The summer holidays are here and many residents across our borough are enjoying some relaxing downtime, spending time with family and friends and exploring our fantastic parks and open spaces - when the weather permits.
As a mother of an energetic three-year-old, I know summertime can be a challenging period for us, juggling work and life commitments while ensuring our little ones are occupied and entertained.
That’s why the council is committed to providing services for families and young people to make sure that everyone in Haringey has the support they need.
Last month, we launched our first Family Hub at the Triangle Centre in St Ann’s Road which provides support to parents, carers and young people, (visit haringey.gov.uk/features/family-hubs-launch for information) and we have set up a summer activities programme with partners across the borough offering exciting opportunities including sport, arts & crafts and drama workshops (go to haringey.gov.uk/sites/haringeygovuk/files/summer_fun_booklet_2023.pdf).
Collaborating with our residents when designing our services is the driving force behind all we do as a council. Rising Green Youth Hub set up last year was designed by our young people, for our young people and has a range of activities happening throughout this summer and beyond (youthspace.haringey.gov.uk/rising-green-youth-hub).
It’s through community designed assets such as the Rising Green Youth Hub and the Bruce Grove Youth Space that we’re investing in our young people, giving them a say in how we provide for them, and helping them to get on in life and achieve their dreams.
In addition to the work we do here in Haringey, the Mayor of London is taking further steps to ensure young people across the capital have access to support they need. Last week Sadiq Khan visited Living Under One Sun in Tottenham Hale to announce an extra £7.4 million funding for his Violence Reduction Unit. This vital fund provides a range of activities for young Londoners to keep them safe and active over the summer.
We are also proud of an additional commitment by City Hall to provide free school meals to all primary-aged children in London from September. This is a welcome lifeline for so many people across our city and shows what Labour can achieve when we are in power.
Our children’s welfare and prospects should never be a political choice. It’s abundantly clear that the UK government are depriving hard working families struggling in a cost-of-living crisis from giving their children the basics.
Our future generation deserve better than this and we will continue to work hard together to make sure no child goes hungry, no parent goes without the support they need, and that our communities thrive.
- Peray Ahmet is council leader for Haringey Council.
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