At a meeting of Ferryhill Town Council’s Events Management & Community Engagement Sub-Committee Meeting held in June, Members agreed to allocate monies towards a variety of youth activities taking place during the School Summer holidays. Through liaison with the AAP several existing youth projects, which concentrate not only on providing youth activities, but also tackling holiday hunger were identified, these groups were invited to apply for monies from the Town Council to add value to their existing projects, other local organisations were also invited to submit applications.
Only three applications were received and all three organisations were approved for funding. Unfortunately, due to short notice for arranging activities and isolating due to covid only one 1 group were able to accept the funding. The Ladder Centre therefore, received £1,000 funding, this will contribute towards providing 4 weeks of summer activities with food support to 100 children. Including 3 days of in centre activities and a delivery service to the remaining children of food and activity packs. In total over the 4 weeks the project will support 25 children each week in centre and 75 children with home deliveries, so that all 100 children will benefit during each of the 4 weeks, with beneficiaries all receiving at least 1 week of in centre activities.
On Wednesday 28th July 2021, the Mayor of Ferryhill, Councillor Dave Farry and the Chair of the Events Management & Community Engagement Sub-Committee, Councillor Joe Quinn, welcomed Kath Merrington to Ferryhill Town Hall to receive a cheque for £1,000 on behalf of the Ladder Centre. Councillor Farry said “I am always very proud to present funding to local organisations on behalf of Ferryhill Town Council, we have so many fantastic organisations here in our Town and it is so important to support the young people, the Ladder Centre is an asset to the community”.
Kath thanked Ferryhill Town Council for their donation and said “Healthy food, sports and art activities will be the main priorities for summer but this funding would provide the opportunity to provide additional support to older children who may not engage with the Centre’s planned holiday provision. Funding would essentially provide an additional youth session each week over the summer targeting older children. By offering a session each week rather than in a solid block it is hoped that contact with the youths involved can be maintained throughout the summer holiday period. Food provision and positive activities will be provided by this project.”
Councillor Joe Quinn said “As the Chair of the Events Sub-Committee, I am happy that Ferryhill Town Council are able to support local organisations in this way, especially supporting the youth of our Town with these activities, we all need something to look forward to after the last year, I look forward to the continued partnership working in the future.”
The Ladder Centre are holding information mornings on Thursday 26th Aug 10am to 12 noon and again on Thursday 9th Sept 10am to 12 noon where they will be offering a range of new courses and social activities including a craft and chat session, seated exercise and other learning opportunities including functional skills, for more information call 01740 651639.
