Happy Dunterlie host successful summer programme

Happy Dunterlie, a holiday activities and play partnership, kicked off the summer with some indoor games before following this up a week later with Tinkertown, a traditional Adventure Playground inspired pop-up event which gives children and families the time, space and freedom to design, build and play as they like with real tools, pallets and scrap timber.

The third session, saw many attend a seaside arts and crafts extravaganza, while the fourth was a ‘Whippy and Chippy’ summer fun day, with beach-themed arts and crafts and food vans offering free ice cream and chips.

An additional event this week allowed older youngsters to try some paint pouring.

All of the weekly sessions have taken place at Dunterlie Resource Centre, with the fire service making an appearance at one and allowing children to have a go sitting in their engine.

Laura Mathieson, community co-ordinator at the Corra Foundation, told the Barrhead News: “(The sessions took place on) Wednesday mornings and we started off serving some breakfast for people who came along and then had various different activities across the day.

“Tinkertown was something quite different to what we have done before and the arts and crafts session also went down really well.

“The Whippy and Chippy Fun Day was about bringing people together. It was great fun and we had lots of really good feedback about the food.

“It's been great fun this year and we've been so lucky with the weather as well.

“I would just like to say a big massive thank you to the local people that make these things happen because without them it just wouldn't happen.”

Indeed as a testament to the programme’s success, each of the first events attracted just under 100 participants with nearly 200 heading down to enjoy the fun day.

“The partnership is made up of local parents and individuals who help out around Dunterlie,” explained Laura.

“Barrhead housing association, have also been really key in helping out this year and we've also had some of the team from Carlibar Nursery helping and the Corra Foundation, which is where I'm from, supporting the local people.

“This year our funding has come from the East Renfrewshire Linking Communities participatory budgeting and we have also we've had some from the Voluntary Action Humanitarian Fund, which has made a big difference."

Keen to continue to allow young people to experience more of this fun, Happy Dunterlie is on the lookout for volunteers.

“The partnership is always looking for volunteers who are really keen in making these things happen, local families and local parents getting involved, even if it's just to make a cup of tea on the day or get involved with the planning," she added.

“We would love to hear from anybody that is interested in helping out.”

To find out more or to get in touch about helping out visit the Happy Dunterlie Facebook page by clicking HERE.