Highland Council agrees £500,000 Summer of Hope programme to give priority children a helping hand

Efforts are to be made to repair some of the damage the pandemic lockdowns inflicted on children and young people through a new programme of activities dubbed the Summer of Hope.

Highland Council has agreed at the education committee to forge ahead with the Scottish Government scheme, worth £500,000 to the region and £20 million nationwide, with the aim of helping priority children.

The chairman of the education committee, councillor John Finlayson, explained that the events aimed to tackle how “Covid-19 has impacted on important milestones for socialisation and wellbeing for many of our children and young people".

“Therefore, this work by council officers in conjunction with our many partners to plan for activities for pupils over the summer will go a long way to help build and sustain improved wellbeing during this time and in preparation for the new school session.”

To do that, schools and multi-agency partners will identify priority youngsters from across the Highlands to give them access to playful, creative and engaging experiences through outdoor activities over the summer.

Among the partners involved are Eden Court, Youth Highland, High Life Highland, Health and Life Sciences Centre UHI, CALA, Fèisean nan Gàidheal, and partners through Highland Third Sector Interface.

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