Farnham Town Council is well on the way to delivering on its promise to improve its support for younger people this year. 

A new £20,000 grant pot helped to fund free school holiday activities for younger people of all ages, especially those that may be financially disadvantaged.

The choice of activities on offer was wide ranging and included free creative workshops organised by Farnham Maltings at venues located on the outskirts of the town centre, and fun-filled events such as a Summer Fair with games and BBQs by The Chantrys & Byworth Community Association. Hale Youth Centre offered a range of sports, arts, and trips, while Bethel Baptist Church provided a children’s club with games and Bible drama. Families also enjoyed woodland games at Alice Holt and free singing workshops at Farnham Maltings. 

The Mayor of Farnham, Councillor Brodie Mauluka visited one of the activities at Space2Grow and saw their holiday club in full swing. He says: “It was great to see children having fun outdoors. This amazing garden in the centre of Farnham meant they could climb trees, make mud pies and paint pictures with blackberry juice. 

“I’m delighted that as a Council we have been able to make it possible for Farnham’s younger people to have the opportunity to enjoy new experiences that would otherwise have not been available to them.” 

Although the majority of activities took place in the long summer holidays there are one or two events planned for later this year including a ceramics workshop from 28 October to 1 November. At the workshop students, families, and friends will be invited to create clay discs textured with marks reflecting the achievements and occupations of people with dyslexia. 

Details about how to sign up can be found at www.farnham.gov.uk/young-people.

In addition to helping to fund holiday activities, Farnham Town Council has invested an extra £80,000 in strengthening the outreach work that already exists for younger people from existing organisations such as 40degreez, Hale Community and Youth Centre and the Jubilee Hub in Wrecclesham and commissioning independent research to determine the needs of Farnham’s young people. 

The council has also created a directory of services for younger people. This can be used by people seeking help and support and by organisations wishing to promote the services they provide for younger people. The directory can be viewed at www.farnham.gov.uk.