Fun all summer long…

Nothing for the children to do over the long summer break?

Well, kids in Worsley Mesnes have found that ‘getting physical’ is the perfect cure for the summer-time blues.

Over the six weeks that the schools are out, scores of young people aged from eight to 13, will be converging on St James’ CE Primary, Tyrer Avenue, for some seriously fun session aimed at keeping them fit.

Supported by Wigan Council’s Extended Learning Team, the sessions are all aimed at keeping the kids occupied with the emphasis on a healthy body and mind.

The first session, Fit ‘n’ Funky, was a week full of health-conscious activities under the expert tutelage fitness coach Emma Perkins, but with the accent on stylish and trendy.

Lisa Holland from the Extended Learning Team explains:

“We want to show the children and young people that exercise can be fun so we have concentrated on activities such as street dance, which is not only good for you but is really enjoyable and is great to watch.

“At the same time we have been teaching the children more about the importance on a healthy diet as well as how they can continue with the activities throughout the year once the sessions are over.”

And there’s plenty more to come from the Worsley Mesnes team. Over the weekend ahead they’ll be taking groups of youngsters through their paces with activities such from Boxercise, Yoga, circuit training and parachute games to drama, dance and cheerleading.

The sessions run from 10am until 2pm and are all free to the young people. Lisa says they’ve already been a huge success.

“We’re fully booked up!” she says. “The sessions were aimed at the children from schools in the area and they’ve certainly jumped at the chance because all the places are taken.”

Lisa adds: “It’s a lot more than keeping the kids off the streets, it’s about giving them the chance to have some fun with a serious message behind it. “

“Based on the success we have already seen this year we are already thinking about how we can make next year’s event even bigger.”