North Lanarkshire Council’s Club 365 saw attendances soar this summer, as youngsters flocked to venues across the authority area. Originally launched as a pilot programme in 2018, numbers have climbed following the pandemic with over 15,000 attendances in 2022.

The Club 365 scheme allows pupils who are entitled to free meals to attend a number of venues during the holidays and enjoy a hot lunch, multi-sports games and activities in a fun setting.

It will be running throughout the September weekend and during the October holidays.

The programme, supported by a range of external partners, operated out of 18 venues this summer including local schools and sports centres and included three dedicated venues supporting assisted special needs pupils. Some young people and their families also got the chance to go to local swimming pools, ice skating, cinemas and other visitor attractions including M&D’s, World of Wings and the Glasgow Science Centre.

Councillor Angela Campbell, Convener of Education, Children and Families said: “This year’s summer Club 365 programme has been a great success with thousands of young people enjoying healthy lunchtime meals, the chance to try different activities and to build new friendships.

“The programme helps families keep their children busy during the hectic summer period and it means they don’t need to be spending extra money on food during the holidays, especially at a time when the costs are spiralling. As a council, we are committed to helping local people as much as we can, during this cost of living crisis.”

Local charity Balls and Boots also visited the Berryhill Primary School hub this summer providing sports equipment to the pupils in attendance. The charity focuses on supporting children and young people "to take part in the greatest game on the planet and experience the joy of being on a football pitch with their friends, old and new - and experience the thrill of kicking a ball."

The council’s Club 365 programme operates throughout the year at weekends and other school holiday including Easter and Christmas.

More information on the programme is available by visiting the council’s website