School holiday activity programme gets £100k funding

A community interest company with a mission of combating digital inequality has received an excess of £100k in funding for a school holidays activity summer programme.

Wowdot CIC has worked with 5UP CIC and 9UP CIC to deliver the free 'Bring it on Brum! ' programme for children aged between five and 16 on behalf of StreetGames, commissioned by Birmingham City Council.

In partnership with the Prince Albert Community Trust, Wowdot helped primary schools in Birmingham have access to the programme which helps children, young people and their parents have fulfilling, active, fun-filled and healthy school holidays with activities ranging from cookery, arts and craft to sport.

More than 200 places were allocated daily by Wowdot, combined with over 300 daily from 5UP and 9UP.

5UP provides Thai boxing, boxing and MMA services for all members of the public to access. Its work focuses particularly on children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds at risk from gang involvement and knife crime.

Due to the success of the programme so far, Wowdot, 5UP and 9UP have now been given funding by StreetGames for the summer holiday programme and have formed a partnership with the NHS West Midlands Ambulance Service to deliver free defibrillator courses to all of venues taking part.

Paula Sage, director of marketing and partnerships at The Prince Albert Community Trust said: "It's been excellent engaging with Wowdot who facilitated a fantastic Easter holiday enrichment programme for pupils at Highfield.

“The initiative enabled children to learn a variety of martial arts skills at specialist martial arts venues within the local community. Wowdot also provided food and drinks for all children attending.

“It was wonderful to know that our pupils were accessing and benefitting from this provision during the holidays. We hope this important work will continue during the summer break as our pupils loved the provision and have been asking if they will have the opportunity again!"

Students from the Prince Albert Community Trust who partook in the school holiday activities left positive feedback too. One said: “The martial arts classes were really fun! I really enjoyed going and learning new skills. ”

Find out more about Wowdot CIC here.

Find out more about the Bring it on Brum! programme here.

Pictured: Students part of the Bring it on Brum! programme