Without Selwood Housing‘s help via the Stronger Communities Fund, the Monger Lane after school club wouldn’t have been possible, as Sporting Family Change is a charity with no income available to offer this service. Playing outdoors has improved the young people’s physical and mental health, developed their skills, encouraged creativity and given a sense of belonging from being part of a team.
The project supported local residents (families) living in the Monger Lane area of Midsomer Norton. It helped develop communities by providing free after school activities e.g. ball games and team games in the community park of the housing estate.
Some sessions were delivered in school holidays to offer positive, healthy, outdoor activities. One of the best things about this was that it was free to attend, and close to home for many of the children.
Sessions ran weekly for an hour with healthy snacks provided such as fresh fruit and water. We encouraged the children attending to try new fruit and any leftover we gave to them to take home to their families to share. Providing healthy snacks at each session also encouraged eating together, and the social skills required such as sharing, saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’, sitting together, and sharing the task of tidying up.
Ali Henretty, Sporting Family Change team member and mentor said:
“This has been a great project, especially delivered on site in the park where the children live. It was safe for them to come and go home on their own and some of the children knew each other anyway. We strived to make activities as fun as possible and also offered sessions in the school holidays to give the children something healthy to do on their doorstep. The children loved it and came back each week. After a few sessions the children even helped get the equipment out.”
Casper, who joined the after school club, said:
“Great fun having something to do after school and in our local park. Loved being able to walk there myself and some of my mates went too. Best part was playing football. Mum liked that I came home with fruit for the family.”
You can find out more about Sporting Family Change on their website.
