Thousands of hours of creative fun and outdoor adventure has been enjoyed by over 150 children at Kids Inspire HQ in Great Baddow and at various locations across Essex as a part of ‘Kids that Lunch Club’.

Lunch Club, run during most school holidays, is a part of outreach activity that children’s charity, Kids Inspire, offer to the local community. Run over two days each week, the club varies it’s offering taking into consideration the promotion of therapeutic activities, such as outdoor learning, art, music and team games – all delivered alongside a healthy lunch!

Children from five up to the age of 12, from the local community, have been kept busy with activities such as: decorating personalised treasure boxes; ‘fruit salad’ drama games; forest school activities; ‘building bears’; and fun days out stocking up childhood memories.

Vicky Haylock – Operations Manager at Kids Inspire, said: “Lunch Club is important for lots of reasons, the social aspect, to encourage trying ‘new things’, for the healthy balanced lunch, and to give parents a break during the holidays. All sessions have been facilitated by our qualified art therapy team, and activities would all be things we would do in group or one-to-one therapy.”

In addition to creative activities, Lauriston Farm in Goldhanger, New Hall School in Boreham, Chelmsford City FC, Hyde Hall and the Wilderness Foundation have all hosted destination activities on behalf of Lunch Club during the six-week summer holiday.

Alongside our professional team, 37 volunteers gifted 2,640 hours of their time to Lunch Club. Volunteers were made up of individuals and corporate supporters – an insight into their experience is available here with thanks to Carmel Jane Photography for gifting time to create this testimonial.

Kareem, a regular Kids Inspire, volunteer said: “The joy and energy from everyone was great.”

Corporate supporter volunteers came from The Point 1888, Gallagher’s, Capita and Countryside Properties, while Kefco (KFC East Anglian Franchise), Abigail’s Pizza Oven and ECL (Greenacre’s next door to Hargrave House) provided lunch for the children on separate occasions.  

To follow Lunch Club, Kids Inspire are hosting a ‘community taster session & open day’ on Saturday 14 September as an opportunity for parents to have any questions about mental health and attachment answered. Teachers and other interested parties are welcome too.

Please confirm attendance to emily@kidsinspire.org.uk if any media are interested in attending the Kids Inspire ‘open house’ on Saturday 14 September 11am-1pm as a follow up to our community Lunch Club events.