Celebrating our Wear Here 4 Summer programme as it comes to an end
September 2021
It has been an unforgettable summer for children and young people throughout the city of Sunderland.
The Wear Here 4 Summer programme, which is part of the Department for Education's funded Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme, ran for four weeks throughout the summer holidays and provided children and young people aged 5 to 16 with the opportunity to make new friends and participate in various engaging and enriching activities.
Multiple venues across the city played host to the programme, attracting large numbers at each event. In total, 1,698 children and young people attended the Wear Here 4 Summer activities throughout the summer.
School holidays can often prove to be a difficult time for families - whether that be due to increased costs such as food and childcare, reduced incomes or children feeling socially isolated. Alongside the activities delivered, a healthy and nutritious meal was provided each day, easing the financial burden on parents throughout the summer.
One parent, who's child attended one of the sessions at Washington Cricket Club, said: "I think it's really important to have access to stuff like this because there's a lot of times when you're stuck with what to do and money is an issue because people are spending so much money to keep the kids entertained.
"Things like this, free activities, are a parent's absolute dream. Having one meal given to you is a massive thing for parents. You don't have to think about it, you don't have to bring picnics, you don't have to plan in advance - what's not to like, it's perfect.
As well as having a free nutritious meal each day, Together for Children also gave children and young people the opportunity to try something new, with a range of activities on offer. A climbing wall, drumming workshops, boxing, a mini-boot camp, archery, circus workshops and sporting activities were just some of the activities that were available to young people.
Another parent added: "My daughter has autism and normally hates crowds but being somewhere where she can try new things has allowed us to enjoy a day out as a family. She has really enjoyed climbing and we are going to continue this as a new hobby."
"We have moved up from the South of England and we haven't lived anywhere as supportive as Sunderland. This event has been brilliant. I have loved seeing kids be kids", added another parent.
Karen Davison, Director of Early Help, said: "Wear Here 4 Summer has gone from strength-to-strength throughout July and August and the number of young people that have attended our activities reflects this. We are incredibly proud of the work done by our staff and partners to make a difference to so many families. It has been an incredible summer for Together for Children, and we are already looking forward to our winter programme."
Hannah, a young girl who attended one of the events, thoroughly enjoyed her HAF experience. She said: "I had a great day with my friends and family. The rock climbing and caving was great."
We are delighted to announce that we will be bringing the HAF programme back to Sunderland this Christmas. We will be announcing further details on this soon.
Search for @tfcyouthvoice on Twitter and Instagram or Sunderland Youth Voice on Facebook or use the #WearHere4Summer hashtag to see what our children and young people got up to.
Sunderland Bangladeshi Centre #HAF - YouTube
