Downpatrick children and young people enjoy summer of food, fun and activity through ‘Gets Active’
Children and young people in Downpatrick have enjoyed a summer of healthy food, activities and new experiences through the Downpatrick ‘Gets Active’ Summer Holiday Programme, delivered by Patrician Youth Centre in partnership with Children in Northern Ireland (CiNI).
The six-week programme provided children and young people aged 4 – 18 with a safe, inclusive and welcoming place to spend time during the summer holidays, where they took part in a range of activities alongside enjoying healthy meals and snacks.
For many families, the summer holidays can bring additional financial pressures, particularly as children lose access to free school meals and families face increased costs for food and other essentials.
This can make it more difficult for families to provide regular, nutritious meals and opportunities that support children’s development and wellbeing.
‘Gets Active’ aims to help address these challenges by providing free, nutritious food alongside opportunities for children and young people to be active, learn new skills, build confidence, make friends and enjoy positive experiences within their local community.
Speaking following a recent visit to the programme, CiNI Chief Executive Natalie Whelehan said: “It was fantastic to visit the Gets Active programme in Downpatrick and see first-hand the enthusiasm of the children and young people taking part.
“The commitment of the staff and volunteers is clear to see, and it is inspiring to see such a positive atmosphere and the relationships they have built with the children and young people.
“We are incredibly grateful to Patrician Youth Centre for all their hard work in delivering the programme, and to our funders for their support in making ‘Gets Active’ possible and helping to provide these valuable opportunities for children and young people in Downpatrick.”
The Downpatrick programme has been supported by the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland through the Comic Relief and Sainsbury’s Summer Holiday Activity and Food Programme Round, the National Lottery Community Fund, and Sysco Ireland/Meals and More.
