A new wellbeing initiative brought a burst of energy to school holidays across Pembrokeshire this summer.

Pupils attending the 2025 Food & Fun programme received free activity bags designed to help them keep active, play together, and stay healthy at home.

The initiative was developed and funded as a collaborative project between Sport Pembrokeshire, Pembrokeshire Health and Well-Being Promoting Schools, and the Whole School Approach to Emotional and Mental Well-being from Hywel Dda University Health Board.

It was designed to complement the Welsh Local Government Association’s Food & Fun programme.

All 480 children who attended the summer programme at selected schools were given a free activity bag to take home, encouraging movement and play beyond the school setting.

Schools that took part included Ysgol Gelli Aur (Golden Grove), Milford Haven Community Primary, Gelliswick VC Primary, Ysgol Wdig (Goodwick), Johnston CP, Neyland CP, and Fenton CP School.

Each bag contained simple, fun resources such as balls, a bat, spot markers and beanbags - all chosen to encourage physical activity at home with friends and family.

Matthew Freeman of Sport Pembrokeshire, explained the thinking behind the project: “We wanted to give children something fun and practical to help them stay active with their families during the holidays. These bags support confidence, wellbeing, and a positive attitude to movement - and that can last well beyond the summer break.”

The project reflects a shared goal among partners to promote lifelong health and wellbeing by supporting children not only in school, but in their home environments too.

Liz Western, Senior Public Health Officer at Hywel Dda University Health Board and lead for the Healthy Schools programme, said: “This kind of initiative helps embed healthy habits from an early age. The bags are about more than exercise - they promote play, connection, and the kind of daily movement that’s good for children’s bodies and minds.”

At Ysgol Wdig, Headteacher Jonathan Jones saw the impact first-hand: “When the pupils received their bags, they were buzzing with excitement - talking about how they’d use them with their families at home, in the garden, or the park. It’s

encouraged activity not just for the children, but for whole families. That kind of ripple effect is exactly what we hope for.”

Initial feedback from families and staff has been overwhelmingly positive, and plans are now being explored to expand the initiative to reach even more pupils in future holiday periods.