Step into Street Stuff as festive holiday camps return

It’s not just Santa that young people across Renfrewshire are waiting for this December, Street Stuff’s festive camps are back too as the award-winning programme returns to help burn off all that excess excitement.

From 23 December to 5 January, with the exception of Christmas and New Year’s Day, there will be football and youth bus activities on every day and a few festive surprises too as coaches and volunteers bring some festive cheer to young people in Renfrewshire.

Anyone aged 8-16 is welcome to take part in every session and there is no cost to take part.

A free, healthy meal will be provided at each of the afternoon activities to ensure participants are fuelled up and ready to go.

Councillor Marie McGurk, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board, said: “It’s the time of year where our young people start to feel excited about the upcoming festivities and we want to ensure that they can harness this excitement with sport and exercise, as well as having fun with their friends through the Christmas period.

“Not all young people look forward to this time of year however, so we want to provide a fun, safe environment where they can have fun and are given a healthy meal too.

The activities are free and open to all so please send your little along and tell them to bring their friends too!”

Street Stuff’s core programme will continue to run alongside the festive activities, with the youth bus out every night except Christmas Day and New Years Day in communities across Renfrewshire.

The programme is a diversionary project run in partnership between Renfrewshire Council, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Engage Renfrewshire and St Mirren Football Club.

It began in 2009 in Renfrewshire contributing to a reduction in youth disorder and anti-social behaviour by 75 percent over the first five years, with a sustained reduction of 65 percent, and its success has been recognised with numerous national awards.

For more information, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/StreetStuff or follow @SMFCStreetStuff on Twitter.