With summer here, the British weather won’t stop young people in Croydon from having a great time over the long holiday.

Croydon Council's youth team have a range of things on offer for anyone aged 8-18 – or up to 25 for those with learning difficulties or physical disabilities.

Starting this week and running through until the end of August, the borough’s parks will be hosting drop-in sports sessions including football, cricket, rounders, badminton, volleyball, and tug-o-war contests.

There will also be musical open mic sessions, karaoke, and poetry readings along with arts and crafts activities ranging from tile painting and jewellery making to painting.

Other activities include the opportunity to create and produce a play in a week, an art session to brighten up a space in the town centre, and the chance to develop a tech-based nature trail. Also on the programme are dance, music and public speaking sessions.

Elsewhere, the Reaching Higher Summer Blitz is back with a four-week programme for young people aged 12-16. The organisation runs performing arts workshops, sports sessions, and activities such as cooking courses or day trips to some of London’s most popular destinations. There are also volunteering facilities for those aged 17 and over. E-mail info@reachinghigher for details.

For those young people with special needs there is a year-round offer of things to do, with a mixture of one-off special events and regular weekly term-time sessions. These range from youth clubs and visits to festivals to woodland learning sessions. Lots of information can be found at www.croydon.gov.uk/senleisure.