Primary school children in Glasgow’s Maryhill will enjoy three days of food, activities and friendship this summer, as a long-standing youth club expands its holiday offer.
Shakespeare Street Youth Club, known locally as The Shakey, has served generations of young people and is believed to be Scotland’s oldest youth club. Running five days a week, it offers a safe place where children can take part in activities from sports to cooking and arts and crafts, while also learning about health, wellbeing and online safety.
For many local youngsters, The Shakey is a cherished space to spend quality, offline time with friends, and build confidence away from home or school.
The club is now preparing a summer programme for around 55 primary school-aged children, and each day will include breakfast, a hot lunch and healthy snacks, helping families manage the additional cost of school holidays.
As well as sharing meals together, children will take part in activities such as baking, sports, outdoor walks and weekly trips. Plans also include a short residential stay, giving the kids the chance to experience new environments and create lasting memories.
Support from the Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust has helped make this possible, with a £1,500 grant awarded to cover the cost of meals for the summer sessions.
Peggy Dalrymple, Senior Youth Worker at Shakespeare Street Youth Club, said: “This funding will greatly benefit the children’s holiday programme. This will be used on meals and activities for them ensuring they have the best time possible during their school holidays.”
David Facenna, Corporate Culture Director at Allied Vehicles Group, said: “The Shakespeare Street Youth Club has been part of life in north Glasgow for generations, giving young people a place to go, feel safe and to belong. In our increasingly online world, real spaces like this matter more than ever for young people. We’re proud to support the Shakey and its work in the community.”
