A scheme to support parents and keep kids active during the school holidays in Middlesbrough has been hailed as one of the best in the country.
Bring it on Boro gives thousands of youngsters the opportunity to enjoy activities and days out, make new friends and enjoy a healthy meal.
And its ability to reach young people in our area has been commended by the Department for Education (DfE) - being recognised as one of the top 10 local authorities in the country during the 2023 Christmas holidays.
The scheme is funded by the Government as part of the Holiday Activity and Food Programme (HAF), administered and run jointly by Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council.
The activities on offer have been described as a “lifeline” by parents and “spectacular” by young people who take part, and applications are now open ahead of the summer holidays.
Families who meet eligibility criteria set by the DfE can now book a range of free, fun and exciting activities during the summer break which include cheerleading, swimming, football at Goals and gymnastics.
Cllr Philippa Storey, Middlesbrough’s Deputy Mayor and Executive Member for Culture and Education, said: “Bring it on Boro has helped to support thousands of families in our area during the school holidays, which we know can be a stressful time with rising bills and the increased cost of living for many of our families.
“Children can enjoy unmissable experiences and make new friends by taking part in a massive range of activities.
“It’s the breadth of Bring it on Boro’s offer that has helped it reach so many people and seen it commended by the Department for Education. I’m sure our youngsters can’t wait until it starts again this summer and I’d encourage anyone eligible to sign up and take advantage of what’s on offer.”
Bring It On takes place on weekdays between Monday, July 22 and Friday, August 30.
One parent whose child took part in previous Bring it on Boro sessions said: “Excellent activities, my kids love coming! The clubs are a lifeline to me during the holidays. My children always come home with stories to tell about what they have been doing.”
The DfE stipulate that all children aged 5 to 16, from families in receipt of benefit-related free school meals, can take part.
During previous school holidays, the Bring It On team have worked hard to offer more than 1,500 places on activities to children who do not fit the DfE criteria.
To find our more, email the team or call 01642 72888.
To find a full list of activities and book a place, visit the Bring it on Boro website.