Havering Venture, a local charity, has, for many years, run a summer holiday activity scheme known as the Summer Action.

This programme has evolved over the years to its present form where two programmes, each of two weeks duration, each offer 30 young people the opportunity to experience a series of outdoor activities & visits, to explore their personal boundaries, experience team working, to socialise and, most important, have Fun.

The young people are referred to the project by such agencies as Education Welfare, the Schools & Social Services. The referrals are based on need or greatest benefit and the selection process also uses these criteria. A nominal fee of £20.00 is made for each young person participating.

The staff for these two 30 place projects are drawn from several agencies including, the Youth Support Service, Youth Offending Team, Education Welfare and the Police. Despite the diverging nature of their individual services, the staff work well together and deliver an excellent programme.

There is usually a programme for School Years 7& 8 and one for Years 8& 9, both programmes then have a short follow-up programme in the following February half term, where relationships can be renewed.

The cost of such a programme, four weeks in the summer & one week in the winter, is quite large and Havering Venture actively seeks out funding from local, regional and national grant making trusts to support the programme. The programme is planned by a committee made up of representatives of the partnership agencies.