Holiday Projects
Lifeworks Summer Holiday Projects are almost finished and we have offered a wide range of healthy food and fun activities to young people with learning disabilities across Devon and Torbay. Working in partnership with local food providers, community sports and arts organisations we have been enjoying sailing, football, cycling, forest school, dance, horse riding and as well as a whole array of healthy food related fun – pizza making, picnics, smoothies and foraging.
Quote from young person: “My best bit: Making new friends and spending time with everyone”
This summer, Lifeworks’ Holiday Project will have supported children and young people with learning disabilities from across Devon and Torbay. It is with thanks to funding from the HAF (Healthy Activities and Food) programme from Devon and Torbay Councils that we have been able to offer a large proportion of places to those in receipt of free school meals.
Learning Disability Sports Event: 27 August 2021
To mark the end of this summer’s Holiday Projects, Lifeworks have organised a large family multi-sports event. Our Healthy Holiday sports event is taking place on Friday 27 August at Torbay Leisure Centre.
The day will start at 10am and we have four activity stations:
- Velopark – Accessible Cycling – with Freetrike and the Velopark Veterans
- Astroturf – Football/Multisport with TQ United and Roc Active
- Studio – Dance with Dance in Devon
- Main Hall – Boccia/Soft Archery with Premiere Education
We have four sessions, each starting on the hour 10am, 11am, 12noon and 1pm. We are hoping to support 60 people per hour and people can book on to as many sessions as they would like
As well as this we have Hula-hoop – Drama- Drumming-Arts & Craft – Food in Community Take Away Food Stall on the Velopark training ground.
Sarah-Jane Lowson, Lifeworks Community Programmes Development Manager said, “The young people with us this summer are spending their days outdoors, making new friends and bonds, and even coming away from their phones (at least for a little time each day 😊). Being Active is an essential part of what we do in Lifeworks Community Programmes. It helps all of us stay positive and believe that we ‘can’. During Covid we stayed active online AND in person, providing over 1500 physical activity workshops for young people with learning disabilities and their families: Zumba, creative movement, circuit training, yoga, hula-hoop. This summer Lifeworks Young Volunteers, all with learning disabilities, are taking part in Active Devon’s Volunteer Award, learning new skills as they get ready to help at our Healthy Holidays event on Friday 27 August.”
Lucy one of Lifeworks young participants said, “If we push ourselves even further we can do it” Lucy
A special mention needs to go to Marcus Rashford MBE, who has been a true champion for children and young people across the country. He campaigned for the provision of free school meals in the holidays and has been an ambassador for national HAF provision, encouraging families to sign up to sessions.
How to Book
We are inviting all Healthy Holiday participants, Breaking the Barrier veterans and their friends and families to join us.
Email [email protected] to register your place.
