This summer, St Alban’s Church in Windy Nook hosted a holiday club that brought children together to explore creativity, build friendships, and grow in confidence. The club was funded by the government’s Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF) and Communities Together Durham, and delivered in partnership with theatre company Damn Cheek.
Over five days, around 20 children aged 6 to 11 took part in a range of creative activities including games, mask-making and theatre workshops, culminating in a performance for family and friends.
The week, however, was not without its challenges. Some children spoke little English, others struggled with shyness or boundless energy, and many were meeting one another for the first time. Early sessions were hesitant but by the fourth day, the children had formed a group with its own rhythm – waiting patiently for the quietest voices, making space for the fidgety, and learning to listen and collaborate.
The Revd Elaine Grant, Curate at St Alban’s and volunteer co-facilitator, reflected:
“On the first day, many of the children could barely whisper their names. By the end of the week, they were performing with joy and confidence in front of their families. It was a privilege to see them grow, not just as individuals, but as a group who had learned to listen, wait, and make space for one another.”
One late arrival illustrated the spirit of the week. On the final day, a boy who had previously only dropped off his cousins came back and asked to join in. Thanks to the culture of acceptance built over the week, he was immediately welcomed and included.
When parents, siblings and carers gathered to watch, it was impossible to tell who had been present from the start and who was new. Every child stood taller as their performances were met with laughter, cheers and applause.
For Elaine, the real achievement was less about performance than about transformation. “Over those five days together, each child grew – in creativity, confidence and patience,” she said. “The group grew too, learning attentiveness and grace, and creating a culture where everyone was free to try, to fail, and to try again. That sense of welcome and belonging is exactly what this week was about.”
The holiday club was designed to provide structure, meals, and a safe space for children who might otherwise miss out during the summer break. But, as The Revd Elaine Grant noted, it offered so much more. She said: “It was about feeding the soul as well as the body.”
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