four women in red t-shirts
Deon, Sarah, Jessica and Riana run Play & Respite Sessions at The Cockerel, Victory Church, Glenside and Fairhill Church

Deon, Sarah, Jessica and Riana run Play & Respite Sessions at The Cockerel, Victory Church, Glenside and Fairhill Church. They are supported by a team of volunteers who are running fun sessions for children throughout August.

Across Torfaen, there are 180 volunteers aged 16-17 and 140 paid workers providing a wide range of play activities at 37 sites. All went through a week’s training to give them the skills to support children and young people during the summer holidays. The 37 sites being run by Torfaen Play are:

  • 13 laugh, learn and get active camps (food and fun) at local primary schools. Over 1,300 children have booked on to attend every day with a waiting list for every single camp.
  • 9 Open Access Playschemes
  • 6 Play and Respite Sessions
  • 9 Play in the Park Sessions

Cwmbran Life asked the four leaders to tell us a bit about themselves

Riana

What is your favourite memory of playing as a child?

Swimming and playing in the park.

What are the best things about being a playscheme leader?

Making everyone happy.

What is a typical day at your site like?

Amazing.

Favourite music artist?

Pink

Favourite hobby?

Swimming

Favourite food?

Curry

Favourite item of clothing and why?

PJs

Dogs or cats?

Dogs

Summer or winter?

Winter

First or last on the dancefloor?

Last

What song do you always sing in the shower?

Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush

Deon

What is your favourite memory of playing as a child?

Sledding down a bank by my house on trays with my brother.

What are the best things about being a playscheme leader?

Getting to act like a child and play all day and getting messy and teaching other adults to do the same.

Favourite music artist?

Eminem

Favourite hobby?

Going walking

Favourite food?

Pasta

Favourite item of clothing and why?

Leggins and stretchy tops for comfort

Dogs or cats?

Cats

Summer or winter?

Summer

First or last on the dancefloor?

Last 

What song do you always sing in the shower?

It’s a new shower. I don’t want to break the glass

Sarah

What is your favourite memory of playing as a child?

Climbing trees.

What are the best things about being a playscheme leader?

Seeing happy kids playing and joining in

What is a typical day at your site like?

Loud.

Favourite music artist?

Ed Sheeran

Favourite hobby?

Reading

Favourite food?

Pizza

Favourite item of clothing and why?

Joggers- they are comfy

Dogs or cats?

Dogs

Summer or winter?

Summer

First or last on the dancefloor?

Last

What song do you always sing in the shower?

Six

Jessica

What is your favourite memory of playing as a child?

Building a tree swing over a river whilst camping with my family.

What are the best things about being a playscheme leader?

Making sure that all children and staff are having fun whilst being with me.

Favourite music artist?

Anything I can dance to

Favourite hobby?

Crocheting

Favourite food?

Chinese chicken stir fry

Favourite item of clothing and why?

Pyjamas after a fun day at work

Dogs or cats?

Dogs

Summer or winter?

Summer

First or last on the dancefloor?

First and last

What song do you always sing in the shower?

Imagine by Bass Modulators

Info on play sessions across Torfaen

  • All the food and fun camps taking place in the primary schools are full so parents/ carers should not turn up. Email torfaenplay@torfaen.gov.uk to be added to a waiting list.
  • There are 160 spaces at the camp at Cwmbran Stadium and these are for children from Torfaen, aged eight and over. Your child will need a packed lunch.
  • Info on the open access sessions is below. Please go with your child for the first session to register.

play in the park poster play camp at Cwmbran Stadium poster

No booking needed for these sessions but parents and carers should attend on their child’s first day to register