Summer holiday activities available for young people in Oxford

Despite the current budget challenges, the Council has provided funding to a number of partner agencies to ensure all children and young people can take part in a range of activities from playschemes, boxing, acting, summer fetes, and more.

Many of the organised activities provide a free meal for children, which provides further support for families during the current cost of living crisis. Other options of food support that is available this summer includes community fridges and larders, community support groups, and food banks. A list of available support can be found on the Council's food support webpages. 

To find more about the activities on offer and how to and book a free place visit the Youth Ambition website or contact the Youth Ambition Team on 01865 252728 or by email. 

Youth Ambition activities (1 August – 26 August)

The City Council’s Youth Ambition team is organising free summer holiday activities for 11-19 year olds in Northway and Littlemore, including games, trips, swimming, ice skating, cooking, theatre, music, dance and arts and crafts and more.

The activities will be taking place each week at: 

• Northway Community centre, 11.30am-5pm, Monday to Thursday
• Littlemore Community Centre, 11am-4.30pm, Monday to Thursday
• Leys Pools and Leisure Centre, 6pm-9pm,  Every Friday (Multi Sports session)

Oxford City Council is also supporting a number of partners to ensure all children and young people aged 6 to 19 years can take part in a range of activities this summer.

The activities are:

• Blackbird Leys Adventure Playground (BLAP) playscheme for 8-13 year olds, running from 25 July until 19 August from 10am-4pm.
• theDECADE Youth Residency – a weeklong residency for 14-19 years olds to co-create a brand new piece of hip hop dance theatre work, to be performed as part of Body Politic’s 10 year anniversary showcase, running 22 August until 26 August from 10am-4pm.
• Camps Ignite - two full weeks of holiday workshops for 6-13 year olds, hosted by Ark-T, starting 15 August.
• Leys CDI summer project – Activities for 5-16 year olds, running Monday to Friday from 1 August until 26 August at various times.
• Sky Dance hosted by CDI Summer project, IF Oxford, and The Drone Rules – running on Tuesday in August (2, 9, 16, and 23) from 1.30pm-3.30pm.
• Oxford Youth Enterprise - Name It – Summer programme for 11-19 year olds, running Monday to Friday from 25 July until 23 August at Oxford Sixth Form inside Templars Square.
• Rose Hill Junior Youth Club for 5-10 year olds, and 11-17 year olds, running throughout August.
• The Parasol Project – Running Monday to Thursday from 26 July until Friday 2 September from 10am-3pm. End of summer fete on 26 August from 12pm-4pm.
• Take 2 Youth Club – Youth club for 11-18 year olds. Running Monday to Friday from 26 July until 17 August from 10.30-3.30pm at EMBS inside Templars Square Shopping Centre.
• Oxford Playhouse – activities and workshops for activities for families and people of all ages throughout August.
• Barton Community Association summer activities– for 6-11 year olds, and ages 11+, running on  Wednesday, Thursday, Friday in August.
• Life Chances – Boxing, self-defence and fitness qualification class for 11–17 year olds at Barton Neighbourhood Centre on Thursdays from 6pm-7pm. Contact: tyisha@bartoncommunityassociation.com
• Life Chances – Boxing sessions for 11-19 year olds at Oxford Mixed Martial Arts Academy, Templar Square Shopping Centre. Fridays from 4pm-5pm. Contact: Amy.obrien@oxfordshireyouth.org

Oxfordshire County Council is also providing a programme of organised holiday activities for children who are in Reception-Year 11 and who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals. 

Oxford Community Impact Fund

The activities this summer, and beyond are supported through the Oxford Community Impact Fund (OCIF). The OCIF replaces all former funding programmes for communities including: Culture Fund, Green Neighbourhood Scheme, Youth Ambition Fund, Youth Ambition Holiday Activities Fund, Small Grants and Open Bidding. 

Despite the challenging economic times, Oxford has been able to maintain a community grants programme that will support third sector partners who share common objectives with the Council: support thriving communities; pursue a zero carbon Oxford; enable an inclusive economy and deliver more, affordable housing (helping those at risk of homelessness and in unsuitable housing).

“I am delighted that the Council is once again able to support summer activities for children and young people in our city. This summer, with the current cost of living crisis we want to ensure that families and children can enjoy their summer with free or low cost events and activities to keep them entertained.

“Many of these activities also provide a free meal for children, which will be crucial for some families. I want to thank these community organisations for their hard work to provide these activities for our communities.”

Councillor Shaista Aziz, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Communities and Culture