While the long school summer holidays are eagerly anticipated by children all over Dundee, it can be a worrying time for parents.
They know their youngsters will expect to be entertained with fun and exciting days out. Not only that, but simply by having their children at home longer it will cost parents more in food and snacks.
One place that’s helping parents out in that respect is the Brooksbank Centre, based on the city’s Pitairlie Road, where lunch and breakfast clubs are being held during the summer and activities are also being laid on for children at much cheaper costs than normal.
Several families spoke to the Tele about the support the centre has given them.
Samantha Strachan, 33, from Mid Craigie, was at the centre with her two daughters Sophie and Kayla Agnew — aged nine and 11 respectively — and her friend’s nine-year-old daughter, Marcy Donald.
Samantha added: “It’s really hard to keep up with everything the children would like to do in the school holidays. Everything costs so much.
“Coming here to the breakfast club and the lunch club, where the children can eat for nothing, is a major help. Shopping in the holidays can be really expensive but it’s easier to keep the shopping costs down when you come here.
“Not only that but there are amazing activities laid on that we only have to pay a minimum for, which the children probably wouldn’t be able to take part in otherwise.
“I’m aware that some people still think there is a stigma involved in asking for help in the holidays but there is no shame at all in taking part in groups like this that are laid on to help.
“This is my third year coming here and the girls really enjoy the social side of it. I am very grateful for all the help I have received.”
Also attending the breakfast and lunch club at the centre was Ashley Cargill, 31, and her daughter Amy Douglas, five, from the Douglas area.
Ashley explained: “The children get good food at breakfast and at lunch and they really enjoy getting together and taking part in group events and activities.
“The holidays can be a difficult time. The children need to have things to do and because they are at home so much more, you go through a lot more food.”
She said that while at school, the P1 to P3 kids obviously got free school meals, so to be able to get food for the children at the centre was a massive help. She added: “They also have so many fun days out taking part in activities such as cooking and art classes. They have also enjoyed a magic show, a disco and have had days out.”
Jenny Whyte, 31, brought her daughter Chloe, seven, and Chloe’s auntie Nicola King, 20, along to the centre. Jenny, of Mid Craigie, said: “I try to help out by paying a donation towards food and some of the activities.
“We come here every day and Chloe really looks forward to it. I’m not working just now and, like everyone, have to watch what I’m spending so to be part of the breakfast club and the lunch club is great.
“The food provided is excellent and the children love socialising with the others.”
Ginny Lawson (pictured right), centre manager, said: “The centre provides somewhere for families to go to enjoy socialising and taking part in loads of different activities.”