Community project feeds and entertains local children during school holidays
More than 500 meals have been distributed to families taking part in a Denbigh holiday programme that pairs nutritious food with outdoor activities and craft sessions, organisers have confirmed.
The Denbigh Youth Project Summer Food and Activity Programme has been running three days a week through the school holidays, offering trips, visits and a wide range of organised sessions for children and parents across the town. One single week of the programme saw 206 meals served, contributing to a total of just over 500 meals in the first three weeks.
Sessions have included nature-based gatherings at the Myddleton Garden Project in Upper Denbigh featuring picnics, bird-feeder making, sunflower planting and a vegetable treasure hunt, alongside indoor and craft activities such as basket weaving, slate engraving, bead key chains, Plaster of Paris moulding, messy play and sensory play.
"It was wonderful to see so many children and families enjoying the activities together," said Cllr Mark Young, Chair of Denbigh Youth Project. "Seeing young people learning new skills, spending time outdoors, making new friends and creating lasting memories is exactly what this programme is all about."
Volunteers and funders underpin provision
Local volunteers and staff have been credited with delivering a safe and welcoming environment for attendees. Cllr Young singled out named team members for their efforts and thanked the volunteers who supported the project on the ground.
The scheme is supported financially by national and Wales-based funders. In particular, the project has received backing from the National Lottery Community Fund through its People and Places programme and from the Community Foundation Wales Active & Nourished Programme, contributions the chair said have been essential to keeping the activities running during the summer break.
Activities and attendance
Children and families have taken part in a variety of hands-on and outdoor activities designed to promote creativity, practical skills and time spent outside. The combination of food provision and organised play is designed to ease pressure on families during the holidays while giving young people constructive experiences.
- Frequency: three days per week throughout the school holidays
- Meals served: 206 in one week; more than 500 across three weeks
- Partners: Myddleton Garden Project and local volunteers
| Week | Meals served |
|---|---|
| Single week cited | 206 |
| Three weeks total | More than 500 |
Organisers say the programme is helping not only to provide food but to foster social contact and practical learning. For many families in Denbigh, such holiday provision reduces the strain of school breaks and allows children to try new activities they might not otherwise access.
What happens next
The Denbigh Youth Project has indicated it will continue to focus on supporting families and offering positive experiences to young people throughout holiday periods. The chair expressed gratitude to funders and volunteers and described the response from local families as "incredible," highlighting the perceived difference the scheme has made in the short period it has been running.
As the summer programme progresses, local residents and community groups will be watching to see whether the project can maintain its momentum and inspire similar offers elsewhere in the county.
The project remains a reminder of the role small, locally run initiatives play in sustaining community life in Denbigh during the school holidays, providing meals, companionship and practical activities that reflect the town’s strong volunteer spirit.
