Kentish Express Ashford & District
Colourful summer fun at youth centre
Young people were able to enjoy a host of summer holiday sessions at Ashford’s Sk8side youth centre.
Funding provided by Ashford Borough Councillor Graham Galpin enabled the programme of free activities for 11 to 19-yearolds to be staged.
Simon Woods of Sk8side said: “We ran workshops, games/ activities and trips to engage young people in positive activities. Trips and activities were chosen by the young members of Sk8side and included arts and crafts, tie dye workshops, barbecues, football tournaments and free trips to Gravity trampoline park in Maidstone and Revolution skatepark in Broadstairs.
“Without funding from Graham Galpin these trips and activities wouldn’t have been possible. Sk8side is a Kent County Council commisioned service and needs to raise funds to operate, so any extras like this require kind donations from council members.
“It is important to offer positive activities for young people during the long summer break and the fact they remain free means they can be open to all.”
One of the key parts of the project was a Superteams competition which featured teams of seven competing against others in 40 different events including sports, quizzes and eating challenges. The winning team was the Chicken Nuggets.
On Saturday Sk8side is holding the annual skatepark event from noon to 5pm. This year’s theme is the Olympics. There will be music, olympics themed fancy dress and competitions throughout the day.