Families in Burnley enjoyed a summer full of fun, food, and community spirit thanks to a series of free holiday sessions hosted by the Children and Family Wellbeing Service (CFWB) at Down Town, Burnley Together’s community hub on Charter Walk.
The four weekly sessions, part of the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, gave local families the chance to enjoy free activities, healthy lunches, and themed adventures.
Each fun-filled four-hour event had a different focus — from dinosaurs and pirates to safari and sensory play.
Grace, Senior Community Family Support Worker, said: “Every session has been really fun – each theme has brought something different for people to enjoy. The kids really loved the dinosaur costumes and the cup hooks game from pirate week was a big success too.”
Alongside the fun, the sessions promoted healthy eating. Children were invited to create their own wraps with a range of tasty fillings, with more than 170 wraps made at every session.
Nicola Haines, Neighbourhood Group Worker, said: “It’s great to know we can help kids get a healthy lunch when they’re away from school too.”
The activities proved to be just as valuable for parents as for children. Lead Group Worker Michelle said: “We provide support for those who are struggling”.
“Everyone comes in and really gets involved. Loads of people came in fancy dress, parents got stuck into the crafts, and you could really see people forming bonds with the community.”
John Wood, Customer Service Advisor at Burnley Together, added: “School holidays are always well attended. It’s tricky to keep kids entertained all summer, so these free weekly sessions have worked amazingly well.”
The summer programme also showcased strong partnership working, with organisations such as New Era, Northern Community Bank, and One Energy helping to bring the sessions to life.
Lead Group Worker, Michelle Moore, summed up the wider impact, saying: “Families come in to do crafts and have fun together. Along the way, they end up learning about everything that Down Town has to offer. It’s a safe space for everyone to enjoy with the community.”
Commissioned by Lancashire County Council, the Children and Family Wellbeing Service supports families with children and young people aged 0-19 (and up to 25 for those with special educational needs and disabilities). By working in partnership with Burnley Together, this summer they provided not only free activities and healthy meals, but also a space where families could connect, support one another, and make lasting memories.
To find out more about what’s going on at Down Town, please visit: https://burnleytogether.org.uk/events/
