A SUMMER play project for kids has resulted in a “significant improvement” in the mental health of children, according to parents.
The region’s Summer of Play programme, targeting children and young people from low income and vulnerable households, has continued to thrive – despite Scottish Government funding being withdrawn this year.
For the previous three years, Dumfries and Galloway Council had received around £135,000 from Holyrood to enhance its own funds to run the eight-week programme of activities throughout the summer holiday.
No money was forthcoming this summer, but council chiefs pressed ahead with the event anyway, spending £264,000 of their own budget to get the show on the road.
The activities were aimed at supporting low income families and young people during the cost of living crisis, and a total of 9417 children aged 5-16 years old took part.
There were a series of summer roadshows, 826 sessions across all wards in the region, and there was an activity on every day between July 2 and August 20.
An evaluation report has revealed that 87 per cent of all children and young people reported that they felt better about themselves after taking part in an activity.
It was recorded that 85 per cent said they wouldn’t have been able to take part in the activity if it was not free of charge.
Meanwhile, 79 per cent of parents and carers reported a significant improvement in their child’s mental health after taking part in activities.
A further 81 per cent of children and young people reported an increase in their physical health by taking part in sports-based activities.
The evaluation report will be presented at the council’s tackling poverty, inequalities, and housing committee next Tuesday.
It was explained that £65,000 was spent on roadshows, while £110,000 was allocated to council services or projects where children and young people could access additional activities.
The council’s children and families social work team stated in the report that the impact Summer of Play funding has had on children, families, communities and staff has been “significant”.
They stated: “The benefit of having access to this fund on our children and young people and allowing them to do things that matter to them, and they would normally not have the opportunity to do and more importantly to have fun.
“The relationship building with social work staff and the children and young people was very positive.
“It removed isolation, built family relations/bonds, allowed families to celebrate birthdays in a way that they never could have, quality time with siblings and the wider family network and allowing grandparents and carers some free quality time.”
The evaluation report also revealed that 27 per cent of the children who took part were from lone parent families, 25 per cent were from families which include a disabled adult or child, and 23 per cent were from larger families with three or more children.
