Vale Council teams support vulnerable families during summer break
As part of the Vulnerable Children Tactical Group, the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Sports and Play team arranged multiple activities to support families throughout the summer break.
The collaborative project saw Social Services, Education, the Prevention and Partnership Team, and Youth Service work with the Sport and Play Team to deliver a variety of projects including:
- Vale Play Pavilion at Bryn Y Don and other childcare facilities across the Vale for children referred by Social Services.
- Families First Holiday Club for disabled children.
- Teenscheme for disabled young people, run in partnership with Vale People First.
Cllr Ben Gray, Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet member for Social Care and Health, said: “The coronavirus pandemic has proved a testing time for many of us, but that is especially true of families with young children.
“In order to offer support, to vulnerable families in particular, teams from various areas of Council responsibility came together to provide a range of activities and respite opportunities over the summer period.
“I hope the various schemes proved beneficial and eased the pressure on families during a very difficult period.”
The Vale Play Pavilion ran for 16 days, catering to over 30 children aged four to 14 years.
Many of these children were identified as at risk of being severely affected by the impact of lockdown.
The sessions provided access to a variety of activities such as water play, arts and crafts, imagination and role play, games and sports activities. Children were also provided with lunch.
Feedback from the children, families and social workers was extremely positive.
The Families First Holiday Club was delivered in partnership with Ysgol Y Deri for disabled children aged four to 11.
Over 50 families benefited from the scheme, which provided activities for the youngsters as well as respite for those caring for them.
Without access to the school, many families had found lockdown particularly challenging and for many the provision was the first time they had left their homes since March.
The Sport and Play team also worked in partnership with United Welsh Housing and South Wales Neighbourhood Police teams to deliver open access sports and play sessions to 64 children.
Sessions ran three times a week over a four-week period.
Participants took part in a range of activities including physical activity games, den building, imaginative play and sports.
Similar provision was also delivered in partnership with Wick Community Council, with four family-based sports and play sessions delivered, drawing in an average of 30 participants.