In the run up to Christmas, Rochdale AFC Community Trust stepped up to deliver Soccer Schools and Activity Camps designed to give local children the opportunity to come to the Crown Oil Arena to have fun, whilst ensuring they didn't go hungry.
Inspired by the work of Marcus Rashford and funded through the Government Holiday Activity Fund (HAF), over sixty youngsters attended sessions at the Crown Oil Arena where, as well as taking part in fun football sessions on the kick pitch and activities in Our Spot, children received a hot lunch/tea, provided by Lancashire Hospitality Co-Operation.
Blended with the Community Trust’s traditional paid for Soccer Schools activity, the emphasis was on all children being ‘fit and fed’.
Alternative Provision lead, Ann Marie Thomson, who co-ordinated the new Activity Camps, commented: “Through HAF funding we have been able to engage kids who don’t normally access our half-term provision.
“As well as providing a hot meal, which eases the burden on parents at this time of year, we were also able to be work with children to develop some key social skills and help with areas of learning where they may have fallen behind at school.”
Rochdale AFC Community Trust would like to thank funders Rochdale Council and Your Trust, as we all Dale’s official catering partners Lancashire Hospitality Co-Operation, and all of the schools and partner agencies who referred youngsters onto the course.