Hundreds of free activity packs going out to South Tyneside children this summer

Children across South Tyneside are set to benefit from free activity packs, which were originally designed to help boost their wellbeing during the coronavirus lockdown.

South Shields-based charity, Bright Futures have secured funding from Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland to continue distributing activities to children and young people throughout the school holidays.

More than 300 different activity packs have been distributed since the schools closed in March.

These include science experiments, at-home baking kits, bird feed kits and relaxation packs.

All of which have been designed with the aim of getting children and young people thinking, moving and more creative during the lockdown.

The charity has also created its own magazine, fitness flash cards to do at home and summer picnic recipes – which have all been delivered to children along with the food parcels families receive.

Project manager, Dominique Hendry, commented: “Bright Futures recognises the financial impact coronavirus has had on many local smaller businesses who provide educational activities to children, and thanks to funding we have been able to step up and show our support.

She added: “For lots of children in the borough, this lockdown has been incredibly difficult on both their physical and mental wellbeing and we wanted to ensure the packs we distribute vary to increase the children’s skill set but that they are inclusive to children of all abilities and ages.

"We know how tensions can rise being locked in a confined space for weeks on end and we want to provide a simple solution for parents and carers. The feedback from the children and their parents has been fantastic and we will continue to consult with them for future activity packs.”

Bright Futures, which is committed to improving the lives of women and girls in the borough, has also launched a number of other schemes to help those impacted by the crisis, including support for young mums and their families.

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