THE people behind a project that will once again provide young people with opportunities to be active, have been hailed.

Active Kitchen, which returns to locations across Redditch this summer holiday, has provided more than 1,000 healthy holiday meals to local children since being developed and commissioned by Redditch Borough Council in 2017.

Funding for Active Kitchen comes from the Oakland Foundation, all the meals are provided completely free of charge by Life Fork and Spoon, a local supplier of fully cooked dishes, local volunteers help to serve up, and West Mercia Police support delivery of the sessions.

Cllr Mike Rouse, Redditch Borough Council’s portfolio holder for leisure services, which covers community events, said: “Parents know how important it is to be able to find good local activities during the school holidays and many young people have a good time and make friends at Active Kitchen.

“There’s a real community effort behind it. Not just by the Oakland Foundation, which provides funding for the scheme, but also by Life Fork and Spoon, who provide all the food for Active Kitchen at their own expense. And not to mention the volunteers who help out at the venues, and the other agencies. All their contributions mean many more young people in Redditch are able to benefit from the sessions.”

The holiday activity sessions for nine to 14 year olds will be delivered in four places across Redditch this July and August, including lunchtime and evening sessions.

In Batchley, they’re delivered by and at the Redditch Cricket, Hockey and Rugby Club for the first time.

In Woodrow, it’s by and at What’s Your Point?

In Church Hill, it’s by the YMCA at Willow Trees Community Centre.

And finally in Matchborough it’s by Arrow Vale High School at Arrow Vale Youth Centre.

Cllr Matt Dormer, leader of Redditch Borough Council, said: “Active Kitchen is an example of the community potential we can unlock in Redditch, where with a little well-placed push we can get a ball rolling that, done right, multiplies the combined efforts of different people to everyone’s benefit.”

For more information, go to redditchbc.gov.uk/ak.

Volunteers to help prepare or serve at Active Kitchen are always needed.

If you would like to know more about taking part, or for any other information on the scheme, call 01527 64252 or email sd@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk.