Youngsters beat the boredom with their local housing association

Youngsters beat the boredom with their local housing association

Youngsters stayed out of trouble during the school holidays thanks to ‘Come and play’ sessions laid on by Devizes-based housing association Sarsen.

More than 100 children, aged three to 14, gave street dancing, tag rugby, football, rounders and cricket a go at local parks in Devizes and Ludgershall. The activities were organised by Sarsen’s neighbourhood involvement team to give youngsters a sense of purpose and beat the school holiday boredom.

Resident Alex King, 12, said: “It was great to have something to do instead of us hanging around feeling bored.”

Sarsen’s neighbourhood involvement team works with residents to improve services and neighbourhoods. This includes running focus groups and other events, organising activities for people of all ages and funding neighbourhood improvements with a neighbourhood and community grant.

Anthony Higgins, Sarsen’s neighbourhood involvement manager, said: “The turn-out was fantastic. It was great to see the kids enjoying the fresh air, keeping fit and making new friends.”

Next summer Sarsen plans to combine its ‘Come and play’ sessions with Wiltshire Council’s ‘Fun in the sun’ scheme, which provides free sports coaching to young people in rural areas.

For more information about Sarsen’s activities for youngsters call (01380) 735328.

ENDS 

For press enquiries or photographs contact:

Sophie Quartley

PR & Communications Co-ordinator

Sarsen Housing Association

DDI: 01380 735325

Email: sophie.quartley@sarsen.co.uk

Notes to editors

About Sarsen Housing Association

Sarsen Housing Association is a member of the Aster Group, the largest south west- based social landlord which provides homes and services for some 40,000 people and develops thriving successful communities across the region. Sarsen was formed in 1995 and owns and manages around 6,000 homes in south west England. It has a proven track record for building homes with more than 1,600 homes completed so far. In 2007 Sarsen won the Wiltshire Business of the Year Awards for its service to the community. It was also a finalist in several national awards, including the Chartered Institute of Housing Awards.