Families across the borough can now access a packed programme of free and low-cost school holiday activities after the Telford & Wrekin Council launched its Level Up summer campaign on 3 July. The initiative brings together sports sessions, holiday clubs and leisure centre activities for children aged up to 16, with many completely free of charge and others costing just £2.
Councillor Richard Overton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Highways, Housing and Enforcement, said there were endless possibilities to Level Up the summer. Free Urban Games sessions kick off from Monday 20 July, running until Sunday 30 August, with professional coaches leading hockey, football, netball, multi-sports and Wild Telford activities in local parks. Leisure centres will offer £2 access to badminton, tennis, table tennis, fun and floats swimming, soft play, athletics and driving range sessions. From 27 July, the Happy Healthy Active Holidays programme provides funded holiday clubs with nutritious meals for children from Reception to Year 11 who receive benefit-related free school meals.
The campaign builds on council holiday provision dating back to a 2018 pilot tackling the extra costs families face during school breaks. This year, a new prize draw adds extra incentive: any family can enter to win a balloon ride with Virgin Hot Air Balloons by attending Level Up activities and sharing photos of their experience. The borough’s award-winning Town Park also features trails and cycling paths, though attractions like the Aerial Adventure and mini golf carry separate fees.
The Level Up programme links to the council’s existing 10 by 10 initiative, which encourages children to try ten experiences before turning ten, and the 5 by 5 list for adventures before school starts. The Youth Offer pulls together clubs and teams from across the borough into a single directory. Families can find everything at www.telford.gov.uk/Levelup, with Happy Healthy Active Holidays registration available via a dedicated website to secure funded places.
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