This summer in South Ayrshire has provided fantastic opportunities for young people and their families to dive into a range of sports and physical activities. South Ayrshire Active Schools have put together an incredible array of activities, from multi-sport camps and pop-up sports sessions to cycling and water sports. Some of these activities have even been specifically for care-experienced young people in the area.
With affordability and accessibility at the forefront of their minds, many of these activities are offered at a very low cost or, even, completely free.
To make this happen, the South Ayrshire Active Schools team are collaborating across the sector, engaging with clubs and organisations through their Club Ready Programme.
A Jam-Packed Summer Programme
This year, the South Ayrshire Active Schools Health & Wellbeing team have provided a summer programme bursting at the seams with free activities for care-experienced young people and their families.
This includes multi-sport camps, water sports sessions, cycling adventures, and pop-up sport events in some of the region's most rural villages. This was inspired by the lockdowns as a result of the pandemic, which have only amplified the need to adapt their programme, allowing them to extend their reach.The multi-sport camps are a highlight of the summer programme, featuring a mix of handball, gymnastics, football, tennis and even glow-in-the-dark dodgeball. Scottish Rowing and the Outdoor Learning Team are on hand to offer thrilling rowing activities on the River Doon.
For young people with disabilities, the INSPIRE sessions provide tailored experiences, from cycling and multisport sessions to sport-specific and watersport activities. This summer also marks the debut of the first-ever INSPIRE sports camp, promising a unique and inclusive experience.
Adventures at Dolphin House
Care-experienced young people are also being provided with the opportunity to take a trip to the Dolphin House outdoor centre at Culzean Country Park. Over the summer holidays, groups of about 14 young people will embark on this new adventure. These trips are thoughtfully adapted to meet the needs of care-experienced youth, with convenient pickup points, flexible schedules, and supportive staff who have built strong relationships with the participants over the years.
The local South Ayrshire Champions Board play a pivotal role in these trips, helping to select and request activities that are introductory and skill-based, ensuring everyone feels comfortable and included.
Rowing into New Horizons
The South Ayrshire Active Schools Health & Wellbeing team are also offering care-experienced young people the chance to participate in rowing sessions on the River Ayr, led by Scottish Rowing. These sessions run every Wednesday from April to October, featuring four hour-and-a-half-long slots throughout the day. The programme caters to young people with additional support needs, young carers, care-experienced youth as well as and Ukrainian refugees.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with around 15 care-experienced young people attending each session. Two qualified coaches guide groups of up to five participants on the river, helping them build confidence and skills on the water. Mark Senter from Scottish Rowing shared, “One thing we noticed straight away when we started these sessions was the anxiety to actually get out on the water. It’s been really rewarding to see them overcome that and become comfortable entering the water.”
Find out more
- About Active Schools in South Ayrshire
- About Active Schools on Sport First
