Newcastle ready for “Best Summer Ever!”

Best Summer Ever is an amazing million-pound programme of events, activities, sports and healthy eating available to all children and young people across Newcastle throughout the school summer holidays.

The project will feature projects from over 70 different partners, including the Newcastle United Foundation, Hat-Trick and Bollywood Dancing as well as nutritional advice and healthy food provided by Fair Share.

£1.1 million pound funding to develop the project came from a Department for Education grant aimed at reducing the number of young people who experience “holiday hunger”, however Newcastle’s offer is open to all young people – aged 5 – 16 – in the city and every project is completely free.

The events will kick off on July 22 and be held at over 140 different venues across Newcastle, including schools, sports clubs, libraries and parks. Some specific projects may even include trips out of the city – to the seaside, museums and visiting Dippy the Dinosaur.

Best Summer Ever will also tie into other major projects aimed at young people in Newcastle, including the Summer Reading Challenge at Newcastle’s Libraries and the City of Dreams project which aims to get more children involved in the arts, culture and museums. This will help to create a fully inclusive offer with something for absolutely everyone to enjoy.

The project was officially launched at Bridgewater Community Primary School, in Newcastle’s West End, where pupils enjoyed a sample of some of the activities that will be on offer this summer, including football skills from the NUFC Foundation, dodgeball with Hat-Trick and Bollywood Dancing. There was also healthy eating advice and free fruit on offer, provided by Fair Share.

Councillor Clare Penny-Evans, cabinet member for communities with Newcastle City Council said:

“I am pleased to officially launch Newcastle’s Best Summer Ever.  

“This million-pound programme of events will have around 70 different projects across Newcastle taking part, showcasing a variety of activities, sporting events, design and crafts, dance, performing arts and healthy eating.

“The offer is open to all children and young people in the city and we are creating a programme that will suit everyone’s tastes and be fully inclusive – everyone taking part will get lunch and nutritional advice from our team of experts to keep them fuelled up during their chosen activities.

“Years of government-led austerity have had a real impact on the region and summer holidays can be challenging times for families. Unfortunately, as a result, many young people see the amount of physical activity they take part in reduce over the break and it is important we provide opportunities for children to be active, healthy and happy all year round.

“I hope everyone, from all communities and backgrounds, will really get on board and be a part of Newcastle’s Best Summer Ever and enjoy this fantastic opportunity.”