A tree top adventure course and country park café swung into action to host 140 Coventry teenagers during the Christmas holidays.
Go Ape Coventry and No Ordinary Hospitality Management’s Café in the Park, located in the grounds of historic Coombe Abbey Hotel and park, were among 29 providers in the city offering a range of free fun festive experiences, multi-activity holiday clubs and nutritious food for eligible school aged children and teens who receive free school meals.
Luke Parker, site manager at Go Ape Coventry in Coombe Abbey Park, said: “After so many young people have missed out on fun and educational outdoor experiences because of Covid lockdowns during the pandemic, it was great to be able to offer this adventure activity during their Christmas break.”
The festive Go Ape experience gave 140 teenagers, aged 13 to 16, the chance to enjoy a treetop rope course over eight sessions from December 18 to January 3 2022, followed by a meal at Café in the Park.
Richard Harrison, managing director of No Ordinary Hospitality Management (NOHM), said: “With more families hit by rises in the cost of living we feel it is important to do our part to help those in need over the festive period, a time that we know is difficult for many, and contributed towards provided 140 teenagers with a meal at Café in the Park.”
The Coventry Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme – backed by Marcus Rashford, the England and Manchester United footballer, and campaigner against child poverty (see video link above) – is operated by Coventry City Council and ran throughout the festive school holiday.
Cllr Dr Kindy Sandhu, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills at Coventry City Council, said: “2021 has been a difficult year for many people and the Coventry Holiday Activities and Food Programme has provided Coventry City Council with the opportunity to brighten up the Christmas school holidays for children who qualify for free school meals.
“We have managed to offer an exciting range of free activities such as sports, music, arts and crafts, alongside some wonderful experiences including the Belgrade Theatre, The Wave and of course, Go Ape. These clubs and activities are a brilliant way for children to try new things, make new friends and importantly, have fun. We also provided free holiday food hampers available with recipes for families to prepare and enjoy at home.
“We are continuing to work closely with a whole array of providers to help a number of families across the city in the forthcoming holidays. If anyone thinks they could qualify for free school meals, please check the Council website and apply.”
In the summer holidays last year Coventry’s HAF programme delivered more than 100,000 hours of activities and 25,000 meals to more than 2,000 children and young people from across the city.