Families and young people across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Staffordshire have enjoyed a fun-filled summer thanks to Housing Plus Group鈥檚 2025 Summer Holidays Fund.
This year, 22 local organisations received grants of up to 拢1,000 each, supporting a wide range of activities designed to bring communities together and provide children with memorable holiday experiences.
Activities supported through the scheme ranged from picnics and fun days, to sports clubs, craft sessions and dance workshops.
One of the organisations to benefit was Madeley Town Council, which received funding towards community picnics, complete with free bouncy castles and an ice cream van.
Charlotte Dade, the town council鈥檚 Community and Events Officer, said: 鈥淥ver the summer we wanted to put on some community events for local families in our main residential areas.
鈥淭his funding from Housing Plus Group has really helped 鈥� it鈥檚 meant more children have been able to enjoy the free ice creams and we鈥檝e been able to get two bouncy castles.
鈥淭hanks to the funding, we鈥檝e been able to create events that bring people together and strengthen our community.鈥�
Meanwhile, Stafford Sport and Performance Academy received 拢750 to run a series of children鈥檚 dance workshops.
Dance teacher Dominique Stephenson said: 鈥淭hanks to the funding, we were able to offer these dance sessions for free and it鈥檚 been so nice to be able to give the children the opportunity to dance and have some fun during the summer holidays instead of sitting at home.
鈥淢ost of the children didn鈥檛 know each other, so they鈥檝e made new friends and it鈥檚 been great to see them talking and getting along. They鈥檝e learned lots of different styles from jazz to musical theatre over the three weeks and so many parents have said that their children want to start dance lessons now.鈥�
Other organisations awarded funding included Osnosh in Oswestry, Telford Autism Hub, Donnington Partnership and The Hub Newport.
Sam Hine, Social Value and Inclusion Manager at Housing Plus Group, said: 鈥淲e are proud to have supported so many local organisations who work tirelessly to make a difference in their communities.
鈥淭he Summer Holidays Fund is about more than activities 鈥� it鈥檚 about inclusion, wellbeing and helping families to enjoy the holidays without financial worry.
鈥淪eeing the smiles on children鈥檚 faces and hearing the positive feedback from parents confirms the real value of this initiative.鈥�