Summer activities engage thousands of youngsters

Thousands of young people from Birmingham have been able to participate in a range of activities over the summer thanks to the efforts of community interest company 5UP.

5UP CIC received grant funding of more than £100,000 to deliver the Holiday Activities Programme 2021, also known as ' Bring it on Brum '.

The idea for 5UP is to engage with young school pupils aged from five to 16 years.

5UP aims to provide activities such as Thai boxing, fitness sessions, football, bike rides, cricket sessions, laser tag and other fun activities to keep young people active during the holidays.

5UP engaged more than 300 young people per day, split between five partner sites across Birmingham.

These sessions were free and included a healthy meal after each one.

Birmingham City Council secured £8.1M funding from the Department for Education 's Holiday and Activity Fund, to deliver the Birmingham Holiday Activities programme 2021 during the Easter, Summer and Christmas Holidays.

The purpose to address holiday hunger, inactivity, isolation and learning loss.

StreetGames were commissioned by Birmingham City Council to manage the programme and have worked hard to supporting more than 200 local organisations to deliver quality holiday clubs offering free physical activity, food and enrichment opportunities for school aged children across the city.

5UP were visited by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Muhammad Afzal, after an introduction by another Chamber member Raja Khan from Aspire CIC.

The summer sessions received positive feedback from parents including Aisha Ali, who said: “I would just like to say how great the summer school club went for Amirah.

“It helped with her fitness, brought her out of her shell after losing my brother to Covid and also dealing with issues at school with bullies, which is now resolved.

“She loved it. It was a fab idea and they provided food and drinks, and she even won a bike! ”

Lesley Goring added: “My three oldest children went. All three enjoyed it and were always looking forward to going the next day.

“Thank you for organising it and keeping them occupied during the six weeks holidays, They are looking forward to the next one. ”

Pictured: The Lord Mayor, Raja Khan (Aspire CIC), Claire Wheeler (StreetGames) and 5UP coaches