Healthy Holidays with Leeds GATE
27 October 2023
Leeds GATE is a member-led organisation working to improve the lives of Gypsies and Travellers. They have a thriving community building based in Cross Green, Leeds and work and have members across the region, in Bradford, Kirklees and Wakefield. This year, they were awarded a Healthy Holidays Leeds grant to provide engaging activities and food for children during the school Easter, summer and Christmas holidays. We caught up with them about their Healthy Holidays activities this summer…
“Meet Donna-Marie and Tom. They are two of our young members living in Leeds. Donna-Marie goes to high school and is also part of our mentoring program for other young people about to leave primary school. She is dependable and talented in boxing and dance. Tom attends our boys group at our GATE building, has the gift of the gab and great at making people laugh.
Both were really involved in our Healthy Holidays summer program over the 6 weeks holiday, with 23 trips and activities. We worked in total with 63 young people, including meeting children from new roadside families in the area during fun sessions we ran on camps.
Tom aged 12 said “I thought it was great. I really enjoyed it I thought the things we done was good. My favourite trip was West Leeds activity centre. Me and my friends had lots of fun on the boats.”
Donna said “I really enjoyed it. I liked going on the trips and days out and seeing people. It kept me busy during the 6 week holidays.”
Gypsy and Traveller young people have the same right to education, a safe and nurturing school environment and to go onto college and university if they choose to. This includes opportunities to learn and grow outside the school building as well through new experiences. We’re so proud of all our young people.
Thank you to all the families and young people involved, and our supporters Leeds Community Foundation and Leeds City Council.”