Kids will go Streets ahead at Christmas Plenty to keep youngsters active over festive break
Youngsters looking for some active fun over the Christmas break can take part in free Street Stuff sessions.
Organisers have lined up a host of fun activities to keep youths aged from 10 to 18 busy over the festive season.
It all kicks off this Thursday with dance sessions from 1pm till 5pm at the Paisley 2021 Stadium and football/youth bus from 5pm till 10pm at the airdome every day till Christmas Eve when the football session runs from 3pm till 7pm.
There are no sessions on Christmas Day but on Boxing Day, the football and youth bus, which has games consoles on board, will be at the airdome from 5pm till 10pm.
Dance sessions will run from 1pm till 5pm on December 28 followed by football and the youth bus from 5pm till 10pm. On the following day, there will be football and the youth bus in the evening from 6.30pm till 9.30pm.
The football and youth bus sessions will run on December 30 from 5pm till 10pm and from 3pm till 7pm on Hogmanay. There is a break on New Year’s Day with a dance session from 1pm till 5pm on January 2 followed by the football and youth bus session from 5pm till 10pm.
The last session of the festive programme is dance and takes place on Wednesday, January 3 from 1pm till 5pm.
All activities are free and anyone going along is asked to wear suitable clothing and footwear.
Everyone who goes along will get a free healthy meal.
Stephen Gallacher, manager of Street Stuff, said: “The reason we do the festive programme is there are more issues with things like domestic violence at this time of year, so it gives kids somewhere safe to go.
“They can also come along and show off their new football boots and catch up with their friends.
“We weren’t sure how busy it would be when we first started it but it’s always been popular.
“After Christmas Day kids can get bored, so this gives them something to do and keeps them active.”
One of the biggest events of the programme is a Christmas meal on Wednesday, December 27 at the Paisley 2021 Stadium from 6.30pm till 9.30pm.
It is free to attend and Stephen said it’s been popular in the past.
“We’ve had about 90 kids along and it’s a great night.
“A lot of kids maybe don’t get a big Christmas meal so this is a positive thing for them. They feel part of the programme, they feel wanted.
“We’ll have lots of prizes on the night as well including a PS4 and tickets for a St Mirren match.”
He added: “This is our third year running the festive programme and the second year doing a Christmas meal. We never know how busy it’s going to be but we’re hoping for a good turnout again this year.”
Street Stuff is run in partnership with Renfrewshire Council, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Engage Renfrewshire and St Mirren.
It began in 2009 and its work has seen a 75 per cent reduction in youth disorder and anti-social behaviour. It offers a range of activities like football, dance, gaming and clubbercise.
To find out more about Street Stuff, go to www.renfrewshire.gov. uk/streetstuff