Summer schemes

We are pleased to offer council summer schemes in summer 2021. Due to the COVID19 pandemic, it has been necessary to adapt the schemes and the format will differ from previous years.  

Due to pandemic numbers of children admitted to each scheme have been dramatically reduced. To accommodate as many children as possible, two sessions a day will run in each week of the scheme. There will be a morning and afternoon session: 

  • Morning session will run from 10am to 12.30pm  
  • Afternoon session will run from 1.30pm to 4 pm 

Children can be registered for one session in one week of the scheme.  This equates to two and a half hours per day per child for one week only. 

The same programme will run across all sessions during the three weeks of the summer scheme: all children enrolled will have the same opportunities/experience. 

Summer Scheme Dates 

  • Week 1 – Monday 26 to Friday 30 July 2021   
  • Week 2 – Monday 2 to Friday 6 August 2021  
  • Week 3 – Monday 9 to Friday 13 August 2021 

Registration details 

Registration for Summer Schemes 2021 will take place at the following Community Centres. Any updates to these dates/times will be promoted on the website and on the Ards and North Down Borough Council Facebook page. 

Where Date Time Number of Places available per session*
Redburn Community Centre  14 June 2021 10am to 12 noon

Morning: 8 places 
Afternoon: 8 places 
George Green Community Centre 15 June 2021 10am to 12 noon

Morning: 32

Afternoon: 32
Ballygowan Community Centre 16 June 2021 10am to 12 noon

Morning: 19
Afternoon: 19
Portavogie Community Centre  17 June 2021 10am to 12 noon

Morning: 19
Afternoon: 19
West Winds Community Centre 18 June 2021 10am to 12 noon

Morning: 12
Afternoon: 12

*These numbers are subject to change in response to Covid 19 regulations. 

If all summer scheme places are not allocated during the registration period Monday 14 to Friday 18 June 2021, an additional registration period may be run from Monday 21 to Wednesday 23 June 2021. This will be communicated via our social media channels and website.  

If a session is oversubscribed, a reserve list will be taken. This is not available to those who have already been successfully allocated a place on the summer scheme. 

 If a place becomes available, our staff will consult the reserve list in the order listed and work through with offers until places are filled. 

In the event of a summer scheme being undersubscribed, the decision may be taken not to run the session. A final decision will be taken in the week commencing 21 June 2021 and anyone whose child had been registered for the session will be notified of the cancellation. 

Registration Day 

When registering their child(ren), adults are asked to wear face coverings/masks. Please bring your own pen to complete the forms. 

Registration forms and Parents Information leaflet will ONLY be available on day of registration at each centre.  

Only those with Parental Responsibility (Legal Parents/Legal Guardians) and reside within the borough can complete these consent forms. 

Please bring relevant documentation, ON THE DAY, for proof of age and address e.g. Birth certificate, utility bill – your child’s place will not be confirmed until these documents are provided. 

For a definition of who holds parental responsibility please scroll down to frequently asked questions under “How do I register my child(ren)?” 

More information, including about Council funded partner-run schemes, is in the FAQs below. 

Frequently asked questions

Who are the summer schemes for?

​Children who are in school, in classes P1 - P7 (children must have completed P1)

What activities will be included?

Program content will be compliant with social distancing and risk assessments and is subject to change according to Government guidelines. Each scheme will have a varied programme of activities and events. This may include the following:

• Arts & Crafts

• Games

• Street hockey/bowls

• Dancing

With the scheme format for 2021, unfortunately trips will not be possible this year.

How much does it cost?

To reflect the reduced program, costs will also be lowered, for this year only.

Full Cost for 1 Week of summer scheme: 5 morning OR afternoon sessions: £12.50

Concession Cost for 1 Week of summer scheme: 5 morning OR afternoon sessions: £6.

Concession Rates

Concession rates apply to those families in receipt of Free School meals. You will be required to provide documentary proof of this when making payment. To obtain this, you can contact your DHSS office to provide a letter/e mail outlining this.

Recent (last 6 months) correspondence from DHSS confirming you are currently in receipt of:

  • Income Support,
  • Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance,
  • Income Related Employment and Support Allowance or
  • Guarantee Element of State Pension Credit
  • Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit

Or

Print off from DHSS showing that you are in receipt of Universal Credit and your income is under £14,000

Please bring this documentation along with you on the first day of scheme.

When registering more than two children at full cost at a scheme you are eligible for concession rate for the third and subsequent children in the family.

Payment will be taken on the first day of the week the child is enrolled in the summer scheme.

How do I register my child(ren)?

Due to the Covid 19 Pandemic queuing should be socially distanced and adults should wear face masks.

Registration Sessions for Summer Scheme 2021 will take place at the local Community Centres where each scheme is rolled out. Places are available on first come first served basis for children who reside in the Borough. Only adults with Parental Responsibility may complete and sign registration forms. Please read the below for more info.

Parental Responsibility: What is it?

This is the legal definition for who can give consent for a child to attend our activities. The full definition is set out in the Children (NI) Order 1995. According to the definition the following can sign consent forms for our activities:

• Always the mother

• Only the father if the name is stated on the child’s birth certificate or has legal documents to prove they are the father.

• Legal Guardians, these are people who also have legal documents proving responsibility for the child.

Who cannot sign consent forms?

• Anyone who is not on the list above or who does not have a legal document to prove responsibility. For example:

  • Grandparents
  • Step Parents
  • Aunts / Uncles
  • Childminders
I have more questions: who can I ask?

For more information please contact our Community Development Officers:

Linda McAllister: Tel. 0300 013 3333 (Ext 40346) or email Linda.McAllister@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Stephen Archibald: Tel. 0300 013 3333 (Ext 40351) or email Stephen.Archibald@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Are other summer schemes available in my area?

The Council provides funding for four Summer Scheme Community partners at:

  • Kilcooley Women’s Centre, Kilcooley Community Centre
  • Breezemount Community Assoc, Green Road Community Centre
  • Millisle Youth Group, The Hub, Millisle
  • Ballyphilip Youth Group, St Patricks Community Centre Portaferry (TBC)

Contact details for these are below:

Kilcooley Women’s Centre

Tracy Harrison tracy@kilcooleywomenscentre.co.uk and Mobile: 07766056658

Landline: 02891 478202 / Ladybirds Springhill Landline: 02891 093039

Breezemount Community Association

Please contact leannebellerby@googlemail.com or sharondavison211081@outlook.com

Millisle Youth Forum Summer Scheme

Please contact jo@millisle.org.uk and phone number 07719339953

Ballyphilip Youth Group,Portaferry

Details to follow: please check back.

Community