Published: Tuesday, 29th May 2018

Booking opens soon for free courses and activities for young people during the summer holidays.

Children in care, young parents and ex-offenders can gain priority booking for free courses and activities to develop their skills during the summer holidays.

Young carers and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) will also benefit from early bird booking for the Futureversity programme, funded by the Royal Borough of Greenwich.

Huge range of courses available

11 to 19 year olds (or up to 25 year olds for people with disabilities) can choose from over 60 courses across six topics covering everything from music and performing arts to art and fashion and fitness and wellbeing.

Young people that access The Point or the Early Help service, children leaving care and those who are no longer in the education system and are not working or in training will also be able to gain priority booking from Monday 4 June, ahead of it opening up to the wider public on 25 June.

The Futureversity programme runs from 23 July to 17 August and all the courses on offer are inclusive, all-ability and run by industry professionals. Ranging from sushi making to getting into medicine and an upcycling fashion project to music video filmmaking, there's plenty to get involved in.

For the first time, Futureversity will also offer ten courses exclusively for young people with SEND. These include an experimental art workshop, cheerleading, rock climbing and prototyping an app.

'A head start to those who'll benefit the most'

Councillor David Gardner, Cabinet Member for Children's Services and Schools, said: "The priority booking period will give a head start to young people who'll benefit the most from Futureversity's fantastic range of courses and activities.

"The programme offers something for everyone and we hope that even more children and young people will be able to develop skills which will act as a springboard for them going forward."

Elaine Thomas, Futureversity Programmes Manager, said: "Each year Futureversity provides fun, positive, impactful programmes for all young people during the summer holiday. The summer programme enhances the importance of lifelong learning and stimulates young people's motivation to do well when they return to education in September.

"This year we have inspiring activities for all abilities and are delighted to continue our positive work across the borough."

Priority booking for courses opens on Monday 4 June.

Register your interest online