Barrow Community Trust are leading on one of the new Cumbria Activities and Food programmes which has been funded by the government on the back on the back of work by England star Marcus Rashford.
The Manchester United forward has been encouraging parents to sign-up their children for the government’s expanded Holiday Activity and Food Programme and the Club’s Community Trust are overseeing the delivery of one of those in our local area.
In partnership with local schools, Cumbria County Council, Furness Education & Skills Partnership and Inspiring Barrow, Craig Rutherford and his Community Trust team have taken the lead on delivering the Programme to youngsters in the town.
Children have been provided with the opportunity to work on three main skillsets – citizenship, resilience and self-management, using a variety of physical activities and strategic thinking.
The youngsters have participated in a number of fun challenges designed to stimulate them mentally and physically, while they have also been provided with lunch as part of their four-hour day.
The Programme is running four days a week for four weeks during the summer holidays and the first block is already underway before a mix of new and existing youngsters will return for the final two weeks.
“This is possibly the biggest projects we have run in regard to holiday programmes,” explained Rutherford, Head of Barrow’s Community Trust.
“As it stands, throughout the summer holidays we will have well over 200 children booked to join us on this programme.
“Our staff have made an excellent start and hopefully we can continue to bring some positivity to the children’s lives during the pandemic and leave them with activities they can do with their families, using the free goodie bag they will all receive.
“A massive thank you needs to go to the head of Victoria Academy, St Pius, St George’s and Greengate Juniors, who have allowed us use of their sites to deliver the programme.
“We have a number of external providers coming in to make this a special experience for the children.”
Click here to learn more about the Holiday Activity and Food Programme.