Summer of fun in store for youths

A seven-week programme to keep young people active and entertained throughout the school holidays has been unveiled by Rutherglen Universal Connections.

The youth service has at least six activities planned every day at its Burnhill Street outlet, as well as a weekly excursion.

Kicking off on Friday, June 24, the summer programme opens for registration at 1pm and will be followed with a disco at 6pm.

A regular feature on the programme, the Friday night disco will be held every second week, with Friday Night Fun filling the gap on alternate weeks. It allows young people to meet with friends, socialise, listen to music and watch movies.

Catering for people of secondary school age - including P7s who will begin S1 after the summer, - Universal Connection’s summer programme will host a series of activities at the same time each week including Saturday drop in from 10.30am till 4pm.

Those interested in cooking can Cook with Pamela every Friday at 1.30pm and return to the kitchen for baking sessions at 1.30pm on Tuesdays.

The GGs, Rutherglen Girls Group, is a busy and exciting Tuesday night at the centre, as girls socialise and learn new skills such as applying shellac nails.

Other weekly clubs include the M Factor, which is exclusively for children with additional support needs, and Young Carers, which is open to anyone who cares for a parent or sibling.

As well as weekly group sessions, Universal Connections will host a series of activities each day including a wealth of arts and crafts sessions, where young people can make things such as mandala summer decorations, summer bunting, glitter frames, lanyards and masks.

A pool tournament will get under way on Monday, July 4 and board games, a scavenger hunt and play dough challenge will be held over the seven weeks.

A special day of graffiti street art will also be held on Thursday, July 28, with a session at 10.30am and 1.30pm.

In addition to daily activities running from Monday to Friday, a trip has been organised for every Wednesday of the seven weeks, with days out planned to Edinburgh Dungeons, Edinburgh’s Combat Challenge, Sky Studios, Blair Drummond Safari Park and M& Ds amusement park.

Trips cost £ 3, with a special trip to Blackpool on Wednesday June 29 costing £20.

Tony Hutchison, from Universal Connections, said staff were looking forward to welcoming young people to the centre next week.

He said: “Staff lead the majority of activities. We do cooking, work around the garden, arts and crafts with them and we all learn as we go.

“It is important to us that young people learn these life skills to provide informal education.

“We are looking forward to going to Blackpool Pleasure Beach this year. The young people will be given entry to the Pleasure Beach and a £5 voucher for food. We will be leaving early in the morning and they’ll have juice and snacks on the bus on the way back.”

For more information on the summer programme call Universal Connections on 0141 6473101.