Issue - meetings

The Summer Of Fun Activities (SOFA) 2014 Inclusive Activity programme report is attached for the Panel.

Caroline Howarth, Director, Bath Area Play Project introduced this item to the Panel. She explained that the Activity Programme was designed to be as inclusive as possible for both disabled and non-disabled young people. She added that young people were involved in the planning of the programme so that the options available were diverse.

The Panel were then shown a video of activities from the previous year.

Councillor Liz Hardman said that it was great to see such an inclusive project and that she was aware that young people from outside of Bath were welcome to attend. She asked what funding would exist for the project from 2016.

Caroline Howarth replied that the project was in year one of a three year contract and that alongside the £20,000 the project receives from B&NES it regularly sought alternative sources of funding. She added that young people do need to pay a fee for some elements of the programme.

She said that should there be a reduction in funding that the length of the programme may have to be reduced, but stated that she believed it was a unique offer which should be maintained.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked if there was any provision in place to assist young people who could not afford to take part in the programme.

Caroline Howarth replied that both Curo and Sovereign helped to pay for young people who lived in their properties.

Councillor Loraine Morgan-Brinkhurst commented that she thought it was a superb scheme and had seen first-hand the impact an art event had had on young people.

David Williams asked the young people present what their most enjoyable part of the programme was.

Eden replied that she had made lots of friends through the events.

Sarah Sealy, the SOFA Development Worker commented that the programme was able to support transitions into Secondary School and that had really been of benefit to Emile as he had been able to meet students of the same school prior to starting in September.

The Chair said that she welcomed the work of the programme and thanked those present for attending the meeting.