TWO mums who set up a children’s summer holiday club to help struggling parents in Ellesmere Port are appealing for volunteers to work at their new premises.
Back in 2009, friends Helen Patrick and Sarah Astbury decided their town had nothing to offer children during school holidays without it costing a lot money, so the pair set up the School’s Out It’s Summer holiday club for youngsters in Ellesmere Port.
Armed with support from the local community and friend Collette Linford, who helped them get the club up and running, Helen and Sarah managed to secure funding from local councillors so their club could offer dozens of exciting activities that would give the area’s children a summer they wouldn’t forget.
The club proved a huge success in its early years, with youngsters able to experience activities they otherwise may not have had the chance to, including horse riding, creepy crawly shows, circus workshops, cheerleading, street dancing and much more.
Helen, 31, who has an 11-year-old daughter, said that as a mum, she knows how stressful the summer holidays can be for parents.
“In Ellesmere Port there was just nothing for the children to do without it costing excessive amounts of money and the summer holidays are hard enough without constantly trying to entertain the kids without spending a lot of money,” she said.
“We aimed to give up to 250 children of the area a summer they won’t forget, and to keep the children of Ellesmere Port entertained and off the streets in a safe environment, whilst making new friends and learning new skills as well as giving the parents a much needed break.”
The club, which has been running at Brookside Primary School, currently has 12 volunteers who Helen says it ‘couldn’t do without’ as it steadily increases in numbers each year, and it will be on the lookout for more when it moves to the new University Church of England Academy this summer.
“We do need more volunteers this year especially men as we currently only have two,” said Helen.
“All our volunteers need a CRB check and if possible, to attend a safeguarding course which we can arrange.
“We ran for three years at Brookside but this year we have moved due to the amount of children who want to attend.
“There will be a small charge to parents to help us cover costs of activities and insurance but for any parents interested in sending their child, we will have a stall at the St George’s Day parade on Sunday April 21 at The Seahorse pub in Hope Farm where they can come along and see what we have done in the past and speak to any of our volunteers.”
School’s Out It’s Summer runs on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10-3 and is open to children from age 2-13. Activities are age-specific and prices cost £15 per child for the entire summer. For more visit www.facebook.com/schoolsoutitssummer
