Scorching array of activities in Islington’s Heatwave programme

Children and young people can enjoy a summer of fun with Islington Council’s Heatwave holiday programme.

Running from when Islington schools break on 17th July until the end of August, 2015 promises to be a bumper year for learning new skills, collecting new memories and making new friends with more than 200 events and courses covering an array of activities.

The ground-breaking Summerversity scheme has been expanded to offer even more  free courses for young people aged 11 and over, covering everything from coding to hairdressing and beekeeping to stand-up comedy. Children aged 11-16 year olds can also take the Summer5Challenge which encourages them to try out new things for the chance to win great prizes.

There are plenty of free and low-cost activities for younger children too. Highlights for children in the 5-11 age group include:

• Environmental summer school at Whittington Park;
• Ladybird-inspired family workshops at House of Illustration;
• Watery wonderland at Islington Museum;
• Afro Grooves workshops at Rich Mix.

Plus, Islington’s 12 adventure playgrounds will be open to children age 6 and up during the school break and are free, fun places for children to be active and creative in a safe environment.

For the very youngest children, there are special activities at libraries, parks and Islington Museum. Safari Pete will be back with his collection of mammals, birds, reptiles and insects for children to see and stroke, plus there will be a Mad hatter’s Tea party, craft events and Family Fun Day.

The summer is also a great time to get fit and active. There are many great physical activities for children of all ages to enjoy from football to ice-skating, and Islington’s Better leisure centres are offering children the chance to swim for just £1 and there will be free swimming lessons at Holloway School.

Cllr Joe Caluori, Islington Council’s executive member for children and families, said:  "During the school summer holidays, it’s important that we make sure there are lots of free and low-cost activities for children and young people in the borough to get involved in.

“I am particularly pleased by the expansion of Summerversity. Children over the age of 11 will be able to spend their summer learning and exploring new ideas. They could, for example, be among the first to use one of the world’s limited number of 3D printers, as well learn photography or how to run a farm.

 "Alongside the specially-organised summer events, all of Islington’s brilliant youth hubs and adventure playgrounds will also be open as usual, so children and young people always have somewhere safe to spend time during the day and evenings."

All primary and secondary school in the borough will be provided with details of Heatwave so they can let students know what's on offer. Information can also be found across Islington’s libraries, leisure centres, museums, children’s centres and youth hubs.

For full information for what’s on this summer visit: www.islington.gov.uk/heatwave