Youngsters have been enjoying a summer of free activities thanks to funding from Farnham Town Council’s School Holiday Grant scheme.

A total of £18,055 was awarded to eight local organisations to deliver free creative, sporting, and social activities during the school summer holidays.

Eight local organisations benefitted from this year’s community grants. Awards of £4,000 each went to 40 Degreez, Farnham Maltings and Hale Community Centre, while the Rural Life Living Museum received £3,000.

The Chantrys Community Association was awarded £1,500, and Bethel Baptist Church received £750. Other grants went to Farnham Baptist Church, which received £500, and Hive Helpers, which was awarded £305.

Funded activities ranged from trips to aquariums, nature walks, and theatre visits, to sports coaching, arts and crafts, and hands-on nature experiences.

Families have enjoyed everything from free museum days and forest school sessions to kayaking, pottery painting, and bee discovery walks.

Cllr Graham White, leader of Farnham Town Council, says: “For some children, the summer holidays are long and unexciting with no opportunity to do anything.

“We’ve recognised this and through the school holiday grant, we aimed to make sure all younger people in Farnham had access to fun, safe, and inspiring school holiday activities, particularly those that may be from financially disadvantaged households.”

The School Holiday Grant scheme is part of the council’s wider investment in supporting younger people and families. In addition to the money awarded for holiday activities, Farnham Town Council has also committed £60,000 to youth hubs and engagement with £30,000 of funding going to 40 Degreez, and £15,000 each to Hale Community Centre and Youth Centre, and the Jubilee Hub.

Cllr White added: “We see the money we have earmarked for youth organisations in Farnham as an investment in the lives of the next generation of Farnham’s adults.

“The impact of last year’s funding was particularly notable at 40 Degreez, which introduced weekly detached outreach sessions at The Chantrys.

“These have been highly successful in engaging young people and building trust within the community.”

He said the continued funding for 2025/26 reflects Farnham Town Council’s commitment to supporting youth engagement and ensuring that young people across the town have access to positive, consistent support networks.

For more information about how Farnham Town Council supports younger people, visit www.farnham.gov.uk