Families try Summer holiday activities at Fun-Filled Picnic

Local families enjoyed a fun start to the summer holidays at the Vassall Hub Summer Picnic, held at Oldbury Court Estate on Wednesday 23rd July and organised by the Vassall Community Hub.

The event brought together families from the BS16 area, with a picnic, creative activities, and plenty of fun. Children took part in games, crafts, and food-themed activities, while parents relaxed and connected with one another. The rain held off and the sun even made a brief appearance!

The Bristol City Robins Foundation ran fantastic football sessions, giving children a chance to get active and have fun with professional coaching. Over in the creative corner, Children's Scrapstore hosted a bustling Cardboard City, where children built everything from boats and a house, complete with a fish tank, to a giant archway - all from recycled materials.

Children got stuck into a wide range of creative activities throughout the day. East Bristol Children’s Centre brought jellyfish and caterpillar crafts, while Bizzy Kids Club added a bit of magic with their wand-making station, using colourful wool and shiny materials. Chartwells kept everyone moving with fun, food-themed games, and there were queues for face painting by Bristol Charities staff. Local community police joined the fun too, offering temporary tattoos and chatting with families along with AllSaints Family Café.

The picnic lunch was a highlight, thanks to delicious healthy food provided by the Secret Soup Society, featuring falafel wraps, strawberries, watermelon, and plenty of picnic favourites. Staff from the Vassall Hub were on hand throughout the day to support, host, and share information about the Vassal Community Hub and summer programmes run by the providers attending.

As well as a lovely day out, the picnic had a wider purpose - to introduce families to Bristol’s Your Holiday Hub programme, part of the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) scheme, which funds a wide range of free activities for children eligible for benefits-related free school meals during school holidays.

“It was brilliant to see so many local families enjoying the park, getting creative, and spending time together,” said Zoe Williams, Community Hub Manager at the Vassall Hub. “We’re proud to have brought so many local partners together to make the day special - and to show what’s available to families through the Holiday Hub. Events like this really show what’s possible when the community comes together.”

To explore more fully funded summer holiday activities across Bristol for children in Reception to Year 11 who receive benefits-related free school meals, visit:👉 www.yourholidayhubbristol.co.uk

Find out more about what's on at the Vassall Community Hub over the summer:

Hub Activities