Children's services
‘Best summer ever’: Families praise Walsall Summer Passport as more than 600 children take part
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Over 600 young children across Walsall have taken part in the free Summer Ready to Learn Adventure Passport scheme, with feedback from families highlighting the positive impact on children’s confidence, communication and social development.
Running throughout the summer holidays for a second year, Walsall Council’s Summer Ready to Learn adventure Passport scheme has been giving children aged two to five the chance to learn, play and develop important skills ahead of starting school.
The scheme also supports Walsall’s wider 2040 vision to be a child-friendly borough and give all children and young people the best possible start in life.
The free adventure passport was packed with fun, educational challenges for families to complete together, encouraging children to build key school-ready skills through play, everyday activities and local events.
Along the way, children collected stamps while developing important skills including communication, independence, early literacy and numeracy, confidence and social interaction.
The passports have been praised by families, with feedback highlighting the difference the activities and support have made to children and their families.
One parent described the activities as a lifeline during a difficult time for their family, commenting:
"I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart and my little ones, to everyone behind the scenes and the ones who delivered the sessions, set up, tidied, put thought effort into, we had the best summer ever with my little one with you.
"We had so many memories to stay with us for a lifetime. The family hubs are what saved my sanity and motherhood when me and my little one went through very tough time as our family broke. Biggest part of our healing and surviving was supported by you all. You became our family."
Another parent commented:
"We had such a lovely experience taking part in the Summer Passport activities this year. I attended several sessions with my daughter and she really enjoyed them. It was wonderful to have so many different activities available for children during the summer and to see how much effort was put into making every session fun, welcoming and engaging.
"Having professionals there who took the time to get to know her, notice her progress and offer us support and guidance has been incredibly valuable to us. The sessions have given my daughter the opportunity to play, learn, explore and spend time with other children, and I have seen how much they have helped her grow in confidence and develop new skills. A huge thank you to everyone involved. Your kindness, patience, encouragement and support have made a real difference to my daughter and to us as a family, and I am genuinely grateful for everything you have done for her."
Feedback from a survey of parents who took part in the scheme also highlighted improvements in speech and language development, social skills and confidence, sharing and interaction with other children, learning new words, and engagement in new activities and play experiences.
One parent reported that their child had “started speaking” and was interacting with children and staff as a result of the activities. Parents also valued the Speech and Language sessions and guidance provided, while Stay and Play sessions were praised for supporting children’s social development.
“ It’s been fantastic to see the Summer Ready to Learn Adventure Passport reach more than 600 children across Walsall this year.
The summer holidays are such a great time for children to get out, try new things and enjoy learning through play and different experiences. By bringing together activities, learning opportunities and support for families in one programme, we’ve been able to help children build confidence, develop important skills and get ready for starting school.
It’s also been lovely to hear how much families have enjoyed taking part and how much they have valued the support available through our Walsall Best Start Family Hubs. Having these opportunities in local communities means families can come together, make memories and discover new activities in a welcoming environment.
I’d like to thank all of the staff, volunteers and partners who have helped deliver the programme this summer, and all the families who took part and made it such a success. “
The passport was full of free activities that took place throughout the summer holidays, from Tiny Rangers outdoor sessions in local parks and green spaces, to Mini Kickers football sessions delivered with Walsall FC Foundation, sessions tailored for SEND children, and family Stay and Play events at Walsall’s Best Start Family Hubs.
Each child also received a free Ready to Learn activity bag, containing resources to continue learning at home. Items included activity ideas, a Best Start for Life Family Hubs hippo toy, a toothbrush and toothpaste to support oral health, and a free swimming pass.
Families who completed activities and collected stamps also entered a prize draw at the end of the programme, with a balance bike and a scooter available to continue the active fun.
For more information about the Summer Ready to Learn Adventure Passport and the wide range of support available through Walsall’s Best Start Family Hubs, visit the Walsall Best Start Family Hubs website: https://family-hubs.walsall.gov.uk/
Boy and Walsall Family Hubs staff member, holding up a photo frame for Walsall's Summer Adventure Passport scheme
Mother and daughter, holding up a photo frame for Walsall's Summer Adventure Passport scheme
Mother and son, enjoying activities as part of Walsall's Summer Adventure Passport scheme (1)
Mother and son, enjoying activities as part of Walsall's Summer Adventure Passport scheme (2)
Mother and two children, enjoying activities as part of Walsall's Summer Adventure Passport scheme
