South Tyneside charity Key is once again ensuring children stay fed and entertained during the six weeks of the upcoming school holidays (21Jul – 29 Aug).
The charity is providing FREE crafts and snacks, plus take home recipe bags, for children, from any family who would benefit, aboard its Key Community Bus, which will be running to its usual timetable, of Tuesday to Thursday, over the holidays.
Activities and food provision will take place on a first come, first served basis and while stocks last. The aptly named ‘Busto Packs’ (recipe bags), which serve four, will be distributed at the end of each session, one per family.
Boredom busting craft activities will take place up top, in the upper deck engagement space, accessible by staircase only. All children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian for the duration of the session.
Recipe bags will include a meat, fish, or vegetarian-based option with easy-to-follow instructions to cook together at home.
No booking is required, simply turn up at any of the scheduled bus stops; the timetable can be viewed at keycommunity.org.uk/key-community-bus/.
Key’s Prevention and Intervention team will be supporting the bus team on the upper deck over the summer so on hand to provide advice and guidance to families if required.
In addition, families who hop aboard can also take advantage of the bus’s book swap library and access free pre-loved school uniform, for primary and secondary schools throughout South Tyneside.
Uniform is also available to collect from the charity’s Key to Life Foodbank. To bag yours, simply DM Key to Life’s Facebook page (@KeytoLifeFoodbank), or give the team a call on 07833 613 393, with full details of school and sizes required and a volunteer will let you know if available and when ready to collect.
The charity’s sizzling summer offer for hard-pressed local families will also include the exciting addition of a free day trip by coach to Beadnell, Friday 8 August, including a free packed lunch for everyone attending, plus seashore fun, learning and creativity delivered by Ranger Jane’s beach school.
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** ADDITIONAL INFORMATION **
Coach Trip to Beadnell with beach activities by Ranger Jane’s Beach School – Friday 8 August 2025
Join us for a trip up the coast to enjoy some seashore fun, learning and creativity! With its sandy beach being the highlight attraction in the area of outstanding natural beauty, Beadnell is a great day out for locals and holiday makers. There’s nowhere better to spend the day, especially when you have Ranger Jane on hand delivering a whole host of beach based activities to keep the kids entertained.All attendees will receive a healthy packed lunch.
How to book
Unfortunately, due to the limited number of seats on the coach, and as the trip is primarily aimed at children, we can only accommodate one adult per family. Please register your interest in attending by dropping Key to Life’s Facebook page a DM, or give the foodbank a call on 07833 613393, by Wednesday 30 July. We will contact those who have successfully secured a place, to confirm, by Fri 1 August. NB Due to the expected high level of interest, we cannot respond to everyone individually. If you do not hear from us, unfortunately, you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Pick-up/Drop-off Location
Key to Life Foodbank, Boldon Lane, South Shields, NE34 0LZ.
Timings
Outward:
Depart 9.30 am PLEASE MEET BY 9.15AM
Return:
Arrive home c. 4.30 pm
Please note:
- All children/young people must be accompanied by an adult parent/guardian for the duration of the session & wear weather appropriate clothing/footwear – don’t forget your suncream!
- Children age 3 and under require their own child car seat for the coach
- Please let us know if any children/young people have any dietary requirements or allergies.
- If, after your places have been confirmed you can no longer attend, please call us on 07833 613 393 so we can offer your place(s) to another family
- Photography and videos may be taken at this event for marketing and press purposes. If you do not want your child to be photographed, please make the activity provider aware on arrival. Photo consent forms will be handed out to gain permissions from parents who are happy for their children to be photographed.