More than 200 young people aged 13 to 16 joined Services for Young People (SfYP) Easter 2024 school holiday programmes earlier this month. The fully booked four-hour sessions took place over four days throughout Hertfordshire. The programmes offered a range of activities to support physical and mental health and encourage healthy lifestyle choices for young people eligible for benefits-related free school meals.
Young people had the opportunity to take part in various activities, ranging from football and table tennis to cooking. Workshops covered topics such as sleep, exercise, emotional wellbeing, finances, and keeping safe. Creative activities such as T-shirt design, foam clay modelling and trying out different musical instruments provided opportunities for mindfulness and discussions about effective strategies to manage mental health.
Feedback from young people highlights the positive impact of the programme on their health, confidence, and independence.
“I have learnt how to cook and have been able to have a meal that fills me up”
Young people learnt about healthy food choices and planned and prepared nutritious meals to eat during the programmes. The menu included delicious dishes such as chicken and vegetable kebabs, spaghetti bolognese, fajitas, and fruit salad.
‘It’s been nice to get out of the house… play games, sports and do outdoor activities”
In Broxbourne, young people developed their resilience and interpersonal skills by taking part in canoeing, caving, orienteering and a wellbeing walk through Lea Valley Park, led by members of Broxbourne Youth Council. The St Albans group stayed active by using the cycle track the Cottonmill Cycle Centre and learnt about bike maintenance. In Stevenage, Warriorz Dance Company led a street dance workshop and team games, offering a chance for young people to step out of their comfort zones and try something new.
The Stevenage also group enjoyed a Go Wild session at Hudnall Park, led by SfYP People and Wildlife Officers. They took part in a mini bug hunt, saw wild deer, and learnt about newts. The experience was unique and fascinating, with many young people commenting that they felt notably calmer and more relaxed after being outside in nature.
“Drumming helped me to alleviate stress”
Emotional wellbeing was a focus at all our school holiday programmes, with each district offering a range of activities for young people to practice self-care.
African Djembe drumming workshops in St Albans and Dacorum provided a healthy outlet for stress relief, reducing anxiety and encouraging self-expression. Young people thoroughly enjoyed the sessions and confidently demonstrated their new skills at a performance for parents and carers.
Young people at the Welwyn Hatfield programme enjoyed decorating plant pots and nurturing plants, while in the South Oxhey group, they created posters to identify behaviours when they are feeling stressed and healthy coping strategies.
“I enjoy coming here to learn something positive”
SfYP welcomed partner organisations, enhancing the sessions with their expert guidance. The No More Service in Watford, Three Rivers, and Hertsmere gave invaluable advice to young people on housing, emotional wellbeing, and managing money and HSBC workshops in Stevenage offered tips to prevent fraud and identity theft.
Sessions on homelessness and budgeting delivered by Herts Young Homeless in North Herts and other districts equipped young people with practical knowledge and skills for the future. A young person with special educational needs (SEND) said these workshops provided comfort and reduced their anxiety about living independently when they are older.
Many attendees, including those not in education and home-educated young people did not know each other at the start of the programmes. By the end, they described having formed strong relationships with their peers, with one young person saying, “I have really enjoyed being here and making new friends. I do not get on well at school, but I have liked coming here and being able to talk about what I have been through. I have enjoyed all the activities.”
Parents and carers told us about the positive changes they noticed, with one parent commenting, "This is the first place my son has been able to go to and connect with both staff and make friends. He comes home every day buzzing with how much fun he has had and feels supported by staff and able to just be himself.”
All young people who attended were invited to join our term-time youth work projects to receive continued support.
Our summer 2024 projects start on 22 April. Get full details here:
SfYP projects in your area
