There’s no excuse for Bracknell young people to complain of boredom during the summer holidays in Birch Hill and Hanworth this year. A range of free activities has been organised by community organisations, police and partner agencies to keep youngsters enjoyably occupied.
The Bracknell Partner and Youth (PAY) scheme, for children aged 12 to 15, offers five activities over the summer. Youngsters can join the neighbourhood policing team for a speed enforcement session; help the South Hill Park Restoration Project to set up an orienteering course for visitors to the grounds; have fun building dens in South Hill Park woods with the Bracknell Forest Rangers, and help the Friends of South Hill Park Grounds make a tree trail in the park. The fifth activity is the Big Tidy Up at South Hill Park grounds, run by the Birch Hill and Hanworth Community Liaison Group.
Youngsters who complete at least three Bracknell activities will win a free half day of adventure activities at Oakwood Youth Challenge, sponsored by the Birch Hill and Hanworth Neighbourhood Action Group. There are only 25 places available on the PAY scheme, so if you are interested please call Pat Kennewell on 07746 456236.
As well as Bracknell community projects, there will be free football coaching sessions at the Birch Hill Astroturf pitch from 2pm to 5pm every Wednesday and Friday between 28 July and 20 August. Open to boys and girls aged 10 to 13 and 14 to 18, the FA Star Challenge sessions will be led by professional coach Wayne Barham. The programme is supported by Thames Valley Police and Bracknell Forest Council Youth Service. For further information please contact Liz Hales on 07770 276690.
Local Bracknell youngsters from 11 years upwards can always find something to do at the popular youth club in Birch Hill Community Centre, which is open from 7pm to 9pm every other Friday, all year round. The club is run by volunteers and has received generous donations from local businesses, so there are plenty of activities such as computer games, table tennis and football, all free of charge.
Bracknell Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Hilary Hyslop said: “There is a lot for children to do in Bracknell – swimming, bowling, cinemas and so on – but they all cost money. Engaging with young people is one of our neighbourhood priorities, and we felt there was a need for more free activities. Many different groups have worked together to organise these schemes. We hope the youngsters will enjoy themselves and also gain a greater sense of involvement in their community.”
Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell