Here comes a summer of fun

OLDHAM’S young people are promised the biggest fun-packed programme of summer events in the borough’s history.

Oldham Council and its partner organisations have planned hundreds of activities to ensure the 2010 “Go! Oldham” initiative is bigger and better than ever before.

Most of the events are free, and very few will cost more than £5.

It kicks off this half-term with “Switched On”, running until June 6, featuring a host of activities across the borough for anyone aged 20 and under and their families.

Council chiefs says such event programmes are proving hugely beneficial to the borough as children in Oldham are experiencing less bullying and are less likely to frequently use drugs and alcohol because of them.

A recent TellUs4 survey, published by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (now the Department for Education), found Oldham has showed a massive improvement in increasing the number of children and young people who reported taking part in positive activities.

On this national indicator, Oldham moved from 114th highest among all local authorities in 2008 to fifth highest in 2009.

Councillor Mark Alcock, Cabinet Member for Citizens and Neighbourhoods, said: “Oldham Council and its partners are committed to offering our young citizens the best start in life and engaging them in activities so they cannot be accused of hanging about on street corners and engaging in anti-social behaviour.

“During last year’s Passport to Summer event reports of anti-social behaviour dropped by 27 per cent, which goes to show schemes like this do work.

“This huge and exciting programme of events offers so much variety there should be something for everyone. All the sessions will be fun and many will equip youngsters with new skills they may not have had access to in the past.

“With sites across the whole borough being involved young people can get out and enjoy the activities, even if the weather is bad.”

Each district will have its own events programme and a specially designated ‘Youth Zone’, which are staffed venues offering young people somewhere to go, socialise, join in games and activities, or just chill out.

Organisations involved include The Oldham Partnership, Gallery Oldham, Groundwork, Oldham Coliseum Theatre, Oldham Athletic, Oldham Community Leisure Ltd, Oldham Countryside Service, Oldham Libraries, Integrated Youth Service, Saddleworth Art Gallery, plus many more.

All events are listed on www.gooldham.com, and regular updates will be fed out via Twitter and Facebook.

“Switched On” brochures are available in schools, libraries and community centres.


Go! Oldham highlights

Trampolining, dancing and daily football sessions in Failsworth and Hollinwood, plus climbing, “can’t cook, won’t cook” sessions and Festival Oldham in the town centre this weekend.

Chadderton will host an environment day, ballet dancing and teen gym sessions, and in East Oldham you can make a splash by learning to swim or snap to it by taking part in the “Images of Uppermill” photographic project.

In Royton there will be introductory canoe lessons, while glass painting and art sessions have been organised for culture vultures in West Oldham.

Enjoy a “grand day out” at the borough’s libraries, with a week of outdoors themed activities. Young readers can enjoy teddy bears’ picnics at Chadderton, Crompton and Royton libraries, while Failsworth Library has two events centred on the Rochdale canal.