FLINTSHIRE’S play schemes are gearing up for another summer of fun.

The schemes, which have been in existence since 1996, will be delivered by Flintshire Council's play development team in partnership with local town and community councils, Urdd Gobaith Cymru and Welsh Government.

Councillor Ian Roberts, the authority's cabinet member for education and youth, said: “In Flintshire, we are very proud of our summer play schemes which provide children with the opportunity – the time, space and permission - to play out locally, meeting up with old friends and making new ones.

“In 2018, 3,901 children attended the play schemes which take took place throughout the county, proving them to be yet another huge success.”

In all, this summer, there will be 56 site locations, either morning or afternoon, across the county delivered for three, four, five or six weeks of the summer holidays. This equates to 1,100 play sessions or 2,200 hours of play.

The sessions are for children aged between five and 12 years and up to 15 years for children with disabilities.

Younger children are welcome to attend with a parent, grandparent or carer.

No general scheme pre-registration is required, except for ‘Quayplay’ - Connah's Quay Central Park for children five to 11 only (five years to 15 years for children with disabilities attending via the Buddy scheme) - as well as all children participating in the share your lunch scheme.

Pre-registration is also required for all children aged five to 15 years attending via the Buddy Scheme (and up to 25 years if young people with disabilities are volunteers on site).

In 2019, there are 900 supported places for children with disabilities via the council's Buddy Scheme and 50 Kicks for Kids (Wales) sessions delivered at 26 of the play scheme sites.

Councillor Roberts added: “There will be three Welsh medium play schemes at Ysgol Croes Atti, Ysgol Bro Carmel and Ysgol Maes Garmon for six weeks in 2019.

"There were 390 children who registered for our Welsh language summer play schemes in 2018 and it is an important strand of our Welsh in Education Strategic Plan that children have the opportunity to access their play scheme through the medium of Welsh.”

For further details, contact Flintshire play development team on 01352 704155, or email Janet.Roberts2@flintshire.gov.uk