Published 21 June 2023
West Dunbartonshire Council has launched a fun packed programme of free and engaging activities after investing £100,000 in summer activities for the next four years.
The £400,000 investment is part of the Council’s commitment to supporting communities through the cost of living crisis with a new £1m support package introduced as part of the Council’s budget.
The Council’s “School Holidays Involve Nurture & Engage” (SHINE) is five week action packed programme that will keep children fit, entertained and having fun over the summer holidays.
In partnership with 22 local organisations, families can access a wide range of entertaining and engaging activities with many offering a free snack and lunch over July and August.
Events will help support families to continue with education, training and employment and will ensure summer support for families who need it most.
Activities suitable for 5 to 16 year olds will be held in various locations across West Dunbartonshire and are focused on fun social experiences, learning and wellbeing activities.g, the environment and health
Families are being encouraged to sign up for a wide range of activities including sports; games; arts & crafts activities; theatrical classes and cinema screenings; balloon modelling and face painting; dancing and electronic gaming events.
Councillor Clare Steel, Convener of Educational Services said: “We are pleased to invest this money and to once again offer a wide range of activities that are free with most offering a snack and lunch. We know how difficult and expensive it can be to keep young people entertained over the summer holidays, so these events will be very popular with families. Our summer programme will ensure children and their families have fun activities they can do over the holidays and I’m sure these will prove to be really popular with young people, parents and carers. The summer holidays can be a challenging time for parents, and we recognise this year that money is tight and these sessions are an opportunity for all young people regardless of their family’s financial position to have fun, to learn and spend time with their friends.”
Councillor John Millar, Vice Convener of Educational Services, said: “These activities will be a real benefit to the summer calendar for parents and carers who are struggling with the cost of living and keeping children entertained during the holidays. I would like to thank our partners who are supporting us this year by providing such a varied programme of events. We are very grateful to them for their support and I’m sure families will have a great time over the summer holidays.”
To book a place on the SHINE holiday programme, please visit SHINE programme 2023 | West Dunbartonshire Council (west-dunbarton.gov.uk)
Spaces are limited so families are encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment.