Children and young people in west Norfolk will now be able to take advantage of a number of free and low cost activities.
Alive West Norfolk and the Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk have teamed up to pledge support for the Summer of Play. They are also working with Norfolk County Council and Active Norfolk on the Big Norfolk Holiday Fun programme to provide holiday activities and meals to families eligible for means tested free school meals.
James Wild, MP for North West Norfolk, said:
“This is a great initiative to provide more opportunities for young people in West Norfolk to enjoy a summer of play. Whether swimming, skating, soft play, or other activities, the benefits of being able to have fun with friends again after such a long period of disruption are considerable.”
In addition to the free and low cost activities and the Alive Holiday Club activities at the Alive West Norfolk venues in Hunstanton, King's Lynn and Downham Market, the council is keen to promote opportunities for free play within its network of play areas across the borough, in its parks and also on the beach in Hunstanton.
Summer of Play is a campaign run by Play England and a host of other organisations and it is encouraging other organisations to take the pledge to enable all children in our communities to have space and time for play this summer. The pledge is made up of three elements:
- Fun - We will support children to have fun and express themselves through play.
- Friends - We will support children to have opportunities to play with friends and peers.
- Freedom - We will support children to have space, time, and opportunities for free play.
Jane Evans of West Norfolk Carers, said -
We are aware that many of the young carers we support have missed playing out and spending time with their friends during the pandemic. This has had a very negative effect on them, with many of the children becoming even more isolated and depressed. Outdoor play is fundamentally important for children to develop a sense of self and a relationship with the world around them. We welcome this initiative which will be of advantage to many children and especially young carers, especially as the council has pledged to allow all young carers a concessionary Leisure Card allowing them to take part in activities for as little as 50p, which is wonderful news.
At Alive West Norfolk, the activities on offer include:
- swimming aged 19 and under,
- KASET Skatepark aged 6-18,
- Tumble Teds aged 5 and under,
- Alive Adventures soft play aged 10 and under,
- Roller skating aged 3-18.
Booking
Whether opting for the £1 sessions (50p with concession Leisure Card), the holiday clubs, or the Big Norfolk Fun programme for eligible families, booking is essential as places will be offered on a first come, first served basis.
- Booking opens for Summer of Play and Holiday Club activities on 25 June with sessions available from 28 June.
- For the Big Norfolk Fun programme, booking will open from 1 July.
Activities vary in each location. See website for details and booking arrangements, plus information on what to wear and what to bring.
www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/summerofplay
www.alivewestnorfolk.co.uk/holidayactivities
www.norfolk.gov.uk/holidayfunsignup
