The school Easter holidays are almost upon us.
For teachers and kids, it will be some welcome respite while schools continue to face incredibly challenging and disruptive circumstances – especially owing to covid. For parents, of course, it comes with the challenge of keeping children occupied.
As a council, we’ve worked to ensure that there’s plenty going on in Reading.
Our Museum at the Town Hall has lots of things for children and parents, including the new Reading FC history exhibition.
Our theatres have family-oriented shows, including Fireman Sam at the Hexagon (Sam’s longevity surprises me, as it was my favourite TV programme in the early 90s).
And partners around the town have lots of activities too.
Everything can be found at whatsonreading.com.
We’re fortunate to be able to offer such a diverse programme, but we also know that not everyone is able to access it easily.
To try and ensure that access to activities is not restricted, we partner with Brighter Futures for Children to provide funding for a holiday activities programme that offers free Easter activities for those on free school meals.
We also keep activities, such as Reading Museum, free of charge to everyone where possible.
Naturally, our children and young people need fun outlets for their energy even when it’s not the school holidays. That’s why we’re delivering a new family activity centre at Prospect Park, complete with both mini-golf and a low ropes course.
It’s also why we’re putting almost £1 million into renewing playgrounds across Reading, building on the refurbishments that have already taken place.
In fact, the consultation for the major new play area at Prospect Park is live now, so do check it out if you have the chance – feedback and opinions are always welcome.
Our ability to provide family activities is also the result of prudent decisions over a number of years. During the toughest years of Government austerity – and it now looks like they aren’t going away soon – Labour councillors in Reading went to great lengths to keep every Library branch open (and build many of them up into proper Community Hubs), invest in our Town Hall and museum, and retain our two Council-owned theatres at South Street and The Hexagon.
Maintaining these facilities, when other councils cut back similar services, now means we can provide a holistic programme that caters for different groups across the town.
South Street, for example, can run shows that have a narrower potential audience than The Hexagon can, while our Libraries continue to provide the popular Rhymetime sessions for younger children across Reading free of charge.
Looking forward, we are also committing to bringing back youth workers to support community organisations seeking to set up youth clubs around the town.
We know this is important work, and the effects of Conservative funding cuts on the provision of services for teenagers have been one of the most difficult things we’ve had to grapple with.
I’m really pleased we’re now in a position to restore some of what has been lost – it’s important that we offer opportunities for everyone in our town, wherever they live and whatever their background.
Cllr Jason Brock is the leader of Reading Borough Council, and standing for re-election in Southcote ward for Labour
