WATCH: Final preparations by the team running free daily play sessions for around 2,500 children this summer

Over 300 play workers and volunteers for Torfaen Play are ready to give children and young people a fun-packed summer.

a man gets ready for a tug of war game with a group of young people — The team spent the week making final preparations for the Torfaen summer playschemes (Photo: Torfaen Play)

They spent this week taking part in training sessions and making final preparations as they plan to welcome 1000s of youngsters to sites across Torfaen. The training included the importance of play, disability awareness, first aid, safeguarding and anti-bullying.

The service is made up of 180 volunteers aged 16-17 and 140 staff.

Councillor Richard Clarke, executive member for children, families and education, visited the training this week and said:“ I am amazed with all the commitment from all these young people. Giving up their time to support the children of Torfaen. This is fantastic and I look forward to meeting more of them throughout the summer.”

Councillor Leanne Lloyd-Tolman, chair of Cwmbran Community Council, said: “What an inspiration. The young people of Cwmbran and Torfaen have risen to the challenge to provide these opportunities to all these children. It is a pleasure to work in partnership with Torfaen Play Service to make all this happen.”

Julian Davenne, play service manager, told Cwmbran Life” “Just on the last day of training now to equip the staff with the necessary tools and understanding to support all the children through the summer. It has been a fantastic week and the workers are so committed to giving their best to the children in the communities of Torfaen. We are predicting big numbers this summer with approximately 2,500 children per day across all the sites.

“This year we have 160 children who require 1 to 1 support, each with their own bespoke package put in place to accommodate their needs.

“None of this would be possible without the fantastic work of the volunteers and the continual support and commitment from Cwmbran Community Council, Pontypool Community Council, Croesyceiliog & Llanyrafon Community Council, Henllys Community Council, Blaenavon Town Council and the Welsh Local Government Association.”

This summer over 1,600 children are booked onto 13 Food and Fun Camps where children will have breakfast and a hot meal each day. And there are eight open access playschemes and four sites for children with complex needs.

The sessions run from Monday 31 July to Thursday 24 August. Visit Torfaen Council’s website for the full list of sites and information on how to register your child.