A LIBRARY service manager spoke of her delight after numerous successful half term activities for Flintshire children.

Over the May Half Term, staff from Aura Libraries joined forces with the Aura Sports Development team to provide some exciting activities for children in the Flintshire community.

In recent years, the Sports Development has taken part in a nationwide campaign called ‘Fit and Fed’, created by StreetGames, a UK-wide organisation that uses sport to create positive change in the lives of disadvantaged young people.

The aim of Fit and Fed is to create opportunities for physical activity, and promote a healthy diet by providing healthy snacks at the end of each session.

Aura colleagues decided to add an additional library element to the sessions which focuses upon reading and creativity.

Combining library and leisure activities together, the sessions ultimately aim to emphasise the importance of keeping minds, as well as bodies, healthy.

More than 300 people attended Aura’s Fit, Fed and Read sessions across Holywell, Mostyn, Flint and Saltney, where over 150 packed lunches and 450 bottles of water were given out.

Over 100 Bookstart packs were also given away to families, and children were able to take part in storytime and craft sessions.

Susannah Hill, library service manager, shared her thoughts on the importance of providing these sessions.

She said: “Aura Libraries welcomed the opportunity to take part in the Fit Fed and Read sessions.

"As a library service, we feel that it is vital to get out and meet people in the community.

"A library should not just be about the building or the resources it houses: a library is about community, and it is important for families to be able to access and enjoy free activities together.

"We were able to engage with lots of children and families and provide opportunities for them to share stories together and join in with crafts.

"As well as Bookstart packs, we were also able to give children and families other books and craft activities to enjoy at home.

"We have been delighted to see children who attended the sessions return to see us in the libraries, too."

Both Aura Libraries and the Aura Sports Development team are already looking forward to hosting Fit, Fed and Read sessions once again over the summer holiday. The teams are hoping to run sessions in: Holywell, Saltney, Flint, Deeside, Mold, Mostyn and Treuddyn.

For more information regarding StreetGames’ Fit and Fed campaign, visit: https://www.streetgames.org/fit-and-fed

Follow Aura on Twitter (@aura_wales), Facebook (@walesaura) and Instagram (@aura.wales) for further information about Fit, Fed and Read sessions over the summer holiday.