summer holidays.”

Councillor Graeme Clark, depute chair, added: “The summer of fun programme was a highly creative and exciting programme that really listened to the needs of people. Young people and their families had the opportunity to socialise, make and deepen connections throughout the summer break and the programme offered a key support for people on low incomes families during this cost-of-living crisis.”

The Fairer Renfrewshire programme also supports people to get the right advice and support when they need it. People can visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/cost-of-living for help and support, can book an appointment with Renfrewshire Citizen’s Advice Bureau on 0141 889 2121 or with the Council’s advice works team on adviceworks@renfrewshire.gov.uk or 0300 300 1238.

Advice on energy bills is available through the Council’s energy advocacy team on emu@renfrewshire.gov.uk or 0300 300 0300.