Jam-packed programme of activities awaits children in Bridgend County Borough this summer.

Children and young people across Bridgend County Borough can look forward to an action-packed programme of activities and events this summer.

In partnership with Awen, Halo Leisure, Urdd, Menter Bro Ogwr and town and community councils, the ‘School’s out’ programme is bursting with fun activities for children and young people including sports, games, arts and creative activities and events.

The popular ‘Active 4 Life’ holiday schemes, which are supported by town and community councils, will return to community venues at Bettws, Brackla, Bridgend, Caerau, Garw Valley, Maesteg, Ogmore Valley, Pencoed and Porthcawl from Monday 24 July and throughout the summer holidays.

The free holiday activity sessions will be held for children aged between 8 and 11 years old and are subject to availability. Parents and carers can find out more information on the council’s website.

Children are also being encouraged to ‘Ready, Set, Read’ this summer, with this year’s ‘Summer Reading Challenge’ from the Reading Agency in partnership with Awen and Halo Leisure.

The challenge hopes to inspire children to read at least six library books over the summer holidays, and children who register at any of the county borough’s libraries will also benefit by receiving 25% off selected Halo activities including family swim sessions, JumpInGym indoor soft play, bouncy castle/soft play sessions, family racket sports and café purchases.

Libraries across Bridgend will also run a programme of events including AfroSheep Animation, YouTube, Dance Crazy and Zack Franks Movement and Dance workshops. All dates and venues are available on the Awen Libraries website (www.awen-libraries.com) and social media.

Meanwhile, alongside its full schedule of shows at Porthcawl’s Grand Pavilion, Awen Cultural Trust will be setting the stage for a summer of outdoor theatre performances at Bryngarw Country Park, with the Wizard of Oz and Bad Dad just some of the family friendly, classic shows on offer this summer. A pay-what-you-can-performance will also be available. Further details can be found on the Awen Box Office and Bryngarw Park websites https://awenboxoffice.com/bryngarw-country-park/whats-on and https://www.bryngarwcountrypark.co.uk/outdoor-theatre-faqs/.

Young Welsh speakers can look forward to Welsh Language holiday schemes with Menter Bro Ogwr hosting FREE play schemes in Maesteg, Porthcawl and Bridgend. While Urdd will be holding Welsh speaking sports camps where children can learn a number of new skills and meet new friends.

Halo Leisure will also be making a splash with the return of their free swim initiative which includes swimming crash courses for beginners and stroke improvement lessons, for children 16 and under.

Young people aged between 11 and 25 years old can also benefit at sessions from the Youth Support and Safer Streets programme that will take place from Monday 24 July, on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the summer holidays in Bridgend, Maesteg and Pencoed respectively.

Full details of the ‘Schools Out’ programme can be found on the council’s website.

Our School’s Out scheme is a fantastic opportunity that provides children with a fun-filled summer that is jam-packed with activities to help to keep them active, and letting their imaginations run wild. Once again, I would like to thank each of our partners for contributing to this exciting programme of free activities, and I would encourage local families to take advantage of the initiative and join in with all the fun!

Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Wellbeing, Councillor Neelo Farr